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Hi! I am a long-absent forum member, glad to be back. We were gifted a cat tree a while ago, which had been used by a previous owner's cats. I have a very old model Shark steam cleaner, that I was thinking of using to thoroughly clean and disinfect the tree before we let our family at it...

Hello and Happy New Year all! I haven't been on the site in a very long time (no cat issues, yay!), but now we have a CRF cat so I may be casting around a lot for advice. Anyway, I think it's worth a mention, that there are sometimes also medical reasons why cats might yowl/cry. Since you're...

This is where people with a vision of what their community needs, are absent, in most cases. Neighborhood Cats has developed a dynamic, clear, practical step-by-step guide for organizing a TNR Program. All that is missing are the people in your community interested enough in making help...

See, a local SPCA or shelter that month after month, year after YEAR, responds to callers just to say, "we are full, we will destroy them, or you can go somewhere else" is not addressing a clear need in its community. When our field grows up, then there will be regular assessments of the kinds...

Hmmmm. I wonder whether this is more of a question of lack of leadership than anything else. Yes perhaps a problem is big and difficult, and yes maybe there are some people whose attitudes are rather ... antiquated .. about many issues. Still, progressive movements of all kinds have grown...

Have you had a chance yet to get her to a vet for a quick exam? Lots of what you described sounded like she IS very young, and though I agree with everyone you're doing a great job caring for her, still it would be good to have a vet to call on over the years for her. Also, sometimes there are...

I wonder whether the dynamic here, is that a group may be very good at garnering press, when it isn't too good at running itself; and a group may put lots of effort into running its program, and be lousy at marketing and publicizing that. Also, reporters love sob stories. Panic can lead to...

Hi, I'd like to give a "bump" to opilot's suggestion that aggression in a cat should be regarded as a signal that further veterinary observation and exams need to be done. Even very "hard" feral cats don't attack human beings without being provoked, or else having health issues (NOT always as...

I do not envy you or Sharon at all. I wish I DID know of some real resources "on the ground" for cats like these -- all of 'em. I will send all of the success vibes I can muster. I just wanted to remind you of that Harris Poll, that shows that more people like neighborhood cats than don't...

Hi, I've been away from TCS for a long time -- no excuse other than I've been keeping very busy! -- and just mostly wanted to say, YAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!! for the successful TNR! Also, did anyone suggest that when you are transporting trapped cats to and from the vet, you can line the car seat...

Hi! It really bothers me when I see people elsewhere criticize "TNR" as though every implementation of it is the same, and is, they assert, not effective. I work with an organization that has what we call a "TNR Program." It didn't start out like that, really. We did a few TNR projects as a...

Hi Smitten! Hahahahaha, I too am familiar with that "uh-oh" of TNR - when you simply cannot bring yourself to return a formerly sickly kitten that you've helped nurse back to health, back!! Good colony caretakers feel just as bonded to "their" cats, by the way, as many ordinary pet-owners...

Hi! Be sure and give Sable LOTS and LOTS of time alone with you, lots of healthy treats (including play with a favorite toy, sleeping on the bed with you, or whatever is *special* for you two). Focus on reassuring Sable that NO MATTER WHAT you love her and she is special. I would keep looking...

Hi Wendy and All, Ah, but there are many, MANY cats out there and lots of people don't even NOTICE them, far less think about what they eat or where they sleep. Don't punish yourself or the pub folk, just rejoice that NOW you are able to do things together for the cats. I know you mentioned...

Hi Sharky, You're right, I'm not Dr. Jean! I just wanted to say, that one of the best things you can do for this cat would be to work on socializing her as completely as you can. Feral cats start out fearful and untrusting of humans, and usually they only trust the people who feed and care...

Count me in on welcoming you Dr. Jean! After ten years using holistic care for both my pets and those my organization works to help, I'm firmly convinced of the benefits this approach has. I'm positively delighted that TCS has made it possible for Dr. Jean to share information with its...

I think it's good to keep this in mind -- this is what the cats in Kristi's home need. Kristi, call the resources mentioned, again. This time, say, "I want to know how to find free or low-cost veterinary care for cats near me." When you call, have pen and paper ready so that you can write...

I think that Dewey was in your life, in order to teach you, how to help tame Baby. I think maybe Dewey is depending on you to carry on the work. Please don't expect Baby to "switch" overnight, from scared feral, to tame playmate kitty. I think it IS a breakthrough that he was willing to TRY...

Hi, I was so sorry to read about the kitty you tried to rescue, dying. (I don't get to visit the TCS boards as often as I would like, so I also apologize for belatedly offering advice!). Something to keep in mind for "next time": you could find out where to borrow a humane trap near you, and...