Ok, so some of you might know that I am going to be taking over the care of a colony of strays. This is something I am doing for a woman I know. Her name is Doris. She takes care of them now, but is moving on Thursday, and needs someone to take care of them from now on. She has been searching for a long time. This one woman saw the paper Doris posted on the bulletin board at my job, and called Doris. This woman told Doris she would take over the care of strays for her. So, a lot of weight lifted off of Doris's shoulders. Or so she thought. The woman basically backed out of the deal, Doris has not been able to get into contact with the woman.
I've told Doris many times that I'd take over their care for her, but I can't afford to feed so many cats, along with my own. So, Doris called me, and is setting me up with food, and money to buy more, and I guess we are going to work out how she is going to get these funds to me after she moves. I am going to the colony sometime today, and she wil show me their shelters, how she cleans the shelters out, where to put the food, and everything else I need to know. I am honored that Doris trusts me enough to ask me to care for her kitties. She put so much time and effort into getting them all spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, tested for diseases, making sure they all have shelter and food in their bellies. Now, its my job. I have always wanted to help animals in need.
I am starting to get nervous. What if I mess up? What if one dies or something? Will it be my fault? I don't start caring for them until Friday, but its starting to set in that pretty soon I am going to be responisble for 20+ kitties. And I am so scared that I will do something wrong and mess everything up.
For those of you who take care of stray/feral colonies, do you have any advice for me? I know Doris is going to tell me how she does things, but I would like to know if there might be anything else, or if she does things like you. Is there anything extra I could do? How do you guys do things?
I've told Doris many times that I'd take over their care for her, but I can't afford to feed so many cats, along with my own. So, Doris called me, and is setting me up with food, and money to buy more, and I guess we are going to work out how she is going to get these funds to me after she moves. I am going to the colony sometime today, and she wil show me their shelters, how she cleans the shelters out, where to put the food, and everything else I need to know. I am honored that Doris trusts me enough to ask me to care for her kitties. She put so much time and effort into getting them all spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, tested for diseases, making sure they all have shelter and food in their bellies. Now, its my job. I have always wanted to help animals in need.
I am starting to get nervous. What if I mess up? What if one dies or something? Will it be my fault? I don't start caring for them until Friday, but its starting to set in that pretty soon I am going to be responisble for 20+ kitties. And I am so scared that I will do something wrong and mess everything up.
For those of you who take care of stray/feral colonies, do you have any advice for me? I know Doris is going to tell me how she does things, but I would like to know if there might be anything else, or if she does things like you. Is there anything extra I could do? How do you guys do things?