My Feral And Rescued Cats

[Jcatbird]

I promised more news. Thrasher is spayed and is here with me! She was an abused kitty and is very feral as a result but I don’t want to put her back outside if there is any chance she can adapt and be happy indoors. I will do my best to teach her to trust again. She is eating and has allowed me a brief touch to her head. That’s a start! She is also talking to me when I am visiting with her in the room she is in now.

I am nursing my back like a good girl! However, I have new wounds. Cat scratched! Not from a feral but from my own kitty, Dali. He is elderly now and during the night he was laying on my head. I tried to move him and apparently I startled him. Poor kitty has had to deal with so many other kitties coming and going. Also sharing my attention far more than an old fellow should have to share so maybe I earned the wounds. I have been scratched hundreds of times by kitties but it seems the worst are inflicted by my own kitties when they are upset. I apologized to Dali and dressed the wounds with cream the doctor gave me in advance of my next cat wound. I am really hoping that it won’t get infected this time. Maybe I should wear me feral handling gloves at all times now! Lol I have been reminded to pay Dali more attention! My second oldest cat is taking good care of me. He is watching the injury for any signs of trouble. Good Mackie!

I got a new report on the ducks and the Thrasher kittens. All are well and the ducks got an A+ for being so sweet and amazingly adapted already! They all got bathed. Elfie is the only one who is showing how tough he can be. No bath for him yet! All are eating well and calming down. All great news.
I was too disabled today to do more than attend to all the cats needs. No new photos but I would like to share reminder photos of Elfie. The little elf that watched me and spoke to me from the woods. Perhaps as a house cat he will be the “Elf on the Shelf.”

I am so glad I got him. So cute!

 

[Norachan]

Ouch, those scratches look painful! I hope they heal up alright. I had an infected cat scratch a while back that took 2 courses of antibiotics to heal up. Got a lecture from the ER doctor that began "Cats are very dirty animals" as well.



Great news about Thrasher and all of the others. It's nice to hear that some of the kittens have found their forever homes so quickly.

Do you know if the little ducks are boys or girls? If there is a girl among them I vote for the name Jemima.

 

[Jcatbird]

Ouch, those scratches look painful! I hope they heal up alright. I had an infected cat scratch a while back that took 2 courses of antibiotics to heal up. Got a lecture from the ER doctor that began "Cats are very dirty animals" as well.



Great news about Thrasher and all of the others. It's nice to hear that some of the kittens have found their forever homes so quickly.

Do you know if the little ducks are boys or girls? If there is a girl among them I vote for the name Jemima.

I love Jemima for a girl! That will be a great name! I will post their names as soon as they are given to the kittens. I am sure that there is a female. The foster Mom will love that one too. She always asks me the names. I will give that one. I am guessing we will have two females and a male. I think Louie will be the male. Louie and Jemima! One more......
I love the picture too!
Thank you about the scratches. They do look a little better today. Thank you to my doctor for giving that cream BEFORE my next wound. My doctor’s office is full of cat lovers. The PA has adopted rescues from people herself so they know that cats are not dirty! Our bite is actually more toxic than theirs. Of course, I don’t bite. Lol

 

[maggiedemi]

Oh you poor dear! As soon as I saw the photo, I thought one of your ferals scratched you. Mine tore the palm of my hand open a couple times and I had to tape it up. It never got infected though. It was my boy kitty that did that, and he's the nicer one! One time he was trying to play with a raccoon under the garage door and I wouldn't let him. The other time he was just playing hide and seek with me. He popped out from behind a box and threw himself at me and slid down my hand.

 

[Jcatbird]

Oh you poor dear! As soon as I saw the photo, I thought one of your ferals scratched you. Mine tore the palm of my hand open a couple times and I had to tape it up. It never got infected though. It was my boy kitty that did that, and he's the nicer one! One time he was trying to play with a raccoon under the garage door and I wouldn't let him. The other time he was just playing hide and seek with me. He popped out from behind a box and threw himself at me and slid down my hand.

Oh my! The palm of your hand? That’s a tough place to heal! How do you keep a wound like that from movement that opens the wound? I know that hurt! Kitties never really mean to hurt us. They are either playing, running across us, jumping over us or scared and trying to get us to back up. I have never been scratched or bitten for any other reason. I have been around kitties since birth but never had one hurt me intentionally unless I made an error in judgement. It was my fault rather than the cat’s. I have never been hurt dealing with ferals. Cats love people. Even the wild ones seem to crave the human touch. I have always been fascinated by that inclination. I hope you don’t get scratched again. My scratches appear to be healing without infection.

The news of today is great! My , very feral, Thrasher has been crying so much that her voice is hoarse. It has concerned me. She has only been here a couple of days but I have been working on her. When I am with her and she meows, I immediately respond with,”Hiii!” Tonight I went in to find herdrinking water and out of her hiding place. She scurried back into hiding and meowed pitifully. I responded and we spoke back and forth for a good ten minutes. Then something changed. She looked right at me and came out a little bit from hiding. I put my hand in front of her with my palm away from her. She sniffed my hand and turned to hide again. I brushed against her back. This behaviour was repeated several times and each time I lightly brushed my hand against her. I think the photos tell the story better than words so here is what happened.

We have a much happier Thrasher! We had a petting festival three times tonight. She was enjoying the petting so much, she purred! She rubbed her head against my hand and was very affectionate. This is amazing progress. She has gone from feral to friend. She is on her way to a good life now. Considering her previous abuse she has made a great leap towards being a tame kitty. I am so happy! Good girl! Thrasher is on her way up!
All the other kitties are doing well. Progress is made daily so I am hoping to catch Kelly and her babies this week. They need to come inside now. With any luck I will get them soon. I hope you smiled for Thrasher!

 

[Norachan]

Wow, that's progress!

What is Thrasher's history? Did she used to be someone's cat or did she have a really tough time outside?

 

[Jcatbird]

Wow, that's progress!

What is Thrasher's history? Did she used to be someone's cat or did she have a really tough time outside?

Thrasher has a long and sad history. She is a feral that showed up almost two years ago. She was totally wild and I could not approach her at all. I began to feed her. She came every now and then to eat but I think she foraged for much of her food. The woods here were plentiful with small game. Then I noticed she was pregnant and really began to try to get her. Although I could not catch her she did begin to see me as non threatening. She had her first litter under my house! I could hear her and the babies but could not get to them. Then one day I heard a terrible fuss. I went out to the back porch and heard kittens screaming. Saw Thrasher running to the woods. I attempted to pull up the floor to get the kittens but could not find them. Upon going outside to try to get to them I noticed a strong odor that overwhelmed me. Ammonia. It filled the air. I found the opening the cat had been going through and discovered many empty ammonia bottles. The rest is too awful to tell. I called the police. They seemed moved by the struggle but could not do anything to help. The kittens all died. I did not see Thrasher for another week. When she showed up most of her fur was gone and her skin appeared raw and red. I tried to catch her but she was terrified. I did not see her again for about a year. I had assumed she had died. When I did see her she had fur again. I started feeding her extremely well. Tons of the best stuff I could find. She would not come very close but ate as though starved. Again she got pregnant. I built a shelter for her. She had the kittens there and I was able to tame all seven. When I arranged for someone to come and get them we found that three were missing. Completely tamed, they would come when I called. I feared the worst. I gathered the remaining kittens and they all got adopted. Thrasher showed up briefly but would not go near the shelter.
When buzzards showed up nearby I knew the search for the babies was over. Thrasher stayed away a long time. The last time she showed up with her kittens already a few weeks old. These are the kittens I first wrote about here. I caught four of the kittens very early on. As you probably know, I just caught the last three and Thrasher. Her ordeal outside has ended. No more being doused with ammonia or bad endings for her babies. She is spayed and living inside now. Her kittens are in great hands and Thrasher seems to understand that I am not a threat. Petting her and having her purr last night nearly brought me to tears. How could anyone have tortured this sweet cat?
It was the events with Thrasher and one other that made me aware that someone was doing horrible things to these cats. Feeding them was not going to help them. I had to capture, Spay/neuter and get them away from this place to safety. Not long after my first rescues, more cats appeared. The numbers escalated rapidly. Not just kittens but adult or juvenile cats. They were being brought here for some reason. It was around a hundred cats and kittens. I began hearing gunfire in the woods regularly and finding deceased cats. Again police were brought in to investigate. I began rescuing as fast as I could. I could not save them all from the bad people but I did get most of them. In doing this I became a target for mischief but I just kept doing the rescues. My business was destroyed. ( I had a greenhouse full of endangered orchids that I bred for preservation and to sell to other breeders. Every plant was ripped to shreds, covered with roundup or just vanished and the greenhouse had holes in all the walls and roof. The water pipes were smashed and the electrical systems ruined) I did everything I could think of to keep myself and the cats safe. For the most part the trouble has died down. I still have vandalism but that is mild compared to what was going on before. After the worst of the mayhem ,I spread the word locally that I would not stop. The Sherriff told me to carry a sidearm. Ha! Who wants to have to do that in their own yard? I grabbed every cat I could get and put them in every building on my land. Whenever I became aware of someone nearby I made sure they knew I was there with a camera. I heard them in the woods less and less. Now that I am working with the county things are even better. No more cats have been murdered. I hope it is all over now for the kitties. I just need to catch the last three kittens and three adults. I also have to get the last inside kitties adopted. I now have hope that this can be accomplished. Sorry for such a horrible story but this is why people should be responsible pet owners, spat/neuter and keep your pets inside unless you can be with them. Never dump a cat! You may be leaving them to a fate you never imagined.
I also hope to find a new way to make a living when this is all over. One task at a time.

 

[maggiedemi]

Wow, what a story. Those evil people have no soul. Why would they pour ammonia on cats? I guess they like mice & rats better than cats? Thank you for helping them! I think you're wonderful.
Yes, now I know to keep the palm of my hands away from my two former ferals. It is very hard to heal on that side of the hand, I had to tape it up. They are getting better, Demi still plays a little rough and Maggie swats me sometimes. But they are the light of my life.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I am just sick at what you and those precious cats and kittens have been through. I know losing that litter in such a vicious, foul way just broke your heart. And your orchids, greenhouse and equipment. I do NOT discount that loss, at all! Bless you, Dear Friend. These cats could not have a better champion that you have been, and continue to be.

I am overjoyed at the strides that you are making with Thrasher. Her ordeal is over, and her kittens are safe, at last.

 

[Norachan]

OMG that's just awful! You'd told me about people shooting towards your property before, but I didn't realise how bad things were. It's terrible that they attacked you and your business as well as tormenting the poor cats. Some people really are sick.

Did the police investigate the vandalism? Do you have any idea about who is doing this?

I wish you had someone there to protect you and the cats from these evil bullies.

 

[rubysmama]

I don't even have words to respond to your post about all you and the cats have had done to you. Just hugs.

 

[Jcatbird]

Wow, what a story. Those evil people have no soul. Why would they pour ammonia on cats? I guess they like mice & rats better than cats? Thank you for helping them! I think you're wonderful.
Yes, now I know to keep the palm of my hands away from my two former ferals. It is very hard to heal on that side of the hand, I had to tape it up. They are getting better, Demi still plays a little rough and Maggie swats me sometimes. But they are the light of my life.

They are very bad people. I believe that something has turned them away though. I am grateful for that. Perhaps something like Karma turned the tide. I will never know but to be safe I am determined to catch the last cats and kittens. We can all celebrate that if I can manage it. The battle will have been won.
I am glad your babies are learning to be a little more careful with their paws. I know what you mean about them being the ,” light of your life .” It is wonderful what love can do for us and for them!

I am just sick at what you and those precious cats and kittens have been through. I know losing that litter in such a vicious, foul way just broke your heart. And your orchids, greenhouse and equipment. I do NOT discount that loss, at all! Bless you, Dear Friend. These cats could not have a better champion that you have been, and continue to be.

I am overjoyed at the strides that you are making with Thrasher. Her ordeal is over, and her kittens are safe, at last.

Thank you for your kind heart and sympathy! I do get tired at times but support from others helps me to keep up my efforts to save these precious kitties. I may have lost my greenhouse and prized plants but I would have given it all if I could have prevented all the kitties from being hurt and scared. My livelihood was a gift to me but the kitties are a bigger gift. The love and laughter they have brought into my life cannot be bought. When I started this I never thought of what good things it would bring to me. The gains far outweigh the losses. The kitties, the other people who have also found love by adopting these kitties and all the wonderful folks I have met along the way have made a difference in my world. I may have been dealing with something awful in the beginning but it has turned into something wonderful! Isn’t that amazing? I think it is awesome! I found thecatsite just because I was trying to find kitty help too. This is a great place to find. Chance led me here but people like you have kept me here. Thank you!

Thrasher is still progressing. I think she looks a little less stressed. Maybe it is my imagination but I think her face shows that she feels safer. Maybe a beginning to happiness? My poor little Brown Thrasher. When she was young she played amongst the leaves, tossing them like a little bird looking for a bug. I will try to get her back to feeling that way again. I want to make sure she feels safe and loved. I think we have made a start towards that now. She enjoyed the petting even more tonight. Sweet girl. She faced the camera tonight. I think she is gaining confidence.

Mitsy goes to be spayed tomorrow. She is still a nervous girl but enjoying being petted. I will be glad when she is over the surgery and back with me so I can keep working on loving her.
The four kitties that go up for adoption Friday got a day of practice today. All four were put in cages in my living room to spend the day getting used to a television, being in a cage and getting exposure to new people. They all did very well! They allowed a new person to pet and play with them and they did not avoid contact. They have come a long way from the kitties they were before. They tolerated all very well. We will practice every day so they grow accustomed to new people, places and things. They did great and even played. Good kitties! May they soon find loving homes. Here are two of them. Duster is the Blue Smoke in the pink cage and Black Bear is the one who was visited by my cat, Little Girl, ( AKA Lambie)

 

[Jcatbird]

OMG that's just awful! You'd told me about people shooting towards your property before, but I didn't realise how bad things were. It's terrible that they attacked you and your business as well as tormenting the poor cats. Some people really are sick.

Did the police investigate the vandalism? Do you have any idea about who is doing this?

I wish you had someone there to protect you and the cats from these evil bullies.

I do not know for sure who has been doing this. I have strong suspicions. I think the police have a good idea who is at fault but they must have proof. Some are sympathetic.
There have been times that I wished someone was here to protect me but since there wasn’t I had to be prepared myself. If you can ever really be prepared for things like this. Besides, if someone else had been here they would also have been at risk. With unbalanced people doing these things you never know how they will view what you do. It might have even escalated things. I just wish I could have saved the first cats. I didn’t realize what was happening at first. I can tell you that “necessity is the mother of invention.” I became very creative in my efforts to protect my land, the cats and myself. As I instituted my surprises for anyone who invaded, my problems began to diminish and no more cats or kittens have been murdered. Technology helped very little but I used some old fashioned remedies that worked very well. Technology is expected and easily circumvented but the old fashioned methods are unexpected these days. I do know that the person landed on their bum more than once in my yard. My vision problems became an advantage for me. I can walk this land in complete darkness. Others cannot. I know where every root, piece of wire or shovel is placed and the cats hear everything. They alert me by running. I listen closely. I often tend to and catch kitties in the dark. It keeps us safe. Do you know about scarecrows? They work for people too! Especially if you move them around in the dark. The locks on my doors did not protect me so I barred the doors and windows with two by four wood pieces that I cut to fit and slide into place as needed. Pioneer style. Lol It worked. I had a Sheriff come to tell me where criminals could break in to my home. He felt I had adequately reinforced the weak spots. There was little more he could do. Unless I caught the crime on video I had no recourse. Even when the 911 operator heard the gunshots and recorded them, they could only “ look” for the perpatrater. I was not shot so they could not do more.The laws restrict them. The vandalism was a non violent crime and because official resources are limited they did not pursue that. The Animal Control officer took the killings of animals very seriously, but all he could do was to file a report and tell me to notify him of any other issues. It doesn’t work like things on TV. They don’t collect the bullets for comparison. They didn’t take fingerprints. The phone, electric and cable companies came and repaired the damages to their lines and boxes. My neighbor and I repaired the pump on my well. The rest was left to me. There are many more details and aspects of this story. Suffice it to say that I have learned a lot and have found ways to help to protect the living things here. I have not had to use a weapon to do it either! I think a natural reaction here is to be armed. It might be needed but there are other ways. I prefer to make it more trouble to get to me than it is worth. I think a moat would be nice! Drawbridge included. Lol

I don't even have words to respond to your post about all you and the cats have had done to you. Just hugs.

The hugs are gratefully received. They count more than you can imagine! I only have a few more cats to catch. They are my biggest worry. If I can catch them then I will work out the rest. May they all find safe and loving homes! Protecting myself is much easier than protecting them. When all the kitties are finally settled it will be a day I will celebrate for the rest of my life. I will be posting pages full of hearts!!!!

 

[Jcatbird]

I finally got new pictures of Kelly and her babies. I have all three babies this time! Mom saw me catch the duck kittens and two Thrasher babies so she is now suspicious of my activities. She moved her kittens! Ouch. I know where they are and this morning got these pictures. It poured rain this afternoon so the did not come out to eat. I got soaked waiting for them. Lol That does mean they will be very hungry tomorrow. That may make it easier for me to place a cage or trap. I don’t expect to get them yet but just to get close to them. I know it will take patience. They are so cute!

What are you looking at?

Mom says you catch duck kittens.

You looking at my babies? Mom..... she did bring some nice food!

She brought food? I kind of like her.

Okay lady! Step away from the kittens!

They made me smile. I hope you did too!

 

[Jcatbird]

My post today is about rescue and TNR. I am looking for programs for another cat rescuer. It is quite a job to track down programs to help individuals or even TNR groups. Spay and neuter are so important we, must get that done first.
This lady is older with health issues yet she has tamed a mom with 5 kittens! Now we just have to stop the population from growing. I have found some resources for her but hope to do better with connecting her to a free spay:neuter program. I have done this research for others in different parts of the country. I am shocked at the variation. Some states are very pro spay and neuter and are very supportive of people who are acting to reduce the untended cat populations. Other states have no support at all. Shame on them! Most fall somewhere in between with very limited resources available. Sadly, she is in an area that has little help available. I did find two ladies who really care. One offered transportation and other possible sources for help. She was willing to help by doing some things to assist on her own time but her hands were tied when it came to helping with funding. Great lady who sounded distressed that she could not do more. She is overwhelmed with a population explosion in their area. The other lady is with a National program. She told me about a possible discount on spay spay neuter services and was also very concerned. That is great but when you live on a tight budget it really does not solve the problem. I will keep looking for other programs. I know that I struggle here myself since the Grant funding has run out. I am grateful for the help I got from it early on. Without it the feral and dumped cats would number in the hundreds! I could only afford one cat at a here and there over time. The grant allowed me to spay and neuter 18 cats. Because they were fixed it reduced the population explosion here and also allowed me to work to tame these cats ultimately finding loving homes for them. Yay for Grants and responsible governing authorities! More funding please! Free Spay and neuter could stop so many community issues. Think of the cost reduction for animal control, housing animals in shelters, euthanasia and even disposal of the euthanized animals. Unnnhhhhh! Horrible. If the population is reduced then no kill shelters have a better chance to succeed. Wouldn’t that be awesome!
If anyone knows of programs that work, please tell me about it. I would like to pass the info along to all those in authority I have had contact with. They need to know about the problems, understand them and find creative ways to solve them. If you have an idea or suggestion, please post it!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I think the police have a good idea who is at fault but they must have proof. Some are sympathetic.

I have a thought or two. I'll do some research, and if I find anything useful for you, I'll let you know!

LOVE that beatiful calico and her precious babies! I'm betting that you have them in and safe before the middle of next month! Is that the last of them, for now?

 

[Jcatbird]

I have a thought or two. I'll do some research, and if I find anything useful for you, I'll let you know!

LOVE that beatiful calico and her precious babies! I'm betting that you have them in and safe before the middle of next month! Is that the last of them, for now?

I am not quite there yet. I have to keep reminding myself to be patient. Considering that I started out over 100 I am close but there are two adult females, ( Kelly and Flowers) one adult male ( Blue junior or BJ who I have not seen for awhile but I fear he may come to pollinate Flowers) and the three Kelly babies. 6 that I know of total. That does not mean that I won’t spot another but I hope not. I have not seen any scat or prints of another but the woods could hide them. I still have some cats indoors to socialize and I have to figure out if the feral descendants of ferals can be tamed. Thrasher is ,at least ,second generation and that makes it a little harder. I don’t know as much about the history of Flowers. Originally I called her Viscious due to her hissing and swatting at me. I changed it to Flowers to put a better slant on things. Lol She has stopped hissing and swatting. Whatever the outcome with Jazzy, Flowers and Thrasher, I will not turn them back out. I am not saving them just to have someone kill them. I wish I could build a safe shelter for them but that is out of my reach right now. I will work something out indoors. I hope to relocate at some point or find human reinforcements. Mitsy will be returning. She was in heat when she went to be spayed. A slight delay. She will be spayed. I am still amazed that all but Mitsy and the outside 6 got spayed or neutered. The grant helped , but 18 out of 100+ was not enough. I am trying to regain my footing. They say, “ where there’s a will, there’s a way!” I am counting on that. It has gotten me through so far. I will be looking forward to some rest though.

 

[Jcatbird]

Tomorrow is a big day! I have four kitties being interviewed for a spot at the adoption center. I spent today preparing them. Flea meds, worm meds, grooming, etc. I hope they get in and find loving homes. I will hate saying goodbye to them but I know it is best for them. I will post it if they get accepted. I am also hoping to post some good news about the older lady who needed to find spay and neuter services for the kitties she had found and was attempting to rescue. It took a lot of time tracking down help in her county but things are looking up! There are some great people in this world! Yay!
Here is our smile for tonight!

Banjo is packed and ready to go to her new home on Saturday! She packed herself! Tee hee!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I wish I could build a safe shelter for them but that is out of my reach right now. I will work something out indoors.

Don't know if this would work for you, and there is some expense involved, but one of our members just bought a chicken coop for his cats! It's as nice as some of the catios I've run across, nicer than some, and FAR cheaper, from what I could tell!

 

[Jcatbird]

Great news! All four kitties passed their interview! No hissing, growling or resistance. Originally they were feral kitties but three of them have been with me for some months. They are healthy and behaved so well they went straight to the adoption room in spite of all the kittens available.
Silver raised her kittens here. She had abandoned her kittens but I caught the babies and then located and caught her. When they were reunited it was a huge heart string moment. The reunion was as sweet as it gets. She took over and was a fantastic mother. Her babies were the hardest for me to part with out of the 100+. ( I must include Banjo, Whistle and Nimbus in that group) It still stings. Letting her go today completed the relocation of that whole family. I hope she gets adopted into a fantastic home, of course. Here is a replay of life with Silver and her kittens. Get ready for an Awwwwww! And a happy ending!

This is what I think Silver, Sandy, Frosty, Turtle, Marmoset and Uff were trying to say. Below is what I imagine happened!

Don’t keep me here. I have to find my lost babies.

Have you seen my kittens?

Human! You’re not our Mommy!

We want our Mommy!!!!

Are you scared too?

I think I’m gonna cry!

We’re starving!!!!!!!

And I need a bath!

Would you find our Mom?

Do you think she can?

Purrrrrlease! Find Mommy!?!?!?

Don’t cry little kitten. I’ll try to find your Mommy.

Okay! We’re gonna wait right here!

Silver. Are you looking for babies?
Please tell me you found them!!!!

Here?!?!? Yes Silver. They are here.

BABY?!?!?! In here?

Mom?!?!??

Mom?!?!?

Is that Momma?!?!?!?

Children........

(A Happy Reunion! )
Mommyyyyyyyy!!!!! Prrrrrrrrrrr!

Hey! Thanks human!!!!!!

As promised, a happy ending to this cat tail. Some of the most adorable kitties ever and the things I think they were saying in cat language. I think their expressions say it all. Will I miss Silver and family? You will just have to imagine my expression too! I am most grateful that I found them and live in a world where I was able to save them all. Thank you world! Their little hearts beat on with mine and the love continues!
Mamanyt1953 You wanted a story. This is for you, the ones who offer me support on this thread, all those who love kitties and those who are driven to save the lost or neglected and stop the suffering. We all put our hearts together and share them with the kitties. Pass it on please!