So, when 8 ferals go missing - almost all at once, right after
a 3 day rain event, what is the caretaker to think?
That's what happened to me. Something happened to my colony
to terrorize them. After the 3 days of rain Thursday, Friday and
Saturday I found my colony's numbers decreased to 8-12 cats tops!
I had had 20 or so coming. Before the rains, while it was warm
they were always VERY appreciative of the food, ready to eat,
dashing up etc. etc.
Now, they no longer do that. I go to feed and they don't show up,
they aren't interested in the food so much!
I was told someone had been feeding them. I did find 1 of the missing
cats dead on the highway
However, what about those other 7
missing cats?
I thougth about predators, but decided that they would not take
8 cats in 1 day or so. It has to a human.
I talked today to the management, its not them. Officially anyway.
I talked to the shelter - no mass dumping of cats ferals there. I
am about to talk w/ SPCA and Humane Society. I fear someone has
trapped to use as dog bait for fighting dogs. Or something eqally
nasty.
Because this happened right before Halloween - it makes you wonder!!
The sad part is I'd trapped an neutered 14 of them! Of the ones missing,
most are ones I'd trapped and ear tipped. A few are not - I did see 8
today in the evening. They came but were not eagerly devouring food -
I just don't get it!!
what could have happened to make them a) not come out b) not be hungry and c) reduce the numbers like that?
If someone is feeding to trap, my feeding at night hopefully will make
it less likely. I've alerted the management there to keep an eye out,
and I hope to catch some of the kitchen staff and talk to them about it.
We have to stop who ever is doing this! Or figure out if it is a coyote or bobcat in the hood!
anyway, any help feedback/suggestions etc would be great. If these cats go to the shelter - they are eartipped and recently spay/nutered so that might help some....
Meantime, I'm praying they show back up!!
a 3 day rain event, what is the caretaker to think?
That's what happened to me. Something happened to my colony
to terrorize them. After the 3 days of rain Thursday, Friday and
Saturday I found my colony's numbers decreased to 8-12 cats tops!
I had had 20 or so coming. Before the rains, while it was warm
they were always VERY appreciative of the food, ready to eat,
dashing up etc. etc.
Now, they no longer do that. I go to feed and they don't show up,
they aren't interested in the food so much!
I was told someone had been feeding them. I did find 1 of the missing
cats dead on the highway
missing cats?
I thougth about predators, but decided that they would not take
8 cats in 1 day or so. It has to a human.
I talked today to the management, its not them. Officially anyway.
I talked to the shelter - no mass dumping of cats ferals there. I
am about to talk w/ SPCA and Humane Society. I fear someone has
trapped to use as dog bait for fighting dogs. Or something eqally
nasty.
Because this happened right before Halloween - it makes you wonder!!
The sad part is I'd trapped an neutered 14 of them! Of the ones missing,
most are ones I'd trapped and ear tipped. A few are not - I did see 8
today in the evening. They came but were not eagerly devouring food -
I just don't get it!!
what could have happened to make them a) not come out b) not be hungry and c) reduce the numbers like that?
If someone is feeding to trap, my feeding at night hopefully will make
it less likely. I've alerted the management there to keep an eye out,
and I hope to catch some of the kitchen staff and talk to them about it.
We have to stop who ever is doing this! Or figure out if it is a coyote or bobcat in the hood!
anyway, any help feedback/suggestions etc would be great. If these cats go to the shelter - they are eartipped and recently spay/nutered so that might help some....
Meantime, I'm praying they show back up!!