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Cat Forum / Rescue / October 2003Umbrage
Everyone at work knows I am the one who feeds the cats on the grounds. It's practically a joke. I spend about $300/month on food and supplies for these animals. I have, with the help of others NOT in my workplace, spent close to $2000 trapping, testing, vaccinating, altering and releasing these ferals back to their environment. Only one of my coworkers has ever offered any assistance at all, which was okay with me until yesterday. Yesterday (my day off), I got a call at home from a coworker who informed me that she had met and handled a small kitten in the parking lot. I went and rescued the kitten, which was concealed in some landscaping bushes. Found no other cats in the area; the kitten is now being fostered at my home. While searching for the kitten, I found a well-established, exposed feeding center, complete with two plastic picnic dishes piled high with kibble and a cut gallon jug of water. Without going into tiresome detail, this setup is the same exact one I found almost two years ago in another area on the same grounds. At that time, whoever it was caused a HUGE upset at work (because of their poor planning and execution, and the resulting unhygienic conditions, I almost lost management's endorsement to feed the cats at my feeding station). This new station is somewhat better, but it is still placed for the convenience of the feeder, not for the safety of the cats. It is still in a place that could cause trouble. While I am ecstatic that someone at work seems to care about these animals, I am nettled and vexed that they don't see fit to collaborate or consult with me, or even simply inform me about it. I have been caring for the cats in this area for more than ten years. Recently, at least five of my regulars haven't shown up for more than a week. I'm cranky about that to begin with. Now I find that someone else has been feeding. Could that be why I haven't seen my guys? Could this new feeding station be the reason for the sudden influx of newcomers? How the heck can I keep track of the ferals in this area if someone is feeding them on the sly? How can I budget for them? It just irritates me no end that they wouldn't contact me about this. I know that there are others feeding ferals at nearby facilities. There are probably 4 or 5 within a 1 mile radius. We all know each other; I'm in touch with them. But not with the mystery feeder at my own workplace. Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this? How did you handle it? >Everyone at work knows I am the one who feeds the cats on the grounds. >It's practically a joke. I spend about $300/month on food and supplies [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] >Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this? >How did you handle it? Post or circulate a nice notice saying their help is so appreciated that you would like a meeting to coordinate your efforts. Who knows, maybe it will work. MLB > Everyone at work knows I am the one who feeds the cats on the grounds. > Only one of my [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > within a 1 mile radius. We all know each other; I'm in touch with them. > But not with the mystery feeder at my own workplace. How large is the company/organization where you work? If feasible, why not send e-mail to co-workers, or possibly post a message on bulletin boards (or even circulate notices by placing them in mail boxes). THANK the person who established the feeding station for their interest in the welfare of ferals but express your concern about sanitation and location. Invite the person responsible to contact you so that you can possibly "join forces" providing for the welfare of these cats. MaryL (take out the litter to reply) Photos of Duffy and Holly (pictorial history of my blind cat Duffy's integration into our household): Duffy, Part I: The Introduction -- http://tinyurl.com/8y54 Duffy, Part II: Life at Home -- http://tinyurl.com/8y56 >Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this? >How did you handle it? Put a note on the feeding station. Ask whoever is feeding to contact you to coordinate efforts in order to better help the animals and protect them from any adverse actions from others. > >Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this? > >How did you handle it? > > Put a note on the feeding station. Ask whoever is feeding to contact you to > coordinate efforts in order to better help the animals and protect them from > any adverse actions from others. Oh, good idea. So sensible ... much better than my suggestion, which involved sending e-mail, flyers, etc. Instead, you went right to the "source." Great! MaryL (take out the litter to reply) (snip) > Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this? > How did you handle it? Leave a note asking them to contact you. Tell them it is important to coordinate feeding and trapping efforts so property managers do not withdraw their support of the project. It is a delicate situation since, as you said, you don't want to discourage others from caring about and for the cats. It would be good for you and your budget if you and the other feeder(s) could alternate feeding days and share vet bills. I had a similar problem, I hope not identical, at one of my more visible colonies. At first, I was pleased that someone else was taking an interest in the cats even if the low quality food they provided was messy and uneaten. I left notes, all unanswered. I soon learned the real reason this person took up feeding chores...they dumped seven old, tame, unneutered tomcats and four ferals at the site!!! Three hernia operations, one lifelong insulin regimen, seven neuter jobs and special renal diets for all later, the seven tomcats are permanently installed in my downstairs "catroom". The four ferals have been trapped, tested, vaccinated, de-felared, de-wormed and spayed. (It really bugs me that these four females must have been trapped and transported to the location _without_ being spayed! In my area, free services for feral cats are available.) Even worse, the presence of these new cats caused a few of the resident cats to leave the area for several weeks. I was in a panic! One young female never did return. I finally went to my local animal control agency and purchased two of their signs warning animal abandonment is a criminal act subject to fine. Well, whoever dumped the cats doesn't feed anymore. I just pray they don't decide to "clean house" again and dump their "garbage" in my colony. Poor cats, they live and die at the whim of whoever feels like picking them up and throwing them away. In article <bearclaw-9D5DC1.13185004102003@newssvr21-ext.news.prodigy.com>, <snip> Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. For those who care, here's what happened: I found out who was feeding by asking around. One woman stepped up and understood when I told her what was going on. She also promised not to feed while I am trapping. Still, I kept finding food left at the new place. This time the first woman denied leaving any more food. So yet *another* feeder has popped up. I just found out who it was today. Since I am trapping tonight, swept up the kibble into a plastic bag and brought it inside. Then it occurred to me that I could consider this a "donation" and just use it at my old feeding station. I could sweep it up every day and really save substantial money. Of course, that wouldn't be very honest, now would it? Anyway, I plan on talking to the other feeder tomorrow. Thanks again for the support. >Then it >occurred to me that I could consider this a "donation" and just use it >at my old feeding station. I could sweep it up every day and really save >substantial money. Of course, that wouldn't be very honest, now would it? Hmm, if you take it, she will think kitties are eating it and feel good and bring more. You will then be giving it to kitties who will be eating it in a safer place. You will feel good. I'd do it. It's not like you're taking it and eating it yourself ;-) > >Then it occurred to me that I could consider this a "donation" and > >just use it at my old feeding station. I could sweep it up every day [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > be eating it in a safer place. You will feel good. I'd do it. It's > not like you're taking it and eating it yourself ;-) I really did consider this. What a great way to reduce my costs, I thought. But it just doesn't seem kosher, so I'm not going to. Ecch. She's feeding the Friskies stuff. I think the Friskies I was feeding must have been bad somehow, because the ferals aren't making such a mess of it in this other feeding place. Anyway, I caught two more kittens last night after the tuna fish mystery. But I was too late. They are *very* feral, extremely aggressive and fearful, so socializing them probably won't be possible. We have no open foster homes left, anyway. Our only hope is if we can get them an early appointment for TTVAR. I won't re-release if they are unaltered. I can't in good conscience do that, so it seems there is only one other alternative left to me. I'm taking a break from trapping for the rest of the weekend. 10 years of this. I need a vacation. >Anyway, I caught two more kittens last >night after the tuna fish mystery. But I was >too late. They are *very* feral, extremely >aggressive and fearful, so socializing >them probably won't be possible. That's not true at all, especially since these are kittens. Most of the behavior you are seeing is fear based. I have a cat that I caught as a feral kitten. He tore my hand up and I had to seek medical attention. Yet in a week he was a total sweetheart. >We have no open foster homes left, >anyway. Our only hope is if we can get [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >seems there is only one other alternative >left to me. And what would that be? Killing them? That would be wrong. Megan  Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray > That's not true at all, especially since these are kittens. Most of > the behavior you are seeing is fear based. I have a cat that I caught > as a feral kitten. He tore my hand up and I had to seek medical > attention. Yet in a week he was a total sweetheart. Megan, I understand that. But to accomplish that, you need someone who cares enough to provide the resources and time. We have neither. We are already nursing/fostering smaller kittens (who were also dumped at my workplace) who are going to make great pets--we have already placed one when she's ready to be adopted out. I have gone to great lengths to find people who would take these newly-trapped guys into their homes, to no avail. The few who expressed any interest at all flaked off and are now avoiding me. I'm in despair. All my regulars have disappeared since the introduction of the new cats. By itself, that tears me up, but I cannot allow this colony to grow unregulated. The results would be hellish. Three years after I began caring for the colony here, I was given a subtle ultimatum by the management of the facility: either I take responsibility for these animals, or they would accept the contract exterminator's offer to "take of the cat problem". The colony has been my second full time job ever since, albeit unpaid, no vacation and no sick time. Benefits offered nowhere else, however! For years I've maintained it hygienically; disease-free, population-stable and a tidy, sheltered, out-of-the-way feeding area. The cats have come to belong to everyone, as evidenced by the number of feeders these guys have. Most employees know each individual cat's story; some even remember them as kittens. Co-workers and complete strangers alike have given me the highest compliment: "...they (the cats) look so happy!" I've heard this more than once; to me it means I've provided the animals with a real home. This is my first experience with human scum dumping kittens on me. I still have the queens to trap (hopefully, they will be adoptable). We've taken on all we can by ourselves. Maybe more than we should have: our rental is being sold and we're desperately trying to find new digs we can afford, one which will accomodate our pets and fosters. It's a daunting task. Am I missing something here? After all this fuss to catch colony kittens, they are at risk to be euthanized because they are "unadoptable?" Some of the fiercest little hissyfits I've ever caught have turned out to be the most loving laphogs. Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats www.campuscats.org In article <bearclaw-334157.22513310102003@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com>, > Anyway, I plan on talking to the other feeder tomorrow. Thanks again > for the support. Woman number two was great. She understood instantly what I was talking about. Plus, she knows yet ANOTHER co-worker who is feeding the cats (a TRUCK DRIVER who doesn't even work at the facility!) who she will inform of my plans. So, I was feeling pretty darn accomplished when I left work today. All the food was picked up. The kittens should be trap-hungry by the time I return tonight (right after I post this) with their mouth-watering, highly aromatic KFC bait. On the way to my car, as usual, I stop by the feeding station to change their water. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? An open can of tuna fish. Just a can, open, sitting near the water dish. Not the cheapo stuff, either. This is the pricey solid white albacore. I don't even buy that stuff for myself, except on special occasions. Sheesh. People are sabotaging these animals with kindness! Now, if only they'd step up to be fosters or adoptees! In news:bearclaw-334157.22513310102003@newsclstr01.news.prodigy.com, bearclaw@cruller.invalid <bearclaw@cruller.invalid> composed with style: > Still, I kept finding food left at the new place. This time the > first woman denied leaving any more food. So yet *another* feeder > has popped up. I just found out who it was today. Good luck! I know what you mean about good-hearted people and feeding strays. There is a woman across the street from me who I think is feeding the strays left here and I really need to talk to her. So far the strays are staying mostly off the main road but they do cross it to get to her house (VERY busy road, too) and I cringe when I see one coming toward me from over there.
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