My Feral Cat Colony Never Seizes to Amaze...

Just wanted to share what I've been witnessing over the last few days regarding an amazing colony I have come to know over the last 2-years.

Long story short, I have been sheltering, feeding & hopefully providing safety for a colony of 5 adults...3 females & 2 males. Approximately, 6-weeks ago, all the females gave birth...15 kittens in total. (TNR is currently in progress) I captured all the kittens except for two. As much as I tried to follow the females, for the life of me, I couldn't find these two 6-wk. old kittens. I haven't seen them in weeks, so I said a prayer and figured they had met their demise.

When I was feeding the adult females last night, I pet them underneath and felt that ALL of their tummy area's/nipples were engorged or sticking-out. Hmmm... I stayed very still & quiet while they left their feeding station and sure enough 2 little kittens came hopping out from underneath a shed. I can't tell you how glad I was to see them.

I watched carefully to see which female is playing "mother" because I am in the midst of trapping these females for spay & release. To my surprise, all three adult females hovered over these 2 little ones. My next surprise was when "cowcat" one of the adult males walked on over and cleaned one of the kittens. The next male "tomcat" strolled over and pawed playfully at the other kitten.

I find it so amazing that these 5 adults, male & female, obviously feel stronger & more secure in numbers rather than live solitary lives. Just wanted to share

They sure don't make it easy on you, do they?

It must be interesting to watch.

simply amazing - they obviously feel safe where they are thanks to you.

and how wonderful it is that the 2 remaining kittens are still alive - I bet that made your heart swell, cause it sure made mine do

I dont know much about feral/stray cats but thankyou for sharing with us this wonderful story about a "family" of cats that seem happy and content thanks to you

keep up the good work

I also trapped 16 altogether they were all in the same group, including the last one I got this year, she came with 5 kittens all females, I have had all 16 spayed, nuetered, tested, shots, wormed and treated for fleas, at the present I have 3 that I trapped 3 babies left also, and found homes for 2 out of the 5 babies. I kept 2 from last year, mommy from this year and had 2 of my own and still have the 3 kittens. I agree that they perfer to be in groups, all 11 of the ones other then the babies are from the same group that I fed every night for 6 months untill I trapped them, and then had to wait for mommy cat because she would have no part of a trap,and then for her to have those babies, it's a bunch of work, but I must say that the kittens are the sweetest little things. so I got her this year. Good luck to you hope you get them all, I can't even imagne that had I not got all these fixed beings that there were 10 females out of them all, how many would be in that parking lot, it makes you feel good even if it just gives them a healthier life.But like I said I have 8 now untill I find these babies a home( If I decide to do that) I'm in Love with all of them, I also have Mommy in the house she turned out to be a very sweet girl, I think the biggest thing for them is trusting you.

i have said it before and I will say it again, as it can never be said enough - bless you & thank all of you for the wonderful work that you do with these feral/stray kitties.
It brings tears to my eyes to know that there are wonderful people in this world like the 2 of you

But like I said I have 8 now untill I find these babies a home( If I decide to do that)

Presently, we are "6" and that doesn't include the outside colony of 5 adults & 2 kittens popping around.

When I moved here (2 yrs. ago) I only had two, Buster & Ashley. Last March, one of the females gave birth prematurely to a litter of four. I brought them in out of the 30 degree weather & unfortunately lost two almost immediately. The other two, well.... Bob & Allie are my spoiled bottle-fed babies, now 6 months of age. We were "4". Out of the recent litters, I am still fostering 2 kittens, 6-weeks of age. Within the last week or so, somehow these 2 little boys are being called "Chuckie & Chip" We are now "6" temporarily? hmmm...we will see

Originally Posted by leesali

But like I said I have 8 now untill I find these babies a home( If I decide to do that)

Presently, we are "6" and that doesn't include the outside colony of 5 adults & 2 kittens popping around.

When I moved here (2 yrs. ago) I only had two, Buster & Ashley. Last March, one of the females gave birth prematurely to a litter of four. I brought them in out of the 30 degree weather & unfortunately lost two almost immediately. The other two, well.... Bob & Allie are my spoiled bottle-fed babies, now 6 months of age. We were "4". Out of the recent litters, I am still fostering 2 kittens, 6-weeks of age. Within the last week or so, somehow these 2 little boys are being called "Chuckie & Chip"

We are now "6" temporarily? hmmm...we will see

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Leesali...you can trap and spay a lactating cat (a cat that is feeding kittens). You can ask that the vet use the lowest dose of anesthesia and disolving stitches so she can be returned that evening. Best to trap them all now or else they will become pregnant again.

Katie

I spent over a year taking care of these cats in a busy shopping center parking lot about 1 1/2 miles from my home, every night I went, I never missed. I began feeling completely overwhelmed at how sad I felt every night when I left there, cryed many many nights. I finally asked my hubby if he could build me an enclouser to put them in and he did I finally started trapping them and bring them home, and then I felt said because I didn't know if it was right to take them away from what they were used to, but I finally got ll but mommy cat, when I got them all home I started making calls to everyone, and I got help from Actors and friends for Animals for spaying and nuetering, and lots of private donations from people I didn't even know through alot of differant networks, took then 2 or 3 at a time to the vet got all there stuff done, When I got Mommy and the babies I paid for that myself because I just needed to do that for them, I said I wouldn't give up till I got them all. Sometimes I felt like I was on a really bad plane ride but once I got mom and babies I felt like that thing landed safely. I just don't think I would do it again on a scale that size, it was very stressful worring about them all the time, and I don't really think anyone does this kind of things for pats on the back, it's just in your heart, and I know there are alot of people who do it all the time, and if I do it won't be for a long while. I know I did the right thing for them and myself and bless you for careing also, I just wish people would get that one simple message, spay and nueter but it doesn't seem to bother alot of people. I have seen so many bumper stickers that say "Support our Troops" and I do fully, but when I decied to get some that say "Please Spay and Nueter" I passed those out to alot of friends and family. Take Care and I wish you boo koos of luck with all of yours, try not to fall in Love with all of them

Leesali...you can trap and spay a lactating cat (a cat that is feeding kittens). You can ask that the vet use the lowest dose of anesthesia and disolving stitches so she can be returned that evening. Best to trap them all now or else they will become pregnant again.

Yes, I understand you can spay a lactating cat and the vet involved is aware of the entire situation. It's too long of a story to post again, but about 1 week ago, I attempted my first trapping...not successfully & posted all the details. They are very smart little fuzzy faces out there but I will get them...one-by-one

Leesali and Halfpint, you both deserve so much for all you are doing. I have read your posts, and know how hard it can be. I am so happy that the colony is taking care of the babies that are left! How peaceful life will be once everyone is speutered!

Halfpint: your story of your TNR effort is filled with so much heart & determination. High-fiving you!! Thank-you for caring so much for these forgotten fuzzy-ones.

As far as not falling in love with all of them...take a look at these little faces and I dare you not to: (know it is not the appropriate forum for pics. but I couldn't resist)...

Chuckie


Chip

This was taken a couple of moths ago
Say no more

Originally Posted by leesali

Leesali...you can trap and spay a lactating cat (a cat that is feeding kittens). You can ask that the vet use the lowest dose of anesthesia and disolving stitches so she can be returned that evening. Best to trap them all now or else they will become pregnant again.

Yes, I understand you can spay a lactating cat and the vet involved is aware of the entire situation. It's too long of a story to post again, but about 1 week ago, I attempted my first trapping...not successfully & posted all the details. They are very smart little fuzzy faces out there

but I will get them...one-by-one

Click to expand...

I remember your post....but wasn't that a case of trying to use a regular carrier and not an actual "trap"?. Using a real trap will be safer for all and there are plenty of people here who have secrets that they use to encourage cats into the traps....like using KFC chicken. Here is a really good article on trapping trap savvy cats:

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/info/hardtocatch.htm

Katie

Originally Posted by halfpint

Say no more

Click to expand...

good grief - I second that - they are all adorable

That is so beautiful! You are a wonderful person to care for them like this!

I remember your post....but wasn't that a case of trying to use a regular carrier and not an actual "trap"?. Using a real trap will be safer for all and there are plenty of people here who have secrets that they use to encourage cats into the traps....like using KFC chicken

Yes, silly me tried using a cage rather than a trap...no success that morning. It took some time to track down a true trap and coordinate a vet. appointment with a morning I can go into work a little late. Keeping fingers crossed for next Monday a.m. to trap one of those adult females.

Thats so very heart warming I wish that there were more programs around to help all the strays around here!!! they do ok In the summer with all the tourists but the winter is long and cold. I would feed them myself, but my current apartment won't allow anywhere to put food. guess i have to hope they will be ok. The humane society trys to keep up but they have so very many. We really need a TNR program here!! good job to those fostering feral cats.

Originally Posted by leesali

I remember your post....but wasn't that a case of trying to use a regular carrier and not an actual "trap"?. Using a real trap will be safer for all and there are plenty of people here who have secrets that they use to encourage cats into the traps....like using KFC chicken

Yes, silly me tried using a cage rather than a trap...no success that morning. It took some time to track down a true trap and coordinate a vet. appointment with a morning I can go into work a little late. Keeping fingers crossed for next Monday a.m. to trap one of those adult females.

Click to expand...

Honestly, you wouldn't be the first person to try TNR without a real trap....problem is...these cats ARE awfully smart and they sense that something is up. Good Luck on Monday..sending good TRAP A MOMMA BUT WOULD TAKE A MALE vibes.

Katie

Originally Posted by sydbear20

Thats so very heart warming I wish that there were more programs around to help all the strays around here!!! they do ok In the summer with all the tourists but the winter is long and cold. I would feed them myself, but my current apartment won't allow anywhere to put food.

guess i have to hope they will be ok. The humane society trys to keep up but they have so very many. We really need a TNR program here!! good job to those fostering feral cats.

Click to expand...

I bet someone in your area is doing TNR...you may want to contact your local vet clinics and ask if there is someone who does TNR that you could help.

http://www.alleycat.org/orgs.html#ny

Katie

I also used traps, I had 2 traps, just made several trips back and forth everytime I got some kitties, plus I like the drop trap for little ones, I actually did put momma cat in a carrier but she was so used to me that by that time after all most a year, I think she wanted to come to my house And she is now in the house and in Love with my hubby, she weighs 11lbs also and she was rather small before I got her, she's a small stocky girl, most of the time I call her MeMaw, she's almost 1 1/2 yrs old now, she was quit small when I first started feeding the group, I also have her brother Miniman kept him also, there black and white. I rented one trap for a very small amount, and I had a friend who does pest control they do work, but I do like the drop trap for babies. Maybe a shelter ghas one they can lend you.