Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   Hi all,

   I have two kitties of my own, Missy and Trudy, who are indoor/outdoor kitties. They were both very much looking forward to the better weather and be able to go outside again now that Spring is finally here and I was looking for respite in the fact that I wouldn't have to clean the kitty boxes so often.

   Anyway, a few weeks ago some other kitties started showing up on the back deck, Black Kitty and Mr. Mustache (I don't know their real names, so this is what I call them). It seemed like they were friends with our girls, so I didn't do anything. Then I noticed that Black Kitty was coming out of our little kitty house that is out on the deck every morning like he had been sleeping there all night. So I started to wonder about their home status. One afternoon I came home and noticed that Mr. Mustache looked particularly scruffy like he hadn't bathed in a while and he looked really scrawny and hungry so I started leaving out food, which he and Black Kitty gobbled down as fast as I put it out.

   So this went on for about a week when I started to realize that our own kitties didn't want to go outside anymore and were scared and ran and hid when I opened the back door for them to go out in the morning. Missy started hissing every time Black Kitty was on the deck and I started to feel badly.

   I called the local animal shelter to ask if they could either come get them, or I could catch them to bring them in and the answer was "no." They would not come get them and I was not allowed to bring in strays, since they didn't accept strays (???) They said since this is a college town there are just too many strays to take in and care for and they gave me the phone number of the local feral catch and release society, so at least the two wouldn't make more kitties. I asked if they would be released back into our back deck and was I just supposed to suddenly have two more cats and the answer was basically "yes" which I find slightly alarming.

   Well, now Missy and Trudy don't want to go out at all anymore and last night when they went out the front door for a few minutes to take care of business there was a big cat fight down the street, which I don't know if they were involved in, and they came running back inside lickety-split to hide in the basement. My husband, Joel, noticed that Black Kitty appeared to have a bloody scar on his nose last night and I have seen that Mr. Mustache has some sort of bumpy injury thing on his back (??) I stopped leaving out food, but feel terribly guilty, like I am trying to chase them away or something, but I do at least leave out a bowl of water. I feel so guilty and sad for these two.

   Does anyone know what I should do or who I can call? I'm sorry this is so long, but I just don't know what to do. Joel tried to get a few pictures of them last night, so we can possibly post flyers around the neighborhood asking if these are your cats to see if anyone responds... Should I call the shelter again and let them know they appear injured and there is fighting?

   Thanks for any help and all replies. If you want, my e-mail is lursin@yahoo.com. I live in Eastern Washington, if that helps too. :) lara

   Posted 3 years ago by Lara #

2. 

   lara, your two will get used to the new comers eventually, they are probably dumpees from your description of them just showing up, that is how I got my puppy, someone dumped her over my fence. contact the spay neuter group and talk to them about rehoming the new cats if they are friendly it should not be too hard. if you really don't want them around you can take them to the shelter, but be aware that they will probably be put down since they are overwhelmed.

   Posted 3 years ago by TheKnittingNinja #

3. 

   lara...my heart goes out to those two little vagabonds without a purrrfect furrrever home. Even if you do not feel you can make them a part of your family...please do call the people who trap, neuter and release these unfortunate kitties. It's the best chance they'll have for survival. Ferals who cannot reproduce can often find some means of survival for years. They shouldn't be out there breeding and fighting due to non spay/neuter. Prayers and TDK white light going your way that you can find a happy solution for all involved.

   Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

4. 

   Lara, it's just my opinion, but it sounds like these two guys are feral, not pets. Chances are their longest, happiest lives will be as kitties who are trapped, neutered & vaccinated, then released. (I'm very sorry to hear about Mr. Moustache's injury; it could be life-threatening.)

   Once cats are neutered, about 6-8 weeks pass before they become mostly mellow. A lot of the fighting is over mates, or food. If you keep putting out food & water daily, and they get altered, a LOT of the fighting stops.

   I'd go so far as to say that since you've named these two ferals... and you're putting out water for them... they're yours. Nobody else gave a damn, but you do. Nobody else is going to do anything for them.

   In my life with ferals, once they're TNR'd, I've found it's no great hardship in my life to put out food & water on a daily basis (especially since I got the heated dog dish for water in the wintertime). And I give them cardboard boxes lined with thrift-store wool blankets to sleep in, with a windbreak, to get them through the rough winter weather.

   Please consider giving these guys a hand, and at least work with the local feral society to get them TNR'd.

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

5. 

   Amen Anncetera..That's exactly how I got my 4...Never been sorry I did it either....They're wonderful, loving and quite entertaining.

   Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

6. 

   Well put Anncetera, those kitties knew where they were going. They don't just show up by accident. They sense where they will be welcome and understood. Thats how I got my Pricilla. She just showed up one day and moved herself right on in. I've never been sorry. It's been almost two years. As far as I'm concerned, she IS my cat and that is that!! Would not - Could not ever give her up now.

   Posted 3 years ago by debsterwiz #

7. 

   Karenopa, I now have a feral tabby tom who I'm feeding under the cedar tree (away from the house, where none of my other ferals can see him). I'm working on getting him accustomed to being fed twice per day. Next step will be to put the trap a few feet away, also under the cedar tree... and eventually move the food dish into the trap, with the trap jammed open.

   Once I get that far, then I'll schedule the big bruiser with my local TNR group. We have a huge clinic set up for this Sunday, to handle 150 spays & neuters (dogs and cats both).

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

8. 

   One of the worst things I ever did was well-intentioned, but ended disastrously. Gilligan was an orange tabby that I TNR'd. He got very friendly, and very accustomed to sitting in my lap, when I'd sit on the front porch. He even fell asleep in my lap. I could pick him up and set him down from my lap, which is a huge level of trust; he was letting me (briefly) handle his soft underbelly, which any self-respecting feral cat guards fiercely.

   I made the mistake of thinking he was now ready and suited to become a house cat. So like an idiot one afternoon, I convinced myself the best thing I could do is bring him to the local shelter, the better to get him placed in a home. (This was before many services were available in town to get cats TNR'd.) I thought this would be best for him.

   I felt awful driving home. I woke up the next morning, feeling awful still. If I'd known I had a 24-hour grace period to reclaim him, I'd have driven there in a heartbeat. I didn't know.

   And Gilligan never even made it from the intake side of the shelter to the adoption side. He lived the last two weeks of his life in fear and confinement, because of me. And he died from a lethal injection, because of my best intentions, misplaced optimism, and confidence that his trust in people was transferable to others.

   It wasn't.

   This was several years ago, and I'm sitting here typing and I can't stop the tears. I cannot tell you what I'd give to be able to undo my error, and my stupidity. Poor Gilligan could have lived happily for many more years, living primarily in my yard, dozing in the sun.

   I screwed up, bigtime. Gilligan paid the price. I never meant any harm to come to the little buddy.

   Every kitten I take care of now, every feral I help TNR, every cat I help in recovery at the spay/neuter clinics... none of them will ever make up for Gilligan. But it's the least I can do, to try and help ensure longer, happier lives for them.

   Alley Cat Allies has a great deal of information about TNR (trap, neuter & release). Please check their website:

   http://www.alleycat.org/

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

9. 

   All of the cats I have right now are rescued ferals. Keep setting food out for the poor kitties and try to trap them and at least take them in to be examined if they are calm enough around you. My local vet charges a reduced price if you bring in a stray to be examined.

   I was also told by my local shelter that they did not take in strays from "my area" and that I would have to bring the cats to a shelter 45 minutes away even though this particular shelter was less than 10 miles from my house. And the one that is 45 minutes away is not a no-kill, and so there was no way in h-e-double hockey sticks I was taking ANY cat there...

   It will probably take time for your girls to get used to having the other two around and on "their deck", but they should become accustomed to it eventually...

   Posted 3 years ago by dieselsmom #

10. 

    It's interesting that the shelter said that, because they're in a college town, there are too many strays for them to handle. I'm in a college town myself, and I've seen students who live in apartments abandon their cats when they leave town. Just one more part of the "student experience," to be left behind and forgotten after graduation. I wonder how many cats sat purring on laps, providing comfort during times of homesickness or marathon study sessions, only to have their devotion rewarded with homelessness or a pentathol shot?

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

11. 

    Ann... what a sad story about Gilligan. I'm so sorry. You do good work, you really truly do.

    Mili will now roll to her back and let me rub her belly! I can not pick her up... she still won't go there, but she is more and more trusting. Chloe still hisses and spits and chases... but she is getting better. I just need to decide on the camera I want, and then go get it... then I should have updated pictures of my furbabies.

    Posted 3 years ago by 2 Popoki #

12. 

    Thank you, 2P. There are some mistakes that can't be undone. Gilligan's end is one of my few regrets in life.

    I'm so glad to hear that Mili's letting you rub her belly! That's absolutely wonderful news! Sorry about Chloe, but you know, it sounds like she's coming around (if ever-so-slowly). I look forward to seeing photos, when you get a chance!

    Speaking of which, since Mili has a Catster page, would you like me to transfer ownership of her page to you? Catster will let me do that, if you go out and open a Catster account.

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

13. 

    Lara, I agree with what all before me have said, only want to add one thing. From what you describe, these kitties could be ill, so if possible, you might want to try to get them to a vet for a check and some shots, just to protect Missy and Trudy from catching something...

    Posted 3 years ago by kittymom #

14. 

    KM, I don't know about TNR programs elsewhere, but in my municipality the cats are given rabies and 5-in-1 shots at the same time as the spay or neuter. I think they're also given an injectable antibiotic. These steps help greatly in limiting the spread of disease.

    On several occasions, the same vets who volunteer for spay & neuter clinic sessions will also take care of other, obvious health issues (such as a broken tooth or abscess).

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

15. 

    anncetera2,
    He knows and is waiting for you at the bridge. You were forgiven long ago.

    Posted 3 years ago by ailuromaniac #

16. 

    Thank you, Ailuromaniac. I just want to help Lara with these feral kitties, as well as her own Missy and Trudy, so they can all live long, happy lives. That's the happy ending I'd love to see!

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

17. 

    Thanks, Ann. The only experience I've had with TNR is borrowing the cage from my vet, catching the kitties, taking them back to my vet for the surgery, checkups, and shots, then bringing them back home and releasing them to my yard, where they lived happily.

    Posted 3 years ago by kittymom #

18. 

    Anncetera..I'm sorry for Gilligan but from the bottom of your heart you felt you were giving him his best chance for a wonderful furrever home. We all can make choices that turn out to be wrong in the end. We can't stop making them though out of fear for error. You do so much good for so many. I know that from Rainbow Bridge Gilligan smiles for the kindness and love you once gave him. You know as well as I do,many kitties never, ever know this love at all. You are a wonderful kitty savior and I'm very proud of who you are and all you do. {{{HUGS}}}

    Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

19. 

    Hi all,

    Thanks for all your advice! I just called and left a message for the feral cats place and hope they will call me back tomorrow. In the meanwhile I suppose I will make some flyers and post them around the neighborhood to see if anyone claims them, so I can at least advise them about the injuries and fighting. I would not mind having two more cats, I guess, as long as they were able to get along with my two and the fighting stopped. Thank you to everyone!! Kitty hugs all around!! ^..^

    Posted 3 years ago by Lara #

20. 

    Lara, everyone has given you excellent advice, the only thing left out was please keep your kitties inside only....it is safer for them (even if they disagree at first) and keeps your mind at ease on them being injured or killed outside by any number of things (dogs, wild animals, cars, etc.). The two porch kitties came to your house because they can tell when someone has a good heart, believe me they really find the right people.

    Posted 3 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

21. 

    Lara, I'm so glad you called the feral cats group! They will be able to give you good advice based on experience with feral (and stray) cats. In the meantime, food & water will help these two less fortunate cats maintain their health and will go some way toward minimizing fighting (over food).

    Too often, ferals never know kindness or love. I'm grateful that you're trying to help them, as best you can. It makes a difference!

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

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