10 thoughts on “Privacy Policy”

1. Oh my! I’ve just discovered your blog, and it’s so near and dear to my heart with just a quick read! I take care of a feral/community cat colony who I am in love with, plus I have my own cats inside. I worry for my outside babies just as much (more?) than my nine-year old inside kitties, and right now I’ve got one cat that appears to be chased away by the dominant male of the three. He’s allowed to eat, but he’s apparently not allowed to sleep in one of four (for three cats!) insulated shelters. What to do? I could place one shelter in the back of the yard; bully cat couldn’t police it AND his own on the deck at the back of the house. I wonder now if chased-off cat is ill, or getting too old and Mother Nature is doing this. The third cat is allowed to use any shelter she wants. Now that the weather is getting colder, I’m all nervous and worried about my Sammy, who looks so forlorn on the outskirts. I’ve dropped trapped him twice, for TNR then a few months later when he had a bite wound. I’ve tried three, four times to trap him again for a vet visit, but he won’t go under. Any thoughts you may have are greatly appreciated!!!

2. He sounds like a pariah kitty. I have two of those. They are typically bullied, and not allowed to eat with the others until everyone is full. If they are inside, they slink into the room, hiding behind drapes, furniture whatever is available. It is just part of the cat world just like in our human world, there are some who are different who are picked on. I would set up a regular trap and prop the door open and feed this kitty inside this trap (in a different location) but one you can see from a window of your home. Once he is used to coming and going into the trap to eat, I would remove the stick and trap him and bring him indoors. That’s what I would do-

3. I hope that I am doing everything right for the 4 feral cats that I have adopted. Not sure if I’m posting this in the right place.

   I live on 14 wooded acres with a large secure outbuilding (small barn) that has easy in/out access. When the cats arrived they had already been spayed (all females) and came from different colonies from over 70 miles from where I live. I secured the out building and have been feeding them, giving them fresh water twice a day and also included kitty toys for them to play with, however they seem far more preoccupied with exploring the building and sleeping. I hardly ever see them, they have found places to hide/sleep. I know they are fine as all the food is gone everyday and the litter box I put in the building is full (cleaned daily). I am thinking these cats are nocturnal as I never see any activity during the day, but by morning it’s obvious they have been busy with all sorts of activity.

   They have now been in secured in this building for 3 weeks as I was told to do by the lady who bought them to me. Tomorrow is the big day for release. They will then have access to the great big outside world through a window with a board leading to the ground (not steep). They will have free run of the property. I live in the Blue Ridge mountains in a very isolated area. There will be everything for these cats to catch as far as rodents. There are no children here and no other pets (other than normal wildlife).

   What else can I do to make these 4 cats lives better? I do not care if they ‘hang out’ at the house (which is a distance from this out building)…I just want them to feel safe and secure. Also…this small barn does have electricity and some heat will be provided through the winter as our winters are quite cold here.

   These cats also have had their shots. The lady from the cat rescue bought the papers from the vet.

   Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🙂

   Thank so much,
   Dave/Virginia

4. Hi Dave,

   First of all bless you for taking this on. I wouldn’t be so set on releasing them at the three week mark. I would wait a bit longer- perhaps two more weeks if possible? If not, I would certainly scatter outside on the ground kitty kibble along with organic catnip right before release day- encourages them to stick around. I would also put out several bowls of food and water outside (another encouragement). Setting up a routine feeding schedule and sticking to it will also help. You will start to see the cats coming around right at the time(s) of the feedings if they are at the same times every day. Cats love routine.

   As for the toys, most strays (I have found) will play with objects found outside on the ground over store-bought toys. I use small pinecones, round pebbles, sticks, blades of grass, feathers- something more familiar to them. Just like they will sleep in a cardboard box (with no bedding) over a plush cat bed.

   Good luck and God Bless- these cats are LUCKY to have found you!

5. Hi Dave,

   First of all bless you for taking this on. I wouldn’t be so set on releasing them at the three week mark. I would wait a bit longer- perhaps two more weeks if possible? If not, I would certainly scatter outside on the ground kitty kibble along with organic catnip right before release day- encourages them to stick around. I would also put out several bowls of food and water outside (another encouragement). Setting up a routine feeding schedule and sticking to it will also help. You will start to see the cats coming around right at the time(s) of the feedings if they are at the same times every day. Cats love routine.

   As for the toys, most strays (I have found) will play with objects found outside on the ground over store-bought toys. I use small pinecones, round pebbles, sticks, blades of grass, feathers- something more familiar to them. Just like they will sleep in a cardboard box (with no bedding) over a plush cat bed.

   Good luck and God Bless- these cats are LUCKY to have found you!

6. You sent me your mailing address and I managed to lose it. Would you please send it to me again so I can send a check?

   Thank you!

   Wayne

7. Maryann, I lost your email. Could you contact me about those trailer park cats, the starving ones? I did remove all six, but there are others there, now fixed, who would benefit from routine food. I have given cat food to residents but it never gets to the cats in need, the free roamers. Looking for someone in that area to periodically stop by and put cat food under the dumpster.

8. What are your thoughts about releasing a cat to its colony if it has been inside for about 1 1/2 years? The cat seems like it would be happier outside.

9. Hi, I just found your blog and am enjoying all the kitty stories. I used to foster babies for the Humane Society and many of the stories are similar to what i have had. Now I live in Mesa AZ in a acommunity and we have over 20 abandoned and now feral Himalayian Siamese cats and another 10 mixed variety. NOW we have kittens everywhere.n I contacted all the rescue groups, Humane Society in the area and none of them are able to take in even just momma and the kittens. It has been 112 lately and we are not allowed to feed and water the stray/feral cats. Many of us leave water around the park and try to feed them but food is getting expensive for so many. Im most worried about the numerous babies and the nursing mommys. They are all looking hagared and very thin. The long haired siamese seem like they want your attention but then run, they cry at us when we pass by. They are hungry and we just cant keep affording to feed them. The owner of the park says to stop feeding them and they will just wander away, but its been years and they are all still here. I am writing up a proposal to maybe put in a feral housing area to keep them off the cars and out from under the trailers. Arizona is a no license, no leash state and state agencies wont respond to cat calls. If they are caught and brought in, they cant be re released, so I am assuming they are euthanized. I know there are catch and rerelease programs and am trying to get as many cats done as we can, the only problem is when re released we arent able to feed them. Any suggestions on housing styles for about 30-40 cats, they dont really fight since they have all lived together for so long, and finding cat food donations and vet bill help. Any suggestions and help is appreciated, many of us are frustrated.

10. Oh how sad- have you also tried contacting the Himalayan Siamese rescue group in your area? How about getting the plight on air- or calling the local news channel. Put it on facebook and social media with photos? I’d be feeding them anyway just because it is not their fault they are there. You can also try Alley Cat Allies- and see if there is a Feral Cat Coalition in your area? I would use social media in this instance- you never know it could go viral and once that happens- there will be more help available. Best of luck

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