My Feral And Rescued Cats

[NY cat man]

N NY cat man i share your opinion! It’s all because they concentrate on saving the ones that are easier to socialize and therefore less expense , time and resources. I guess they go for quantity. Sad because ferals are quality as well the others. I wish they would just honestly put that information out there. Maybe donations would increase in order to save strays AND ferals!

I would hope so, but I also wouldn't hold my breath waiting on it. Speaking for Michele and myself, we wouldn't part with our feral 'kids' for all the tea in China.

 

[Jcatbird]

N NY cat man Sometimes all we can do is hope and educate. Worth a try. I won’t hold my breath though. I’d end up like this.

 

[Jcatbird]

Super tired tonight. On a medicine that is going to put me to sleep soon but I wanted to touch base here.
Today was another goodbye day and it never gets easier. You would think after this many I would be tougher but...... no.
Liberty and Torthgs are in another state now, but doing okay. Here are my good bye pictures. No longer ferals, they start their new lives with every opportunity I could give them

Good night everyone. Furry feral dreams to all!

 

[Norachan]

Liberty and Torthgs are in another state now, but doing okay.

Beautiful cats! I'm glad to hear they're doing OK.

No, it never gets any easier, but you must feel relieved to know they are safe and well and never need to struggle as feral cats again.

All my former ferals agree, life inside with the people is much more comfortable.

Goodnight.

 

[rubysmama]

Beautiful cats. Thanks to you, they are no longer wild and scared, or in danger. Instead they ready to find their new fur-ever family.

I was looking for a heart-warming meme that would fit this situation. Couldn't find anything. But I did find this one.

 

[NY cat man]

Jcatbird , I have a question for you. Our cats were from 3-5 months old when we brought them- or rather, let them in the house. Burdock, the oldest is now almost 8, and the youngest 3 are nearing 5 years old. At what point do we stop calling them ferals, or even semi-ferals?

 

[Jcatbird]

N NY cat man I think that could just be based on how they act. If they are social then I would just call them tame. Some retain feral or semi feral behaviour but these have been in a long time. I no longer call any of my tame or socialized kitties ferals. The more recent arrivals, even though they are becoming lap cats, are still called feral or semi feral if they go to the vet or for adoption. I do that just so the vet knows to treat them with extra care. For adoption purposes I give a biography to adopting parents that tells of the cats history. It tells the degree to which they have been socialized and that they come from a feral background. Some would always call them ferals but I do not agree and there is more acceptance now of that opinion. If they are totally tame..... I call them tame. I hope this helps. At this point, they are simply, your family and your kitties! Formal feral might be a term you would use too.

 

[Jcatbird]

rubysmama Hahahahahaha! I love it! Laughing is even better! That’s a face I would snuggle!

Norachan I am relieved that there is a possibility of love and their own home. Individual attention for them is better. What always bothers me most is waiting for them to find that home as they stay at the shelter. The “ in between” time. It’s a necessity though. I am grateful that they are in this new center. It’s much, much nicer! Yay! The last one was good but has had issues recently so this came along just in time. Very relieved about that. I will update as any of the kitties that are out for adoption find homes.

Thank you everyone for the support! I am just a worrier when it comes to my babies. Lol Typical Mom.

 

[dustydiamond1]

rubysmama Hahahahahaha! I love it! Laughing is even better! That’s a face I would snuggle!

Norachan I am relieved that there is a possibility of love and their own home. Individual attention for them is better. What always bothers me most is waiting for them to find that home as they stay at the shelter. The “ in between” time. It’s a necessity though. I am grateful that they are in this new center. It’s much, much nicer! Yay! The last one was good but has had issues recently so this came along just in time. Very relieved about that. I will update as any of the kitties that are out for adoption find homes.

Thank you everyone for the support! I am just a worrier when it comes to my babies. Lol Typical Mom.

Gypsy asks how BJ is doing?

 

[dustydiamond1]

Jcatbird , I have a question for you. Our cats were from 3-5 months old when we brought them- or rather, let them in the house. Burdock, the oldest is now almost 8, and the youngest 3 are nearing 5 years old. At what point do we stop calling them ferals, or even semi-ferals?

We stopped calling Gypsy the neighborhood stray when we stopped letting her go outside without one of us.

 

[rubysmama]

rubysmama Hahahahahaha! I love it! Laughing is even better! That’s a face I would snuggle!

Glad you it made you laugh.

BTW, Ruby and I watched "Nine Lives of Christmas" last night. The cats were cute. As was the fireman. Ruby napped through most of it, though her ears did perk up a few times at the cat meows.

And, I want to know too. How's BJ doing?

 

[Jcatbird]

dustydiamond1 Gypsy is so beautiful. I think the leash color compliments her fur perfectly! Those are such great photos! Her personality shows well there. I agree with not calling her a stray from the moment she stayed with you. BJ update coming.
rubysmama Glad you thought the cats in the movie (and the fireman) were cute. I loved Ambrose! Whoever filmed that caught some good footage of the kitties. BJ update coming.

BJ is fine. He wants the run of the house! He still has to get the rest of his vetting before I can let him do that though. He is much calmer. I think he is feeling safe now. He is sleeping much better and even playing. Today he decided to play in his water dish. Water everywhere! Whole bowl upside down. Lol That was okay though. He had fun until the water spread.
Flowers keeps BJ company a lot. It’s really sweet to see that they remember and still love each other. Scent swapping still needs to go on with the cats that don’t know BJ though. One neutered male has decided that he might need to mark territory again!
Hopefully he’ll stop that!

Here are some new BJ pictures. I tried to take more but I had to shut him in the cage to get him to hold still long enough to take them after I woke him up. He is sleeping in a carrier now. Hard to believe of a cat that would never go near anything enclosed.


Wakie, wakie BJ!

Wanna come out for photos?

Hey BJ!

Marking the carrier? So you’re claiming this one, huh?!?!?

Oh! You’re claiming everything. Lol

Flowers! Giving BJ a kitty kiss.

Wait a minute......

Okay, BJ claimed the cage and you claim BJ.

Flowers keeping BJ company.

Even if he does look at Thrasher with big Tom eyes! I guess he remembers her too!

BJ is very fine! May still be a few hormones running around in there.
Have a great night everyone!

 

[rubysmama]

Flowers keeps BJ company a lot. It’s really sweet to see that they remember and still love each other.

It really is sweet.

rubysmama Glad you thought the cats in the movie (and the fireman) were cute. I loved Ambrose! Whoever filmed that caught some good footage of the kitties. BJ update coming.

I was thinking the same thing about what a good job they did filming the cats. I wonder how many takes each scene with the cats took?

 

[Mamanyt1953]

That's one of my favorite silly romantic Christmas movies! Yes, whoever their cat wrangler and trainer is, is fantastic!

Glad to hear that BJ is coming along so well! I had a feeling that he would.

As for you poor neutered boy, I imagine that once BJ well and truly doesn't have that "tomcat smell," he'll settle down again. It takes awhile.

 

[Jcatbird]

Hey! I just realized the kitties and I have been members here just over 1 year! Time to celebrate! This time last year I was looking at, what I thought was, a hopeless task. I may not have socialized and found homes for every cat yet but all ferals are now safely inside! Thank you to everyone here for keeping me going through so many tough times. Your support has been invaluable to me and the kitties. I’m grateful that we had company during this feral adventure. Maybe by this time next year all will be vetted , as many as possible will have homes and I’ll just be writing about how the remaining ferals are ordering me around!
Mamanyt1953 I expect BJ may be directing the orders!

 

[dustydiamond1]

Hey! I just realized the kitties and I have been members here just over 1 year! Time to celebrate! This time last year I was looking at, what I thought was, a hopeless task. I may not have socialized and found homes for every cat yet but all ferals are now safely inside! Thank you to everyone here for keeping me going through so many tough times. Your support has been invaluable to me and the kitties. I’m grateful that we had company during this feral adventure. Maybe by this time next year all will be vetted , as many as possible will have homes and I’ll just be writing about how the remaining ferals are ordering me around!
Mamanyt1953 I expect BJ may be directing the orders!

 

[Furballsmom]

Woop-Woop, good for you!!!

 

[surya]

Yay, your first year anniversary. You get the fur ball award!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

It's in French, but I couldn't resist the kitten in the woods...PERFECT for you!

 

[Jcatbird]

Furballsmom dustydiamond1 surya Thank you! Wow. Hardly seems like a year until I start counting cats. Then it seems muucchhh longer.
It breaks down to about 1 cat every four days! Ouch! No wonder i’m a little tired and my vacuum cleaner coughs up hair balls.
Mamanyt1953 Kitty in the woods is very appropriate! Just like the Gingerbread babies, BJ and so many more. No more midnight walks in the woods. Yay! It’s really hard to avoid stepping in swamp mud in the dark. The great think is..... we all made it out! BJ was the guardian of the woods kitties. He waited until all the others were safe before he followed me home. A truly great cat with a huge heart!

rubysmama I laughed when we both thought about how many takes were made to get the kitty shots in that movie. I am sure it took great patience. Had to be filmed by true kitty lovers.

Here is a real heart warmer for tonight.

BJ is getting very used to petting

Head scratching with noooo problems.

He’s petting me back now.

Trusting me enough to close his eyes and just enjoy the feeling.

I get the look of, don’t stop Mom.

Even when Purry tries to step in....

BJ remains calm for more petting and then I get the following....

I’m glad to be inside Mom.

I’m glad you are too BJ.

The last feral of the year. Somehow he doesn’t look so feral now.( Maybe he won’t swat me again until next year)