My Feral And Rescued Cats

[maggiedemi]

I enjoyed the kitty stories & photos. My favorites were the 2 orange/calico kitties hugging at the door and of course Banjo beating up her brother. I think Whistle is enjoying it, he looks like he's smiling...Oh and I like Bonjure vs the paper towel roll. Demi does that, he bunny kicks it until it's in shreds.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Oh, Bonjour HAD to do that! I'll bet that paper towel roll MOCKED him! Or at least looked at him funny! That's the story I always get from Hekitty when a roll of something is destroyed.

Me too. I was brought up on a small dairy farm, back in the 50s.( yeah, I'm THAT old!) Our nearest neighbor lived about a half-mile away, and the nearest kid my age was closer to 2 miles away. Lots of animals, kids- not so much.

Well, we're in the same age group. I did not grow up on a farm, but I grew up on Laguna Beach, Florida, were the human population was very low, and the critter (wild and domestic) population was very high. My sister was a half-Chow mixed breed dog, and my brother was a GREAT BIG old Russian Blue tomcat, not neutered. You just...didn't...back then. The great friendships of my childhood were my cat and my dog.

 

[NY cat man]

Oh, Bonjour HAD to do that! I'll bet that paper towel roll MOCKED him! Or at least looked at him funny! That's the story I always get from Hekitty when a roll of something is destroyed.



Well, we're in the same age group. I did not grow up on a farm, but I grew up on Laguna Beach, Florida, were the human population was very low, and the critter (wild and domestic) population was very high. My sister was a half-Chow mixed breed dog, and my brother was a GREAT BIG old Russian Blue tomcat, not neutered. You just...didn't...back then. The great friendships of my childhood were my cat and my dog.

Actually, the land where we lived came down from my great- great- great grandfather. He received 100 acres of land in 1796 for his service in the Revolutionary War. He moved from NW New Jersey to WNY.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

That's fascinating, N NY cat man ! What in interesting history! I love genealogy.

 

[NY cat man]

That's fascinating, N NY cat man ! What in interesting history! I love genealogy.

My younger brother and his wife did the genealogical work several years ago, and found that the first of our line to hit these shores did so in 1638.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

VERY COOL! However, we don't want to hijack this thread, and it is certainly equally my responsibility for this left turn! Feel free, if you are interested in pursuing this coversation, to PM me at any time! You would be most welcome!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program...these remarkable KITTEHS and their EQUALLY remarkable caregiver!

 

[Jcatbird]

A quick note. catsknowme is asking for a rescue of mother and kittens. Omg That darling face on mom! Southern Georgia cats. This will make all the difference in the lives of these kittens. It is fostering but if adoption can be aided it would help. I could maybe foster but cannot transport or get adopted. Right now space really doesn’t exist here but even if I could find a spot I can’t transport. I will spread the word where I can and I ask that everyone else do so too please!

 

[Jcatbird]

I love all the history talk. Genealogy is fascinating. My grandparents did all the tracing back too. Kind of weird story is that the family ( sorry kitties) tend to be history pack rats! Lol They actually saved a section of the living room wall from the house the family owned during the revolutionary war. Why? It had a lovely cannonball hole straight through it. I helped my Dad find a proper place for it with the Historical Society. N NY cat man Anytime you want to talk history I’d love to swap stories. PM anytime! I do find it interesting that growing up with such a wide variety of animals, there were no cats! Most of the country folks and people I knew on the water had cats even if it was only to keep down mice and rats. The Whatf rats were as big as cats! I prefer the cute little field mice.

Now on to the kitty of the day update. Yesterday was black cat day. Today it is mixed feral day! Lol Just because I suddenly noticed how many kitties are running loose together in my living room. I have the older rescues that have lived here for years but also an array of kitties I never would have imagined could live together. Competition was stiff outside. The cats all had their own territory. They did mix at times of necessity but as a rule they had a hierarchy in place. Top female had the top and most comfortable place to keep babies safe and if another cat crossed those lines then a pursuit was on! Jazzy chased Thrasher. Thrasher chased Misty. Misty chased Banjo and Whistle etc. Now they are all together. Not complete harmony but only a little slap at times. They really seem to want to be affectionate to each other. Head bumps are happening enough to begin understanding between all the kitties. They are adapting. Cats are truly amazing in their ability to adapt. Below is the proof.

Jazzy. The oldest of the outside kitties

Thrasher the untrappable cat that had been horribly abused

Thrasher and Misty, formerly very strong rivals.

Misty the untouchable cat that ran like a deer if I approached her.

Banjo the abandoned kitten. Shunned by all adults.

Whistle, Banjo’s brother and company in the shunning and survival.

Dolly the old man rescue from over ten years ago.

Smokey ( sorry bad pic but she was busily playing) the oldest lady of the house and also from the ten years ago rescue.

Lady. My rescue from about 8 years ago.

Dark picture but this is Bonjure. The baby of the older rescue group and still sees himself as the baby of the house.

Lambie (Little girl) A rescue from the older group.

And finally Mackie. The king of the house and also of the early rescue group. All these kitties mixing as a family now. We humans could learn a lot from the kitties. It is so nice to look around and see all these kitties mixing together in one room with no real issues between them. If anyone ever wonders if they can mix new arrivals with old, unrelated cats, rival cats, tame with feral cats or young and old cats. Here is your answer. It can be done and it can work. Looking around at the harmony warms my heart and makes me smile at how great cats really are.

 

[Norachan]

They all look so happy.



I think mixing tame cats with newly brought-indoors feral cat works pretty well. The tamer ones help the wilder ones adjust. The wild ones see the tame ones being petted and enjoying it and they're convinced that we mean them no harm after all.

Mine all get on very well. Here's a few of the gang snuggling together.

 

[Jcatbird]

Norachan Awwwww! A beautiful bunch of content kitties! A joy to see! The snuggling is amazing.

 

[Jcatbird]

Today was kind of different. The thunder had all the kitties in hiding with very fluffed tails! The house was actually shaking from the vibrations. Once the kitties found good spots to hide out they all stayed put and either worried or slept. The outside kitties had it a little rougher. Poor Flowers had to run to me to eat under cover. I don’t know why she won’t move in there but she must have a good reason. I still can’t find any kittens around her. She is thin though. It’s a puzzle. I feel like she must have kittens yet they remain invisible. If she is still feeding them without my help, it would explain why she is so thin. She still hisses at every dish I offer. I just put it down anyway. Maybe if I just act like that is normal she will learn that it does not drive me away and I will earn one more degree of trust. Kelly and the babies seem to have moved into my little shed and taken it for their private house. One of them is always on guard at the door now. I considered closing them in to capture them but if they panic in there they are sure to get hurt. It is a storage building full of heavy tools. One fallen blade would be the end of a kitty. Since I have managed to get them to start eating in the cage I am going to be patient. Safety over speed. They are such a darling bunch. The tool shed looks like a little green and white gingerbread house. The combination of Kelly, kittens and little house make me think of a fairytale. The kitties seem to belong there. I smile every time I see Bright sitting in the doorway as though she has just answered a knock. Below are my most recent pictures of them. Now if I can just get Bright to open the door enough to let me in....

Bright comes out for a look

Mom calls the kids out for some fresh air

A little urging is required

Sometimes you have to make the kids play outside for awhile

Even have to go in to get them

At least it isn’t raining

Time to play

Go on outside and play!

See! It’s nice out.

Okay mom.

I don’t see any bugs to chase though.

I’ll just get some sun on the park bench.

It’s not a trap! It’s a jungle gym!

I’m hungry.

How about a pic nic?

Play is over. Time for bed!

You’re not supposed to come in!

Go away! Momma says No humans inside!

The little kittens that live in the Gingerbread house!

 

[Norachan]

Poor Flowers had to run to me to eat under cover. I don’t know why she won’t move in there but she must have a good reason. I still can’t find any kittens around her. She is thin though. It’s a puzzle. I feel like she must have kittens yet they remain invisible. If she is still feeding them without my help, it would explain why she is so thin.

Try offering her something she can pick up and carry away, like sausages or a chicken skin. If she picks it up and runs off with it she's probably got kittens hiding somewhere.

 

[azpops]

Try offering her something she can pick up and carry away, like sausages or a chicken skin. If she picks it up and runs off with it she's probably got kittens hiding somewhere.

You folks have all the angles covered! ... ... or is it, you folks know all the angles!

Oh whatever, you know what I mean! ...

Pops

 

[maggiedemi]

Great pics! That chicken looks really good.

 

[Jcatbird]

Fantastic update!!!! I made appeals yesterday for help for a post from catsknowme . Do you guys remember @Lil Dude ? To the rescue! The kitties will not die today! Lil Dude stepped up to the plate even though she is young and still in school. We are now trying to support her in this. I am hoping to find many supporters for this young person. Applause for her and the entire chain of people who have kept this beautiful mom and kittens from being euthanized today. They are healthy and precious. Tame kitties that will be greatly loved. This was truly a last minute stay of a death sentence. My heart is still pounding. Everyone involved worked round the clock in spite of other heavy obligations. Without the two aforementioned TCS members and one other, these kitties would not have seen the sunset. Thank you so much to all those who worked to make this happen! Thank you! Thank you!

 

[catsknowme]

A very special shout-out to Mamanyt1953 and JCatbird for answering prayers!! Kitties are being saved and true friendships and partnerships are being founded!

 

[Jcatbird]

Norachan i will try that! Great idea! I happen to have some fried chicken. Maybe I will find babies.

 

[catsknowme]

Norachan : your suggestion of offering something to carry off is genious!! I must share that!

 

[Jcatbird]

Mamanyt1953 I hope you are following all of this. You linked all the right people. Kudos! Without the proper links who knows how this would have ended. When you messaged me I didn’t know if I could do anything but everyone joining together was the key. Major hugs to you!

 

[Jcatbird]

One more shout out. This rescue took place from one side of this country to the other through the TCS website. How great it that? @Anne Yay!