I'm experienced with cat colonies and TNR. Currently we have a colony of 8, 4 males and 4 females.They live in our backyard and the wooded area adjacent to our yard. It's a pretty stable colony and the cats are healthy and well-cared for.
Back in the spring two of the females showed up with kittens. All in all there were six feral kittens and I captured each one. It took me a while to get the trap I needed (I had one sufficient for the adult, but the adult trap could have injured a kitten if one small one followed another in and snapped shut without the second kitten clearing it.)
So I got a late start on working with these little guys.
I have had plenty of experience socializing feral kittens, but this crew was tough. Because of the space situation I could not separate them the way I would normally (it's been my experience that wildness is reinforced in feral kittens kept together—they feed off one another), so it's been a long road to prepare them for new homes.
I will add here that I am advanced in years, as is my husband. We have much older cats that have been with us for 13 to 17 years. My grown children have pets of their own and we had planned not to permanently acquire new pets because we don't want them to have to readjust to new homes once we are gone. I planned to foster for a local animal shelter so I could get my cat fix.
All my little guys have been neutered or spayed, received their shots, wormed and given a clean bill of health. We also had them microchipped. One has been placed a new home and he is doing very well. Since these guys still have that feral mindset, new owners have to know they may have to work with them a bit during the early adjustment period. My vet is looking for good homes for them, too.
And here is my dilemma: they are older now and not small. I am adamant that they go to good, lifelong homes and kept indoors. I will vet anyone who wants them. Around here cats, kittens and dogs are often acquired by people for nefarious purposes. They use the animals for bait to train dogs to fight. In one case, two guys were getting "free" kittens and then feeding them to their snakes. For that reason, I am not advertising them.
So my question, anyone have any ideas on how to find the type of owners I want for these guys? I don't care how long it takes. I am not trying to unload them, but they really need homes of their own. And when one is placed, I make sure the new owners know they can bring it back at any time in its life if it doesn't work out.
I appreciate any advice. Our newspaper is little more than a shoppers guide and no one reads it. Online forums like Craigslist are populated by scammers. I have tried doing word of mouth, but honestly, most of my friends are shut-ins or have passed away.
Appreciate your thoughts.
Seymour
Back in the spring two of the females showed up with kittens. All in all there were six feral kittens and I captured each one. It took me a while to get the trap I needed (I had one sufficient for the adult, but the adult trap could have injured a kitten if one small one followed another in and snapped shut without the second kitten clearing it.)
So I got a late start on working with these little guys.
I have had plenty of experience socializing feral kittens, but this crew was tough. Because of the space situation I could not separate them the way I would normally (it's been my experience that wildness is reinforced in feral kittens kept together—they feed off one another), so it's been a long road to prepare them for new homes.
I will add here that I am advanced in years, as is my husband. We have much older cats that have been with us for 13 to 17 years. My grown children have pets of their own and we had planned not to permanently acquire new pets because we don't want them to have to readjust to new homes once we are gone. I planned to foster for a local animal shelter so I could get my cat fix.
All my little guys have been neutered or spayed, received their shots, wormed and given a clean bill of health. We also had them microchipped. One has been placed a new home and he is doing very well. Since these guys still have that feral mindset, new owners have to know they may have to work with them a bit during the early adjustment period. My vet is looking for good homes for them, too.
And here is my dilemma: they are older now and not small. I am adamant that they go to good, lifelong homes and kept indoors. I will vet anyone who wants them. Around here cats, kittens and dogs are often acquired by people for nefarious purposes. They use the animals for bait to train dogs to fight. In one case, two guys were getting "free" kittens and then feeding them to their snakes. For that reason, I am not advertising them.
So my question, anyone have any ideas on how to find the type of owners I want for these guys? I don't care how long it takes. I am not trying to unload them, but they really need homes of their own. And when one is placed, I make sure the new owners know they can bring it back at any time in its life if it doesn't work out.
I appreciate any advice. Our newspaper is little more than a shoppers guide and no one reads it. Online forums like Craigslist are populated by scammers. I have tried doing word of mouth, but honestly, most of my friends are shut-ins or have passed away.
Appreciate your thoughts.
Seymour