Feral and stray cats

[luckystar112]

I know.

It has a LOT to do with our road. I found her where there is an extremely sharp curve. Drivers are supposed to slow down to 10 mph when turning it, but no one ever does. I can''t even tell you how many times I''ve taken the curve and had to swerve out of the way so someone doesn''t hit me. People take it so fast that they they occupy both lanes. People get in accidents there all the time. It is SO unsafe because you can''t see if anyone is coming until it is too late, but if you''re going the speed limit you''re fine! So I''m sure it was one of those idiots who were in a hurry.

And I just don''t understand how someone can hit a cat or dog and just LEAVE it there in the street! It seriously makes me sick. I mean, I don''t know what I would do if I was in that situation but I don''t think I would just leave!

 

[luckystar112]

I wanted to add that someone hit my friend''s mother''s cat a while back...right in front of her house, and took off. And the closest neighbors are a mile away, so I mean it was OBVIOUS the cat lived there. It had a bright pink collar and everything.

She was so mad she made a huge sign that she put at the end of her driveway that said
"I just want to thank the driver who thought it was okay to run over our family pet and not notify us." or something like that. I think I would have done the same thing.

 

[FireGoddess]

I agree. It was the impetus for me to take Holly in. Our road is a busy thoroughfare to the highway...it has a double yellow line for pete's sake! Not exactly a leisurely road. Everyone I spoke to about taking her in and getting checked out (spouse, friends, family, etc) kept saying 'what if it's someone's pet?' and I kept saying, 'what if it ISN'T?' Clearly she wasn't, as I filed a report with the humane society and nobody claimed her...not to mention the fact that she wasn't chipped, or spayed, and was already preggers.

It was just an accident waiting to happen, unfortunately. (But fortunately ours has a happy ending. At least, for everyone except Chloe at the moment.)

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 5/31/2007 7:35:50 PM
Author: luckystar112
I wanted to add that someone hit my friend''s mother''s cat a while back...right in front of her house, and took off. And the closest neighbors are a mile away, so I mean it was OBVIOUS the cat lived there. It had a bright pink collar and everything.

She was so mad she made a huge sign that she put at the end of her driveway that said
''I just want to thank the driver who thought it was okay to run over our family pet and not notify us.'' or something like that. I think I would have done the same thing.

If the person had an iota of a heart they had to feel bad - I mean, the cat had a COLLAR - to not notify the owner is just cruel. Yes, you may feel guilty, but actions have consequences, and as adults we have to accept them and do the right thing. You would think....

 

[Sparkles22]

FG-- Sorry I''ve been MIA. It sounds to me like Holly pouncing on the shadow is probably just her being playful. She looks so soft an cuddly

. She must be really smart to learn all those tricks (and survive on her own in "the wild"). How is Chloe doing with all this? Poor girl. At least you are able to spend time with each of them individually so they both know they are loved and aren''t going anywhere. I swear my orange tabby, my first is always so paranoid of that when there is a new cat in the house. I think that''s why he is a hissy-fit at first (he wasn''t bad when I brought home the second one, but she was only like 8 weeks). Keep us posted... I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will behavior (at least tolerate) when they are out together.

LS-- It makes me so nervous when I see the neighbor''s cat, let alone her cross the road. That is a really sad story

. We live near a school zone, so you would think people would be relatively careful, nope... they zoom down the street. I just want to report them and stick a "children at play" sign outside! Then maybe they will slow down....UGH

 

[FireGoddess]

I wish it was just Holly being playful, sparkles!! I wish! She sits in front of my closed bedroom door, sniffing under it and stalking any shadows caused by Chloe''s footprints. When I went up to Holly to distract her from getting too preoccupied...she hissed. Hissed! She didn''t do anything to me but she definitely wants to pounce on Chloe.

Which is why they are still separate. I am debating putting up a screen door inside (or baby gates, but don''t really want to buy 3 of those to stack vertically) to get past this stage - all the socks in the world aren''t doing bupkis!!!

If Chloe were the aggressor I think I''d just let them duke it out, as it IS Chloe''s house and Holly is the newcomer. But I am particularly sensitive about it as Holly is the aggressor, and I don''t want Chloe to regress. She really is happy and courageous these days...sitting on her cat tree instead of under the bed! To cause her to flee back under it would kill me.

 

[FireGoddess]

I am so upset and depressed. I have got to find a new home for Holly. This isn''t going to get better. It''s been 2 months now and Holly still stalks outside my bedroom door every night wanting to get in there where Chloe is. Last night in the middle of the night I had to use the restroom and somehow Holly got into my room. She gunned for Chloe and they fought like bitter enemies were fighting to the death. Screaming, hissing, spitting, biting, growling, scratching. It''s not going to work. It''s not a prelude to playing, they''re never going to even tolerate each other because Holly is far too territorial. I have to get rid of her asap - I can''t drag this on because I''m already way too attached and it kills me already. But Chloe is miserable, doesn''t even feel safe under my bed anymore - it''s not a good life for her. She''s regressed and that''s not okay, because I need to put her needs first.

I have called my vet and a 2 rescue groups, who both don''t have any room. I don''t want to go to the humane society unless I have to because of the euthanasia possibility. I have started asking friends as well. This SUCKS.

Know any good rescue groups in the SFBA?

 

[sumbride]

Oh no FG!!! Sometimes female cats just aren''t compatible with each other. Other times, it just takes more time. Lucy and Bill still fight like crazy, after two years, but it''s pretty even-handed and is mostly just "talk". I don''t have to worry about somebody getting injured. In your situation though, it would be a tough call. Good luck!

 

[FireGoddess]

I keep hemming and hawwing like maybe it can get better (ie. the last time it happened) but what I saw last night was 2 cats fighting to the death. Chloe won''t even go under the bed anymore - she''s hiding under a dresser. I can''t do that to a poor 11 yo cat who took years to finally open up and trust me completely.

I sent pics and info to my vet so they can post fliers, and got in touch with yet another rescue group that has no room but will put up a profile of her on the web. I also asked a friend who was looking for a cat, but they''re currently in australia for a MONTH. ugh.

 

[chrono]

I am so sorry FG. I was hoping Chloe and Holly would at least tolerate each other.

Yes, I too would put Chloe's needs above Holly since she is the first Dame in your home. I hope neither were hurt?

 

[FireGoddess]

Holly seemed completely fine this morning. Chloe....was hiding under the dresser. I looked her over last night after the altercation (as best I could considering it was like, 4 am) and didn't see any problems. She was crying and upset but I think it was just from being scared. Don't know if either got any bites in - I didn't comb through her fur (but didn't see anything suspicious on either of them). I did hold her and pet her for awhile and give her kisses. She actually purred a little bit after awhile. But she was hiding this morning when I got up.

 

[Lynn B]

Oh FG, I am soooooooo sorry. And as much as I know it hurts, I think you are doing what you have to do. Chloe does deserve to live peacefully and happily in her own home, but with Holly around, through no fault of their own (either of them), that just doesn''t look like it is going to happen.

You really tried... and you HAVE made a difference in Holly''s life. The good you have done will stay with her the rest of her life. Please don''t beat yourself up over this... I think most of us would be doing the exact same thing (and likely not even have given it as much time/effort as you did.)

Have you tried an ad in the paper? Or how about an upcoming Rescue Fair (a local mall had one recently... all the local shelters were there with animals), and I think it was a HUGE success. Plus our local pet shop will take in animals on "consignment"... if they don''t "sell" the animal in a reasonable period of time, the owner agrees to take it back. But for animals like Holly, they keep the price very low and basically do it as a community service! And if all else fails, I honestly think the Humane Society would likely be able to find her a home. In our area, anyway, our HS places nearly ALL the animals they take in. They''re so awesome.

Keep us posted... we''re thinking of you. *hugs!*

 

[Gypsy]

FG... I''m SO SO Sorry honey.


How terrible. It sounds like Holly needs to be an only cat or a cat with a stong male who will keep her in line.

She won''t work for my household, unfortunately, my Hally is a little brat too.

I will keep an eye out for you.

Have you called the Milo Foundation? Do a search for them. THey used to be in Berkeley and have a great reputation. And I believe they are no kill.

I''ll copy out pics of Holly and pin them up at work here. If I find someone, we''ll see what we can do.

Poor Chloe.

And poor Fire Goddess, who has to give up her beloved Holly.

 

[rainbowtrout]

I''m so sorry FG. And you worked so hard! I think, even though it probably doesn''t help, you did absolutely everything you could.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Oh sweetie that is SO HARD

I''m so sorry - you have truly done everything you could to try to accommodate Holly. I will do some searching around for rescue organizations locally - unfortunately the SF SPCA says you have to be an SF resident, but Milo is a good suggestion - they are no-kill and if you are willing to put Holly back in her confined room and foster her for a while I''m sure they''d be willing to at least try to help. I''m so sorry that this has worked out so badly, but you really did try (oh boy did you you try!) and you are doing the right thing by putting Chloe''s needs first, even though I can only imagine how hard it must be for you.

 

[FireGoddess]

Called Milo - they have no room. Referred me to Wondercat and Hopalong. Sent both of those organizations emails. Sent emails to some friends as well asking if they knew anyone personally, but no random people - they had to vouch for whomever replied.

Looks like no place is willing to take her right now. I hope my friend currently in australia would consider her - won't know unless he happens to check his email. Guess we'll keep her confined for now and see what happens. I don't really want to give her up. But if I'm honest with myself, Chloe hasn't been happy since Holly got here. She's happy in my bedroom...but ONLY in my bedroom and only if I don't try to get the cats to interact. At all.

 

[FireGoddess]

Man, somebody slap me please.

Two potential homes for Holly have fallen through. It was kinda funny to see how far she has come in trusting me, but not other people as much. Though that is a cause for concern because a new owner might not be so patient with a kitty that doesn''t immediately sit in their lap, but was sitting on mine.

Anyway, it''s been a week since the last cat fight ''incident'' and now I''m starting to become fuzzy on the memory of it and it doesn''t seem so traumatizing. But I''m trying to remember that it was.

I actually contacted a cat behaviorist to see if she could tell me whether the situation is completely hopeless or not. She will be doing a site visit and giving recommendation. I''m finding it hard to part with Holly even though she is a huge royal PITA.

Tell me - should I even be considering this?

 

[AmberGretchen]

FG - I don''t think you''re being crazy at all. If nothing else, hearing from an expert can sometimes give you the peace of mind you need to let go. If you couldn''t find anything for Holly, or if it didn''t work out, or even if it did, you would probably always wonder "what if" it could have worked. I think its a great idea that you are getting an expert cat behaviorist in to look at the situation. It will really help you make the right decision, whatever that is, and be at peace with it. I think you are really being wonderful trying to do what''s best for both kitties here.

Good luck and please let us know what the behaviorist says - I''d be really interested to hear!

 

[Gypsy]

Lots of Love = Short Memory and Easy Forgiveness.

I don''t see anything wrong with giving it one last chance. At the VERY least it will give you peace of mind that you did eveything you could.

((HUGS)) FG. Lots of ((HUGS))

 

[Lynn B]

I totally agree with AG and Gypsy... you're giving it second thoughts because you are an animal lover and because you care what happens to her. That can never be a bad thing. HUGS from PA, too! xoxoxo

ETA: Yes, please tell us EVERYTHING that the animal behaviorist says. I'd love to hear every detail. That field of expertise fascinates me!

 

[Sparkles22]

FG --> I''m so sorry to hear about the cat fight. I wonder if it''s because Holly was overexcited? Have you tried to let them sniff through kennels, maybe if it wasn''t such a novelty for Holly to meet Chloe. For example we keep our bedroom door closed and don''t let the cats in. Well, it is just so much fun for them to dash in the room and go nuts everytime they can, at every opportunity. But if we leave the door open (with them hidding under the bed because they think we might try to make them leave) they come out and don''t want anything to do with the room. I wonder what the behavoir specialist will say

. I really hope everything can work out, especially since you seem attached to Holly. HUGS

!!!

 

[poptart]

FG, I saw this article and thought of you. I don''t know if it will help at this point, but it may give you a shot:

It''s an article from Yahoo.

5 Tips for Introducing a Second Cat
Posted Fri, Jun 29, 2007, 10:00 am PDT

If you''ve ever thought of bringing a second cat home as a companion for your first kitty, you may have been frightened off by friends'' graphic tales of fighting and fur-flying.

Don''t be discouraged just because the initial introduction may not be easy. Cats are territorial, and you have to respect that and do the introduction in a way that allows both the resident cat and the newcomer to feel secure.

1) Prepare a sanctuary room. The newcomer will initially need a room of his own. This is an important step to help him get his bearings and create a feeling of security when he first enters this unfamiliar environment. It also helps reduce your resident cat''s feelings of being threatened, because the newcomer''s presence will be limited to one specific area. Place a Feliway Comfort Zone diffuser in the newcomer''s room, and one in your resident cat''s main area.

2) Don''t rush things. Before you attempt an actual introduction, let the newcomer get to know his sanctuary room, because this environment is totally unfamiliar to him. Let your resident cat get used to the idea that someone is in her house, but is not an immediate threat. During the actual introduction, continue to take things slowly.

3) Create positive associations. Here''s the secret to doing a successful introduction: give the cats a reason to like each other! Let them see each other for very brief periods while being offered something irresistible, such as a treat or a meal. Keep them far enough apart so each kitty feels comfortable. As soon as they''ve eaten, separate them again and do another session later.

4) Never leave cats to "fight it out." You may have heard this advice from friends. But it''s counter-productive and dangerous! There''s no reason why either kitty should feel so threatened that they resort to battle. Do brief introduction sessions using positive associations to build in them a tolerance for each other, with minimal stress. Keep an interactive toy handy to use for distraction if things get tense. Da Bird is a great toy for that.

5) Create an environment for two. It''s stressful when there isn''t enough room for both cats. Even a small apartment can be large enough, if you allow for each cat''s preferences. Don''t ask them to share one litter box or eat out of one food bowl. Set up two litter boxes, scratching posts such as the Smart Cat post, and two feeding stations, as well as a few cozy napping areas or window perches.

Every introduction is unique, so don''t be discouraged if your cats take a while to become friends. The biggest mistake I see is rushing the introduction. Invest the time now, so your cats can enjoy a lifetime of companionship. For more specific help on introductions, see the book Cat vs. Cat.

*M*

 

[FireGoddess]

Thanks Poptart! How funny - I''ve had that book, Cat vs Cat, checked out from the library for the past 6 weeks. I just keep rereading it.

We''ve definitely got #1, #2, and #5 down. Never would do #4. #3 is what has been hanging us up.

The behaviorist is coming tonight. Should be enlightening.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/12/2007 11:57:23 AM
Author: FireGoddess
The behaviorist is coming tonight. Should be enlightening.

I REALLY hope that it goes well for you all tonight. Please post and let us know what she says. I''m praying for positive feedback and hope for the situation for you FG!

 

[lumpkin]

Hey, FG, curious how it went.

 

[Lynn B]

FG,
I know it likely seems a daunting task to type all of it out for us... but (in a nutshell) could you possibly at least let us know, please, if the behaviorist thought that Holly and Chloe can live together peacefully?
xoxoxo
L

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/13/2007 6:52:31 PM
Author: Lynn B
FG,
I know it likely seems a daunting task to type all of it out for us... but (in a nutshell) could you possibly at least let us know, please, if the behaviorist thought that Holly and Chloe can live together peacefully?
xoxoxo
L

Ditto.

 

[FireGoddess]

She seemed to think it was workable over the long run. The l o o o o n g run - with lots of clicker training for both cats and a very very slow introduction process after Chloe has gained some confidence through all the clicker training. I''m sort of fuzzy on the details because the suggestions were interjected between different questions and conversations so I''m vague on how the whole process is to systematically work, but I believe it is going to start out with Chloe being completely locked up in my room (currently her dry food is in another room) where she feels totally safe, and working up to interactions between cats across my bedroom door. This is over many months and still, a bajillion and one socks.

 

[lumpkin]

Aye yaye yaye. Not with the clicks and socks again. I''m sorry FG. But at least there''s hope!

 

[Sparkles22]

FG~ Are you going to give it a try? Or are you going to try to find Holly a home? At least there is hope that you can keep them both! I''m sorry you have to go through all this. I am glad you consulted a professional. Sending you the best wishes...