The Feral Soul
By feralcat
@feralcat (426)
Canada
December 16, 2006 10:50am CST
Ever looked out your window and you notice this scruffy thin cat scrounging through the trash? Your standing outside your work having your coffee break on a warm summer day and someone throws a piece of bagel on the ground and from some obscure corner, a queen defies her own fear and mistrust of people to take a stab at grabbing what little is left of the bagel on the ground while her babies peer through the brush, watching her every move? Have you ever had to get up early on a cold winter morning to start your car before heading to work and brush the snow off and from the corner of your eye you notice a form curled up under a tree and as you approach you realize it's a cat that froze through the night looking for a warmer and drier shelter to rest in?
Feral cat colony caregiving comes with hardship. Feeding and TNR alone is not enough. There are times when fostering orphan kittens comes into play. I've had over the past decade or so the pleasure of watching them has they open their eyes for the first time and look into mine for the first time.
Socialization is possible is of great importance. To be able to tame their wild spirit and find them good loving homes plays a big part in curbing over-population. Medicating feral cats can be a challenge. I've had much success in using liquid cephalexin for this mixed in a little tuna oil.
Every life is precious and every life is worth saving. I care for a colony of 30 cats as well as 20 rescues in my home, most of which were fosters abandoned by their queens or the mother never returned from humting or was killed.
To the unsung heroes out there; those that dedicate their lives to rescue, feral cat colony caregiving, my hat off to you. We are may voices but together we are making a difference everyday.
3 people like this
16 responses
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
17 Dec 06
So far, it is you and me that have as our avatar a picture of ourselves with a cat. I believe I am in good company.
However, I am not the hero you are when it comes to taking care of cats. My wife and I have 4 cats. 2 were kitten foundlings someone had thrown out. When they misbehave I try to remind them of that fact, but they still continue to misbehave!
The idea of taking care of the number you do boggles my mind. I do not have a big enough heart to do it. So, congratulations and keep up the good work.
@feralcat (426)
• Canada
17 Dec 06
It has nothing to do with being a hero. Many times if I had the choice I think I would not do this. It can be emotionally, mentally and spiritualy draining but on the other hand I cannot see my life any different.
I always tell people the day I take recognition for what I do is the day I turn away from it all. The cats deserve the recognition :).
@madmax2crazy (1569)
• United States
17 Dec 06
here's a group of unsung heroes that deserve praise and acknowledgement:
Whiskers and Tails
We monitor feral and stray animals. When we are certain that they have no families to take care of them we intervene. We humanely trap the animal on our own property, transport him or her to our participating vet where they are given a complete check up, a blood test to see if any diseases exist, combo shots and they are spayed or neutered. Once all of this is complete he or she is brought back to our site where we begin the process of gaining not only their trust and their love, but their respect too. Most of these animals have not ever been handled by humans hands in their entire life. Some have but after having been out on their own for awhile they forget that it feels good to have a chin or an ear scratched.
@mygreyparrot (1461)
• United States
17 Dec 06
Thanks for the post. I'm of the belief that cats should remain indoors at all times. Thus reducing the unwanted kitten population and feral population. Not to mention all of the cats smashed on roads, killed by dogs, abused by strangers, etc. Our city finally passed a law saying cats must remain in their homes - however they aren't strict about enforcing it.
@Tanika (632)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
it is great what you are doing. i too have tamed a few feral cats although only two and the rewards are so great. i really admire people who have the resources and the dedication to do this.
where i live the feral population is really not as bad as you describe especially no cats living in the inner city.
Tanika.
@djsinner1 (113)
• Pakistan
17 Dec 06
sorry!! i dont know much about it..!! i think u shud do it 4 urself...
@stripedmama (12)
• United States
17 Dec 06
i think what you are doing is wonderful!!! :) i saw a show once on feral cats & the people that cared for a colony in NY. what will it take for the human population to understand that spaying & neuterign is very important. kudos you to friend & more power to you!!
@r0ck_r0ck (1952)
• India
17 Dec 06
GOOD JOB MAN! UR KINDA WORK LET ME BELIEVE THAT HUMANITY IS NOT GONE FROM THE WHOLE WORLD, KEEP IT UP!
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
16 Dec 06
I have only one rescue cat. But man, you are my hero.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
16 Dec 06
I hope this post goes through, I checked and did not see it and am not sure why, if it is a duplicate I apologize. I too would befriend a feline friend on the wild side with needs. I would encourange my company to adopt the kitty and as soon as it would be comfortable we could welcome it in. If anyone else does this similarly remember to buy some diatomaceous earth to put into the food since that will reduct the number of internal parasite the poor feline may have and make him/her more comfortable. I applaud the folks that do the rescuing of our furry cat friends and wish them all the success that they can handle.
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
17 Dec 06
We have a lovely stray cat in our neighbourhood. Now that it is winter, the cat has taken to sitting on the bonnet of my car when I back form the shops. I don't particularly like cats, but I wouldn't disturb it's comfort. Hopefully it will be careful not to scratch the paintwork.
@sylviekitty (2083)
• United States
17 Dec 06
My husband and I are big cat lovers. He never had any as pets growing up, but I did. In fact, I was the type that could sit in the middle of the street, and they'd just come up to me and let me pet them. I'd sit very still and let them come to me in their own way, and I'd usually win them over very quickly. There was a house on our block where people would dump cats, and those cats would eventually have kittens. We did take in a few of them over the years, rescuing some from the neighbor's yard, or from under a wheel well. My husband even fed one that apparently lived in the bushes outside of his work. Cats are wonderful animals. People are cruel not to have them spayed and neutered, to cut down on the feral population. Poor things. :(
@n3cromanc3r (16)
• India
17 Dec 06
so good of you to dedicate ur time to those helpless animals out dere...being d owner of a kitten myself, i appreciate ur efforts...lets hope more n more ppl out dere start behaving more humanely to animals...atleast dont despise dem..
@icequeen (2840)
• Canada
16 Dec 06
Well good for you...I know what you mean. We have so many strays around our neighborhood. Our own neighbor even put two cats out into the cold...however one was taken by a gentlemen. We still see the other one and have given her a cat bed with a pillow. We sometimes let her into the basement to stay warm...I would like to take her in..but we already have a cat..and I don't know how she would re-act. I don't think some people deserve to have pets....
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
16 Dec 06
You have a kind and gentle soul and God will bless you for your kindness. We live in the country and have six kitties we care for and love they are both in and outdoor kitties. They get let in or out as they ask. They are good kitties, they hunt but we feed them too. When really cold they come inside and cozy by the fire and purr. Our oldest kitty is 12 years old, he is spoiled and knows it. He is boss cat too. I know we may lose him in a year or two maybe longer. He is starting to go deaf but he sees ok still. He sleeps more and is less tolerant of our grandkids. But misses them when they are not here for several days.
I have taken in Feral cats and tamed them too. The one time I felt really bad about is when unknown to me one of our kitties got into and hid in the car, We did not know she was there until we got to town 20 miles away from home. The minute the door was open she dashed out, we tried to catch her but she would have none of it and disappeared, we looked for her for hours and the next week and advertized, No one found her or admitted they did. I just hope someone was able to take her in that was 25 years ago.
