They're demanding we stop feeding the strays

Barb..here is a list of TNR groups in New jersey:

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

Feral Friends Yahoo group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FeralFriendsNJ/

You may find someone who can ASSIST you in providing TNR...but be prepared to trap yourself. There are a limited number of groups that provide TNR that receive a TON of requests.

Katie

Originally Posted by barb0802

That is an inspiring story... thank you. I think though, even if the cats are neutered they wouldn't allow me to bring them back to the community.

I can't read the link you posted because I don't have a Yahoo ID. Did I miss anything important???

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You don't know that they would be resistant to TNR...they have been resistant to "feeding" due to the fact that they see an increase in strays. With TNR, healthy kittens and tame cats are placed up for adoption...and only those that could not be placed into homes are returned outdoors. Those cats cannot add to the population and keep other cats away. Also, don't forget the benefit they provide as rat control. But someone has to step up and START the process of TNR. If you cannot find someone on that list to assist you, email Shana Miller at Alley Cat Allies: [email protected] Let her know your situation, she may be able to provide you some literature to provide to the management.

Katie

I just signed up for the Yahoo group you sent me. Thank you, I'm going to start reading the message boards for additional information. I also checked the link and sadly there are no rescues that are in Sussex County NJ. I guess I don't really know what the process is. Will they loan me a cage? Will they come to get them? Is there a fee? What takes place and do they ever say NO?

Originally Posted by barb0802

I just signed up for the Yahoo group you sent me. Thank you, I'm going to start reading the message boards for additional information. I also checked the link and sadly there are no rescues that are in Sussex County NJ. I guess I don't really know what the process is. Will they loan me a cage? Will they come to get them? Is there a fee? What takes place and do they ever say NO?

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Those are all good questions and ones that I would post on the yahoo group to see what they suggest (since it is for New Jersey).

The other feral cat group you can join is this one;

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/feral_cats/

They have a file section with lots of good information. Again, I know it's a LOT to undertake...but know that there are people out there that have done TNR successfully. Also, you can email Shana at Alley Cat Allies..she is a very nice person and can probably provide some information from their website.

Again...thanks for caring for these cats. Keep us informed on how it goes.

Katie

Thanks again..... OK, guess I have my work cut out for myself...

I'll email her and see if she can help me get my steps in order

Barb, I would definitely talk with the management about keeping a smaller number of fixed cats on the property. Once they have all been fixed, a rescue might be able to find homes for the friendlier/younger ones. I would suggest keeping a few of the old ones on the apartment grounds.

My old university did this to keep down the rats. Granted, it was a much larger scale, but it worked. There were around 100 cats at school, but you could only ever see them at night. They were all ferals who were not suitable for adoption. The school would have them fixed and brought out to campus. They were fed dry food behind bushes where they felt safe, and they kept the rodent population in check. Most people at school didn't even know they were there unless they walked around after 10 at night. And I never heard of anyone seeing a rodent.

I don't think they'll be receptive to that idea. But if I can get them neutered I will ask, or maybe just bring them back on my own...as long as they stop having kittens it may be ok... but I don't think they want us feeding them regardless of whether or not they're neutered. I also should say that they are worried about the food attracting bears... we have many bears in the area and sometimes they can get pretty close...

to add salt to my injury, I think the mama cat is pregnant again she's a little tramp

When I moved into the building I'm in there were 5 cats on the premises. In a couple of years there were 16. People were complaining a lot about the cats and management had a similar attitude to yours, including the "no feeding" rule. On my own, I started calling and contacting cat rescue groups and shelters. I didn't have a computer at the time. Eventually I made contacts and was able to get a trap from a vet in the neighborhood and started trapping and finding no-kill shelters for the kittens. It took time, but once the neighbors saw that the cat population was no longer growing the complaints stopped. I spent some time explaining to people what I was doing. They were glad someone was "doing something."

Now I have a colony of 10 eating here although they are only visible at night. I still have a young stray female that joined the group (or that someone abandoned here) to spay, but it's true that the male cats quit coming around and the fights end once everyone is neutered/ spayed.

I almost forgot -- I sent a lot of TNR info from various websites to management--until finally they told me the understood. By then the complaints had stopped too.

You are very kind to want to help the little ones. Thank you for the effort you are making to keep them from being hungry. It's so cute that they brought you a mouse -- maybe they think you're out of food and hungry too!

aw, Katie, I didn't even think that they were bringing me a mouse to eat.... that makes it even sadder...

I've been feeding the a little bit at night and early morning, certainly not the amount that they are used to... but that's how it will have to be for a while. I am trying to find rescue groups that will help me do something more.... I will be looking online today from work

Hopefully, I can have them trap them and take them to a place that doesn't euthanise... I'll pay them for the service or do whatever they want as long as they're not going to kill them. Hope I find something like that in Sussex County.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful advice and suggestions.. I knew I came to the right place...

anyone want a few cats????? they are soooo sweet, I'm serious... you wouldn't have to be afraid of them at all... they run to greet me each day...

I'll deliver them anywhere!!!

Originally Posted by barb0802

aw, Katie, I didn't even think that they were bringing me a mouse to eat.... that makes it even sadder...

I've been feeding the a little bit at night and early morning, certainly not the amount that they are used to... but that's how it will have to be for a while. I am trying to find rescue groups that will help me do something more.... I will be looking online today from work

Hopefully, I can have them trap them and take them to a place that doesn't euthanise... I'll pay them for the service or do whatever they want as long as they're not going to kill them. Hope I find something like that in Sussex County.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful advice and suggestions.. I knew I came to the right place...

anyone want a few cats????? they are soooo sweet, I'm serious... you wouldn't have to be afraid of them at all... they run to greet me each day...

I'll deliver them anywhere!!!

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WOW you are a cat lover.. You are very welcome here. I would but my baby is expecting also. I think it is great all the things you are doing. Please keep us up to date.

Well I found a No-Kill shelter in Sussex County called CLAWS. Here's a bit of information that I found on the Hugs For Animals Website that I stumbled up. Seems like she's the only one in Sussex County:


Company Name: C.L.A.W.S Cat Rescue Shelter of Sussex
Description: Private NO KILL shelter for all kinds of Cats (kittens to seniors all breeds). Cats given professional Vet care, housed, fed, cleaned, Spay/Neut and cared for until adopted out. Funded ONLY by private donations, no money used from state, county or town. Never an adoption fee but Donations of Food, Litter, Toys or Money ALWAYS welcome and desperately needed. Resuce for Strays, Neglected and abused cats as well. All are nursed to health and looking for the righ home to LOVE and care for them. Come find a friend for life!

Do you think she would help me? I sent her an email explaining what's going on and offered money, food, my time, whatever she needed in order to help these cats. Is that what you are supposed to do? Would these people get involved in the "politics" surrounding my situation? Would she talk with the Condominium association to see if we can just do TNR, or is that not something they typically do?

Have any of you ever worked with a rescue shelter? What are the guidelines? anything I should know before speaking with her?

Thanks again everyone.. I hope this has a happy ending...