My Feral And Rescued Cats

[Jcatbird]

Sometimes I don’t know what will come up that I am going to post about. At times I start writing without a topic in mind and I think , what am I going to say about these kitties tonight? When I started writing here, I was shocked when we made it to a thousand posts! I am shocked now because I just looked at the number of posts by everyone! We are at 12,340! The cats never fail us. They always give me a smile to share. It took me a bit longer to type tonight. Why? Lol I had help.

Kodiak became my lap blanket.

Bonjour wanted to join us.

Kodiak! Your fur looks different!

It feels different hooman.

I feel all snuggly.

Bonnie, you are a dual purr pose cat!

Talk about lap blankets!! His tail nearly covers Kodiak. Lol

Actually, he nearly covers us both.

I am a dual Purr pose kitten. I am still just a baby you know!

The tail is moving up hooman. Just how much kitten is he?

Help us Banjo! It’s like quicksand, the more we wiggle, the more we disappear!!

Don’t move hooman. I’ll have to get you an oxygen mask.

I moved.

Bonnie! Banjo was kidding! No CPR!

Now I know what Fancy Feast is like.

 

[tabbytom]

Sometimes I don’t know what will come up that I am going to post about. At times I start writing without a topic in mind and I think , what am I going to say about these kitties tonight? When I started writing here, I was shocked when we made it to a thousand posts! I am shocked now because I just looked at the number of posts by everyone! We are at 12,340! The cats never fail us. They always give me a smile to share. It took me a bit longer to type tonight.

This is a HOT thread !

 

[Jcatbird]

tabbytom Maybe partly because Bonnie is laying on it? Fur blankets do that.

 

[rubysmama]

Not a cat pic, but I think I promised to post a pic of my Montauk Daisy once it bloomed. It's the last perennial to put on a show, not starting till late September, and blooming till a killer frost, which is basically when the temps go below freezing.

 

[tarasgirl06]

rubysmama Thanks for sharing the gorgeous Montauk Daisies with us! They are beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen them before -- their petals are thinner than the daisies out here have. Very lovely!
Yes, Bonnie is a maximum floofage provider/sharer! How gorgeous he is. Kodiak will be nice and warm with that tail floofage.
So many humans are so bloody-minded! If everyone took it upon themselves to spay/neuter not only their own companion cats but any cats who come around, there wouldn't be this huge tragedy. Cats are such amazing beings -- I've never been able to wrap my mind around the fact that not everyone thinks so. Education is key. We could solve this problem quickly if those two things happened. Best Friends is determined to have a "no-kill" nation by 2025 and they believe we are on target, even with the pandemic. So far, though, the two sides are not meshing. "No-kill", contrary to what the term implies, does not mean no one loses his or her life in a "shelter" -- it actually means 90% or more of the animals taken in achieve a "live outcome" meaning adoption, foster, or in the case of feral cats, release as part of a TNR program. We want the real thing, of course, and so does Best Friends, but 90% "No-Kill" is supposed to be a milestone. It's kind of like easing the public into the idea that we can do this.

 

[Lari]

The TNR I adopted Lelia from has officially gotten over 13,000 cats spayed and neutered! I know there's always more, but that's not bad work for like 14/15 years.

 

[Whenallhellbreakslose]

Dumping is a crime!!It let people know that we’re being watched and would be prelisecited. Lastly, we did not want cats being put in worse places so information about no kill and phone numbers for the local humane society and shelters were posted as places to get help. People could surrender their cats without penalty.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. There are people that want to take the easy way out of situations and they end up dumping on other people, not giving a darn about the people affected. I don't want to get too much into it, but the feeder who moved away and left her cats in the other feeder's care(the one I had a falling out with) asked a member of my family a few times before they moved away--if they could take care of the cats (my family member does not feed, so it was a sneaky way of offloading this on me.) I was not told about this till well after I had a fight with the other cat feeder. I think the fix was in from the start-- one way or another the former feeder's cats were going to get dumped on me. Now I am dealing with others dumping on me!! I feel completely used and abused. Yes, I love cats and I care for the ones I feed, but it truly is very unfair to dump cats on someone who is already at critical mass. Do they think I have infinite resources? Do they have any idea how overwhelming it is try to feed those dumped kitties when you were already struggling?

I am out their front and center feeding the cats and can't feed them in my b.y. due to the territorial cats I feed there. People have come on my block--just to see the cats. I guess word gets out. This is unnerving. I feel trapped between a rock and a hard place. I will keep looking for help and look into seeing if I can get some break from the cat food companies. I sorry but I am not that hopeful with that because we are in bad times right now and these companies are watching their bottom line. Things are shaky. I just don't know what tomorrow will bring. Sorry for sounding negative, I just super stressed. I need to start seeing light at the end of the tunnel soon.

With that said, I hope you and everyone here is doing well.

 

[Jcatbird]

rubysmama Oh how I love daisies! Those are beautiful. They just won’t grow for me here. I’m so glad that you shared those with us! Happy days eze. Lol They always remind me of sunshine. Thank you!!

tarasgirl06 Kodiak is a regular sized kitty so Bonnie easily covered her with his floof tail! I never would have dreamed that little kitten would have turned into a cat that is about a quarter of my weight. I wonder how much of his weight is floof?
Our shelter has now become no kill!90% that was fought for! The director did it! Considering where we are, that is huge progress. When I started writing here, it wasn’t no kill and there was no TNR program. We are making progress and BestFriends is a large part of it. They helped us here when we had to get involved with the politics of it. There are individuals who made a giant impact to enact change. One person starts the idea and with the strength of numbers joining together, change happens. Every life counts and every voice counts. Places like TCS make a big impact. The reach of this site is vast and will help to change things. We do want the ,”real thing” and we are on the right path.

Lari That is fantastic!! They are making it happen! The shelter that I have been most involved with locally got their program started since I have been writing here. The first goal set was 1200 spays and neuters and we are there! If that pace continues, we can have cats everywhere in better shape! If you ad in the people adopting, like you, we have much higher numbers in homes too. Happy cat dance! Thank you to you and all the others who rescue, feed, TNR and adopt.

Whenallhellbreakslose I do know the feeling. People think a “cat person” will take all cats and they never consider the cost or struggle. They never think that we MUST have a limit. I am so sorry you are stressed. I would encourage you try to find resources near you. I would also encourage you to try and run people off when they come to “see cats” on the spot where you live. It’s hard to do and it may mean you have to get a shelter or someone with clout involved. A national organization might be able to give you good advice and moral support. I have had contact with some myself and they are invaluable. Networking is great help. You are not negative, just trying to find a way to keep things level.

 

[Jcatbird]

I think it’s time to Whistle while we work! Sweeping and mopping time!

It’s tabby time too. Lol

What are you telling me Mitsy?

Something going on?

Hi Kitties!

Thrasher! Eating food off the floor?

Precious, you’re laying in dry food.

Someone spilled the bowl.

Whistle, did you see what happened?

Me? Well, I was playing so I was busy.

Just what are you referring to hooman?

That food under the chair?

Look! I don’t have any food in my mouth.

Maybe you could ask someone else.

There are others kitties here you know.

Maybe you could talk to the tabbies?

You could look around!!

Was it me?

Ummmmmm….you’ll still love a mess maker?

It could have happened when I had zoomies! Wink, wink.

Ohhh! Lol Well, that’s okay Whistle. I’m glad you were having fun! Accidents happen and I love you!

I gonna give you my heart hooman! Luv you too! Want to zoomie with me?

Yes! Let’s zoomie! We’ll mop afterwards.
Who could resist that offer?

 

[BellaGooch]

I feel like it's been a while since I've visited this thread! I've missed everyone! It's so great to see everyone, and of course, the cats! I hope everyone is doing well. Tell the clowder hello for me! P.S. I love the heart!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

This is a HOT thread !

My goodness, with all these cats, how could it not be? If we ever have another ice age, Jcatbird will be sleeping WARM!

 

[rubysmama]

Sorry for sounding negative, I just super stressed. I need to start seeing light at the end of the tunnel soon.

Sorry you're feeling so overwhelmed. I hope you see the light at the end of the tunnel soon.

rubysmama rubysmama Oh how I love daisies! Those are beautiful. They just won’t grow for me here. I’m so glad that you shared those with us! Happy days eze. Lol They always remind me of sunshine. Thank you!!

These daisies are also known as Nippon Daisies, and supposedly grow in zones 5-9, so maybe they'd survive your climate, depending on which zone you're in. If not, you have tons of other gorgeous flowers to fill any empty garden space.

Our shelter has now become no kill!

Great news!

 

[pearl99]

I had a cat who developed Hypothyroidism and her Kidneys were not working properly as well. She was on meds for the rest of her life and passed away at nearly 20 years of age. She lived a long full life. I wish the best for Gracie. It is a good to hear that she is playing and has had a case of the zoom(ies). Cats are truly amazing.

Thanks. Wow 20 years of age! One of my brother's cats lived to the same age with hyperthyroidism so there's certainly hope. Gracie's 14.

 

[pearl99]

Not a cat pic, but I think I promised to post a pic of my Montauk Daisy once it bloomed. It's the last perennial to put on a show, not starting till late September, and blooming till a killer frost, which is basically when the temps go below freezing.

View attachment 397766

rubysmama , I have some mystery flowers growing up within my penstemon and they are now blooming and turns out they are daisies. I'll have to get a plant ID app and see what kind they are.

 

[pearl99]

"No-kill", contrary to what the term implies, does not mean no one loses his or her life in a "shelter" -- it actually means 90% or more of the animals taken in achieve a "live outcome" meaning adoption, foster, or in the case of feral cats, release as part of a TNR program.

I did not realize that. It makes sense.
I know also the No-Kill shelter near me also needs to turn away cats/kittens from being taken in if they get to capacity and just can't accept/care for any more. I sure hope the 2025 goal is reached.

Do they think I have infinite resources? Do they have any idea how overwhelming it is try to feed those dumped kitties when you were already struggling?

The realities of human nature really gets me down sometimes. Lots of support vibes sending to you.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Yes, pearl99 We're in the same club there! Best Friends Animal Society has been leading the charge in this effort. They started out as a group of friends with a shared vision, bought a large piece of land in SW Utah's redrock country, built that up from nothing, and now they have physical chapters in several places plus boots on the ground in many shelters, where they imbed personnel, teach shelter staff the ropes, and go on to reach more. They are truly making the difference and I have confidence that 2025 will see that goal reached IF people get on board and work toward it. But yes, "no-kill" shelters reach capacity quickly and then they turn away other needy animals, who go to...open-admission shelters, condescendingly referred to as "kill shelters" by those who really don't understand the reality. Jackson Galaxy worked in one of those when he started out -- as a euth tech. His book, CAT DADDY, is a remarkable autobiography that everyone who cares about cats, other animals, and sheltering, should read.
Jcatbird Talk to the tabbies? Of course! Schmoozing with the stripers! (Now doesn't that sound like a good idea for a show?)
There were yellow daisies outside our front door -- my mom loved them. But over time, with our heat and drought, the plant did not fare well, and finally is succumbed, so my gardeners took it out. I have a jade plant there now, to match the one on the other side of the door.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. There are people that want to take the easy way out of situations and they end up dumping on other people, not giving a darn about the people affected. I don't want to get too much into it, but the feeder who moved away and left her cats in the other feeder's care(the one I had a falling out with) asked a member of my family a few times before they moved away--if they could take care of the cats (my family member does not feed, so it was a sneaky way of offloading this on me.) I was not told about this till well after I had a fight with the other cat feeder. I think the fix was in from the start-- one way or another the former feeder's cats were going to get dumped on me. Now I am dealing with others dumping on me!! I feel completely used and abused. Yes, I love cats and I care for the ones I feed, but it truly is very unfair to dump cats on someone who is already at critical mass. Do they think I have infinite resources? Do they have any idea how overwhelming it is try to feed those dumped kitties when you were already struggling?

I am out their front and center feeding the cats and can't feed them in my b.y. due to the territorial cats I feed there. People have come on my block--just to see the cats. I guess word gets out. This is unnerving. I feel trapped between a rock and a hard place. I will keep looking for help and look into seeing if I can get some break from the cat food companies. I sorry but I am not that hopeful with that because we are in bad times right now and these companies are watching their bottom line. Things are shaky. I just don't know what tomorrow will bring. Sorry for sounding negative, I just super stressed. I need to start seeing light at the end of the tunnel soon.

With that said, I hope you and everyone here is doing well.

You know, you and I seem to think a lot alike on the subject of cats and how people deal with them. And we both want everything good for cats. We both work for that whenever and however we can. And that's what it takes to make it better for them. I think we both want to stay empowered and focus on what we can do, have done, and will do. But -- and I never like "buts" (I cannot lie!) -- this is a very messed-up world and society we live in. Things don't get better until we make them better. And there are setbacks. The pandemic has been the cause of a lot of setbacks for cats. But we can't stop. We do what we can, one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. There are losses. There will be losses. They make us feel very bleak, sad, frustrated, depressed, and yes, sometimes like we're at the end of our ropes. But that's the time to step back, reflect on what we HAVE been able to do, take a breather if necessary, and jump back in.
That's all any of us have ever done. That's all we can ever do to stay in the battle. Today we may lose.
Tomorrow, we may win.

 

[pearl99]

But yes, "no-kill" shelters reach capacity quickly and then they turn away other needy animals, who go to...open-admission shelters, condescendingly referred to as "kill shelters" by those who really don't understand the reality. Jackson Galaxy worked in one of those when he started out -- as a euth tech. His book, CAT DADDY, is a remarkable autobiography that everyone who cares about cats, other animals, and sheltering, should read.

I will have to read that book. The one I volunteer at is an "open admission" and takes all animals who are brought to them, working with several other shelters for transfers if one reaches capacity etc. It's tough now after covid because staff have left, lots more people are giving up their pets with going back to work- I wish I could take more kitties in. I'm planning to start fostering when my remodeling is done and I have all my spaces back.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I will have to read that book. The one I volunteer at is an "open admission" and takes all animals who are brought to them, working with several other shelters for transfers if one reaches capacity etc. It's tough now after covid because staff have left, lots more people are giving up their pets with going back to work- I wish I could take more kitties in. I'm planning to start fostering when my remodeling is done and I have all my spaces back.

GOOD ON YA! YOU'RE doing a lot of good already. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Just want to remind everyone that, ca. 1984 when Best Friends began, around 17 MILLION companion animals lost their lives in "shelters" EVERY YEAR. Today, that's down to around 373,000 a year. That's 373,000 too many. But it helps to put it in perspective. How did we get from there to here? By WORKING. By CARING and putting that caring into action. By walking the talk. It has never been easy. It has never been comfortable, or happy, or victorious. But some day, if all of us who care do our part to make it happen, it WILL. That's what Best Friends' #SaveThemAll is all about.