Why some people help Ferals and Strays:
This is why Toni helps animals:
Nearly 20 years ago I was staying with my sister for a week. My sister Gigi was on her way to work and I was on my way to school when we found a 4 week old kitten under her car. We both grabbed that kitten and brought it into the house. It was freezing cold for March, and we wondered how that kitten had got there. I searched around for others, but there were none. We both blew off our duties for the day and stayed with that baby.
My sister eventually moved out of the apartment and since she couldn't take Baby with her she gave him to my mom, dad and I. He grew up to be the sweetest kitty. He was an outdoor cat by nature, and after 13 years he died of Leukemia. He would sit on your lap and purr and purr. He sucked his tail until the age of 4. He would sleep right on top of you if he could. This poor baby died on September 20,1993. I wish we could have made him an indoor kitty. Maybe by some miracle he'd still be here
A year later I was just starting to get over Baby (pookies) passing and a cute gray kitty showed up on my mom's back deck. Mom told me not to feed it, but I did anyway. He kept coming back each night for his dish of tuna. It finally got cold and mom told me to keep him in. I have married now and mom has since passed away, but my sister cares for Fred. He is another one of the sweetest kitties I have known. He even gets along great with her two dogs, but is an outdoor cat by nature.
I have a cat of my own. Her name is Cosmo, at the time I couldn't take Fred in because I lived in a tiny apartment. As soon as we bought a house, I went right to the shelter with my husband. Mike has never had a pet, but Cosmo went right up to him in the cage, we decide she was for us. She makes us laugh and has brought more joy into our sad lives. She is an indoor kitty.(Mike and I don't have any parents both sets have passed on in the last 4 years)
If ever a hungry orphan should arrive at my doorstep it will have a meal and a place to call it's own.
This is Ron's story:
I take care of any and all strays that show up here. Three strays that joined our family (Tiger, Mrs. Kitty, and Kitty Lea) are now sadly at the Rainbow Bridge, Tiger and Kitty Lea became indoor kitties after examinations, shots, neutering and spaying. Sadly, Mrs. Kitty died before she could be integrated indoors. These three precious kitties were without question among the sweetest and most loving kitties I have ever known. Currently I have Max that showed up here as a stray, he is now an indoor kitty, and of course he's been neutered, had shots, etc. I have a feral that I care for, his name is Arthur. He is still very wary of humans, but after a lot of patient work he now sometimes lets me pet him at mealtime. I had to trap him to get him to the vet for his exam, shots and neutering, but now as long as I coordinate it at mealtime, I can usually get him in a carrier without resorting to trapping whenever he needs to go to the vet. He's so scared at the vet's office that he lets the vet do anything and just holds still. He has on occasion swiped at me with a paw, but the claws are never out. Arthur will probably always be an outdoor kitty, I'm convinced that he would never be comfortable and happy indoors. I live on what used to be a large farm, and I remodeled an old chicken coop for him. It's carpeted, insulated, heated, and is is chock full of neat kitty furniture - for an outdoor kitty, he really lives a life of luxury!
I take care of all strays that show up here for one simple reason, I love cats. No stray that finds his or her way here will ever be turned away or taken to a shelter - they have a home here for life if they so choose. It's so rewarding to know that these kitties will never have to worry about how cold it is or where their next meal is going to come from. It's certainly not their fault that they were born into this imperfect world that is all too often hostile towards cats in so many ways for so many reasons. Ideally, there would never be any unwanted, homeless, sick, hungry and/or lonely kitties anywhere in the world. If I could, I would save them all, but of course that's impossible. But I happily and gladly do all I can for those kitties whose life's path crosses with mine, and I always will.
This is Debbielynn's story:
I adopted Charlie and Olivia, who were both feral. I don't think Charlie had ever had a home. He was abandoned as a kitten with the rest of his litter, so he was really wild. I neutered him after I adopted him. It was just like adopting a wild animal. A great big wild animal who likes to bite.
Olivia was abandoned. She is 13. I suspect that she was abused, because she still will flinch if you reach out to pet her too quickly. She had turned mostly wild, but she was easier to adopt than Charlie. She had already been spayed by my neighbor who was a cat lover and fixed all of the neighborhood strays (except Charlie. After all, she valued her life).
Sienna I wanted to adopt, but my mother wouldn't allow it. Sienna had turned feral after being abandoned. It took me months to get close to her at all. She was also spayed by the same woman who spayed Olivia.
Right now, I am trying not to feed any strays but Sienna. I think there may be others sneaking to the bowls at night, though. I am just trying to cut down on my stray cats. I wind up adopting them all, and this really has to stop somewhere. I figured that I would wear down my mom when the bad weather arrived, and get Sienna into the house. Or else find my own place, and take Sienna with me.
I wouldn't try to find homes for any of these cats. Charlie and Olivia aren't adoptable for one thing, which suits me fine, since I love them anyway. Sienna is adoptable, but I've always felt skeptical of how I would find a good home for an adult (7 yrs. old) cat. I did find homes for two kittens, though.
Why do I do this? If I don't, who will? I don't want any kitty starving on my account! I figure someone has to look out for them. :-)
This is DianneH's story:
All of my cats (13) are reformed ferals or strays...no matter where I live, the underground kitty railway finds the Dianne Depot. There must be little signs posted that say "If you're hungry, tired, lost, or ill, go to Dianne if you're in this area." LOL Our population is reduced somewhat, due to the fact that some of them were in such horrible shape, their longevity was affected. I have quite a few waiting for me at the Bridge. Six are indoors, the others live outside on 20 acres, a barn and a shed. They are all spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and well-loved. I do not try to place any cat that finds me... for two reasons. Everyone that I know that could offer a cat a safe, loving home is "full up" and not taking on any more. The other reason is I won't give a cat to someone I don't know, and know well. I am very often tempted to reply to placement wanted ads, but I hesitate to do so because there is a never ending (sigh) supply of un-wanted, un-loved kitties that will follow the railroad to my door. And I have to make sure I have the room and funds to take care of them.
This is why TikTok does it:
Our "sucker lights" are very bright..we are feeding four right now. One really has a home, but the guy won't take care of her. I'm trying to get her 'here' but she panics so badly inside, it isn't time just yet.
Yes, we are trying for homes. The two tames one virtually live in our garage at night, and receive Advantage each month. They just got shots by the mobile vet two weeks ago. But no one wants older male cats (neutered thankfully).
We've got a couple of new strays eating on the 'cathouse' out back. They are very wild, I see them late at night.
At our old house, which we owned instead of renting, we just took them in! And finding homes wasn't the problem we are having here in Houston.
This is why Shadow does it:
Well Wildbaby as I call him never comes close, but I leave food and water and I've made a home for him at the side of our house. I've also attracted lots of neighbourhood outdoor kitties and a couple of racoons too.
Why, well I feel bad for Wildbaby, he's a big old Tom, he walks funny so I figure he has arthritis, but I want to know he has at least one good meal a day.
This is why Maryanne does it:
We work with several colonies at a time. Our criteria is simple - committed caretakers who are amenable to our procedures, surroundings that make neuter and release a viable option, and a willingness on the part of the caretakers to do most of the time intensive work (trapping, hauling to vets, etc.) and some of the fostering (themselves or friends). Once we start, we work with what's there. Everyone is tested for FELV and FIV and examined for severe problems that would prevent release of a feral or make a stray unadoptable. If negative for all that, they are vaccinated for rabies and distemper, altered and treated for minor problems such as worms, ear mites, wounds, etc. Ones to be placed are treated for fleas. We find homes for kittens and strays. We release the feral teenagers and adults (ears are notched).
There seems to be no end of these colonies in Baltimore - even with our expectation that the caretakers have to pitch in. We are hampered by lack of funds and the fact that, being in the city, our colonies have a fair share of strays which need to be placed and must stay somewhere while they wait. Right now, for example, we have little money and too many friendly ones so I'm trying to get everyone to concentrate on adoptions and not bring in any more for awhile.
Finally, I still feed every day at "my" colony which started it all. I stumbled on them in the winter of 1990/1991. All the cats still there were adults at that time so they are all more than 8 years old. Not very many left but they are hardy.
That colony brought us our Bandit (blue eyed chocolate point) and Missy (black domestic long hair). It was the most beautiful colony of wild cats I've ever stumbled on. Mostly 100% black cats.
This is why Linda does it:
At the moment, we're feeding two adults. As soon as we can trap the kittens, we'll trap the adults and spay and neuter, and keep *inside*. Can't return them to where they're living now because it's just not safe for them, because of two legged and four legged predators.
I do it because I can't stand to see so beautiful a creature as the cat go unloved, unwanted, and ignored. There's nothing sadder to see than a cat that's skin and bones and untrusting. I can't bear it.
This is why Aunty Angel does it:
I'm helping with a feral program. I have 4 in my area that have been caught and neutered. I have 6 that I am still waiting to catch. None of these ferals will be caught and adopted out. I am trying to socialize a kitten now for adoption. I have not removed it from it's mother at this time since there isn't much hope of adoption here. I can turn it into a friendly feral that the pilots will care for at the dormitory though.
I do it because I was drowning in kittens. I just couldn't find homes for them all. Besides when one would find a home it would only be until the family moved to another duty station. Then the cat would be right back out there trying to survive with no skills. I'm tired of burying abandoned pets. The base vet is tired of euthanizing them. The hospital is tired of giving people rabies shots because they tried to pet the kitty. The hotel manager is tired of listening to complaints from guests about mating cats spraying and screaming every season. The police are tired of trapping cats and condemning them to death.
This is why Nancy helps them:
My conscience won't allow me to ignore the need I see all around me. There are a lot of cats in my neighborhood that are strays - either dumpees or lost cats - who have turned semi-feral, or their kittens who are born feral. These poor cats hide in alleys and under dumpsters during the day and forage for a meager existence by night. I live in NYC, and the dangers these cats face are deadly and unrelenting. Boys with stones or baseball bats. Cars that deliberately aim for a cat crossing the street. Cat haters who deliberately poison entire groups of cats. (Two years ago, every single stray cat on my block disappeared. Somebody poisoned them all.)
All of my cats but two are rescues or ex-ferals. The two that had a loving home growing up were facing euthanasia at Animal Control because all the no-kill shelters were full. They're a motley crew - precious Peek-a-Boo with one eye, handsome Loverboy with 3 legs, sweet Fritz with one eye, Calliope the Fearful, Tika the Toe-Cat (with a total of 13 toes on her front paws) - but I wouldn't trade them for all the world. If I could, I'd adopt all the kitties who need homes!
But I can't. So I do what I can, one cat (or sometimes a whole litter) at a time. I bring them home, I take care of their medical needs, and I treat their psyches with all the love and patience they deserve. And when they're ready for adoption, I send them off with love and the knowledge they'll bless their new home with the same joy they brought to mine.
This is why Maytel does it:
I'm taking care of two big boys in my neighborhood... One is a big black boy and one is grey. I want to catch them and get them neutered (there are a lot of stray kittens in my neighborhood... we don't need more!), but Chicago doesn't have a spay/neuter and release program. Both of these boys are mean and wild. They would have no chance of getting homes if I took them to the shelter. My boyfriend and I barely make enough money to take care of ourselves... But I'm putting aside 10 dollars per paycheck, and I'm gonna get those big boys taken care of :)
For now I'm just feeding them... (and slipping some vitamins in their food), and giving them a warm dry place to sleep.
This is why Ladylynx helps them:
do we feed ferrals??yes, how many? no one keeps count, ferrals, domestics, dropoffs, exotics, rescues , legal aid kitties like Trapper. Sanctuary kitties like the magnificent Kahlia. Babies with no hope of survival as their moms died at birth like upepo....or cuzco whose mom couldnt produce milk, 3 of his siblings died.Before we got to him and brought him here. Dreamchaser, being sold as food fiber or fur....and the fur farm babies, every yr...yes, we take who ever needs help. the ferral colony is forever....I live trap/ give shots , spay/neuter , microchip and release. those I find in incliment weather have temporary accamodations until the weather breaks or kitty if ill is better. Some ferrals are young enough that they can be imprinted to humans and found a home. some ferrals have been ferral too long and it is inhumane to impose human expectations on a being that is what it is....ferrals are the most survival oriented of all the cats on the planet next to leopards. They have an innate sense for survival and living. Man is their only enemy.They are intelligent and resourceful. One occasions, you can build a relationship of trust with a ferral. For us here, the drop offs are the highest population. With the ferrals, and the live trapping with spay/neuter and release, no cats need be warehoused or stock piled and it will reduce the wild ferral population in an area within a 3 yr period and it works!! the humane society should take a lesson for all those private parties all over the country that live trap, medicate/ spay and release....for the plan works. We also have a private vigilante group. that takes cats whose owners choose not to be educated or who dont choose to care, those cats found roaming are picked up for a couple nights, altered to prevent reproduction , given vaccinations then microchiped and released back into their back yards. Drop offs are held in quarentine for 15 to 30 days, and every possible attempt is made to find forever homes. I have been very blessed in that each yr as the numbers rise, I still find homes. We take cats from across the country too with special needs. Those are usually pregnant cats....and the people comeing to us for help choose LIFE over abortion or death to the mother cat. We give them safe refuge, care for them, let them have their babies and then find them homes and spay the mother. I am very fortunate to have found a few places with people who share our vision of a better world for all animals and those ferrals / dropoffs or /prego's, I can house with them. I never want an over population here, or stockpiling. It is too easy with domestics as the numbers rise every day. In 5 yrs the numbers have doubled yrly. this yr it has trippled. this has been the most insane yr ever. and it is not letting up.I have made mergers with some no kill shelters, I help them with fund raisers and they take my over flow, in the winter. WE have a hospital section like a mash unit here in the lower building in the winter for ferrals that I trap in the woods and around the fields. There is a sign over head here just like at TUCATS And TIK TOKS, FREE FOOD AND SUCKERS HERE!! then they seem to tell their friends.If you look up on a clear night you will see a huge star over the homes that help ferrals, try hiding out, and that star appears over your hidout or the hotel!! This yr we need 10 more den boxes in the next two weeks and santa doesnt take orders for the next month!! LOL Winter is the most difficult time of yr for anyone with animals. Whether they are helping one or two or many !! I dont believe how many you help matter. A person helping one is as important as a person helping 20 . And I know people who help ferrals and cant even have a cat in their home, do to rental policies or allergies, financial circumstances. Spouse disagreements. Health reasons. I know kids in school who care about helping ferrals and drop offs. It is what I teach in my programs, no matter who you are or what your station in life or your current circumstances, what REALLY matters is that you care. that you ACT. THAT YOU DO SOMETHING. EVEN if it is only to put $1.oo in a can at an exhibit for those that dedicate their lives to helping animals. That we care, is the single most factor going! That a person takes action and makes a positive difference in the life of a being that has less or nothing, that is what truely matters . Not how much you can or cant do or that you have resources for. For a person with no arms and no legs still has a voice and can still share the message. We can all teach one person to teach one to care. and to ACT. You can give your usless things to people who find them usefull, like newspapers, cans, old blankets, your change for a month. , there are many things in the average home a person discards and people caring for animals full time desperatley can use. There was a halloween party this weekend, the people had over 20 bales of straw they were throwing on a burn pile, julies husband jumped out of his car and said hey dont burn that!! I know a lady that uses that for shelters for the ferrals in the winter. he explained to the folks what ferrals were and what we do here, he got me the straw. that will make warm wind blocks and warm bedding for many cats this winter. Why do many of us help those little beings that are less fortunate than we?? For some it is a way of life, a calling to your soul you can not ignore. for some it is the first one under a porch , for others , it is yrs of them just coming or being there. I can tell you one thing for sure, your first is never the last, there will always be more, one more in the alley, another in the street, two in the dumpster. and if you help, you will continue to help. it is part of our humanity. it is called compassion. it is called still having a heart in a heartless uncaring world. We have something different than the average person. They say, if you build it they will come.....they do , and they will come even if you dont have it built and then you will have to build it anyway. The numbers never diminish. What we need to do is cultivate more people that care. Educate more. Even if it is only one on one. In school, I tell students that they can do alot in their own back yards, whethere you live in the city or the country, doesnt matter, everyone can put a bowl of water on the porch in the am and pm and before bed, thats what they need in bad weather, water, fresh....and we can all afford one heated water bowl. place it outside in a quiet place. animals that are not threatened or cornered, will come for water. put food in a dish, it will disappear. put out warm water, they will come and drink , all kinds of animals come in the night. to you it is a small thing. to an animal in winter it is LIFE. We can all throw out bread crumbs, buy a bag of bird seeds and toss it out in the winter. If a student in second grade can understand the importance of that bowl of water daily outside, so can anyone else. Its a matter of doing it. of ACTING . WE keep a couple den boxes at opposite ends of the property and a couple small igloos, with a heated bowl and a heat lamp at each end, shelter for any ferral or transient that needs some help on a cold day. we put out food. its not primeribe, but it is food. cheap food is better than no food. you can help alot of animals that are ferral on cheap food vs iams! a ferral is happy for shelter , warmth and water, the food is his icing on the cake. Dont have time to help a ferral?? then pop 10 dollars a month into an envelope and make a REAL commitment to help and send that REGULARLY to someone who cares for ferrals on a regular basis. Send 5 dollars a mo to a no kill shelter or a sanctuary. ACT, do something,and put that bowl of water outside no matter what. water is the most difficult thing for animals to find in the cold. We can ALL be part of the solution rather than add to the problem. Inaction is as bad as being irresponsible. animals are in trouble everywhere. and the numbers rise. It never ends. And never will. So we do the best we can with what we have. Some of us are more creative than others. Some ,do more, some do less, what sets them apart and makes them equal is that they care and they ACT AND DO!! Yes, we have a ferral group, as well as many others. It is just a way of life, like breatheing. Some people save winos, we save animals. Either way, its the caring that matters, its the love! Helping with no strings, just helping because you are a loving person and animals are living beings. They are , as Shim Shimmle says, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. WE never stop and it never ends. And I wouldnt change my life for anything. We have a moral and ethical obligation to help them, to look after them , to care. We are all connected. What befalls the animals , befalls man!! Without the animals, man would die of lonely spirit.Care for them , care for one another, be kind to each other. And put out a bowl of water.
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