@missy

[nala]

@missy my dear brother took upon 4 feral cats. And wants to spay them. Is this a bad idea? He is concerned bc while he is happy to feed them, he could prob not afford to feed more than 4. Also, are there any organizations that could help subsidize the cost? He lives in Southern Ca

 

[Karl_K]

Yes its a very good idea to spay them and there are some groups that can help with the cost in some areas.

southern ca spay feral cats program - Google Search

Replace "southern ca" with county name, then town/city name if it doesn't come up.

woops sorry missy! I just saw a question I knew the answer to and answered.

 

[nala]

Ty!

 

[tyty333]

Why would spaying them possibly be a bad idea @nala? Just curious. You can ignore me @nala. I know you're looking for @missy !
Kudos to your brother for feeding them and looking after their health. I hope he can find free neutering/spaying in his area.

So, in my neighborhood (FL), if I trap a cat and it's not neutered, I take it to my county's Humane Society (it is a no-kill sanctuary
and shelter). They neuter it and return it to my address (where I trapped it). It is at no cost to me. I dont think these cats are feral.
I think people own them and have chosen not to neuter them. Thats ok and fine, but keep them at home (inside), where they
cant reproduce. Just my 2 cents!

 

[Arcadian]

I know this is a missy question but I can tell you that down here the county will spay them, mark them, but then put them back in their environment. Its a free program (at least here it is)

Public Safety - Animal Care Seeing Cats in Your Neighborhood?

discover.pbcgov.org

Its worth it to see if his county has a similar program.

 

[nala]

Why would spaying them possibly be a bad idea @nala? Just curious. You can ignore me @nala. I know you're looking for @missy !
Kudos to your brother for feeding them and looking after their health. I hope he can find free neutering/spaying in his area.

So, in my neighborhood (FL), if I trap a cat and it's not neutered, I take it to my county's Humane Society (it is a no-kill sanctuary
and shelter). They neuter it and return it to my address (where I trapped it). It is at no cost to me. I dont think these cats are feral.
I think people own them and have chosen not to neuter them. Thats ok and fine, but keep them at home (inside), where they
cant reproduce. Just my 2 cents!

I ask if it’s a bad idea bc they are not indoor cats and are not used to being driven to a vet, etc.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I ask if it’s a bad idea bc they are not indoor cats and are not used to being driven to a vet, etc.

I have never had a pet that enjoyed being driven anywhere - let alone the vet - ha! Saving unwanted kittens from being born and suffering without adequate food supply has always got to be a good thing in my opinion.

 

[missy]

@missy my dear brother took upon 4 feral cats. And wants to spay them. Is this a bad idea? He is concerned bc while he is happy to feed them, he could prob not afford to feed more than 4. Also, are there any organizations that could help subsidize the cost? He lives in Southern Ca

Hi Nala! Thank your brother for doing this. For caring about these feral cats.

Definitely spay them because this way they won’t have babies. And more feral cats. There are organizations that will help. Have him search rescue animal organizations near him and call them. They generally have low cost clinics that will spay and neuter the cats and dogs

But 100% yes. They absolutely should be neutered. This will prevent more unwanted animals.

Thank you and your brother!!!

 

[missy]

I ask if it’s a bad idea bc they are not indoor cats and are not used to being driven to a vet, etc.

They will be fine. Definitely should be neutered. If everyone did the responsible thing there would be no more unwanted cats.

 

[missy]

We have nine feral cats currently and all are spayed and neutered. We trapped them and had a rescue person help us and used their clinic. And they live on our property and we feed them and provide shelter on our property too. Though I don’t think they use the shelter. But they are plump and content and super sweet. Not friendly and truly feral but they don’t run anymore when we’re around. They know we are their food source lol. And honestly it’s so rewarding knowing our little bit of help improves their quality (and quantity) of life. Fresca is well over 8 yo. Almost unheard of for a feral cat.

When I see they’re content it makes me happy. Of course I worry about them because they’re outside but they are feral and wouldn’t be happy as indoor cats. There’s risk to them being outdoors but we do all we can and hope for the best.


It’s so worth it @nala thank you for caring

 

[Arcadian]

I have never had a pet that enjoyed being driven anywhere - let alone the vet - ha! Saving unwanted kittens from being born and suffering without adequate food supply has always got to be a good thing in my opinion.

My dogs dont care, they want to R-I-D-E. They even just like to sit in the car, or rather, the mobile crate...lol.

They also like the vet so it helps.

 

[MissGotRocks]

My dogs dont care, they want to R-I-D-E. They even just like to sit in the car, or rather, the mobile crate...lol.

They also like the vet so it helps.

So many dogs do enjoy it - I have just never had one of them! I have always had smaller dogs and they didn’t ride around in the car with us as a rule. Probably makes a difference in what they are exposed to when young. My dog shakes all the way to and from the vet or groomer - I dread it as much as she does!

 

[Matata]

My dogs dont care, they want to R-I-D-E. They even just like to sit in the car, or rather, the mobile crate...lol.

They also like the vet so it helps.

Lucky woman. You haven't lived an exciting life until you have to wrestle a 3 ft long 2 ft high 25 lb ball of greased lightning into a cat carrier.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I ask if it’s a bad idea bc they are not indoor cats and are not used to being driven to a vet, etc.

once they are in the cage all will be ok
cover the cage with a sheet or towel or something, all our cats have always hated the car so you just have to grin and beer the horrible noises they make in the car
you can get this stuff to help calm them called feliway but its not cheap, most vets seem to use it in its diffusier state in their waiting rooms -it also comes as a spray

when we moved poor Borris made those noises for the entire 3 and a half hour hour trip, its horrible but its kinda normal

pet cats are a lot better on the ride home from the vet because they just know they are on the way home,

the strays may be still woosy from the op,
we had to keep Puff-Ball (an outside boy) inside for two days afterwards but that's a bit hard if they are wild
they may arrive home frightened but will bounce back in a few days when hunger gets the better of them
its a very good thing your brother is doing and the world does saddly not need more kittens

​

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Lucky woman. You haven't lived an exciting life until you have to wrestle a 3 ft long 2 ft high 25 lb ball of greased lightning into a cat carrier.

dog people have no idea

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yes, I don’t have cats but have friends that do. Have heard so many of these ‘get cat in the carrier’ stories!

 

[nala]

I know nothing about cats. I have always wondered why they are allowed to roam neighborhoods freely. Or how as ferals, generous people provide for them, yet allow them to be free. That is why I was wondering what the protocol for neutering or spaying is. If these cats refuse to come inside his house—I didn’t see how he could handle transporting them.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Yes, I don’t have cats but have friends that do. Have heard so many of these ‘get cat in the carrier’ stories!

its kinda funny afterwards but not at the time
oddly Gary is really good at getting them in the cage

one time i roped a friend to come help me -the only appoinment i could get was before Gary could get home from work in then traffic
Tinky had an infected ear (he was a fighter) anyway by the time he was finally in the cage the abbsess had burst and there was blood all over the bathroom door -all the vet had to do was clean it up-and i think bearly that as Tinx had cleaned himself up while in the cage - and send us home with antibiotics -another struggle

when we took Puff Ball and Fluffy in to be fixed we only had one cage
and Fluffy used to be tiny -so we found a sturdy box and made some air holes, but she managed to do a jack in the box and her head popped up
the last thing before seeing the vet she remembers is Gary stuffing her head back down in the box (he was gentle)
but she still hasnt forgiven him and its so sad as before she was fixed they were best friends (she used to have a crush on hm i think)
the vet nurse told us her personality would not change - but it has

 

[MissGotRocks]

its kinda funny afterwards but not at the time
oddly Gary is really good at getting them in the cage

one time i roped a friend to come help me -the only appoinment i could get was before Gary could get home from work in then traffic
Tinky had an infected ear (he was a fighter) anyway by the time he was finally in the cage the abbsess had burst and there was blood all over the bathroom door -all the vet had to do was clean it up-and i think bearly that as Tinx had cleaned himself up while in the cage - and send us home with antibiotics -another struggle

when we took Puff Ball and Fluffy in to be fixed we only had one cage
and Fluffy used to be tiny -so we found a sturdy box and made some air holes, but she managed to do a jack in the box and her head popped up
the last thing before seeing the vet she remembers is Gary stuffing her head back down in the box (he was gentle)
but she still hasnt forgiven him and its so sad as before she was fixed they were best friends (she used to have a crush on hm i think)
the vet nurse told us her personality would not change - but it has

That is too bad - I guess they don’t forget!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

That is too bad - I guess they don’t forget!

Gary doesnt understand the patience a cat friendship needs compaired to having a dog,
he does try but always on a day a cat cant be bothered

 

[Lookinagain]

I think it's wonderful that people help feral cats. I honestly have to say that I've never seen any in my neighborhood. Not sure why. But if I do, should I not call the animal control officer to help? They are helpful around here (so I'm thinking they have connections regarding neutering/spaying, etc.).

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I think it's wonderful that people help feral cats. I honestly have to say that I've never seen any in my neighborhood. Not sure why. But if I do, should I not call the animal control officer to help? They are helpful around here (so I'm thinking they have connections regarding neutering/spaying, etc.).

its because they are all at my house, Puff Ball is very sociable and its like a soup kitchen at our back door

 

[missy]

I think it's wonderful that people help feral cats. I honestly have to say that I've never seen any in my neighborhood. Not sure why. But if I do, should I not call the animal control officer to help? They are helpful around here (so I'm thinking they have connections regarding neutering/spaying, etc.).

Only if you live in a no kill state. Otherwise they will be "euthanized" aka murdered. In our state (not a no kill state) the law is clear. As long as we take care of them (TNR) and feed on our property we are well within the law. I spoke with animal control and the ASPSCA here and they reassured me as long as their ears are clipped (meaning they were neutered and released) they will not pick them up for euthanasia. And will let them be.

They are living beings and deserve to live under the best circumstances we can provide. They would be miserable inside so that is not an option. Not all outdoor cats are feral however and it is important to realize the difference. For outdoor cats who are not feral please take them inside and find them a home. But for the feral cats the best any of us can do is provide food, shelter, water and neutering.


PSA ***Please*** spay and neuter all your pets and please have a heart. Feral cats are not truly wild animals and cannot make it without your help. On average feral live less than two years in the "wild" without help. Please do what you can. They are living breathing beings who deserve a chance. Off soapbox now and thank you for reading and having an open mind for these sweet animals who deserve better

 

[Lookinagain]

Only if you live in a no kill state.

Thank you for the information. I looked it up and apparently my state is 89% no kill, but not 100%. So if I ever do see a feral cat, I will not call animal control! I've honestly only seen one outdoor cat in the 35 years I've lived in my house, and I know where that cat lives. Not sure why there are no ferals? Maybe because there are coyote's around???

 

[missy]

Thank you for the information. I looked it up and apparently my state is 89% no kill, but not 100%. So if I ever do see a feral cat, I will not call animal control! I've honestly only seen one outdoor cat in the 35 years I've lived in my house, and I know where that cat lives. Not sure why there are no ferals? Maybe because there are coyote's around???

Unfortunately that could be part of the reason. Coyotes will eat small carnivores like cats. We have coyotes all over nj and I do worry about the feral cats

Thank you for doing the caring thing if you see any cats who are feral.

 

[tyty333]

I know nothing about cats. I have always wondered why they are allowed to roam neighborhoods freely. Or how as ferals, generous people provide for them, yet allow them to be free. That is why I was wondering what the protocol for neutering or spaying is. If these cats refuse to come inside his house—I didn’t see how he could handle transporting them.

We have a trap (with a handle on top). Once we trap one we put the trap in the car. We throw a blanket over the
trap to hopefully calm them down some (doesn't usually work though). We do not move them to a cat carrier. I take
them to the SPCA and take the trap inside and they remove the cat from the trap (with big thick gloves).

We only trap at night due to the heat during the day. We put the trap out at night and check it in the morning. We bring it in if
we don't catch one. You shouldn't leave a cat in a trap for an extended length of time in the heat of the day (so we dont even try during the day). YMMV depending on where you live and the time of year.

I wonder if one of the rescues or his local SPCA has a trap he can "borrow" or checkout? That would be helpful. I wonder if
there is a rescue that would help him TNR (Trap and Release). Getting help from someone with experiences would make it
so much easier. Again, appreciate anything (and everything) your brother does to get them fixed and to help take care of them.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you for the information. I looked it up and apparently my state is 89% no kill, but not 100%. So if I ever do see a feral cat, I will not call animal control! I've honestly only seen one outdoor cat in the 35 years I've lived in my house, and I know where that cat lives. Not sure why there are no ferals? Maybe because there are coyote's around???

i thought our local spca was no kill - but wild Toms older than a kitten are not so lucky
i thought i was doing the right thing getting very timid male kitten puffball friendly before taking him to the spca but then they refused to take him because he was too old -although they did give us a desexing voucher and we got him chipped
he is the friendliest happiest big little dude who will come in to say hello but then wants to go back out
Sox was a stray who lived in our garden for 3 years -the spca would not take her either
i did my best to make sure she had food security and shelter
she could not come in because the much missed late Borris wanted to be a one cat household
but this winter Sox came in one wet cold week i was off work and shows zero inclination of wanting to go back out
in fact right now i cant type capital letters because she is sitting on me


i do leave the laundry door open with a chair and a blanket for anyone who needs it


most cats in NZ go outside as they wish, but we dont have wild animals - although we have a lot of irrisponcable dog owners