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About 3 years ago I found out my brother-in-law used to feed all these cats at his old barn just up the road from us. I watched as kittens would be be born and then disappear to make way for another litter.One day he announced he couldn't afford to feed them anymore which was his way of saying too much trouble and cost. They make about $300,000 a year!
So I trapped, neutered and fed them every other day for the last 3 years. The mom and dad and 6 kittens who are now grown cats. But always in the back of my mind was the thought things could change for the worst. So today they announce they have sold their house, 5 acres and MAY move down to the old barn site and build. I said through clenched teeth "what about the barn cats?" To which he said well nothing right away since we are only thinking about building. But I know them well enough that if they say it, even casually, then that's what they are going to do at some point.
I mean I have raised these babies from being too scared of people to even eat when you put out food to now they come to meet my truck "the food wagon". I can pet all but two of the eight and one even sits on my lap.
Guess I am so depressed I had to tell my story to someone. So tomorrow Inwill go to feed as I do every other day, sit with them while they eat and then tell each one what is going to happen in the next few months Their world will be completely changed. All the equipment they now sit on, eat in and hide in will be gone. Big storage containers will arrive and construction will begin. I'd say they will run but the 6 kids have only know my truck and food since birth... not even sure they could/can hunt. We have coyotes and bobcat plus neighbors dogs if they leave the security of their home.
I also have 3 rescues inside my house, 3 in my garage and one rescue who roams in the day which I put up at night. The shelters are all full with waiting lists in the 3 nearby towns and nobody wants old barn cats.
I am so depressed I am almost sick over the thought of what I may/probably will have to do in the next few months to my babies.
Thanks at least for this forum and letting me put a pen to this as I know many of you will understand my heartache.
So I trapped, neutered and fed them every other day for the last 3 years. The mom and dad and 6 kittens who are now grown cats. But always in the back of my mind was the thought things could change for the worst. So today they announce they have sold their house, 5 acres and MAY move down to the old barn site and build. I said through clenched teeth "what about the barn cats?" To which he said well nothing right away since we are only thinking about building. But I know them well enough that if they say it, even casually, then that's what they are going to do at some point.
I mean I have raised these babies from being too scared of people to even eat when you put out food to now they come to meet my truck "the food wagon". I can pet all but two of the eight and one even sits on my lap.
Guess I am so depressed I had to tell my story to someone. So tomorrow Inwill go to feed as I do every other day, sit with them while they eat and then tell each one what is going to happen in the next few months Their world will be completely changed. All the equipment they now sit on, eat in and hide in will be gone. Big storage containers will arrive and construction will begin. I'd say they will run but the 6 kids have only know my truck and food since birth... not even sure they could/can hunt. We have coyotes and bobcat plus neighbors dogs if they leave the security of their home.
I also have 3 rescues inside my house, 3 in my garage and one rescue who roams in the day which I put up at night. The shelters are all full with waiting lists in the 3 nearby towns and nobody wants old barn cats.
I am so depressed I am almost sick over the thought of what I may/probably will have to do in the next few months to my babies.
Thanks at least for this forum and letting me put a pen to this as I know many of you will understand my heartache.