Cats of Colonia de las Rosas

No, Moez, Whitey never came back. He disappeared three years ago last September. I was so upset I consulted a tarot card reader. He said that Whitey was adopted by someone who thought he was a stray. I was comforted by that for awhile, but now I still feel really sad when I think of him. Another little cat, Honey, also just disappeared about six months before Whitey.

Everyone here noticed when Whitey disappeared because he was a very strong alpha type boy and everyone loved the way he seemed to take care of the other cats. Even people who don't usually notice any of the cats were fond of Whitey.

Go Go in my signature is his sister, but not his litter mate. They had the same mother.

Alfie shared potato chips with me tonight. He ate them right from my fingers!

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

Katie, if you need another reading, I'm absolutely willing to do one for your cats for free. I'm quite good most of the time, though distance does make it considerably more difficult. I have had several successful online tarot readings.

Limited offer here though, folks. To help the kitties, not "hey everybody, free tarot readings!" I normally do charge.

Whitey sounds Awesom-o, Im sure someone thought she was a stray and took her in!


any of the cats you have now related to whitey? just curious i dont even know why

I'd love to have another reading on Whitey. Possibly on the little girl, Honey. But then, maybe I only want to know how to convince management to let me put up shelters!

None of the outdoor cats are related to Whitey. I took his mother and the rest of Go Go's litter to a shelter. They were all sick with an upper respiratory infection. That was my first indication of how indifferent people here were to the cats. Whitey's mom had belonged to a tenant that had to go to an assisted living home and her (the tenant's) relatives just left the cat in the yard.

Both mama cat and her litter of four kittens were sick, but people just walked past them without caring. I didn't have a computer then, and through phone calls, I found a shelter that would take them. It wasn't a no-kill shelter, so I've always felt bad about it, but it seemed better than letting them die in the yard.

Tonight, as many nights, I poured out the food for the cats and all nine just settled down to eat. All I could hear was crunch crunch crunch. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction to hear them eating like that.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

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

I can do you one if I have some details. I'll have to put it off a couple of days due to the holiday and the fact that I'm pretty sure the baby is coming in the next couple of days

Baby? Your baby? What baby?

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving Day. I did. When I got home the cats were sitting around their bench watching the front door. I tip-toed quietly past them without talking. I was with my daughter and they didn't recognize me. Whew! I wasn't followed in.

Even Red just settled down to his food tonight, like they knew it was a holiday.

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

I can't write tonight.

I got letters from animal control and my landlord.

Not only can I not have the shelters, but I must quit feeding my beloveds.

Yes, my baby. But it didn't happen *sigh*.

I'm really sorry to hear about your news. I wish that there was something that I could do to help you... Once again I have to wonder if there is a rescue or a feral organization in your area that might be able to help with the situation. If Animal Control isn't on your side, I'm deeply concerned for the welfare of these cats. The landlord I'd be significantly less worried about in the long run, but I'd hate to see something happen to these cats!

I'm so sorry, hon

Thank you. I'm sorry I ever tried to get the shelters.

There has GOT to be some place to get you some backing and support for your feral colony!! LA is a big place!

An organized group that can help you make your case so that you can tend to the cats and you do not face the prospect of being kicked out of your home if you don't "comply" - or anything horrible like that.

Thank you, AddieBee, you would think so wouldn't you? A friend who has helped me in many cat rescue ways before, thinks she can help me. My problem is that I can't explain the issues very well. It's government-owned property and there are so many layers of bureaucracy. They're not really subject to legal pressure either because they have deep pockets. Now I know, too, that animal control doesn't have a real TNR program.

Also, now that I've calmned down, I've realized that the main office of the housing authority is totally out of touch with this site. Even the main office ON the site is out of touch with "the senior side."

Unless someone here reports me they won't know and won't care if I feed the cats. I did sign an rental agreement that includes a clause not to feed stray cats on the property. When I moved in I never realized that there were actually homeless cats here with no one to care for them. It just never occured to me.

The shelters will be spotted by yard maintenance. They won't really stop to think what they're for, they will just see them as something that doesn't belong and remove them.

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

Maybe you can work with the yard maintenece people FIRST? Then one step up, and then sort of "leave it"? That way, only YOUR immediate workers would "turn a blind eye" and let things be... they could alert you if an inspection was int he works etc.

However, I also think you need to get best friends on your side...

www.bestfriend.org I think. Animal activist welfare group in
the west of the country - Nevada or Arizona or something??
Maybe its Utah, anyway its an idea.

I know how hard it is... I fear the same thing for my babies. Has alley cat allies got anyone you can talk to in your area?

And thanks again for your support and hugs re: Dewey. I just posted on him, I would so LOVE it if a catsite member adopted him. He is such a DOLL of a cat. V. much a Maine Coon...

Your idea about yard maintenance is a good one. I know, because I thought of it, too!

I don't have a real outgoing personality. I'm sort of the shy geeky sensitive type -- you know short brown bob, glasses, overweight and short. People mistake me for a nun! (My daughter always thought I looked like the "smart girl" on Scooby-Doo.)

It's hard for me to approach people. Otherwise, I would probably have worked something out by now between the yard people and the garderners.

It's been cold for us and very dry. Alfie is going to be a big boy! He's really growing. He's long-haired and cute.

Red has been waiting with the other cats. He comes halfway up the sidewalk to the front door!

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

Katie: I understand. I'm shy too, but I have to Make my self be outgoing.
Here's what I think - work with the maintenence staff and gardeners. See if you can get local buy in. Show them the shelter you want to put out.

Explain about the benefits. Ask someone to be your spokes person..
maybe? I still think we can find a group that can and will help you.

Faith - I will say prayers for you! And great news on the Alfie and Red

Thank you opilot. You're as sweet as can be. I appreciate your caring and helping.

Guess who came tonight? Yes! MAMIE!

I'm always so glad to know she's okay.

The cats are not the same since last Friday when I came out so sad. They took one look at me and got very somber. I never realized our walk to the bench was more than a ceremony -- it was a celebration. Now it's much more subdued. They know.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 11 total.

I still wasn't celebratory tonight. I forgot to call the cats' names as we marched forth to the bench. I have to make an effort, I guess. I can tell the cats really miss hearing their names. They might even begin to forget that they are each one precious individuals.

Truth is, I haven't shaken off my depression. If I can't shake it off soon, I'll suffer clinical depression and have to go back to taking medicine which I don't want.

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

I'm really out of it, so please pardon anything that comes across sounding strange. My sleep patterns are totally messed up at the end of a pregnancy and I can't take anything for it right now.

I think that it's good that you recognize the difference between "feeling depressed" and clinical depression. A lot of people jump at meds when they begin to "feel depressed" and I think that's how we've wound up having such a medicated state in our country. I've been fighting anxiety and depression most of my life and have finally dispensed with meds in favor of "better" alternatives (like more Vitamin D in my diet and more sunlight -- it does help!).

You really do have a difficult situation, and I know your situation all too well. We lived somewhere once where feral cats were simply killed -- it was the solution that the trailer park manager had to getting them out of the way. Sad, too, considering that they helped to control the pests (all but the random stray ferrets!). At the time I didn't know that there was *anything* that we could do to help and it simply made me feel depressed for them. There were a couple that appeared to be purebred, too. These days it makes me hate the irresponsibility of owners who don't alter!

I feel certain that there is a solution for you for these babies. If you determine that you *can't* keep feeding them, then IMO it's most humane to have them trapped and possibly adopted. I know that's hard, because they are *your* babies (how I know how that feels!) but think of the difference it could make in their lives vs. living in the wild with nobody caring for them, if it comes to that.

I hope that it won't. I honestly believe that if you can find a good feral support organization that you can get help, but I can also understand your shyness in contacting somebody with regard to this and advocating for yourself and the cats. Maybe this is simply God's way of putting an opportunity in front of you to make a serious difference for ferals in your area? It seems that would be something that would mean a lot to you!

And also remember how much Graycie and Go Go need you, too. They will know if you're in a funk and I've found that some cats wind up blaming themselves when we have issues in our own lives. Let them support you as much as they want to and need to as well. If the ferals are feeling it, so are your indoor babies.

You can, and perhaps should, still celebrate your love for these cats -- because that's what the celebration is. For them, somebody cares enough to take care of them, and most of all, somebody actually *cares*. That's what the celebration is all about, not just about the food -- it's about what you feel. You don't have to let go of that.

I've read this thread for so long now. Is there ANYBODY on TSC near you?? Come on guys! We've got to be able to help someone who WANTS to help cats so bad!!!!

Can someone out there make contact with Katie in person? Help her out? Crippling shyness is a real problem, and I am all to aware of how it can hurt people the entire lives. So is depression, and medication doesn't always help, sometimes it HURTS.

This wonderful caring woman needs help. We can help! Someone can help by being her "voice" and advocating.

Meantime, Katie, don't quit feeding. Keep doing it!! And don't get too down about their fate. Maybe it is right and proper to trap and tame and re-home them. More will inevitble move in however. That's the sad way of the feral lifestyle - if there is a niche to move into some will wander in and fill it.

I say that this project of yours CAN be done. You need someone who is stubborn and won't quit and who will advocate for you and the cats. It is all to sad that getting help to help cat like these is so hard.

When I started with my cats at Carradoc, I fed them only for a year. I had 4 then 8 then suddenly 20! That's when I began to realize I would have to TNR or quit feeding. I was depressed beyond belief. I had taken on the responsiblity, and due to my feeding they had bred more and more...somehow I was responsible for these cats.

I had removed 17 kittens and cats from that site over the 1.5 I was feeding. During the entire time, I was trying to get assistance, funding for low cost spay service etc etc. And no one would help. I tried Alley Cat Allies I tried the Humane Society... finally several good folks stepped forward to help.

I got some funding for 1/2 the cats, I got help with getting traps, and now, I'm meeting other people in TNR private rescues an the like. Suddenly, its coming together.

But it has taken me over 2 years, many tears and lots of begging. Mostly, I just wouldn't give up. And there have been heartbreaks along the way, like getting Dewey and Martini and having to give them up for better homes to the shelter where their fate was uncertain. And the ones that were hit by cars, or died and/or disappeared.

I think someone on this board can help you find someone in YOUR area. And that person can be the thorn in the side of management/the county that is needed. Please TSC guys?

Katie does such good work. The cats are her life. They make her happy - we all know how these cats can make us feel good... and helping them is truely a blessed thing. Sometimes its the only thing we CAN do to help in this world.

And Katie dearest - know that we are all behind you here, we are thinking of you, hoping for you - and maybe someone is even working towards helping you.

Remember that when we think the worst disaster has befallen, it is then that our moment of grace arrives and we are "rescued" by an unlikely turn of events. Sometimes its just that when it is darkest, it is hardest to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Those cats need you. *We need you*. Please don't give up on them? Don't give up on *you* either!!

Have you tried to find a TNR rescue group? There must be many in your area?
And people on the board probably know about them and can give you contacts??

As Ghostbeck says, that may be the solution for now. And, as she wisely says, the celebration is that YOU CARE. They know it, you know it. Celebrate it. The joy of animals is that they don't worry about the future, and you should not for the short term worry either. continue to feed, and we will continue to try to find the assistance you need.

Here is one of my favorite poems that speaks to me about the beauty and joy of animals:

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.


— Wendell Berry

I checked the TCS long-distance assistance thread and I only got one hit for the entire state of California. That doesn't mean that there isn't anybody here, just that nobody has signed up through that thread to help out.

IMO, I think you/we should start a separate thread with a shoutout for help or support in your area. It's a big city and I'm sure that we have somebody living in your area who is able or willing to help out in some way.

TCS this is an URGENT appeal for help for long time TCS poster
Katie and the cats of Colonia!!

If you've read her posts you will know, Katie is faced with her feral colony being starved because she's been told she will LOSE her apartment if she continues to feed the strays. Katie has struggled to find HELP>

She suffers from health problems and depression at times (who wouldn't faced with losing her home or her beloved cats?) and isn't able to advocate as forcefully as she needs to!

PLEASE HELP if you are in the LA/CA area. There MUST be someone out there who can assist? She needs a spokesperson to talk with the gov't and/or county agencies she has to deal with.

Someone on the ground would be IDEAL. She needs help convincing the county that feeding/TNR and sheltering is the BEST solution for these cats.

I always thought LA and CA were PROGRESSIVE but this is outright regressive - threatening her with losing her home if she tries to fix this feral cat problem!!!

Where is Alley Cat Allies?? Where are the people from BEST FRIENDS???

Come on guys, there has to be ONE, just ONE person who can step up to connect Katie with sources of assistance. Surely, surely SOMEONE can do something???

I hate to think this board with all its great hearted members can't help one person - especially when she's willing to do the grunt work??

Anyway folks, this is Xmas - look in your hearts and see if you can't find time to help this woman who is doing so much for the homless hungry abandoned cats at her apartment complex.

Please?