Cats of Colonia de las Rosas

clixpix

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I'm glad the boys are doing so well!
I'm sure you know how you've improved their chances at a healthier happier lives! Great work!
 
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katie=^..^=

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Tuesday, March 28, 2006

The inmates began rattling their cages at 2 a.m. On investigation the bathroom smelled ----- STUNK!!! --- of male cat urine and newspapers – a combination I hope I never again encounter. Even though it was sprinkling. I took little Louie Louie out to a covered space by the rec building and let him go. As soon as I opened the trap, he was gone. Growltiger and his cage together are too heavy for me, so I got him to come out with a sweet voice and some treats, wrapped him in a towel and carried him to the balcony (also covered) and let him go. He was disoriented for a bit, then he went down the stairs. If he doesn’t want to go in the rain, he can wait there for a break. It’s only sprinkling though.

This seems like a good time to say that I have little desire to tame my wild ones like Louie. I like their wildness and their independence. I also like it when, like Tiger, they show me affection and gratitude, but when they don't I feel no desire to change that.

No roll call.
 
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katie=^..^=

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Thank you Clixpix. Even the receptionist at the vets noticed how scruffy and beat up they looked. I have thought that Louie might be a stray because of that, but Growltiger? I don't know.
 
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katie=^..^=

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Hi Bobbie --

Some of them were already named by Jose, the guy who is sick now (but still asking about his cats): Bonita, Blackie and Lady Baby were his names. I changed Lady Baby to Lady Day for Billie Holliday and because it sounded a little more dignified. Eleanor is named for Eleanor Roosevelt, Mamie for Mamie Eisenhower (and I'm a Democrat!), Josecito is named for Jose, Growltiger is for a character in "Cats" from T.S. Eliot's Book of Practical Cats, Louie just because I was going to name "her" for my grandmother, Lulu, Red because he is, Sneakers has little white feet that look like white Keds, Tiger was named by Jose, Zachary after a character on the TV soap All My Children.
 

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I've been meaning to let you know Katie how
much encouragement your blog brings me!!

So how are the boys after surgery? Have they come back to eat
this morning? And big kudos for your efforts. I will soon being
doing the same...

My little Za that I had to trap to get back with her babies,
was FRANTIC in the cage and ripped the newspapers under
the cage to SHREDS. I even had the cage covered but it
didn't help her. (Once she went into kennel with babies
she was fine again. Being near the babies was paramount
for her.)

And yes, I too love the names!

Re- your housing - have you
looked at Indy Ferals? They have nice wooden houses for ferals they
will SHIP to you, the houses shelter 3 to 4 cats and are only
40 dollars a pop, and 30 if you order 2 or more!!

I have 2, and the cats loved them
from the getgo.

Also, I bought a square green trash can, laid it on its side,
lined w. cardboard and newspapers, and put the lid on and
cut a hole in the lid. I duct taped the lid to keep firmly on.
It makes a great and inconspicous shelter (goes really well
under bushes..) That cost me about 20 dollars I think.

One other idea - Craigslist for used doghouses? I used
a small dog house during winter and the cats liked that too.

Anyway, keep us all posted. We love to hear success stories!
 
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katie=^..^=

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Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Ayieeeeeee………. Just as I was beginning to prepare the catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s tray, the fire alarm in the hall started ringing. I looked outside and the fire doors were closed too. I called maintenance. The firefighters didn't find a fire. It was probably old Lorenzo downstairs. He puts things on to cook and forgets about them. Sometimes he goes outside and falls asleep in his wheelchair while smoke is coming out of his windows. ,
The people here cover up for him because they donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t want him to be forced to move to a home. Frankly he scares me.

It rained all day today and is still raining now. I took the cat's food out and even the place I usually leave it was wet, so I had to go further, under the rec building awning. Only one cat showed up -- my big darling Tiger.
He was all wet, and was too afraid of the firefighters (who were leaving by then) to follow me to the awning so I put some dry food under the bench for him. It was wet under there, too, but he felt safe.

Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m worried about Louie and Growltiger, of course, but they probably didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t want to come out in the rain or they could have been nervous about the fire trucks. I hope I see them soon.

Roll Call: Tiger. One total.
 
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katie=^..^=

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Dear Opilot -

Yes, I've been reading your adventures with Za and sending you and her and the kittens lots of good wishes.

Actually I admire your names. I thought maybe they were from a fantasy series and they are really imaginative. Mine are pretty simple in comparison.

I did go the Indyferals page, but got discouraged with I saw the shipping prices that brought the totals over $70.00. I'm still hoping to get some built by the woodworking department at the high school where my daughter teaches. I have downloaded the Alley Cat Allies plans now I need to get them to the teacher. I thought I would also download the Indyferals page to show him. Maybe he can assemble the ones shipped that way and bring the price down some. I am feeding 12 and that's a lot of shelters.

oh, and the biggest problem is the attitude of management and the anti-cat attutude of some of the people that live here. It's impossible to hide the shelters, so I need some that will look nice enough to fit in, but not so nice that people will want to steal them. I was thinking of decoupaging them with Virgin Guadalupe pictures, since the taggers never bother her pictures! Of course I will have to learn to decoupage first.
 

clixpix

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Aww, I'm sure Louie and Growltiger were still a bit spooked. Between that and the rain, I'm not surprised they didn't come out. I'm confident they'll be back, though, it is their territory & where they know they can get food. It sounds like you've been getting quite a few days of rain...poor kitties!


I don't blame you for not trying to socialize them. Frankly, as far as ferals go, they've got it pretty good. Your climate is mild, and they have a steady supply of food. It's a whole different story once you take them in. It's hugely time consuming, and you wouldn't have as much time to devote to the others that were still outside. It would be different if you were only feeding one, and you bonded with him.

Also, I agree that the smell of male cat urine is a fearsome thing...it must have been like a punch in the face when you walked in there! I had one that, after I took him in, I noticed the smell, but could not find it. Eventually I did find it...in the dry food dish!
I was tempted to throw the entire thing out, dish and all!
 

opilot

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Katie:

I see the problem. The Indy Feral and ACA shelters
are nice looking but not "too nice".
But the cost of 70
dollars is alot, you are right - thats 2 months of food for my kitties -
I feed them Costco Kirkland dry (10 bucks for a 25 lb bag,
not a bad deal, and better than them getting nothing.)

Keep trying with the wood working teacher - maybe
you can also see if the local school offers night classes
where you could do the project in woodshop yourself?
they do that kind of class - make your own and use
our shop facilities - at our local county adult education
night classes program. And your project is small enough
you could store it in one of the lockers at school.

And for wood - maybe you can get scrap and donations
from your local Home Depot or Lowe's store?

Just a few ideas. I am sure you've been given them before!
 
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katie=^..^=

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Wednesday, March 29, 2006

A night of surprises. First one of the residents here actually gave me a donation of $4.00! I was thinking about the cost of food because all the food Emma gave me is gone and tonight I gave the cats some of my catsâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] food.

Then it occurred to me to wonder if Zachary might already be neutered. He just doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t seem edgy enough for an intact cat. I must have had a lot of moxie tonight, because I picked him up, turned him upside-down, and sure enough, Zach is either neutered or a girl!
Then I realized I have never looked at Mamie, so that is an assumption, too.

Growltiger has forgiven me. He is sweet as can be.
Louie is another question. Heâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s keeping his distance.

To catch Red, I think Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll have to stay up late and wait for him. Heâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s not an early bird -- he waits ‘til he thinks Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m gone to come in to eat.


Roll Call: Blackie, Bonita, Eleanor, Growltiger, Jose, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Red, Sneakers, Tiger, Zachary. Twelve total.
 
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katie=^..^=

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Thursday, March 30, 2006

Mamie is no longer my little girl. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a teenager with the morals of an alley cat. I called and called her to come to dinner and then when I went to get the water bowls, I found her in Marinaâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s garden with Red and another tom cat. I feel like Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m raising a boy-crazy teenager.
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m trapping again Sunday, even if it takes a looooong time to catch that Big Boy, Red, and my sweet Mamie.

Tiger was uber affectionate tonight, and even let me hold him in my arms while sitting on the bench. He purred and leaned his ears into my hands. What a lover boy!


Roll Call: Blackie, Bonita, Eleanor, Jose, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Red, Sneakers, Tiger, Zachary. Eleven total.
 

clixpix

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The little hussy!
Yeah, it's time to get the girl done, huh? She may already be pregnant, poor little chick.

Sending you "mamie in the trap" vibes!
 
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katie=^..^=

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Thank you! I'm going to trap on Sunday (hoping it doesn't rain).
 

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I admire you... may I ask how much the dr bill was ??
 
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katie=^..^=

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Hi Everyone -

Thank you for the trapping vibes -- always welcome and helpful! Just Mamie and Red to go!

The vet charge was very reasonable. I got the basic vaccination package plus rabies and the neuter for $44 for each cat. Actors and Others kicked in $5 each so that helped.

Bobbie -- they don't cry. Usually they eat and scatter then come back by ones and twos to eat a little more. When I leave most of them are interested in other things.

Thank you for reading my diary. I love getting responses.
 
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katie=^..^=

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Friday, March 31, 2006

I am thinking hard of bringing Contender into my apartment. Contender is my new name for Zachary. I got it from the Marlon Brando role in “On the Waterfront.†He has a lot in common with that character.

Since I discovered he is already neutered I really wonder how he came here so thin and dehydrated, with his ribs showing and his fur dull and brown, instead of black and shiny. At first he was so weak he could just come to eat then go back and lay down. He hid a lot in peopleâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s gardens under plants.

Well, whatever his history, he is definitely not feral and would adapt to a good home. I may bring him upstairs.

I accidentally stumbled on a plan for trapping Mamie and Red. The cats were actually waiting for me right at the front door tonight,
and for some reason I thought I felt raindrops and saw drops on the sidewalk. I was wrong, but I led the cats to the area under the rec building awning. All but Mamie and Red came (I took food to them). SOOOOooooo, tomorrow night I will bring down the traps to the regular bench and feed the rest of the cats under the rec building awning. I think that with the traps tied open they will go in and eat. Then Sunday night – SNAP!! At least thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s the plan. It always helps to have a plan.

Emma came through with 30 cans and two bags of food, again. Thank you, Emma.
Jose still asks about his cats, although he has trouble remembering me!

Roll Call: Blackie, Bonita, Contender, Eleanor, Jose, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Red, Sneakers, Tiger. Eleven total.
 
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