Need Advice on Homeless Cat

trc4941 · #1 06-01-2009, 10:34 AM

This last winter we spotted a stray black cat in our backyard. We noticed it going in our barn and under our shed. It would never let us get close to it. We had some terribly cold weather (below zero for days at a time) and my DH felt sorry for it (I did too) and made a little bed/house for it out of some cardboard boxes and old blankets put it in the barn and started leaving food and water for it. We would see it on occasion sunning itself during the day and always made sure we didn't let the dogs out when we knew it was outside. My husband fixed the barn door so that the dogs couldn't get in there.

This weekend we found a little black kitten in the barn!!! It looks to be a couple of months old. We looked around and didn't find or hear any other kittens, so we THINK she only had the one (or that is the only one that survived). The whole time we were looking, mama cat was hissing and growling at us, so needless to say, she won't let us near her.

Now what??!! Do we try to trap them and bring them to the humane society? Do we let them live out there but try and trap them and have them neutered? I don't want to become the crazy cat lady! We have 2 goofy boxers and one indoor cat, so bringing in 2 wild cats is not an option.

Help!

Holden's Mom · #2 06-01-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Now what??!! Do we try to trap them and bring them to the humane society? Do we let them live out there but try and trap them and have them neutered? I don't want to become the crazy cat lady! We have 2 goofy boxers and one indoor cat, so bringing in 2 wild cats is not an option

Trap them in a humane trap and have them neutered. Hopefully you have a low cost spay neuter clinic in your area. Feral cats are immediately put to sleep at shelters, unless you have a true no kill shelter like Best Friends that deals in feral cats. To see for yourself how ferals are treated at shelters, check out Alley Cat Allies, a group that supports humane treatment of feral cats.

http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=191

If I lived closer I would help you trap and neuter. My sister and I trapped and neutered six cats living under her house in Indianapolis. We placed the three kittens and within several months the adult cats live inside, outside.

So far you have done well. I wish you the best in trying to give these cats a better life, no kitties, even if that life is outside, with shelter available.

Pam and Autry

RoxiesEcho · #3 06-01-2009, 02:59 PM

I had the same problem recently. I say "had" because the mama cat has moved the kittens and even she isn't coming into the barn to eat anymore. I've seen her at the edge of the field but not the kittens so I'm afraid they are destined to be feral and baby machines, if they are still alive. UGGGHH! I've always been a responsible pet owner and even though they don't belong to me it makes me sick that I didn't catch them!

kayboxer · #4 06-01-2009, 03:15 PM

That is a hard one, because feral cats that haven't had shots can carry a lot of illnesses and diseases. Also, if they are using your yard as a litter box your dogs eat their feces, they can become very ill, as feral cat feces can carry a lot of nasties (even indoor/outdoor cats). Also, in rural areas it can be hard to find organizations to help with feral cats. Fine if you are near a larger city, but if not, good luck. I would trap them, or try, and call your vet to see if he has any suggestions or can suggest someplace to take them. It costs money to have them neutered/spayed and have their shots, especially when you have a family and two dogs, and on top of that catching them can be very difficult. Hopefully, your vet or local shelter can point you in the right direction without having to have them destroyed, hopefully that is not a last resort. Good luck.