My 20 Year Old Tnr Colony Under Threat

supermax1943

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My 20-year-old TNR colony has been under threat for the last couple of months. My cat-hating next-door neighbor suddenly decided she didn't want the cats around anymore and hired a rogue Wildlife lady to trap the colony cats and take them to the County Animal Shelter to be euthanized. I didn't learn what was going on until another neighbor's pet cat got swept up in the trapping.

8 of the younger cats got trapped since I only trap with a drop trap and the Wildlife person was using a regular humane trap that my cats knew nothing about. At first, the County Animal Shelter wasn't helping but eventually, they remembered my Colony and began helping.

All the cats trapped are now home, but another neighbor, emboldened by the first neighbor, started trapping and sending them to the SPCA. Since the SPCA doesn't cover our area, it takes time for these cats to get sent back to the correct county shelter. (These poor cats!! I feel so sad about them going through all of this!) And then back home to me.

This ordeal was responsible for me losing my job with Walmart (a job I had for almost 4 years which I had to care for the cats).

I have set up a GoFundMe website to get help until I can find another job. If you can help, I will be so grateful. And, so will the cats!! There is more information on my GoFundMe site about what happened and why and pictures of some colony cats. Here is the link to the GoFundMe site:

Click here to support Neighbors Want to Kill These Cats organized by Sally Dwyer

If it is easier, you can also send cat food, preferably Friskies wet or dry which has been the cats' main food source since the start of the colony.

Please PM me if you could send food and I will let you know my address.

If you can help me and the colony, it will be just wonderful.So much time and effort has gone into this colony over the past 20 years, it is hard to cope with this attack which came out of nowhere. Nothing has changed in the 20 years except for 2 neighbors who took action against the cats because they hate them and think they have no place on this earth.
 
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Jcatbird

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I am so sorry. I had to go through similar except the kitties weren’t going to any shelters. Since your kitties eat that brand of food I strongly suggest you call the company that makes the food. They are very good about providing coupons to help with food supplies. Tell them you are a faithful customer of their product and the whole story of your situation. They helped me. You can say that I, another lifetime customer, suggested you call to get help to tide over the colony until you are back on your feet. If you need more info, send me a PM.
What about Walmart? What is wrong with that store? Can people appeal to their manager to recover your job?
Have you contacted any national groups for help for the kitties? There are groups who try to protect feral cats. Maybe you could attempt what I was forced to do. I started bringing in the kitties, socializing and finding homes for as many as possible. Over a couple of years I was able to get most into safe homes. The rest are also safe. It was a lot of work but it ended the terror. You and the kitties have my total support. I will never understand why people do things like this.
 

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Kat0121

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Hi Sally! I'm so sorry that you lost your job. I've sent food for the colony in the past so I already have your address saved in my Chewy account. I am going to send another order.

To anyone reading this Sally is the real deal and she is an ANGEL. She has dedicated her life to these cats. The cats in her colony are dearly loved and well cared for.
 
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supermax1943

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Thanks for your reply and all of your suggestions and information. I receive coupons from the manufacturer of the food I use, however, with 50 mouths to feed, the few coupons only help a little.
As for Walmart, Walmart is Walmart and after you say that there is not much to say. Working for them has to be the closest thing there is to being in prison. I went back to work solely to provide for the cats so I had been out of the workforce for many, many years. It is possible, I suppose, that during the time I was not working, all retailers became as awful to work for as Walmart, and from what I read online, that may be true. But Walmart has a special place in the awards for "the worst place to work". I can re-apply to work there in January, but I hope to be back at work much sooner than that!!
This last year, they started a new program for absences. It allows you 4 occurrences within a six-month period. The period started in January when a flu bug ran through the store and many, including me, had to take time off. That took 2 of my days, then a serious car problem took another 2 and then the one when the cat crisis happened took me to 5 points and the firing.
Walmart has lost many superb employees with this policy, but they show no signs of changing it. Our store manager was strict about the policy and made it clear he would not intervene for absences.
As for other organizations helping with the cats, I have tried almost everything there is to try over the past 20 years, and now, being in a crisis, there is not one extra second to plow my way through that again, which is why I have set up the GoFundMe site. Any amount will help. Each dollar buys almost 2 cans and since the colony has always had both wet and dry food, they seem perplexed when the wet food is missing!
I hope anyone who can help will. Even if you can't help, please go to my GoFundMe site and see the pictures of some of the colony and read the whole story about how this crisis came about.
 

Kat0121

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Thanks for your reply and all of your suggestions and information. I receive coupons from the manufacturer of the food I use, however, with 50 mouths to feed, the few coupons only help a little.
As for Walmart, Walmart is Walmart and after you say that there is not much to say. Working for them has to be the closest thing there is to being in prison. I went back to work solely to provide for the cats so I had been out of the workforce for many, many years. It is possible, I suppose, that during the time I was not working, all retailers became as awful to work for as Walmart, and from what I read online, that may be true. But Walmart has a special place in the awards for "the worst place to work". I can re-apply to work there in January, but I hope to be back at work much sooner than that!!
This last year, they started a new program for absences. It allows you 4 occurrences within a six-month period. The period started in January when a flu bug ran through the store and many, including me, had to take time off. That took 2 of my days, then a serious car problem took another 2 and then the one when the cat crisis happened took me to 5 points and the firing.
Walmart has lost many superb employees with this policy, but they show no signs of changing it. Our store manager was strict about the policy and made it clear he would not intervene for absences.
As for other organizations helping with the cats, I have tried almost everything there is to try over the past 20 years, and now, being in a crisis, there is not one extra second to plow my way through that again, which is why I have set up the GoFundMe site. Any amount will help. Each dollar buys almost 2 cans and since the colony has always had both wet and dry food, they seem perplexed when the wet food is missing!
I hope anyone who can help will. Even if you can't help, please go to my GoFundMe site and see the pictures of some of the colony and read the whole story about how this crisis came about.
Many of us know how dedicated you are to that colony. You give everything you have to make sure that they are happy, healthy and have full bellies. You are an angel and a hero to many, including me. I sent you a PM with details of the order I placed with Chewy. Hang in there sweetie. We're with you.
 

Kat0121

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Hi Cat,
Oh, bless you for all of your kind words! and for the coming cat food which I am so thankful for. You have been such a generous support to me and the fur balls. We thank you so much!!
You are the person I wish I was. I consider you a role model. The sacrifices you've made to ensure that your colony is well cared for is amazing. You have the kindest heart and the strongest spirit. My girls and I send so much love to you and the colony. Keep fighting sis. We're with you.
 
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supermax1943

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You are the person I wish I was. I consider you a role model. The sacrifices you've made to ensure that your colony is well cared for is amazing. You have the kindest heart and the strongest spirit. My girls and I send so much love to you and the colony. Keep fighting sis. We're with you.
Big hugs back to you. Your words give me strength.
 
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Jcatbird

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I did go to read your story. May you be greatly blessed and very quickly find the help for the kitties. Taking care of large numbers of kitties is never easy but when someone strikes out to make it more difficult it can be overwhelming. I hope that something will come into that persons heart to change their desire to do harm to such a beautiful colony/family. I currently care for a great many too so I understand the struggle to continue to provide. Thank you for doing what you do for the kitties. Everyone should go and read your story. You are an inspiration and a role model that every human should follow.
 
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supermax1943

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Hi Sally! I'm so sorry that you lost your job. I've sent food for the colony in the past so I already have your address saved in my Chewy account. I am going to send another order.

To anyone reading this Sally is the real deal and she is an ANGEL. She has dedicated her life to these cats. The cats in her colony are dearly loved and well cared for.
Hi Kat,
Your order arrived right on time today and I don't know how to thank you for your generosity! Two big boxes, and, just like the first time you sent a care package; it felt like Christmas! You sent everything they love, and, of course, they loved the boxes the food came in the most. I left the boxes, opened, in the driveway and at the rate their game of "hide and seek" is going the boxes won't last through the night. But boy oh boy! are they having fun.

Thanks so much, Kat, for the food and the boxes! It means so much to have someone want to help these kids of mine. Bless you and hugs.
Sally
 

Kat0121

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Hi Kat,
Your order arrived right on time today and I don't know how to thank you for your generosity! Two big boxes, and, just like the first time you sent a care package; it felt like Christmas! You sent everything they love, and, of course, they loved the boxes the food came in the most. I left the boxes, opened, in the driveway and at the rate their game of "hide and seek" is going the boxes won't last through the night. But boy oh boy! are they having fun.

Thanks so much, Kat, for the food and the boxes! It means so much to have someone want to help these kids of mine. Bless you and hugs.
Sally
My girls are the same with boxes and packing paper. I'm glad they like everything. You deserve the help. Much love to each and every one of the fur balls.
 

FrankieNMurphy

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Sally - you are an amazing woman. I know how hard it is rescuing, fostering and feeding numerous pets.
When I was actively supporting Baja Animal Sanctuary, I found the distribution center in town and asked them if I could have the out-of-date and torn bags of food. I delivered over 1500 lbs a month to the sanctuary. Check out to see if there is one in LA you could contact. Maybe Google "Pet Food Supplies" or Pet Food warehouses, etc.
 
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supermax1943

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Hi Everyone,
Things are still the same here. I wish I could report a change, but the crisis goes on. The County is attempting to help and will Euthanize none of the colony, thank heaven!!! but since they don't have a policy on TNR they don't know what to do about the neighbor problem. I am still without a job. I am still looking for one that meets my salary needs and the proximity to my home since my car is a 28-year-old salvage and on its last legs.

I've applied to several places but no luck yet (I think being 76 years old isn't helping me!). If things don't change in two weeks, I will have to look at a salary loss and places further from home.

What I am writing about today is to get some feedback from those of you caring for feral colonies. I have always fed both wet and dry food. I used to feed both twice a day, but now I feed dry in the morning and wet in the evening, and I still feel guilty about that cutback. But, now I need to cut back further until things get better financially. How much wet food do you feed your colony per cat? If you could give me some advice on that it will help me so much. Thanks.
Sally
 

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Hi Sally,

I'm glad to hear that none of the colony will be PTS, that must be a huge relief for you.

When I was caring for a much larger colony (37 cats) and all my money was going towards TNR I was feeding only dry food twice a day. Outdoor cats will be able to supplement their diets with mice and whatever else they catch. Of course a bit of wet is better for them long term, but just dry food while you're going through a tight spot is fine.

I'm not familiar with US cat food brands. What are you feeding them?
 

Mamanyt1953

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Yes, most ferals, even those being fed twice a day will hunt. In fact, people specializing in "working cat" programs for ferals emphasize that regular meals actually INCREASE hunting, as the cats are not conserving energy for subsistence hunting, but now hunt to supplement, and to hone their skills, actually eradicating more rodents. SO, your guys will be fine on dry food until you are a bit better able to budget again.
 
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