Feral TNRs and a new KITTEN CREW.
I am trying to TNR all the feral cats in the world.
Also, I got new foster munchkincrazypants… I assume you need to see them before we can continue.
Tuesday night, I went to score babiezzz– injecting myself with pure joy is addicting and brain-healing.
I took the kittens home, got them settled, then went back out to do my rounds… Wednesday is a TNR day. So I set my traps the night before.
I have permission from this person to be mucking about in their bushes… their property line runs lengthwise along the backyards of a whole bunch of houses that have very deep lots with a lot of trees, brush, old garages, playhouses that haven’t been used in years… feral cat heaven.
Wednesday morning I went to see who I caught overnight. I got four (above in the video)… Loaded them into the van… Went back home because I had to get Webster (my adult foster— here on my instagram) — poor guy had to have a vet visit AND he had to stay there all day because I was too busy to go back and get him until night.
My running tally of totally-identical-grey-cats I’ve caught at this location now is SEVEN… which is why the vet “tips” their ears… if I had caught these guys BEFORE, I would know and could release them.
I checked these guys 57 times because I could not believe I got THIS MANY MORE IDENTICAL!
So Wednesday night I went back to the shelter, loaded my four, now-fixed TNR’s into the van. Put Webster in the front seat… take off… then about 10 minutes down the road… the foster coordinator calls me to say that the people who found my litter-of-three just brought in their sister.
u-turn
I was late getting home, and as I was driving down our street, I could see that Paul had just pulled up.
I hoped he would go directly into the house like a normal person… but he is always so freakishly helpful, so of course, he came over to the car.
I always feel like he is DISMAYED when he is reminded that the person who will make decisions for him when he is infirm, drives around in a vehicle LITERALLY FILLED WITH CATS.
TNR stands for TRAP NEUTER RETURN.
TNR helps to limit the population of stray, homeless, and unwanted cats… these animals are born to a very hard life.
Our world is not set up for stray cats to be safe.
ESPECIALLY THE LITTLE ONES.
People do terrible things to stray cats.
Poison.
Worse.
Even if those kittens are rescued… if they are taken into a shelter, their chances of survival are low… 80% of the kittens who will be euthanized at shelters this year, and the year after, and the year after that… are born to the stray and feral cats in our neighborhood.
We can make a difference!!!
TNR does something else: it gives the animals waiting for homes in shelters a better chance… if we LOWER our unwanted-animal population, shelter animals will be more likely to be adopted than euthanized!
Our shelters are overrun, underfunded, and the animals are the ones who suffer.
If you are able to support a TNR group in your area, THANK YOU.
If there isn’t one, YOU COULD BE THE PERSON TO START ONE!
To the other crazy animal lovers— you are my people, and your existence makes me thankful.
ADOPT DON’T SHOP!
🐾💕🦁🍀🏡🐯❤🐒
I realize this post is not well-written and I do not care because I have ANIMALS TO SNUGGLE BYE.
xoxo,
VEB
HERE IS A POST ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER!
May 25, 2018 @ 4:05 pm
What a fabulous looking litter of kittens. I’d have to keep them all!! But, I’m so torn about TNR. I agree with the neuter part. It’s the return/release part that I’m conflicted about. What about all the wild birds that deserve to not be murdered because of the feral cats? (and the other residential nuisances they are responsible for) I tend to side with the birds. We wouldn’t TNR feral dogs. How do feral cats deserve a get out of jail free card?
May 25, 2018 @ 10:48 pm
Shirley,
It was explained to me as a way to keep down the rodent population. No matter where you live, if there are people there – there are rodents there.
May 25, 2018 @ 4:15 pm
I remember when I was little, probably 6, ( I’m 61 now ) we would go to my grandmothers house in Long Beach California and in the side yard, it was overgrown with bushes and trees, there lived several feral cats. We would try to catch them just to pet them. Well I don’t think we ever got any. Plus my gramma would tell us not to touch them cuz they might be diseased.. anyway.. they always fascinated me. Thanks for the memories. Glad your saving some..
May 25, 2018 @ 7:22 pm
OH the little tortie girl! She is making my day. Thank you for the work you’re doing (and the pictures).
May 25, 2018 @ 9:18 pm
You are the Yoda for all of us crazy cat ladies! We had a poor thing come up on our porch and into our open door today… we rushed her to our local vet hospital where they said she had a broken jaw and numerous wounds… she will be with them for several days. You are right, it is up to us to save the kitties one at a time! Bless you!
May 25, 2018 @ 9:26 pm
I got involved with TNR last year, trapping 2 females, 2 males, and 7 kittens. The adults were returned, the kittens were fostered and adopted. All our adult ferals are black short hair. I was surprised to see yours are grey! Thank goodness for ear tipping, but even that is difficult to see when you’ve got a cat frantically pacing inside a cage!
Resuming my TNR efforts after this holiday weekend. Keep up the good work, feral cats have a difficult existence and it’s a good thing to get the population down for all the reasons you listed, and more!
May 25, 2018 @ 9:33 pm
I have been doing tnt for about 15 years. I came across a feral Colony at a closed down restaurant recently. I just couldn’t walk away so I ended up setting up feeding stations and doing a TNR like you, trapping 17 cats and three kittens. I had 8 tuxedos that are most looked identical. I always tip the ear to make sure I don’t trap them again. I have one feral kitty that had a leg wound and she ended up staying at my house for three months why I took her to the vet to address her injury. It is so rewarding once you do a TNR because you know there are hopefully no more kittens being born outside plus the cats are healthier . The kittens that I brought into my house ended up staying here because they were sick. Now they are well and as happy as can be. We need more people to be compassionate about ferals. I get angry when someone says all ferals can’t be tamed. That’s not true. If you have the time and patience the majority of them can be tamed and can live a long loving life inside a house as my most of my furry family were once feral. Thank you for documenting your TNR, hopefully more people will watch it and get involved. P.S. my husband thinks I’m crazy & I’m ok with it as long as my ferals are taking care of.
May 25, 2018 @ 10:00 pm
I heard about TNR through my sister in law’s neighbor. One very busy week she had several dozen cats (in cages) at her house during various stages of being transported to and from being neutered. It really takes dedication. Thanks for your work!
May 25, 2018 @ 11:10 pm
Orange and white kitties are my Kryptonite.
May 26, 2018 @ 1:22 am
There is an amazing young girl in our town who set up to rescue and rehome all kinds of unwanted and stray animals. And the last time I was in Greece (3 years ago) I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing work the volunteers do their with their TNR project. There are so many less stray cats around than there used to be.
Well done on your own work. Its a heartbreaking job but rewarding when things work out.
z
May 26, 2018 @ 1:23 am
What you’re doing is just great, I started Trapping last year and now I can’t stop!! I’m in Glendale Arizona so I hate the thought of so many kittens dying in the heat. I came across a big cat colony y my neighborhood and after getting permission from all the neighbors we trapped a total of 35 adult cats and a dozen of kittens barely 2 weeks old that we ended up fostering. After weeks of sleepless nights bottle feeding they were finally ready to go to their forever homes where they are loved ❤️we kept 3 ferals, one had ‘twisty’ arms and we knew he would not be able to survive outdoors so he’s ours, the other 2 are doing great after much patience and love was given. I wish more people got involved and cared for feral Cats and do something about it, my husband complains about it but on Trapping day he gets all excited about catching all of them🤣, he’s becoming an expert and loves it, even if he doesn’t want to admit it 😜, keep up the good work 👍😊
May 26, 2018 @ 1:59 am
Thanks for the lovely post and infusion of cuteness! I had a rotten day, but feel so much better now. I was an epic failure at TNR. Which is why we moved from NY to Seattle with 2 dogs and 12 cats in our cars (6 had been trapped as ferals, but failed at the R); 5 were rescued from the streets, and 1 was a shelter adoption). Four more flew out once we were settled. They were trapped just before we moved with the intention of euthanizing them. There was nobody able to take over their care. I found I couldn’t do it, so instead arranged to have them tested for FELV and left in the temporary care of our rescue group. If the tests came back positive they would be euthanized, otherwise they would be sent to us. Even prepaid their airfare, because I was certain they were healthy. Fo.rtunately, since leaving NY my cat-finding has slowed. Now we have 4 cats, all once strays. Two were trapped for TNR, but again….epic fail on my part. After 2.5 years with us, the once has become a mooch for smooches, but the other still spends most daylight hours hidden away. At night, though, she comes out to play! And play! And play!
May 26, 2018 @ 9:16 am
Thanks for all you do! 😻
May 26, 2018 @ 11:30 am
Yes, our “group” can relate out here in the San Gabriel Valley in California. We need TNR to expand with more education. Education will help the change that is needed for the feral/stray cat “problem.” Please visit TNRProject.org to find out more about our organization. Best wishes and thanks for what you are doing for feral/stray cats.
May 26, 2018 @ 1:33 pm
The NYC ACC in Brooklyn is overrun with cats, especially now that it is kitten season. Please consider heading there to adopt a kitten!
May 26, 2018 @ 4:27 pm
I too am a mad cat lady. Another cat lady is doing a petition for Scottish Wildcats https://www.change.org/p/scottish-government-save-the-scottish-wildcat-by-protecting-clashindarroch-forest xx
May 26, 2018 @ 5:36 pm
I am a fellow animal crazy. I have trapped and kept the faral cat that was hanging around my house. The vet told me he is a munchkin and rare to be faro. I took him in 2 yrs ago and he has just recently started trusting me. He has fur that must be 4 in he is such a beautiful cat. I will never understand the cat lovers that are against them. He is a very loyal pet and with time they are no differant than any timid cat. Feel free to email
May 27, 2018 @ 1:24 pm
Preach! I wish more folks understood the adopt don’t shop and always spay/neuter your pets! All my animals, horses, chickens, dogs, cats, are rescue.
May 27, 2018 @ 8:18 pm
Yay!!! I live in a small community in southwest Louisiana…we are NOT exactly known for being progressive…😉😉…but my friend Dana heads up a great TNR program here. Our local vet support is amazing as well. Thank you for being the voice for these little ones!!