Come On Out!!

Hope to see everyone at K9s in the Vines this Sunday from 1-5pm at Linganore Winecellars!!!

Home Needed

These lovely ladies came to me because a woman's boyfriend was going to take them to the shelter.
They are very shy and very scared and do not like to be picked up, so their chances int he shelter would have been NIL. They have lived all their short lives in a basement without much human contact, but surprisingly are very friendly when they get to know you. They are litter trained, and spayed and have all their shots. They were even tested for FIV and FeLV, and are negative for both.
They need a happy indoor home where they can be loved. Please, if you or anyone knows of such a home, let me know ASAP.

Update on Charlie, the bloodhound

We have found Charlie a sanctuary that is a little closer to home. Greener Pasturse in PA.

The admission fee there is $3000 instead of $5000. We are still in need of $2000 of that fee.

 

If you can find it in your heart to donate even $1, we, and Charlie, would be so greatful.

Please visit www.awlfc.org to donate. Please reference CHARLIE so we know it's for him.

 

Thnak you so much!

Cold Weather Preparations

It is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to turn their lovely fall colors. Kids are back to school,
and grown-ups back to work, with little vacation in site. What does all this mean to a feral cat colony
care taker? It means clean up and winter prep.

It's time to empty out those shelters; removing all the old straw, washing and disinfecting them
if you can. Maybe laying down some flea repellent under new straw, (be careful to only put down
safe repellent as cats do burrow into the straw and stir it up) and removing bugs. Shelters are great for all kinds of insects and other critters. Stink bugs love them, but a cat doesn't love stink bugs. Your
ferals will not use your freshly made up house if it is harboring smelly bugs. Also, the stink bug smell just attracts more stink bugs, telling them there is a nice cozy place to hibernate for the winter.

You can get rid of the smell by first scrubbing thoroughly with a mixture of 1 qt of peroxide, 1/4c
of baking soda and 1 tsp of liquid ivory, then rinsing well. And to discourage stick bugs from re-
inhabiting, mints are a natural repellent. This includes catnip and cat mint, so have at it, grow it like gangbusters around your shelters, use it under straw or wherever you want!

If you have wood houses with home insulation you need to check that there are no holes,
all insulation needs to be safely tucked away from digging and burrowing cats.
If you use styrofoam as insullation, you'll want to be sure that there are no holes and shredded foam laying around, sometimes cats try to eat it, and that causes digestion problems and blockages. Straw
is a great natural insulator, so you can pack those walls up with it and not worry about what your
cats are digging into.

Once everything is clean it's time to pack with your new straw. Please, use only straw. It wicks away
moisture from cats when it's rainy or snowy. It does not mold or harbor bacteria that can lead to
URIs.  Do not be afraid to overstuff your shelter! The cats do burrow and create little sleeping areas deep down where it's warm.

Now that everything is ready in your shelters, it's time to start thinking of feeding and watering. Please do not use heated water dishes; cats can chewor scratch the wires, and they become brittle in
winter, causing shorts or electrical problems. You may need to go out and replenish water several
times on very cold winter days, but it's better than accidently electrocuting one of your babies. If you can find a bowl with a dark interior, it will retain more heat and keep the water from freezing
so quickly. As far as food goes, add 10-20% kitten kibble in with your regular food, it gives the cats some extra needed calories to stay warm during the cold winter months.

Remember to always care for your cats to the best of your ability. They count on you and in return
give you so much more!

Pure Breeds and Genetic Problems vs Robust Ferals

Purebred is a misnomer, if you're honest about it. There are so many different breeds
now that it can be quite difficult to tell one from another, unless there is a striking difference.
Breeding for specific color or feature is actually taking away a lot of genetic diversity, therefore
creating unforseen health problems. With every mating of two cats with certain traits, more genetic
information is lost, creating even more problems.

This is why a feral cat is healthier and genetically stronger than your purebred pet.
With all the diversity in a feral colony, you see the many colors, features and traits that you
have in the pure breeds.

I am working with a small colony right now that is mostly black cats, except for one that looks
just like a Tonkinese. In my colony, I have tuxedos, tabbies, long hair, short hair, solid black, and
gray kitties. I've seen a litter of Siamese kittens with 2 ornage and white siblings. The diversity is
what makes each cat a surprise, and I am the happier for them.

I am not saying purebred cats are not terrific pets, and I am not saying that people should not get one
if they want, but I will say this, if you are looking for a purebred breed, be aware of the genetic issues
your new pet will have. You can do a search online, or there is a great list on Blog About Cats. Also, and this is VERY important, please get one from a breed specific rescue. They will have kittens and adult cats. These cats are usually rescued from pet stores, backyard breeders and hoarders, and they make wonderful pets. As the saying goes...."don't breed or buy while other pets die".

emergency preparedness

Be Prepared for Disasters

Emergency situations like extreme weather and natural disasters can happen without warning. For the safety of your pets, feral cat colonies, and your family, and your own peace of mind, be prepared and establish a “disaster plan.”

As you plan, it’s important to remember that feral cats are resourceful. The outdoors is their home, so they know how to deal with weather. As we have experienced with our Boardwalk Cats Project in Atlantic City, animals often can sense when bad weather is coming and move to higher ground and safe places instinctually. However, there are still things you can do both ahead of time and during emergencies to help outdoor cats and your own pets:

Prepare

• Have descriptions of your pets and the cats in your colony, along with photos. If you need to look for displaced cats in shelters or other rescue areas, this will help accurately identify them. Make sure all pet tags and animal microchips have up-to-date information.
• Have a back-up caregiver who is responsible for the colony in your absence and network with other feral cat caregivers in your area to set up a ‘buddy system’ to create a safety net of care for the cats. You may be able to find other cat caregivers in your area through our Feral Friends Network.
• Make an emergency contact card for your pets and feral cat colonies in case you are not immediately available. Include all contact information for your substitute caregiver. Carry this card in your wallet and your car, give copies to your backup caregiver, and post it somewhere visible in your home like on the refrigerator.
• Make a list of local shelters and their contact information. You will need this information in case you need their help or resources.
• Keep an Emergency Supply Kit on hand and know where to find it quickly.

When harsh weather is forecast or predicted:

• If appropriate, turn all openings for feral cat shelters and feeding stations away from the storm surge or toward higher ground. If possible, move them to slightly higher, protected ground nearby.
• Fill multiple food and water bowls in case you have to evacuate and can't return immediately.
• In general, don’t want for evacuation orders to come before you leave the area.

If you do need to evacuate:

• Bring your pets with you, but do not try to trap and contain unsocialized feral cats.
• Have a safe place to go ahead of time. Evacuation and Red Cross shelters do not usually accept pets. Make a list of pet-friendly hotels outside the evacuation zone. La Quinta and Motel 6 are two consistently pet-friendly chains. Check with family and friends. And lastly, have a list of boarding facilities that may be available during an emergency.
• Bring your emergency supply kits, as well as additional provisions to provide the feral colony, upon your return.

After the disaster has passed and it is safe to return:

• Begin cleaning up the colony area to remove any potential hazards for the cats. Check feeding stations and outdoor shelters for damage.
• Look for the cats in your colony. If any are missing, immediately:
• Determine which agencies, if any, are on the ground in your area assisting animals. Contact those organizations directly and provide a description of the cats you are missing. Determine how you can claim these cats if they are found.
• Contact your local shelters. Ask if they are trapping cats in your area, and determine how long they will hold feral cats. Shelters may be experiencing a high volume of calls and influx of animals. For this reason, we advise that caregivers go to the shelters in person to find missing cats. Determine from shelter staff how you can claim your cats.
• Don't panic if the cats aren’t waiting when you get back. Cats can hide for days after severe weather before returning to their colonies.

Emergency Supply Kits

Alley Cat Allies encourages pet owners to have a basic disaster supply kit ready at all times. The following items should be kept in an easily accessible and easy-to-carry backpack or duffel bag in case you need to evacuate quickly. Disaster kit basics for pets include:

• Pet first-aid kit
• Supply of prescription medications for pets. Always remember to rotate these out of your kit and keep track of expiration dates so you are not carrying around useless or bad medication.
• Veterinary and microchip ID records for both pet cats and colonies
• Pet food (3-7 days worth; be sure to rotate these out of your kit as needed) and dishes (collapsible are good)
• Litter box and litter
• Leash and collar
• Crate or carrier; pillow case other item in case you need to quickly grab your pet to leave.
• Blankets or towels
• Photos of pets and cats in colonies in case they need to be identified
• Bottled water (7 day supply per person and pet)
• Your kit for the people in your family, which should include: flashlight and extra batteries; credit card and cash; copies of personal identification; a portable, solar- or battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries; an extra set of car keys; matches in a waterproof container; duct tape; extra clothing and shoes; extra medication and copies of insurance information; permanent marker; and an all-in-one tool like a Swiss army knife or Leatherman®.

Helping Others

If you plan on responding to a disaster as a volunteer, we recommend transporting the following items that are always in demand during emergency animal rescue:

• Bottled water
• Dry and canned pet food and can openers
• Dog crates and carriers
• Humane cat traps
• Old towels, sheets, and blankets
• Leashes and collars
• Litter boxes
• Heavy gloves and protective clothing
• Lanterns and flashlights with batteries
• Portable generators
• Medical supplies:
• bandages
• sterile gauze pads
• absorbent dressing
• antiseptic
• flea and tick repellants
• instant cold packs
• latex gloves

We hope these tips help you, your family, and your cats stay safe in emergencies.

Thank you to Alley Cat Allies for this informative article.

 

 

 

November 4, 2012 (daylight savings time ends)

What do you to to prepare or do you?

 

As much as we hate the clock changing every spring and fall, we have to do it, but what about

our feral cat colonies? Cats don't wear watches and couldn't tell time if they did! They do,

however, get used to feeding time and can tell when that is internally. So when you have to

change your schedule, what do you do? It is best if we can keep their feeding time

consistent, especially if there is trapping going on, but sometimes we can't do that if we have

a work schedule that demands we be away from the colony at the old feeding time.

 

If you can start out a week or more ahead and start slowly moving feeding time,

you and the cats will greatly benefit. Then neither of you will be stressed when the

day actually arrives.

 

I start out several weeks in advance and slowly move the time, back or forward,

to accommodate the change. If I can't get it all the way to the new time because

of work, then I continue after the change till it switches to an agreeable time

for all. My cats hardly seem to notice this way, and I still get to see most of them

at feeding time to account for their presence and health.

 

Good luck and keep those ferals healthy!

Something is strange today. My ferals are acting weird. Ank is headbutting me, Lokai is aloof and not eating, I had to go find Pretty Pretty, Farrah's not eating....Snowy, Smudge, Patch, Bandit, Smokey and Callie are all MIA this feeding, Bastet, El Tigre and Midnight are the only ones acting normal;....or maybe they're just clueless. Hmmmmm.....

Please go to www.awlfc and donate what you can. We need to raise $5000 to transport and secure him a sanctuary home in NY at Spirit Animal Sanctuary, where he will be in the hands of a loving
trainer and behaviorist. Charlie has been fostered many times and lately boarded for over a year.
Due to his unpredictable nipping when hungry, we feel he is better off in a sanctuary home.

Lokai went in for another asthma shot today. It is heartwrenching to
see him suffer! If anyone knows anyone who will be able to give
him a good indoor home, please let me know!!

Litter Train a Feral?

Some people think that this is an impossible task, others may ask why

you feel the urge to do so, but as feral caretakers know, there are just

some instances when you want to. The cat in question may be turning into a friendly,

or the situation may be dangerous and you need to rescue, or an injury may

result in your having to bring the cat in for follow up medical care; whatever

the circumstances, the question of litter training does occur.

Of course, you may find it is a non-issue as some cats readily take to a box, but for those

cats for whom it just seems impossible, try these tips.

First find the largest box you can, and remove the lid if it has one.

If a standard large litter box is not comfortable for the cat, find

a large plastic bin at one of the box stores. Fill it with soft garden dirt,

placing a small amount of the cat's feces in the box if you can find it.

(Only do this if you are certain it came from the cat you are trying

to train.) Make sure you place the box far enough away from food

and water bowls in a room that you can close and has an easy to

clean floor. After the cat has eaten, shut him in the room with the box for a

few hours. This will insure that he cannot eliminate in a hidden area of your home.

After a few days of this, the cat will know where the box is and what to do.

Then you can start letting him out in larger area of your home, or all over while

supervised; only shutting him in if you are away for any length of time.

Do this for as long as it takes for the cat to get the idea. Once he has started

using the box, slowly switch over litter. You do this by addinig small amounts

of litter each time you scoop or clean the box. Do not use harsh chemicals,

such as bleach during this period, as you want the cat to continue using

the box instead of shunning it. (You should never use a harsh chemical

when cleaning litter boxes, it is unhealthy and any cat may shun the box

because of smell.)

If, for any reason, the cat stops using the box and shows inapropriate

elimination (and you are sure there is no medical reason to do so0, back

up a few steps and continue the training. Eventually, you will have switched to

an all littler box and the cat wil be trained.

Some cats will take to a box right away, being easily trained, some will

take longer. Some will seem near to impossible, and it will take determination

to find the right size box, the right kind of litter, the right placement in your

home, etc. Be patient, never blaming the cat for faulty bathroom habits, he did

have all of the outdoors before and he may be having a hard time adjusting

to indoor life, not just new bathroom training.

Happy litter training!

I haven't seen Simba since Tuesday. He is a regular at the breakfast table
and he comes every evening to nibble up scraps. When I did see him last
on Tuesday evening he was not acting right....I wonder if he was the one
fighting in the woods a few days ago.

Of course, I can not get close or touch him so was unable to check him
out.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers....

Feral Cats and the Public—A Healthy Relationship

The science behind why feral cats are safe members of our communities

(Download a PDF version of this document)

Public health policies all over the country reflect the scientific evidence: feral cats live healthy lives outdoors and don’t spread disease to people. But, advocates of catch and kill programs continue to justify this cruel practice by insisting that feral cats represent a threat to public health because they do spread disease. “There's simply no evidence to back up these claims,” says Deborah L. Ackerman, M.S., Ph.D., an adjunct associate professor of epidemiology at the UCLA School of Public Health.

More and more, public health officials are embracing Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and replacing outdated policies based on unfounded fears.

“I'm not a cat or animal lover,” says Ron Cash, director of the Atlantic City Department of Health and Human Services, "But I believe the complaints and hysteria about disease as result of feral cats are overblown.”

Most diseases that infect cats can only be spread from cat to cat, not from cat to human. You are much more likely to catch an infectious disease from the person standing in line with you at the grocery store than from a cat.¹ In fact, a 2002 review of cat-associated diseases published in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded that, “cats should not be thought of as vectors for disease transmission.”²

Infectious diseases can only spread from cats to humans via direct contact with either the cat or its feces, and feral cats typically avoid humans. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that cats are rarely a source of disease, and that it is unlikely for anyone to get sick from touching or owning a cat.³ “Feral cats pose even less risk to public health than pet cats because they have minimal human contact, and any contact that does occur is almost always initiated by the person,” says Ackerman.

Science Shows Feral Cat Colonies Pose No Disease Risk to Humans

The health risks that catch and kill advocates most often blame on cats are intestinal parasites, rabies, flea-borne typhus, and toxoplasmosis. Yet the spread of these diseases has never been conclusively linked to feral cats.

Parasites are Species Specific

Ackerman says that the risk of catching an intestinal parasite like Cryptosporidium and Giardia from cats has been vastly over-hyped. Molecular studies show that these parasites are usually species specific—meaning that the type that infects cats does not infect humans—and “some studies even suggest that cats and other animals are more likely to catch these parasites from humans than vice-versa,” according to Ackerman.

No danger from rabies

The notion that stray cats spread rabies is another empty argument used by advocates of catch and kill programs, says Ackerman. The last confirmed cat-to-human transmission of rabies occurred in 1975 and the risk of catching rabies from a feral cat is almost non-existent. Statistics from the CDC show that as a source of rabies infections, cats rank way behind wild animals like bats, skunks, and foxes who account for more than 90% of reported cases of the disease.⁴

And, Trap-Neuter-Return is a safeguard against rabies, because “the vaccination component of TNR programs ensures that the cats in managed colonies cannot catch or spread rabies,” says Ackerman.

Even in the unlikely event that a feral cat develops rabies, it can't spread the disease to people without biting them, and feral cats rarely seek direct contact with humans. The idea that cats will unexpectedly jump out of alleys and bite children is just as ridiculous as it sounds. A 1998 analysis showed that about 90% of cat bites were provoked, and the vast majority of cat bites are caused by pets.⁵

Cash says that since Atlantic City began its TNR program, he hasn't had a single complaint about feral cat bites or scratches. Learn more about why feral cats do not spread rabies.

Flea-borne Typhus is Rare and Cats Don't Play a Part in the Fleas Arrival or Growth 

Flea-borne typhus is another infectious disease sometimes erroneously blamed on feral cats. The disease is caused by Rickettsiabacteria that infect fleas, and most U.S. cases occur in Texas, Hawaii, and California. Although infected fleas may hitch a ride on feral cats, the chance of becoming infected with flea-borne typhus via a feral cat is extremely low. In fact, Ackerman says, “flea-borne typhus is rare even in areas such as Southern California, where the disease is endemic.” For instance, in 2009, Orange County, California reported 12 cases of flea-borne typhus out of a population of 3 million residents⁶, making the chance of infection just 1 in 250,000—about the same as the risk of being hit by an asteroid.⁷

Removing cats does not halt the spread of flea-borne typhus, because cats don't spread the disease—the fleas themselves do. Cats are merely a host for fleas and if the cats are eliminated, the fleas simply find another host like squirrels and raccoons. “Fleas are very versatile. They live on cats, dogs, opossums, rats, and mice,” Ackerman says.

For this reason, public health officials in Texas, where flea-borne typhus is endemic, have focused their efforts on controlling fleas, rather than their hosts. Outbreaks are rarely traced to cats. In 2008, the CDC and Texas health authorities examining a cluster of flea-borne typhus in Austin found the Rickettsia bacteria in only 18% of cats, as compared to 44% of dogs and 71% of opossums, near the homes of people infected with the disease.⁸

Most Cases of Toxoplasmosis Stem from Undercooked Food, Not Cats

Catch and kill advocates sometimes argue for killing feral cats because they can transmit toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease that spreads via Toxoplasma oocysts shed in the feces of an infected animal. But studies show that the overwhelming majority of toxoplasmosis cases actually result from eating undercooked meat. According to CDC statistics, toxoplasmosis is the third leading cause of food-borne illness-related death in the U.S.⁹

Pregnant women and their fetuses face a higher risk from the disease—a fact that catch and kill advocates often abuse to incite public paranoia—but a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2002 concluded that pregnant women were unlikely to catch toxoplasmosis from a cat.¹⁰

It's rare for anyone to catch toxoplasmosis from a household pet (cats are not the only carriers; dogs, birds, and other mammals can also carry the parasite), let alone a feral cat with whom they have no contact. Even if a cat is infected with Toxoplasma, it typically only sheds the disease-spreading oocysts for a few weeks. To catch an infection, a person would need to have direct contact with these infected feces. Most people go out of their way to avoid touching the contents of their pet cat's litter box, and they're even less likely to touch feral cat feces. In other words, even if a feral cat leaves feces in your garden, you would need to touch it and then somehow ingest the feces to get toxoplasmosis.

Colony Caregivers are as Healthy as Everyone Else

Maybe the best proof that feral cats pose no health risk to people is that feral cat caregivers are healthy. “If feral cats transmitted disease to humans,” says Ackerman, “colony caregivers, who spend more time around feral cats than most people, would experience a heightened rate of disease, and this simply isn't the case.” None of the many caregivers she's interviewed have ever reported becoming sick from their work with feral cats. No study has ever shown that colony caregivers have any increased risk of disease, despite their regular contact with feral colonies.

Catch and Kill doesn’t Improve Public Health

“Catch and kill policies are fear-based and rely on old wives' tales and flawed research to justify prejudice against cats,” says Ackerman. Removing feral cats is never a sustainable solution, because that only opens up new territory for other feral cats to use. Learn more about this vacuum effect. According to Ackerman, there's absolutely no evidence that catch and kill policies reduce the incidence of human disease.

Trap-Neuter-Return Programs Protect Public Health and Prevent the Spread of Disease

Trap-Neuter-Return programs help to stabilize feral cat populations, and the vaccination component ensures that cats are protected against disease. These programs also allow cat caregivers and public health officials to monitor the health of cats in the community and ensure that they're immunized—and that “protects the health of cats and humans alike,” says Cash.

Catch and kill programs offer no such similar benefits, because cats are simply removed without regard to their health.

“TNR is good public health policy,” says Cash. Atlantic City has been collaborating with Alley Cat Allies for the past ten years to manage feral cat colonies under the city's famous boardwalk. The TNR program that Atlantic City developed with Alley Cat Allies has never posed any health problems to the community, says Cash.

“Before our relationship with Alley Cat Allies, I was getting numerous complaints about feral cats,” he said. But since Alley Cat Allies began managing these colonies with TNR, the problems have ceased entirely, he says. “The [cat] population that's here is much healthier,” says Cash. "They're coexisting with people very well now. Most people don't even know the cats are there.”

While catch and kill advocates cling to outdated thinking and hyped-up stories, the people studying, teaching, and defending public health recognize that feral cats do not spread disease to people. Policies based on fear, hype, and hysteria serve neither the public nor the cats, and will only end in more cats being killed.

Instead, feral cat policies should reflect the science and the facts—feral cats are healthy animals. From a public health standpoint as well as a humane one, the best approach for feral cats is Trap-Neuter-Return because it benefits the cats and the community.

-Thanks Alley Cat Allies for this great article!

4th of July

As much as we all love a holiday, and Independence Day, we know our pets do not.

Many cats will be found hiding under beds or in closets. Many dogs will be trembling in fear.

The best thing you can do for them is keep them home with doors and windows closed.

Calm your dogs with Thundershirts. Prepare a safe haven for your cat. Treat them with

respect and understanding, comforting them when they need it. Most of all, keep them

safe.

This is not a possibility for a feral cat or colony, however. Any caretaker's worse fear

is to lose a member because they ran away, or worse....some sadistic person gets

hold of one and ties firecrackers to them.

However, we can take some precations to keep them safe, similar to those you would take

for your pet. Prepare some safe places for them to hide; boxes and shelters hidden away

from the public, but readily accessible to the cats will work nicely. Clean up their feeding

stations and hide them away from view so mischevious people will not take notice.

If the colony is in a park or close to a firework zone, you may consider trapping and housing

them overnight (ask a local rescue if you can borrow traps for the occasion). Make sure

you give them extra time to resurface for the next feeding. They may still be in hiding

from the nights trauma. Call them gently and give them some extra time before picking

up food so they can be coaxed out. Provide plenty of water, after a night of

terror, they will be parched.

Here's hoping that they all have a safe holiday!

A daily dilemma for a feral.....

Wildfires

are a real worry for many people in the US and the world over.
You not only have to prepare for yourselves, but for your pets as well.

You need resources, evacuation plans,
safe places to go and a myriad of other
things.






If you are a caretaker of a feral colony, it can be even worse.
How can you get the cats someplace safe? Can you catch them all in time? What about smoke inhilation?

I don't know what to tell you. I haven't come across it....yet. I hope I never do. However, I can tell you that you should try to make the same plans as you would for your pets. Maybe contact a feral friendly rescue that will help you with arrangements, maybe contact a farmer away from the fire path and ask to house your cats for a day or two until danger passes. Keep plenty of cool moist (not soaking wet) towels on hand to cover cages so as not to singe fur or breathe too much smoke. Also, do try to get them all to safety, it may not be possible, but try for their sake. Some cats can get so fearful that they hide and burrow into someplace that won't be safe. Many may run too far and not be able to return home afterwards; especially because smells have changed greatly. Have posters ready and friends on hand when you return to help locate any that were still at large.

I hope this gives you some ideas, and I am always open to your ideas and experienes so that I can share them with others.

Have a safe and happy summer!
MEOW

Taming Kittens

I was called out to trap some kittens that were being threatened by a fox.
One had already found his way to humans, one was not lucky enough to
survive the fox, and 2 are in my garage, being "socialized". 

For 2 days I had the 3 survivors, but the little boy, that was the first to find
a safe haven with humans, has not really wanted to be back with his sibs.
Perhaps he no longer wants to share, or he just thinks he's human himself!

The 2 that I have now will be going to a foster home soon. The little
female has gotten quite friendly; purring when held and exploring the
garage. Readily playing with toys, me and her brother...all in all,
being a cute kitten.

The boy, however, is still scared. He will spit and hiss, but he has allowed
me to pick him up a few times, and he will let me pet him while he eats.
Of course, he's not thrilled with that aspect, but he is getting used to it.

He has a long way to go though, and I am glad they are only 10-11
weeks old as it gives him another month or more to be tamed.

They are a beutiful color though, and have the lovliest eyes, so
when they are ready, they will be adopted quickly.

Look for pics or video later!

RIP Whitey.
Whitey had gotten sick. I did get him to the
vet and started meds, but it just made him distrustful
of me again. Then he started hiding from me, and
when he needed me most he would not let me help.
He has found his last super-good hiding place and
I have not seen him in 4 days. He was in bad shape
then, having not eaten for a few days before, so I am
certain he has crossed the bridge.
Miss you, Whitey! <3

We have 2 new babies from a site in Thurmont. The third kitten
who's picture this is, has decided he's a person, and he now spits
at his siblings. He has gone to a foster home, while these two
need some taming.

We have made progress though, with play and food and
stroking. The bigger one even let me pick her up for a bit.

May is World Lyme Disease Month. Pets are suseptible, too, probably more so than their human companions. We can not see a rash on their skin however, so diagnosis takes much longer. Symptoms include stiffness and inflammation, loss of appetite, lethargy. swollen lymphnodes, labored breathing, fever, dehydration and sudden loss of consciousness. If left untreated, kidney and heart problems can occur. For feral cats, ticks abound. There is not much a caretaker can do and it is painful to see our babies suffer with ticks, fleas, worms and other parasites. If you can not sneak medication (like advantage or revolution) on them while they are eating, what else can you do? Home remedies abound, but please be careful when administering them. Garlic, for example, causes red blood cell damage in cats, so please, do not use this one. You may try to mix 1 part apple cider vinegar to 6 parts water, for their drinking water, but cats are notorious for avoiding water with powerful smells. If they will drink it, it may halp in keping ticks and fleas off your crew. You may also find that diatomaceous eath around and in shelters will help, but be certain to buy "Food Grade". It is always best to seek the advice of a professional if you have any questions. I hope this helps keep you all safe and happy!

Great sign for working cats on a San Antonio Golf Course!!!

Lost Farrah

I am missing a kitty this morning. SHe NEVER misses breakfast. So what are you to do with a feral that's gone missing? You treat it like any other pet. Post fliers, call Animal Control and the shelter, call local vets, and most of all LOOK, LOOK, LOOK! I will be doing lots of this today!

3/18/2012

Kitties are enjoying the spring!

I had a chance to be interviewed on talk radio.
You can listen at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/a-variety-of-pets/2012/03/18/feral-cat-coordinator-in-maryland.

Hope you enjoy it as much as the cats enjoy spring!

Warmer Days 3/14/12

With the warmer weather coming, I've been trying to dose
the cats with flea prevention. They've had most of the winter off,
so are not taking kindly to me coming at them with a
tiny little squirt tube. So far I've gotten 2 out of the
6 that usually let me touch them. My hope is to get all 6
dosed by this weekend, so I can remember to follow up next month
at tax time.

March 4th

Everybody is enjoying another cool day, since they
haven't started shedding their winter coats.

Us humans had some steaks on the grill and the kitties are loving the aromas-

I can see I will soon need to start flea treatments soon, and have
already started 'coon patrol at night. One GIANT racoon has been gobbling
up the dinner portion of kitty food. We love when they hibernate, but
know it doesn't last forever. We certainly don't want them hit on the
road as they come for free treats, so it's best to pick up all leftover
food right after dark.

I hope for better pics and maybe some video of the cats when it gets a
little warmer!

Till next time-
Happy catting!

February 10, 2012

Another spring is upon us, and kittens will be showing up everywhere. Many
of us in rescue dread this time of year as there are never enough homes
for all the kittens found.

As much as we love to come in and swoop up the kittens as soon as we find them,
the best thing for them is to be left with mom till they are about 5-8 weeks old.
If you are one of the many people who caretake a colony of feral cats, this period
of waiting can be nerve-wracking. We want to get the kittens as early as possible
so they have a better chance of becoming tame, and we hope that mom-cat won't
move them at the last minute so we cannot find them when the time is right.

The best thing to do is to prevent mom from having kittens in the first place.
Yes! I know I lecture everyone on the benefits and responsibilities of spay/neuter.
I won't do it here and now...

If you know a female feral has had kittens somewhere. Observe mom the best you
can to see where she may have stashed them, then LEAVE HER ALONE! If you are
fearful she may move them before you can get your hands on them, make places
that will be enticing to her. Places she will feel safe moving them to include
dark hidey-holes, boxes, hidden shelters, a comfy spot under your deck, easy
access to food and water and ALWAYS an emergency exit.

Keep an eye on mom as she will bring the kittens up to eat as early as 4 weeks
old. (Frankly, I have seen feral kittens playing in the commmunity food bowl
as young as 3 weeks old!) When mom-cat starts bringing them regulary to the food
station, set up a kitten trap or drop trap in the area and let them get used
to the new item before trying to spring it. Many times you can get them all
in one fell swoop when they are used to eating under a drop trap.
Then you can set mom free but put the kittens in a cage and get started with
the taming!

If you find a litter of kittens that you feel may be abandoned, please go a
distance away and observe them for a while....sometimes a long while....2 hours
should suffice. This will give mom a chance to come back with dinner, or to pick
up her next kitten in the moving process. If you are certain that mom-cat is
not returning, then you can take the kittens home. Keep them warm and start
the bottle feeding....call your local vet if you are uncertain as many times they
will advise you or put you in contact with your local rescue group.

I hope this gives you hope as kitten season fast approaches. Please keep an eye
out for the little kits....they can turn up anywhere!

February 6, 2012

Oh no....Missing in action this morning were Bastet and Lokai.
I am worried about Lokai as he has not been feeling well, and Bastet
is always here!!

What to do???

January 31, 2012

This is Lokai enjoying breakfast. He is my firendliest feral. He has asthma
and needs to go to the vet every couple months to get a shot. He likes to hide
from me when his breathing gets bad because he knows he will end up in a carrier
going to the vet to get poked. Poor baby :(

The weather was very nice this morning, and I had a larger crowd for breakfast.
I expect most of them tomorrow, too, but we will get cold again by the end of
week.

I hope they don't start shedding their winter coats before it is all said and done!

1/12/2012

This is Ank. One of my oldest ferals. She is very friendly at feeding time,
and curious about everything that goes on. She will follow me (at a safe
distane) when I am outside.

We had pretty weather this morning, but still not a lot of cats. I saw
Cali this afternoon and I saw Smokey last night, but they are missing
breakfast. Perhaps they are getting food from a neighbor, so don't need
to come all the way to me for breakfast when the weather is not optimal.

1/11/2010

At 7:13am the weather said it was 24 degrees out, but it didn't seem
to be true, there was only a thin film of ice on the water bowls.
There were only 7 cats for breakfast, so maybe it was colder than I thought.

They had their choice of tuna or salmon; usually favorites among all.

We are all looking forward to a warmer day tomorrow, and
loving the mild winter after 2 years of heavy snows.

1/9/12

Mark has been feeding the last couple of mornings,
so I haven't seen much of my boys and girls. I will be
back on track tomorrow am-

1/4/2012

This morning, even though I was up on time, I still only had
half of the group. Midnight was not limping or hopping today,
which is a relief, but I will need to watch him as he could get an
absess later on. It was still bitterly cold as well, so I think
most are holed up somewhere warm these days.

Hopefully, I will be able to get pictures uploaded soon to introduce
you to each cat.

1/3/2012

I awoke late this morning to find only a handful of the colony waiting
patiently for their breakfast.

I noticed Midnight hopping on 3 legs when he finished up, so I will have to
see if he will let me see what's up with that, and soon-

The 3 little girls are doing well and catching mice. I also noiced that
Farrah was a little bewildered by the wind and snow flurries we had today.