Cat Colony suggestions

[Mou Chat]

My son just accepted the position of a board member
for a Humane Society and he needs some information
from you ladies if you are willing to share.
A woman has a cat colony in a big barn and is asking for their assistance in maintaining it. I
have my own colony at our barns but it is very
diffrent because of my personal care. All of these
cats are s/n but very feral. He wants to know if
there is any way they can be tamed and made adoptable. Do you have to start with only babies
to achieve that? Will new cats come in that are
not s/n? This is rural so there are not city cats
that show up unless someone traps them and dumps them there. Please send me any experience, suggestions and sites that you think are good at
my e-mail address above. THANK YOU.

[Traci]

Tell DS he's a guy after our own hearts! Bless him for wanting to be a board member and I hope he can take more action than most board members do.

The best information source on the web for feral cats/maintaining colonies, care/feeding/shelter, TNR, community alliances etc:

Alley Cat Allies.
http://www.alleycat.org

Important links within this site:

Learn About Feral Cats:
http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=434

Questions and Answers:
http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=924

The distinction between stray cats and feral cats
http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=712

Steps to determine adoptable status of stray cats and feral cats:
http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=884

You made a very important point already, that of your own colony and your personal care and attention. All feral cat colonies demand extraordinary commitment from the caretakers, often at their own expense. I'm guessing the lady may also need help with food, vet care expenses etc, so that's something she and local organizations will have to discuss and develop alliances with. The good news is that they are all spayed and neutered, but they should also be vaccinated as well.

Most feral kittens before, at or slightly over 12 weeks of age can be adoptable, depending again, on their environment and the caretaker, if the caretaker has been committed enough to socialize the kittens so they are adaptable to humans. Foster homes also are great resources here to help socialize kittens and prepare them for adoption.

As for adults, it depends. Some ferals were in fact, prior pets who were lost, strayed from home, or abandoned - so, depending on their environment, the caretaker's relationship with them, their willingness to be around humans without fear, those cats too can be good candidates for adoption, but I would suggest foster homes first to determine for certain.

One problem with removing a cat or cats from a feral colony is that they have already bonded to their colony, and removal can cause undue stress and behavioral changes for the cat, thus leading to health problems. Such a drastic transition can cause them enough stress to stop eating, to be fearful of new environments, to develop stress enough to cause illness in which resources may be so limited that vet care is limited, etc. Not fair to the cats. Like pet cats, it would be ideal if cats could be paired and placed together, that is, if they are candidates for adoption.

Yes it is true in most colonies that removal of most or all of the cats will bring in more cats from the area. Cats are territorial by nature, and when feral, will bond together and usually stay in the same area because food and shelter is provided for them. Altered cats have less reason to roam and mate, so they tend to stay in their colony environment - they have already been accustomed to their outdoor environment and altering mainly ensures they will stay in the colony as long as food and shelter and care are provided. Unaltered males may come and go, will definitely roam looking to mate, may fight other males and even females in an attempt to establish territory, whether the other cats are altered or not. This is why it's ideal to spay and neuter every cat who makes his/her way to a colony, to prevent fighting, mating, disease transmission etc, and of course, to improve the life of the cat.

That said, it can be difficult and can take some time to determine, which cat may have been a prior pet or lost or a stray. In time, a lost or strayed cat without human socialization may become feral, but it depends on the individual cat how he/she may once again become adaptable to humans again - here is where the colony caretaker can make the difference.

Without knowing what kind of "assistance" the lady needs, it's hard to really advise on her particular situation. Does she have too many to properly care for? Do people keep abandoning their cats on her property? Can she properly care for, feed and shelter them but needs additional monetary resources to pay for that?

Whenever we talk about ferals, I always want to make an important point that TNR and colony management is important for the welfare of the cats (as well as working with others to ensure non-supporters do not interfere with those efforts) - never relinquish feral cats to an animal shelter, kill-shelter or otherwise, since most of the employees are volunteers, understaffed, and many will never take the time to properly determine a lost or scared cat from a feral cat. Feral cats are too often euthanized immediately when taken to shelters. TNR and colony management affords them a suitable home, food, shelter and care.

I'm not sure what your son's intentions are in the capacity of his position at the Humane Society, or whom he has to work with (collaborations or resistance, it all matters greatly to the cats), but if his goal is to help make a difference in the lives of feral cats and helping colony caretakers, then the foremost thing is finding those in the community who have the same goals - getting support from reputable rescue orgs, vets, foster homes, community leaders who have fund-raising experience, discounts on food and supplies, etc. It is a daunting task and a never ending task but a rewarding one all the same. I'm sure his duties will include input on adoptions, care for other animals at the facility etc, but his input as a board member will make a great difference to all of them.

Btw, I've heard of the Feral Cat Coalition in Oregon, they may be able to help you with resources or tips, might want to check them out and vet their organization? http://feralcats.com

[Mou Chat]

THANK YOU TRACI MY LOVE!!!!

[Traci]

You're very welcome

[Tambrey]

Our local humane society and animal control both want to establish a TNR program and have discussed it as a joint effort in the past, for the city and surrounding communities....I have brought it up to them on more than one occassion....

Problem here is that the veterinarians do not want to participate....in the words of one...who just remodeled his entire office and relandscaped..."why should we go to the expense of TNR and continued aftercare when we can just euthanize and be done with them?"....AARRGGHHHH....they why the he** is he a vet to begin with?!

Sooo...cats continue to multiply and people complain...and they get dumped in the country...and shot and hit by cars and who knows what all else....it is so sad and disgusting....

Bless your son for taking this position and wanting to propose this program and help the woman with her colony....I wish them all the best!!

[Mou Chat]

Thank you for your post. I know the problem all too well.

I do have a vet that might help by gping waaaaay over there
once a month to s/n for just the cost.....'cause he loves Craig
and myself. He has been my vet for 40 years, and is semi-retired.

[Tina B and crew]

Good for your son!!

Tambrey...that vet sounds deplorable. Ugh! I understand the need to make money but the more vets who chip in the less each one of them has to give.

[Mou Chat]

He is a good fellow...but then he is MY son. Thank you.