Cats of Colonia de las Rosas

Yes, you're right, their lives are not easy. Even here in L.A. where the weather is usually mild, there are cold, windy, rainy nights and days. Then there are the other cats, the dogs, the mean humans, the bicycles, the traffic. Even the gardens pose dangers from pesticides, snail poison. Even the raccoon!

Fortunately, the cats seem to get basic animal enjoyment from the gentle breezes, sunshine, bugs, and even each other. Than once a day out pops this little old lady with food and affection! Hey, life's not so bad!

Today I got the resident manager to sign my petition. I felt pretty good about that. That makes 20 signatures. He advised me to make copies and keep one for myself and mail the originals to the executive director and give the site manager copies. Good advise, which I'm following.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

Little Alfie is so adorable. There is a signature quote on the cat site somewhere that goes something like "Cats and music are the best refuge from the suffering of life" well, it sounds better in the original, but anyway, Alfie is a wonderful comfort to me.

Tonight, I sat down on the feeding bench and was eating a little bag of nuts, Alfie must have been fed by humans before because he sat down near me and starting watching me with great interest. I threw him a little piece of cashew and he ate it! After that, I kept throwing and he kept eating.

I threw the pieces closer and closer to me and he eventually came close enough to touch. I didn't want to scare him off by leaning down, so I never actually touched him. HE COULD BE SOCIALIZED!

He's bringing me a lot of tender glowing moments abd I'm very grateful to him.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

I have read this entire thread and I am in awe of what you are doing. Just remarkable..

Sending you keep-up-the-good-work vibes!

Little Alfie sounds adorable! You mentioned that it's hard to place the kitties in your area, even if they are socialized; what does that mean for Alfie? Will you work with him anyway (to get him fully "adoptable"), or just continue to enjoy his company outside with the others?

Cat52, I'm not sure about Alfie yet. Another caretaker on this forum mentioned that people want kittens and cats that are very cuddly and affectionate. It's hard to know if Alfie can become one of those cats. Also there's the expense -- to make a cat "adoptable" he would have to be tested for infectious disease, and vaccinated. I'll just have to see.

It's Halloween. Not always a good holiday for cats -- especially black cats. I once had a black cat that used to go out every day and sit by the sidewalk and watch the kids go to school, and come home. They learned her name and I could hear a dozen children's voices saying "Hi, Nancy" as they walked by. On Halloween these same children came trick or treating to "Nancy's house" and there she was -- on the porch roof. "Look at the black cat, look at the black cat!" It was so much fun!

A few years ago, though, I got a notice from a cat rescue group to keep all black cats indoors around Halloween because some satanic group was kidnapping them, ...well you can guess the rest.

There are three black cats in my group -- Oscar, Blackie and Sneakers -- (she always wears her little Keds). They were all okay tonight, thank goodness.

Little Alfie was there waiting for me with the big cats again tonight. There is such a difference in him from Mamie when she first arrived as a small kitten. Mamie was always frightened -- both of people and other cats. I fed her under the bench, because she needed that safety. I wish there was some way to help Mamie feel safe.

Red is sometimes waiting for me right on the sidewalk now. Last night he came halfway to meet me. He's another one that I wish I could reassure.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

Catching up with you and your crew, Katie.

When I set out for coffee this morning at 6am I saw little Mamie looking for food. There wasn't any left, so I went back upstairs and got a little for her. She was gone when I got back. Then I saw her in the garden so I walked over to where she was and Louie and Alfie followed me. They had a kind of stand off there. When I wasn't watching, she did something to make little Alfie cry out! I wish I could understand my cats better! No one was hurt, and I think I saw Mamie go to the food after I went up to the balcony where I was watching the cat show.

When I walked out tonight my little group, including Alfie, were waiting for me. It delights me that he has so fit into the group. He waits for me with the big boys, then joins in our walk to our bench, and when I pour out the food, he eats with them. He has fit in better than Henry, or even Sneakers, both of whom wait for the second or third pile of food. Actually Henry waits until there is a pile that noone else is at. Do you think it might be easier for a boy kitten than it was for Mamie?

I got a response to the copy of the letter I sent to Animal Control asking for support of my request to put shelters on the grounds. A representative called me yesterday, trying to understand what I wanted. To my disappointment he really didn't understand TNR at all. I thought it was a stated policy of the department, but I guess I was wrong. I couldn't explain it, I wasn't prepared.

The funny part -- and you can laugh at me -- he wanted phone numbers and they were in my cell. While I was talking to him, I was running all around my apartment looking for my cell phone. Which was, yes! in my hand, at my ear! I finally told him I'd have to hang up and find it, then I called my number and of course it was right at my elbow where I sat it down while I called! Of course I called him right back, but he has not returned my call. Probably thinks I'm even older and flakier than I really am!

The mods have given me permission to ask you guys to write or email various local government types to educate them on TNR and to support my request to put shelters on the grounds for the little cats. I'd like you to (1) give them information concerning TNR -- how it works to reduce feral and stray cat populations and (2) that (if this is true) since TNR is the county policy, all county housing should follow the policy, too and (3) I have been following all the guidelines of the policy and deserve to put the shelters up for the little cats when it is cold, windy, and rainy. The mods asked me not to list names and street addresses and I'm too tired tonight to look up the websites with the email addresses.

Basically I want your help communicating with the representative of animal control who has been assigned to me, my county board of supervisors representative, and the site manager, and executive director of the housing authority. If you are willing please PM me for the info.

Roll Call. Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie (this morning), Oscar, Sneakers. 10 Total

When I set out for coffee this morning at 6am I saw little Mamie looking for food. There wasn't any left, so I went back upstairs and got a little for her. She was gone when I got back. Then I saw her in the garden so I walked over to where she was and Louie and Alfie followed me. They had a kind of stand off there. When I wasn't watching, she did something to make little Alfie cry out! I wish I could understand my cats better! No one was hurt, and I think I saw Mamie go to the food. I couldn't see it very well from the balcony where I was watching the cat show.

When I walked out tonight my little group, including Alfie, were waiting for me. It delights me that he has so fit into the group. He waits for me with the big boys, then joins in our walk to our bench, and when I pour out the food, he eats with them. He has fit in better than Henry, or even Sneakers, both of whom wait for the second or third pile of food. Actually Henry waits until there is a pile that noone else is at. Do you think it might be easier for a boy kitten?

I got a response to the copy of the letter I sent to Animal Control asking for support of my request to put shelters on the grounds. A representative called me yesterday, trying to understand what I wanted. To my disappointment he really didn't understand TNR at all. I thought it was a stated policy of the department, but I guess I was wrong. I couldn't explain it, I wasn't prepared.

The funny part -- and you can laugh at me -- he wanted phone numbers and they were in my cell. While I was talking to him, I was running all around my apartment looking for my cell phone. Which was, yes! in my hand, at my ear! I finally told him I'd have to hang up and find it, then I called my number and of course it was right at my elbow where I sat it down while I called! Of course I called him right back, but he has not returned my call. Probably thinks I'm even older and flakier than I really am!

The mods have given me permission to ask you guys to write or email various local government types to educate them on TNR and to support my request to put shelters on the grounds for the little cats. I'd like you to (1) give them information concerning TNR -- how it works to reduce feral and stray cat populations and (2) that (if this is true) since TNR is the county policy, all county housing should follow the policy, too and (3) I have been following all the guidelines of the policy and deserve to put the shelters up for the little cats when it is cold, windy, and rainy. The mods asked me not to list names and street addresses and I'm too tired tonight to look up the websites with the email addresses.

Basically I want your help communicating with the representative of animal control who has been assigned to me, my county board of supervisors representative, and the site manager, and executive director of the housing authority. If you are willing please PM me for the info.

Roll Call. Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie (this morning), Oscar, Sneakers. 10 Total

I went out half hour early tonight.

Everyone was waiting as usual -- including little Alfie.

No word from Animal Control again -- and no word from anyone else.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 9 Total.

I just want to say thanks for caring!

A neighbor told me on my way out that my little cats were waiting for me and sure enough there they were.

Last night I went out at about 3am and didn't see little Alfie. Everyone else was there sitting on the bench while I had a snack, but Alfie and Mamie were missing.

So I was very glad to see Alfie with the big boys. I'm pretty sure he could be socialized, but I really don't have anyplace to keep him. I already have two cats from two summers ago in my apartment, besides my two.

Still, he has to be neutered. So does Henry, and I keep putting it off.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

Hey Good news!!

Who would explect the guy from animal control to be working on Sunday?? But he was. He called this morning, I missed the call (cell in my jacket pocket hanging in the closet, picked it up when I put on my jacket to go out), called back, missed another call, called back, GOT HIS CALL!

We only talked a few minutes, but he is going to call the site manager here, so it is very good news, very encouraging.....

Time change today, so I changed the time I feed, rather than make the cats adapt to me, I adapt to them.

Fed early to have dinner with my beautiful and intelligent daughter, so missed Red. Didn't see him on the way home either. No Mamie.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Sneakers. 9 Total.

Just think little fuzzies, soon you may have a dry warm wind-free place to sleep!

I like having this record of my colony, but I don't seem to be getting any responses. Anyone reading this, please stop and respond.

It is bad weather for L.A. Overcast, misty and in the 60s. The forecast is for pretty much more of the same. At least it is not raining. My fuzzies need those shelters!

I had another response from my request for help. The Feral Cat Caregivers Coalition founder called today with advice on how to build shelters. She's sending me more information.

My little cats were all waiting for me at 6:30pm. Just as I thought, they didn't know about the time change and didn't care. They were there with their tiny noses pressed against the glass door waiting for me. I'm glad I didn't make them wait until 7:30.

I wonder if the animal control guy called the main office.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

I'm a new reader, but reading. My neighbor and I have been taking care of a feral and two strays (turns out our Molly wasn't really all that feral after all!). We don't have a colony, but I try to check to see who's eaten every night (you can usually tell by which bowls are empty). We brought "Pretty Girl" inside last night -- her new name is Molly.

Thank you so much for caring for these kitties -- it means a lot to them!

Katie - please don't think that people on this forum aren't reading your posts and sending supportive vibes. As I said in a previous post, I am in awe of what you're doing.


AB

Thank you for posting ghosthunterbeck and AddieBee. I need the validation! I read your post ghosthunterbeck and I'm so glad you have rescued the little cats. It's good to think of them inside and warm with people to pet them and share affection.

This morning when I went for coffee I saw little Mamie trying to eat. There was no food left, though. I hope she got there early enough to not go hungry. I increased the amont of food I leave after the first morning I saw her looking for food. She actually stopped for a minute and looked a me, when I called her name. She either recognized my voice, or her name -- or both. She acts like a true feral cat, still frightened of me after three years of my leaving food for her.

Tonight everyone showed up, but I had to all for Sneakers, Well actually, I didn't see Red or Mamie at dinnertime.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Sneakers. 9 Total.

Still here, Katie.

I know how it must be when the food is gone and one is trying to get some. Molly went through that her last night outside. The opossums had been there before she got there and it was sad to see her little face as she looked at me for food. That was after following DH halfway down the road, though!

I'm so glad that you're taking care of these kitties. Lord knows they need *somebody*!

I had a possum or raccoon once. It frightened little Sneakers a lot. I never thought that it might have eaten the cat's food though. One of my neighbors told me about a stray dog that was coming in and eating the cat's food for a few nights. Makes me want to camp out on the feeding bench all night!

opilot -- maybe that's what happened to your kitties!? A scary raccoon or possum might have started stopping by their feeding place while you were gone. Any possibility of that?

Tonight Red and Mamie were missing, but everyone else was right up by the door.

Louie and Alfie have taken to sitting together after eating. Louie sits in the meat loaf position (I call it the meditating position because they so often look like they're in deep contemplation in that position), and little Alfie lays right over his neck. I wish I could get a snapshot of them, but it's dark now when I go out to feed them. By the time it's light again, Alfie will be all grown up.

The need for shelters is not so severe here in southern California, but it is still chilly and very damp right now. I am actually thinking of using the covered kind of kitty litters, but I worry about how light they are. It gets very windy here and I'm afraid they'll get blown away. There is not one inch of space on the grounds that is not cared for by the gardeners or by yard maintenance. No place to hide a shelter so that it wouldn't get thrown away by management.

No word on whether the animal control guy actually called anyone here.

I wonder how people can be so mean, but my beautiful and intelligent daughter reminds me that hate is not the opposite of love -- indifference is. It's true, most people just don't care much one way or the other.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Sneakers. 9 Total.

How long have Red and Marnie been missing for?

Face is also scared off by the opossums. They aren't at all skittish, though they aren't aggressive with the cats either. Baloo likes to boss the girls around though, which is rather sad. The opossums get into the plants though as well, but I can't bear the thought of them being without food, liquid water, and shelter in the winter either. I guess we're just animal lovers.

Whoops! Caught in a time-change warp tonight! Went out and looked at my cell for the time when I got off the bus. Said 6:30 -- my new time to feed the cats and there they were with the noses pressed against the door! I had bought cat food for them so I called them from the walkway and they came running to their food bench. Of course when I got inside it was only 5:45. My cell time hasn't changed yet.

Are you sure it's a good idea to feed the possums? I've always thought its better not to let wild animals become dependent on us for food, etc. On the other hand, we have stolen most of their natural habitats.

Mamie and Red are my shyest cats. It's not unusual for me to see them only a few times a week. Sometimes if I haven't seen Mamie for awhile, I go out between 3 and 6am and try to catch a glimpse of her. Red shows up for dinner a little more regularly.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Sneakers.

Still no word from management about the shelters. It's been damp and cold all week. I wonder if the animal control guy even called.