- Joined
- Aug 29, 2013
- Messages
- 36
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Hi everyone. I need advice. I have two inside cats, each originally feral, born under my porch (now very loving and domestic since I brought them in young). I paid to have both mothers TNR-ed. The first (several years ago) left and never returned. The second was released during the most brutal part of Winter. I left food for her, feeling very guilty. This was about 5 months ago, and one day I finally saw her alone (at least she resembled the cat released), so I fed her. Well, a bit after, she returned with 2 friends who looked similar to her. I noticed they were also TNR-ed, (ears clipped). I fed them once a day at night. Now, there are more randoms prowling around. I'm worried about the birds who nest near the ground this time of year (one returns every year and knows me), and these cats are now hanging out next door, which is a professional building and a gov't building is near by. My neighbors will not take kindly to this influx. They didn't like my indoor cat (years ago) even stepping on their property and this was under supervision (in other words, she was never let out alone, and was originally leash trained).
The TNR ferals used to come, eat and run. Not stick around. This changed this week. I think they had other human sources for food since they looked well-nourished. Now they are hanging around, even at night. They are, of course, urinating around the area, etc. I know this will get me into trouble.
They are friendly enough, but I am no where near petting them, they "talk" to me and walk with tails up, they did pretty much from the start, which makes me think they have at least been fed elsewhere or had human contact to demonstrate this somewhat friendly signal.
I don't know what to do. I feel obligated, I like them, but it hasn't been that long since I started feeding them. Is there a way to ween down the feeding? I can't have colonies here, it is too urban and the properties too close, never mind that I couldn't afford it. Should I contact the shelter for advice? If I didn't have two cats, I would have contemplated trying to domesticate them slowly, bringing them in, or the one in. But I don't want to bring anymore inside and risk spreading illness or discontent to my other "kids". The get along very well.
I'm so upset right now. I feel like I won't fall asleep. I feel like I messed up. The situation seems to be spinning out of control.
The TNR ferals used to come, eat and run. Not stick around. This changed this week. I think they had other human sources for food since they looked well-nourished. Now they are hanging around, even at night. They are, of course, urinating around the area, etc. I know this will get me into trouble.
They are friendly enough, but I am no where near petting them, they "talk" to me and walk with tails up, they did pretty much from the start, which makes me think they have at least been fed elsewhere or had human contact to demonstrate this somewhat friendly signal.
I don't know what to do. I feel obligated, I like them, but it hasn't been that long since I started feeding them. Is there a way to ween down the feeding? I can't have colonies here, it is too urban and the properties too close, never mind that I couldn't afford it. Should I contact the shelter for advice? If I didn't have two cats, I would have contemplated trying to domesticate them slowly, bringing them in, or the one in. But I don't want to bring anymore inside and risk spreading illness or discontent to my other "kids". The get along very well.
I'm so upset right now. I feel like I won't fall asleep. I feel like I messed up. The situation seems to be spinning out of control.