I do TNR in my community and also feed 3 colonies every day. I sometimes feel it is not a good idea for them to rely on me for their food. I shall be 70 years old next month and have no one to take care of the cats when I die. I am in relatively good health, will need both knees replaced this year, not planning on dying soon but one never knows.
My husband is older and not a cat person, but I'm sure he will feed them while I recuperate but not every day.
I am wondering if I feed them every other day or so they will get into the habit of hunting for their food, I live in the mountains and there is small prey for them. At present, some of them are waiting for me to show up for their food. I was notified about one colony when their caretaker, an elderly man with no family, fell in the tub and died but no one knew for a few weeks. The cats were seen eating the corn a neighbor put out for the deer, one of the clues there was something amiss; they didn't seem to be able to fend for themselves.
My friends are my age or older, none of them inclined to do this in any case. Not many young people around, there really is no one to cover for me. My cat sitter is not available anymore so husband and I haven't gone anywhere together for any length of time lately.
Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks, Karen
My husband is older and not a cat person, but I'm sure he will feed them while I recuperate but not every day.
I am wondering if I feed them every other day or so they will get into the habit of hunting for their food, I live in the mountains and there is small prey for them. At present, some of them are waiting for me to show up for their food. I was notified about one colony when their caretaker, an elderly man with no family, fell in the tub and died but no one knew for a few weeks. The cats were seen eating the corn a neighbor put out for the deer, one of the clues there was something amiss; they didn't seem to be able to fend for themselves.
My friends are my age or older, none of them inclined to do this in any case. Not many young people around, there really is no one to cover for me. My cat sitter is not available anymore so husband and I haven't gone anywhere together for any length of time lately.
Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks, Karen