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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI need cat advice.
No, I don't mean advice from a cat. But...if you are a cat, please chime in.
Three years or so ago, neighbors moved and left their cat. I began leaving food out for him. Eventually he stopped showing up, but a few of the other neighborhood cats had. Fast forward to now and I find myself feeding two cats out of the front of the house, who used to come to the back door befroe a pushy cat showed up and chased them from the food. I tried to chace her away, but this pushy cat eventually showed up with four kittens, who, naturally, I had to feed. They were brought to me to feed. So I fed, and still do. Now I have four nearly-grown kittens, sometimes their mom, and sometimes a small but grown long-haired grey cat. And lately new cats I've never seen before.
If I had opened a new restaurant, business would be booming.
They're all stunning and what nice site for a few, but something's gotta give. My neighbor's dogs are going wild day in and day out, I have a parade of cats into and out of my yard, daily, arguments and fights (just the cats, so far), and now my front door smells like cat urine. I've been claimed, I guess.
It's all getting a little too much, and a line's gotta be drawn.
I won't feel bad not feeding the grown cats, they can hunt. But the kittens - I'm the food guy to them, I can't just stop feeding them, can I? What will happen to them if I do?
I've been looking for a home for them, but they're too old for those I've talked with. I guess I should trap and get them neutered and checked out. But after that, assuming I could catch them, what do I do with them? I can't send them home, I am home.
madmom
(9,681 posts)Last fall a small scroungy looking small kitty showed up on our back deck. We started feeding him and made a box for him to sleep in to get out of the weather. He is now full grown and lives with us, but the neighborhood cats are trying to take his box and do often steal his food. He is getting big enough and strong enough that he defends his territory now without our help.
Good luck to you and the kitties!
hamsterjill
(15,214 posts)It's not going to solve your problem immediately, but it's going to stop the breeding and increase of numbers. Neutering the males will also stop much of the spraying, etc. Once neutered, it takes about 30 days for the testosterone to leave the male cat's body completely, so be prepared to give it a little time.
Best source is Alley Cat Allies at www.alleycat.org
The cats have grown to depend on you for food and even the older ones may not be able to resort to hunting. You were chosen...now you just have to finish the project by getting them fixed, etc.
I don't know where you're located, but there are many TNR organizations all over the country that offer low cost (and many times "free" spay/neuter services, the availability of borrowing humane traps (if needed), and information, etc.
I wish you the best of luck and I thank you for caring about these critters!!! Please don't leave them high and dry, however.