I'm getting a few "feral" cats

sunnicat

sunnicat

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The organizer of our local stray and feral cat program called me tonight. They found a shed with 46 cats and kittens in it. The owner is elderly and ill, so the group is trying to place these cats. I agreed to take at least 3 in our barn. She is coming out tomorrow to meet with me and see the location before placing the cats with me. All of them are being spayed or neutered before being placed.

I do know that she is providing me with a pen, approximately 6 x 8 feet, and that they will need to stay in it for at least 4 weeks to become acclimated. Basically, all I'm doing is providing litter, food and water during that time. I'm hoping that these cats are not too feral, but I'm willing to work with them, either way. She says they are mostly just scared, not your typical feral dispositions.

Now that I know she is coming out, I am a nervous wreck! Is there anything else I should think of and/or know? Poor Percy, he's gotten used to being King of the Locale since Angel disappeared. I hope he doesn't get mad at me! I'd appreciate any input here.
 
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sunnicat

sunnicat

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Thanks for the link to the site, Katie. I spent some time there last night, and added it to my favorites.

Sue came out to the house this morning and thinks the barn is ideal. I'll be getting three of the cats sometime over the next couple of weeks, after their spay/neuter surgeries.. First I have to get the pen and set it up. She's telling me now that I may get cats from the elderly man or from a lady who has been trying to socialize a mother feral and her two 4 month old babies. Either way, it doesn't matter to me. I just want to provide them with a safe place to stay and, hopefully, the knowledge that they will always have food and water and someone to care for them here. I'm not used to totally feral cats. All of my ferals and/or strays that have come to me have quickly tamed and become pets here. This is a whole new frontier for me!

I'll keep you updated, post pictures when and if I can and, of course, be here asking for your help and advice!! Thanks so much!!!
 
tnr1

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Originally Posted by sunnicat

Thanks for the link to the site, Katie. I spent some time there last night, and added it to my favorites.

Sue came out to the house this morning and thinks the barn is ideal. I'll be getting three of the cats sometime over the next couple of weeks, after their spay/neuter surgeries.. First I have to get the pen and set it up. She's telling me now that I may get cats from the elderly man or from a lady who has been trying to socialize a mother feral and her two 4 month old babies. Either way, it doesn't matter to me. I just want to provide them with a safe place to stay and, hopefully, the knowledge that they will always have food and water and someone to care for them here. I'm not used to totally feral cats. All of my ferals and/or strays that have come to me have quickly tamed and become pets here. This is a whole new frontier for me!

I'll keep you updated, post pictures when and if I can and, of course, be here asking for your help and advice!! Thanks so much!!!
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Sunnicat...thank you for offering up your barn to these cats in need.


Katie
 
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I have 2 total ferals that I adopted as barn cats. They remain extremely feral, and I rarely see them. It is so different than nice cats! But just like wild animals have the right to remain wild, these brothers can live here, and be fed, for as long as they can survive.

My third adopted feral was injured, I believe in a raccoon fight, and I think she died. Very sad to have an injured animal in your barn that you cannot catch for vet care! But she did leave behind her companion feral cat, who adopted us himself. And the day she was injured was the day he was trapped. Awful for me to think that she may have been hurt in a fight over the salmon I put in the cages to attract Tommy. But at least he is now vaccinated and neutered.

I hope your situation is different, and that the adoptees will be friendly barn cats, if not affectionate lap babies.
 
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sunnicat

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To make a very long story somewhat shorter, I am not getting the cats. I need to contact the original organizer, Sue, because this other woman called me and was extremely rude. She was also dishonest about something that had been discussed with Sue. This woman, Sandie, wanted to come out to check the house again. A little taken aback, I still agreed, figuring that she just wanted to verify things for herself. The more I thought about it after hanging up the phone, the more upset I got. It's hard to explain without going into great detail here, but this woman was downright blatantly rude to me, and that put me off. I called her back and left a message, asking for Sue's phone number, as I had misplaced it. Needless to say, she never returned my call. She also did not show up on Wednesday, as planned. Sue had warned me that Sandie takes these cats in to tame them and then can't quite let go of them, and that it's become a problem in the past. Now I see why. I'm heartbroken, because I was trying to do something good for the original problem of the man with the 46 cats. This isn't making any sense, because I'm still upset here. My apologies. Maybe I'll try to explain later. Thank you all for your help.
 
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beckiboo

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I know there is a lot of stress with fostering and rescuing animals, but honestly, some people are just rude! I'm sorry you had to deal with one of them. One lady from our group was talking about how hard it is for ferals, that maybe they should just euthanize the ferals so they don't die a horrible death, but even my Peaches had a good winter, and met her buddy Tommy. And the brothers are still going strong. I prefer life if they have a place to go!

Ah-I totally understand. Don't give up yet, maybe this will still happen for you...you just had a run-in with a crochety cat lady. Most of us are very nice!
 
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sunnicat

sunnicat

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Originally Posted by Beckiboo

...you just had a run-in with a crochety cat lady. Most of us are very nice!
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Well, that got a laugh out of me, at least. Considering I'm a "cat lady" myself, and I would like to think I'm very nice, as well!
 
tnr1

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Originally Posted by sunnicat

To make a very long story somewhat shorter, I am not getting the cats. I need to contact the original organizer, Sue, because this other woman called me and was extremely rude. She was also dishonest about something that had been discussed with Sue. This woman, Sandie, wanted to come out to check the house again. A little taken aback, I still agreed, figuring that she just wanted to verify things for herself. The more I thought about it after hanging up the phone, the more upset I got. It's hard to explain without going into great detail here, but this woman was downright blatantly rude to me, and that put me off. I called her back and left a message, asking for Sue's phone number, as I had misplaced it. Needless to say, she never returned my call. She also did not show up on Wednesday, as planned. Sue had warned me that Sandie takes these cats in to tame them and then can't quite let go of them, and that it's become a problem in the past. Now I see why. I'm heartbroken, because I was trying to do something good for the original problem of the man with the 46 cats. This isn't making any sense, because I'm still upset here. My apologies. Maybe I'll try to explain later. Thank you all for your help.
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That would be very annoying. Please keep your heart and your barn open as I know there are plenty of cats that need help right now.

Katie
 
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sunnicat

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Originally Posted by TNR1

That would be very annoying. Please keep your heart and your barn open as I know there are plenty of cats that need help right now.

Katie
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Don't worry, Katie. I haven't given up yet. There are tons of cats and kittens around right now that need help in our area. The trick will obviously be finding a cooperative human, at this point! Thanks for all the encouragement!

Ronda
 
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