Tomorrow I go to feed my little colony and have to plan for putting them down..my heart is broken

trudy1

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About 3 years ago I found out my brother-in-law used to feed all these cats at his old barn just up the road from us. I watched as kittens would be be born and then disappear to make way for another litter.One day he announced he couldn't afford to feed them anymore which was his way of saying too much trouble and cost. They make about $300,000 a year!

So I trapped, neutered and fed them every other day for the last 3 years. The mom and dad and 6 kittens who are now grown cats. But always in the back of my mind was the thought things could change for the worst. So today they announce they have sold their house, 5 acres and MAY move down to the old barn site and build. I said through clenched teeth "what about the barn cats?" To which he said well nothing right away since we are only thinking about building. But I know them well enough that if they say it, even casually, then that's what they are going to do at some point.

I mean I have raised these babies from being too scared of people to even eat when you put out food to now they come to meet my truck "the food wagon". I can pet all but two of the eight and one even sits on my lap.

Guess I am so depressed I had to tell my story to someone. So tomorrow Inwill go to feed as I do every other day, sit with them while they eat and then tell each one what is going to happen in the next few months Their world will be completely changed. All the equipment they now sit on, eat in and hide in will be gone. Big storage containers will arrive and construction will begin. I'd say they will run but the 6 kids have only know my truck and food since birth... not even sure they could/can hunt. We have coyotes and bobcat plus neighbors dogs if they leave the security of their home.

I also have 3 rescues inside my house, 3 in my garage and one rescue who roams in the day which I put up at night. The shelters are all full with waiting lists in the 3 nearby towns and nobody wants old barn cats.

I am so depressed I am almost sick over the thought of what I may/probably will have to do in the next few months to my babies.

Thanks at least for this forum and letting me put a pen to this as I know many of you will understand my heartache.
 

Norachan

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How does your BIL feel about the cats staying where they are even after he has built a house and moved in? Would he mind them being there and you still coming down to feed them?

I think you might be able to trap the cats and keep them somewhere safe until building work is complete, then release them again. Maybe your BIL would let you have a shed or something they could shelter in?

Cat's get used to strange noises very quickly. I care for a colony of 20+. In the past few weeks we've had guys from the forestry commission chopping down and hauling away old pine trees and builders repairing an old stone wall. They made loads of noise, but the cats didn't turn a hair after the first hour or so.

I've heard of people keeping feral cats in large crates inside a tent while they get used to their new homes. As long as your BIL isn't adamant that the cats are removed I think there is a way around this.
 

catsknowme

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  Hmmmm, what an awful dilemma and I have no ideas to offer!!!! I know how terrible and anxious that you must feel. I always feel badly when cat colonies are displaced for construction....not to mention the destruction of habitat for birds and other native species. Years ago, another lady and I TRD'd 19 cats behind Dennys and relocated them to a therapeutic riding ranch only to find out that within several months, the ranch was looking for more cats!!!! There are ranch dogs so their claim of "the coyotes get them" doesn't hold water, IMO, and I cringe to think of what the fate of those poor kitties was...they were supposedly contained in a shed for the first 2 weeks, so I don't think that they ran off....

     Norachan has some great ideas for you to consider. I hope that some others here will contribute as well. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers - I want so much for you to get the ideal answer that allows you to keep on giving those kitties a good life.
 
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trudy1

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Went to feed today and cried all the time I was feeding them....guess that's ok for a 72 year old guy who was raised "real men don't cry"?
Anyway we all had a long talk about what was probably going to happen and I cried more.

No, I don't see brother IL keeping 8 cats around his "new" house. Remember he is an old line farmer and she is in the medical profession so animals are just animals. Not family to crazy old men like me.

The other problem is trapping them either way. Socks, Callie, cream, cutie pie, daddy and maybe long legs can be trapped and even picked up but momma and wildie "never". Yes I have them all named.....

I have decided to try to get brother IL to please let me know a few weeks before they start on the barn but they are not usually those kinds of people.

I continue to pray for another solution

Thanks
 

tarasgirl06

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Please see my private message which I pray will be helpful.  Also, when doing your online search for groups in your area, many of them have humane traps they lend and some even send out members to help.  You can also go to alleycat.org which is Alley Cat Allies' site, and they have a "tree" of members all over the country who help, give advice, etc.  Do NOT give up!  (I have a humane trap which I purchased for this purpose; I do not lend it out.  A lot of people have these in the event they need to help a cat.  I strongly suggest everyone buy at least one.  Tomahawk and Hav-A-Hart are two manufacturers.  Vets sometimes lend them out, usually with a deposit which is refunded upon return of the trap.  Again, DO NOT GIVE UP! 
 

tarasgirl06

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Excellent suggestions, Norachan; having just seen news about the earthquake and tsunami over there, I am also posting to hope and pray that you and yours are all right. 
 
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trudy1

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Thanks for the FB suggestion. I have worked with and supported most all of the rescue groups in my area (sw Missouri) for years. Just trapped and neutered 11 cats/kittens from a nearby farm house living under the steps. We were able to place 6 of the kittens, two big males were released to be farm cats and we ended up keeping the mother and two kittens. Part of the reason we have 7 cats at home now.

A new no kill shelter just opened up at Neosho 60 miles away and is already at capacity also lacking volunteers to work.

All our local rescue groups are great, hard working people but full to capacity with ferals . Our local shelter in Carthage a town of maybe 25000 has 65 cats and a waiting list!

Yes I have 4 havaheart traps I use. But the ones I refer to are what we call "trap shy" so what I meant was it will not be easy to trap.

Yes regarding the farmers as I live in a rural area. Many have and need barn cats for rodent control but none that I know of spay or neuter. Two examples from my little corner is across the road where most of our ferals come from when the barn density gets too high and they travel the 1/4 mile to our place. The other example is up the road where the farmer told brother il that "he has lots of cats but when he gets too many he just shoots a few to keep them down". I have been by his place when as many as 8 kittens have crossed the highway in front of my car!

I envy you in those areas that have strong animal rights groups but it's not here. We are 45 miles from the largest town but still no strong animal rescue groups. Just a lot of small dedicated groups of people.

But my immediate problem is my 8 pet friends I raised from kittens and have feed every other day for the last 4 years. I wake up at night thinking of what I may have to do. Having trouble eating, sleeping and not building resentment over in laws attitude towards animals/pets.

My dolly a red tabby who was the last barn cat from the colony and the one we kept I think knows something is wrong as she came in tonight and laid down next to me tonight and started purring. It was like she was trying to make it ok.
 

kittychick

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This is obviously not an easy situation. If I understand correctly, it's "possible" the cats can stay on the property (somehow) if they make it through construction. Cats are AMAZINGLY resilient in these situations. Our current TNR gang showed up 1 x 1 thru summer & fall of 2015. It's taken ALOT of work to get them u to eating out of my hand-but three now can be stroked easily, & the other 2 are close. Reason I'm telling you this - by late this summer a direct neighbor decided to tear down their fence and rebuild. That was dating me enough ---lid strange noises that went on and on and on....mutiple people with big booming voices and LOUD scary things like nail guns, post hole diggers, etc we're going all hours. To top it off - their previous "travel routine" had them here for breakfast, but a leisurely stroll through to our nimeighbors yard and sunbath on the driveway! Now THAT would be gone---/and I thought between the no passage, loud guys, loud equipment....complete upheaval! But evening after it all started ---all 5 wandered (more like slunck) in for dinner, snacks and to settle in a shorter for the evening.

My short (ha!) way of saying it's likely that the kitties will hide during commotion & come out t eat when all's clear. However- if this is being said and he really wants them to go, I'd look at 3 options -1...a place like Planned Pethood OR 2) try trapping them slowly (canned mackerel works like a charm!!! In a live-trap. The site "alleycatallies.org is a great resource for helping do it right --- you can even reach someone by phone most days-they're very happy to help. The also offer help in making a transition for 1 place (barn to another -as that has to be a bit of a process-involving keeping them in -by shutting barn door 24/7 for weeks, or caging them -some shelters will loan them out) Otherwise they'll all try desperate to get back to their "old" home.

And keep using this format -it's a great resource for support & info!!!!
 

tarasgirl06

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STRONGLY suggest you contact http://www.alleycat.org via their site and/or call them.  As I said, they have a registry of people all over the country who help in situations where cats are in danger.  They may have someone local to you or know of an organization/person to refer you to.  Please keep us posted.  *PRAYERS*
 

msaimee

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Can you continue to feed them, and perhaps build or purchase a few little pet houses for them off to the side of the construction where they can hide and rest? The feral cats on my block all survived various construction projects and regular tools running from a plumber on the block, and lawn mowers and snow blowers. Cats learn to tune these noises out. If you continue to feed them they will not leave but will adapt. Did your family say it's ok for you to continue to care for them? Hopefully even if they don't care about the cats they care about you and how much this means to you. My prayers for your situation.
 

kittychick

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I reiterate my earlier suggestion - which @Tarasgirl06 echoed--please contact Alley Cat Allies. Their website is listed above in @Tarasgirl06 post, and you can actually reach them by phone from 9a-6 pm EST, at 1-240-482-1980. If no one answers - please leave your info (& a brief explanation) on their voicemail. Believe me - they WILL call you back. They've helped me with feral/stray situations where I felt totally underwater. Good luck -keep us posted.
 
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trudy1

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Contacted Alley Cat and went to their Feral Friends Network. They had 3 organizations listed, one of which is 30 miles away whom I have worked with before. Great people but mostly assist with neutering costs.

But the most exciting news is they also listed a woman from Springfield 70 miles away who I contacted and she actually responded! She said she thought she might be able to help and would get back with me soon!

So we will see. I am making it a matter of much prayer that this will work.

No, keeping them on their old site at the barn will not possible. The only real easy solution would be if they change their minds about the new house, etc.

Went to feed again today and everyone was hungry. Callie cried after me as usual when I said, as I always do, daddy has to go I will see you in two days.

Socks, the newest addition, is love starved and just wants to sit on my lap while I hand feed him! Quite a show with everybody jockeying for position. But once they eat they are like a lot of people today, they are done with you! Callie, socks, cream, Callie and Daddy still come for attention so 5 out of 8 isn't that bad. Wonder if I would do that well with my "friends"?

Wish I could find a way to post pics so you all could see them!

Anyway life goes on just waiting for brother IL to drop the hammer.

Thanks to all for the support and interest. Will keep you posted.

George
 

tarasgirl06

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You're so right about friends.  I've experienced many of mine change so drastically.  I know that I am truly the only one who has my back.  But as much as they are able, my beloved cats do, too.  They are the most loyal and loving of all beings, in my experience.  

It is not possible for you to adopt any and bring them indoors-only where you live?

I add my *PRAYERS* to yours  that the woman you write of will be able to help.  May there be a good outcome to this story, for all!  You may also want to visit http://www.bestfriends.org -- they are nationwide but based in Utah.  They are WONDERFUL people and they have a barn cat ("working cat") program.  You might just want to email them or call them and see if they might be able to add anything by way of suggestions.  They also have a network nationwide.  Sorry this didn't occur to me before -- I've actually visited their sanctuary in UT and it is truly a magical place.  They've been in existence since the 1980's and are in their second and third generations of people now.  They're like a flagship organization for people all over the world who feel like we do, and they host seminars, webinars, etc. to educate people on all phases of rescue/sanctuary including how to start and fund a sanctuary.  They are good people to be connected with.
 

nina dillmann

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I've only been a rescuer for a year and a half, but I've learned an awful lot. I had a similar situation when an estate attorney contacted the group I volunteer for and asked for help with all the cats on a property that was going to be demolished.  The property owner had died in February, the cats were turned out of his home, and the homeless man who lived in his shed continued feeding them, but later was also turned out.  Then we were contacted.  The initial survey of the colony was a cat count of 12 or so.  My partner and I trapped a total of 18 cats over a period of 2 months, took them all in to Texas Coalition for Animal Protection to be tested for FIV and FeLV.  The positive ones (4) were euthanized.  One was actually a pet cat we accidentally trapped, so we returned it to the area.  One was a 3-day old kitten who managed to belly-crawl out from under the house.  His sibling wasn't so lucky and even though we played recordings of mama cat calls to "entice" him to the opening, he didn't make it.  I used 4 Tru-catch traps and 1 drop trap to capture the last one because he was SO trap savvy.  My solution as to what to do with all these cats, was to crate them in 2s and 3s (the baby was handed over to a really savvy kitten nurse and he's now 7 weeks old).  I bought a cat tower kind of crate with 3 sitting places, had 2 more donated to our organization and am now using those as well.  2 are fosters and are up for adoption.  I'm building my own "Catio" for the truly feral ones.  

BTW, during this time, I kept them all crated on my back porch.  One of the doors on one crate didn't latch well enough, and we had only had those 3 cats a couple of weeks.  I have 5 dogs who use the back porch to go in and out.  I was sure the cats were going to try to make it back to their original home!  But, no...one by one they regrouped and started living UNDER my house.  I recently drop-trapped all of them in one go, and now have them safely back in their cat tower inside my house.  My partner has more money than I do, so she has provided food for them (I already had 6 cats owned and 5 foster cats).  I upped my chewy.com order from 5 boxes of 40 lb litter to 8 boxes.  I bought low and long storage boxes from Target and left the lids there and use them for litter boxes.  Also, had to up my dry food monthly needs and wet food, but so far, my trapping partner and I have been able to handle everything.

I guess my best advice:  Get help from another cat lover.  Save as much money where you can (like cheap "litter" boxes but not cheap food), if you have a shed and can borrow crates from an organization (and traps, too!), borrow them and get permission from you BIL to trap them on his property.  Withhold dry food for a day, trap at feeding time using mackeral, sardines, or chicken nuggets (I like the smelly fish...it seems to draw them to the trap).  COVER the trap with an old sheet of blanket as soon as one gets in there and can't get out.  They WILL panic.  As soon as they can't see you, they settle down.  The ones you can pick up...just put their food in a borrowed cat carrier, and shut the door when they go in.  The friendlies can all probably go in carriers.  I would do them first, but WITH HELP.  You need another person or two to help...  If the cats won't come to anyone but you...don't use help.  Just start with the carriers first (they don't panic as much in carriers), cover with a blanket and transfer them to your area, your yard, whatever, one at a time.  KEEP them in crates for at least 3 weeks, so they won't try to go "home."

Sorry this was so long...

Nina
 
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trudy1

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Thanks Nina but relocating them to my property will not work. As I previously stated we already have 7 rescues here.

This is what I have found out so far:

Contacted 5 animal groups so far who appear to have active barn cat relocation programs. With each group I explained in length the situation, that I needed advice and help if they could. These are the responses so far.

1. Waysidewaifs. Kansas City Missouri Just a referral from their email contact group to their placement group stating if I want to surrender an animal here is the link to start the process. Just a canned response and obviously did not read my email.

2. Kansas City Pet Project. Kansas City Animal Shelter, KC Missouri. A very informative response with tips on how to proceed with a barn cat placement process.

3.Missouribarncat located in St.Louis for in 5 counties in St. Louis Mo and also Illinois. No response

4. best friends.org located in Utah with cooperators in Ca, NY, Ga. No response

5. SW Missouri Humane Society. No response

All programs seem similar in that these are cats who by most standards are "unadoptable" either aggressive or not social so to keep from euthanize them they have developed these programs. The farmers/ranchers usually sign an agreement to supplement feed and water the animals although no group has discussed my questions about follow up to see if this works. Most of the farmers in our area I know do not feed or neuter barn cats, they are just there. I am sure there are some who do it's just not obvious to me. A matter of fact as I explained in my emails local farmers are the sources of 7 of the rescues I have at home now. We just trapped, neutered and placed 11 cats living under a farmhouse steps down the road but again they were all kittens.
Another bit of info is that they also require the farmer to confine, feed and litter box the new cats for 4-6 weeks before release. Wow, they must live in a completely different area than I do!

Anyway pretty dismal so far and the days are shortening on these babies.....

My wife went with me to feed this morning and I couldn't keep from crying while I feed them....silly huh? Just a crazy old man and his cats....

More later

Thanks to all who are concerned. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers

George, Callie, daddy, socks, long legs, momma, wildie, creamy and cutie pie
 

shadowsrescue

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You are in my thoughts and prayers.  You are a very special man for caring so deeply for these little ones.  Positive energy headed your way for a fantastic resolution.  
 
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trudy1

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Breaking news! This "angel " with Allie Cat Allies out of Springfield Missouri I have been corresponding with thinks she might have a home for Socks!!!

Also she might be able to foster and home Callie, Creamy, daddy and Cutie pie!!!!!

She said she is working for placement for barn cats for wildie, momma and long legs!!!!

What great news

Keep that prayer power working! The needs are a good loving home for socks, that she can foster and place my four family and for a good barn situation that might take all three of the others together!

Also thoughts about the actual relocation, trapping, etc and that I can do all that may be needed if and when it comes

Thanks.... you will never know

George
 

Norachan

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That's great news! You've done so much for them, I really hope homes can be found for all of your cats.

Just a thought....have you tried speaking to farmers and horse owners directly to see if they would accept a cat? Most people who keep animals and have a problem with rats getting into the horse/cattle feed appreciate a little natural rodent deterrent. 

Maybe you could put up a notice in local stores that sell farming supplies and equestrian gear?
 

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Very disappointed that Best Friends, one of the absolute best sanctuaries/advocacies on the planet, has not responded yet.  Please let us know if they do and what they say.  
 
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