Fixin’ ferals.. one cat a month

Tagged: 4 weeks, colonies, feral, orphan

This topic has 9 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 15 years ago by GreatDane.

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16 April, 2009 at 12:03 am #26866

Leita
Participant

Hi folks,

I found this forum via a Google search for help with orphan newborns and was so impressed with the heartwarming assistance here I had to join.

Brief story: the little town I come from is overrun with ferals. My husband and I decided a while back to try and whittle down the population by fixing as many as we financially can. We’re three down and a buhjillion to go but we’re slowly gaining on them.

We have a great ASPCA-esque program here but it is sadly underfunded. Our one vet charges a modest fee ($35) to neuter males; about twice as much for females. Basically, we’re on our own in this mission.

(Funny thing about feral cats. Most of the professionals I’ve talked to have stated that ferals cannot be tamed. For months, I agreed but the couch potato sitting next to me and the half-dozen outside who smother me with rubs and purrs tell a different story.)

At the moment, we are tending to two 4-week old orphans, both with problems with their back legs–splayed out but they can scurry across the room with great speed at meal or play times. No apparent pain, they’re plump and sassy with plenty of attitude and a neutered male cat (Skink the feral couch potato) who helps us keep them clean and entertained. I’m not sure what we’ll do with these two treasures, but stay tuned, I’ll be asking for advice in the near future. 🙂

In the meantime, thank you all for being here whenever I wonder if I’m doing things right.

Cheers!

16 April, 2009 at 12:21 am #415107

caroline
Participant

Welcome to the “fuzziest” place on the internet! 🙂

16 April, 2009 at 12:27 am #415108

AV
Participant

Welcome Leita!…. many of our kitties have had “feral” beginnings… and I would have to agree with you….. that’s a myth that they can’t be tamed!…. my little meeze was born feral, and now she is my lap cat/soul mate… can’t be without sight of me, and travels all over (planes and cars)…. so I say “nonsense”…. ferals can be tamed! Of course, only the ones that want to!…. so glad to meet you, TDK is full of wonderful, love, knowledgable people, who freely share their experiences and expertise…. I look forward to seeing more pics of your kits, I hope you will put up a catster page…sounds to me like you’re doing just fine, and thank you for tending to those babies! Please know that you are always welcome to post to ask for advise, or just to give us updates!

16 April, 2009 at 12:32 am #415109

debsterwiz
Participant

Welcome Leita to the wonderful world of TDK where miracles happen every day! So glad you could join us. Sounds like you will fit right in!

Thank you so much for the work you are doing with the ferals, outstanding!

16 April, 2009 at 12:32 am #415110

mollycat71
Participant

WELCOME to our litter! God Bless you and your husband for your tireless effort to help the ferals in your community. There is a special place for people like you in Heaven. We have a great member here, named Feral, who will be a wealth of information if you need it! She has done remarkable work! I am so happy you have found us. Its a crazy fun bunch here, always ready to help or just to talk to. They have big shoulders and can support you when things aren’t so great. You will soon find that we not only love our cats/kittens but we share a lot of us too-families, work, good and bad. It is a super dooper great group and we are so glad you decided to join us! May we see pix of your babies some day? No rush, we just love kitty pix here! Again, WELCOME

16 April, 2009 at 3:34 pm #415111

Leita
Participant

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I’ll enjoy reading through the posts and sharing experiences.

I’ll dig out the camera and post photos. I missed the best photo op early this morning. Surrogate mom (dad?) Skink had both babies in a headlock thoroughly cleaning them up after breakfast. It was scary to watch at first, he seems rough on them but they just eat it up, eyes closed and purring in stereo. He’s been the best caretaker, makes my job Much easier. 🙂

Thanks again!

16 April, 2009 at 3:52 pm #415112

2bpurring
Participant

Welcome Leita!! What a wonderful mission you and your hubby have undertaken. I’ll be looking forward to pictures. Have you visited the Alley Cat Allies website, they might be able to help some.

http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=191

17 April, 2009 at 5:35 am #415113

VACJ
Participant

Hello Levita,

I am so glad that you and your hubby are helping ferals! Thats just AWESOME! And YES Ferals can be tamed!

In fact where I live (Pinellas County) we have been trying to start a TNR here, but its against the law for us to put out any feeding stations for cats, so I started a online petition to help convince our county to allow a TNR program. I went infront of the board with this yesterday, there were alot of other rescuers there as well. The board should re-convine this April 22nd or if not they will hold another meeting, which I will go to as well! Course by then I would have even more signitures to submit to them from my petition.

If anyone wants to sign the petition just click on my picture and it will take you to my stray cat rescue site scroll down and you will easily find the petition to sign.

17 April, 2009 at 11:28 am #415114

Shelley
Participant

Welcome to TDK Leita! Your spay/neuter program is a great idea–remember that even one person can make a huge difference! As MC said, our member Feral has a lot of experience with ferals–pooh, they can be tamed–just look for any of the old posts regarding Feral’s kitty Hopper–long story short, he was her resident wiley old tomcat–it took her forever to capture him to have him neutered but she finally did–she kept him inside so he could recuperate from the surgery and he decided to become an indoor kitty–loves the cushy life I guess!!

17 April, 2009 at 11:30 am #415115

GreatDane
Participant

Welcome to TDK, Leita! What a wonderful thing you’re doing, spaying and neutering!

I’m glad your Skink is being so helpful! My Bob was like that when I brought Milo home. He was only 7 weeks old and pretty sick and Bobby took good care of him 🙂
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