When I started this blog, I worried that it would become repititious, just feeding the cats. Well, it seems there is something new happening all the time. Last week a small orange kitten was spotted at the colony as well as a new fluffy black cat and a new orange cat. When we fed on Saturday two orange kittens appeared, playing together. I managed to trap one and Connie, my new cat hero, took in little Pumpkin to be socialized.
I went back the next two days to catch the other one but he was nowhere in sight. Tuesday evening Aaffien and I set out on one of our regular trappings and there the other orange kitten was. We set up two traps and within five minutes not only did we get the kitten but we also got a black adult who had not been fixed previously. High fives all around. Spice is now with Connie but seems to have a URI and is much wilder than Pumpkin. I know Connie will persevere though and with Aaffien's help, those two kittens will turn out great (I hope). Socializing feral kittens is not for the faint of heart. I got quite scratched up getting Spice out of the trap. The older they are, the harder it is. The window of socialization is quite small and these are probably ten weeks, still workable, but a few weeks earlier would have made all the difference.
Look how cute Pumpkin is. Scared (his first day in a house) but so adorable. How do you just walk away and let him live out a miserable life?
Here is Basil, the adult we trapped. He has been neutered and will go back to the colony tomorrow.
And this is Pumpkin and Spice. Littermates?
I can only hope that with all the trapping that this is the last of the kittens. We're not sure where the new cats are coming from, perhaps from the recycling plant, but they'll become part of the gang, and we'll care for them as best we can.
It saddens me to hear of more cats arriving. There is just no end to this. These ones are lucky, of course, because they are being fed but the winters are so harsh and I fear for all of them. I have 3 here that I see every night and I worry for them. I am trying to keep them well fed and hope it helps them get through the winter. There are many buildings around so I don't know where they go to have shelter. There is no trapping going on right now by any of the local rescues. Sad, sad. Best of luck with the new kittens. They re adorable. Deb =^..^=x5
ReplyDeleteDeb, I'm sorry to hear about your ferals. At least they have you. Somehow they survive but it is surely a hard life and not one that any cat deserves. Robin
ReplyDeleteIt is so frustrating and feels like it never ever ends. I rescue from HAC and yesterday was the first time I ever saw someone surrendering. I just about freaked out! When the heck can't there be more responsible people in this world??
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