The Great Escape!

Pippa

October-November 2016

Mistake #2! Charky and Star escaped from the garage! Accidentally, of course. I let one out and Don, the other, at different times.

Herding Feral Cats, Part 2

October 2016

Back to my Cat Relocation Plan

So I looked online to see if I could bring my little cat colony with us when we moved across the street. Shouldn't be hard, right?

I could pet Charky and Pippa easily. Even hold them in my lap. Got my carriers, picked up these two by the scruff of their necks at different times, and dropped them in. Had to trap Star because she is not so friendly that I could pick her up. Took them to my vet who gave them shots and put those very expensive flea collars on them.

Brought them back to the new house and let them go in the garage. First mistake!

They were fine, would find hiding places, but basically were OK. I wanted them to become acclimated to the new place, even though it's right across the street. We have a fenced-in backyard which would be very safe for them once I felt comfortable letting them go. What a dreamer I am!

Pippa eventually came into the house and seemed to be fine. She doesn't like to stay inside for a long time but she gets into my lap and loves to be loved. But when she wants out, she does not keep it a secret. Talks to you until you cave and let her out. I was so afraid that first time she went out the back door. She investigated the yard, climbed the fence, walked on top of the fence around the yard, and eventually came back!! Voila! Mission accomplished! Or so I thought.

The other two, Charky and Star, were still in the garage. Charky was venturing into the house but not comfortable at all. And then . . .

They escaped!!

That's not a cat!

Winter 2010

When you trap cats, sometimes other critters get into the act. And when you feed cats outside, you'll discover that blue jays, possums, and raccoons will partake and who knows what else when I'm not looking.

So we had a couple of possums and raccoons participate in our relocation program. I'm sure they're much happier now. I know I am. Unfortunately, there are more but that's for another story.

It's time to finish the Trap, Neuter, Release story.

Relocation Plan — Herding Cats!

October 2016

Let's see . . . Where were we? Oh, yeah, that's right. My daughter and her family moved to Nashville from Chicago and . . . they moved in with us. Temporarily. Which meant, a little over a year. Because they loved the school that Jordan was zoned for, they began looking for a house in the area. Yay for us, right?

Well, they couldn't find exactly what they wanted. So we offered to sell them our house. It seemed to have everything they needed and we need a house with bedrooms on the same level. Great idea! They accepted the offer and at the beginning of October, we moved.

Across the street. Yep. Got to stay close to those grandkids! And when the house across the street became available, we jumped at the chance! WooHoo!

Uh, oh! Now what do we do about our cats? About Kitty City? And, no, my daughter and son-in-law had no intentions of continuing their care. So I did what anybody would do–I Googled "How to relocate feral cats." Ha! Lots of information. The first thing that every site said was—DON'T!! It's too hard and the cats will not acclimate to new surroundings. They would leave and try to find their way back "home." And my little ones have known nothing other than our backyard. They've never had to fend for themselves. They've always had a warm place to sleep in the winter and food and water all year. Oh, my! I can't just leave them!

So I didn't!! LOL Trapping cats, once again. We had this great plan. My daughter and her family left for a week in Florida while we made the move. Everything went very well until . . . Hurricane Matthew! Florida evacuated the east coast and they came home 3 days earlier than planned. Yikes!! Still got cats to catch, specifically, SILVER!!

Not a problem. Bought a live trap, loaded it with chicken, and voila! Got her! Called the vet and set an appointment to take her to get shots, check-up, and de-flea-ed. Unfortunately, Belle had brought fleas into the house and they jumped right onto Silver, who we can't treat. She even had to be sedated before they could give her shots and check her. I get this phone call from the vet asking if it's OK for them to put a flea collar on her. It's great, they say, lasts for 8 months! Well, I say, That's wonderful. Except this is the first time she's been caught in 8 years. What makes you think I can catch her 8 months from now?!? LOL They laugh and put on a $60 collar!

So the indoor cats are transported safe and sound to their new home. Silver has found a bed to hide under so she's good. Belle is happy anywhere. All is well.

Out of Here!

August 2016

Five weeks ago, Silver decided once again that she need a vacation. I know it's been a while since I've written, but you might remember that Silver is not very bright. We love her, she loves us, but we've never touched her. She is very feral but has lived in our house for maybe 8-9 years? I can't remember. She has run away 2 times for about 3 weeks each time.

However, this time, it was understandable because our daughter and family have moved in with us and the noise and activity levels have increased considerably.

Ice and Snow and Feral Cats

Flash Forward, February 2015

Anyone who lives in the Middle Tennessee area knows about the "Snow Dome" and the inability of weather forecasters to forecast the weather. I call their obsessive behavior the Radar Show. It's most inconvenient when you want to watch normal TV.

Release!

January 2010 

Day 2 TNR

I was more than happy to fulfill the "Release" part of TNR. Big Yella was driving us crazy. He was more than ready to leave the premises.

So the next morning, I set the trap out and opened the door.

He ran away so fast and we laughed so hard because we knew he wished he had never come to our backyard.

And he never came back.

Never.