Do you have compassion for feral cats?

[missy]

I am so upset. Yesterday we passed an Animal Control truck on the block next to ours and we stopped and I asked the guy what animal he was trying to capture and he said an injured cat. And then he snarled do you guys feed the feral cats? He was a nasty man. He has no business trying to rescue animals. And I asked him where he was going to take the cat if he captured it and he said the SPCA. Well of course as soon as we drove away I called them and spoke to a nice woman who took my phone number and promised to call if a cat from our neighborhood comes in. No call and I called later and left a message.

Then that evening on our next door site someone started a post about an injured cat and how we cannot use inhumane traps to trap them (traps that injure the animal) and that they are illegal. Most people (including me because I posted) were sympathetic and compassionate towards the plight of the feral cat. But one woman was nasty and said we shouldn't feed them or do TNR and that they defecate and urinate on property and kill birds (all true) etc.

OMG they are living beings. They don't deserve to suffer or die if we can help them. Who the F cares if you have cat pee or doo on your property. Have a heart. I googled laws etc and thank goodness in our neighborhood TNR is legal but it is a grey area as you are supposed to license each animal and of course vaccinate each animal and each cat you feed is technically yours. Good luck owning a feral cat. But I digress. I was crying a lot yesterday afternoon and last night because I think I know which cat is injured and will probably be put down. Though I will do my best to help the cat if there is a chance for him. Over and over again I am heartbroken about the plight of these animals. And it just reinforces my feelings about many people. Who suck. Who don't give a damn about anyone but themselves and their pets. Disgusting.

Sorry about the soapbox but please share your thoughts. They are living animals. Don't they deserve every chance? Does it really take so much away from people to be kind and try to help these animals? By feeding and spaying and neutering and vaccinating them? When all this is done evidence shows they can live a decent and nice long life. Not as good as house animals but still have a good quality of life for the time they are here on earth with us.

If it weren't for people they wouldn't be in this predicament. PLEASE spay and neuter your animals and do not abandon them. This is how ferals come into being. Because of selfish people who don't take proper care of their pets.

Thanks for reading and thanks for understanding. I know, for the most part, I am preaching to the choir here.

Here are 3 of our ferals the other afternoon. Just hanging out on our property. Content and at peace.
Pepsi, Fresca and Dr. Pepper.



And here is the cat I think they were trying to capture yesterday. We thought he was getting better and tried rescuing him to bring him to the vet but we were unsuccessful. We saw him walking much better about 2 weeks ago but now we haven't seen him again. And to think this might have been caused by a human trying to trap the cats to get rid of them. Unfathomable.

This is Snowflake. Who has RBF. He/she is a love.


How can people be so inhumane?
What is wrong with them?
Have they no heart or soul?
No compassion for others?
I will never understand some people, never.

 

[Bron357]

My mother was “taming” a feral cat by feeding it and then he was badly attacked by a fox or dog so Mum was able to catch him and take him to a vet. Mum wanted to pay the vet bills and adopt him but the policy was he had to go to the Pound. The Pound wouldn’t let my mother adopt him because she already had a cat (like what difference does that make) so this mangy old cat was up on the adoption pages for weeks with no other interested parties and mum was worried he would be put to sleep.
So I contacted the Pound and LIED to them ( I have two dogs who would eat a cat in 3 seconds) and I adopted the cat. Into the cat carrier and straight to my Mums house he went. Jimmy now lives a very happy life with my brother in Perth. My brother fell in love with him and begged to take him back home. Jimmy lives a life a luxury now. He’s actually thought to be a Turkish Van breed, the photo was when he was still at the pound. He was very thin back then with a very poor coat.
I feel sad for feral cats.
They are prone to attacks, accidents and illness due to living outside. It’s a hard sad life I feel. Much better that they have somewhere safe and cozy to live and someone to love and look after them.

 

[missy]

My mother was “taming” a feral cat by feeding it and then he was badly attacked by a fox or dog so Mum was able to catch him and take him to a vet. Mum wanted to pay the vet bills and adopt him but the policy was he had to go to the Pound. The Pound wouldn’t let my mother adopt him because she already had a cat (like what difference does that make) so this mangy old cat was up on the adoption pages for weeks with no other interested parties and mum was worried he would be put to sleep.
So I contacted the Pound and LIED to them ( I have two dogs who would eat a cat in 3 seconds) and I adopted the cat. Into the cat carrier and straight to my Mums house he went. Jimmy now lives a very happy life with my brother in Perth. My brother fell in love with him and begged to take him back home. Jimmy lives a life a luxury now. He’s actually thought to be a Turkish Van breed, the photo was when he was still at the pound. He was very thin back then with a very poor coat.
I feel sad for feral cats.
They are prone to attacks, accidents and illness due to living outside. It’s a hard sad life I feel. Much better that they have somewhere safe and cozy to live and someone to love and look after them.

Thank you @Bron357, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being an excellent human being. People like you make the world a better place and give me hope there are some decent and compassionate human beings.

 

[missy]

 

[kenny]

I voted #3.
I'm kinda of two minds.

In a way I think of them as just another wild animal for which I feel no responsibility and feel it is wrong to feed or interfere.
It just perpetuates the problem of them remaining dependent on the kindness of (human) strangers.
Feeding them results in them having kittens.
Maybe the most humane thing would be to trap them and get them fixed then release them.

Frankly I see the whole situation of feral dogs and cats as a big lose lose.
Anything you do has downsides
Anything you don't do has downsides.

On the other hand I feel badly for them; they got screwed over because humans have been domesticating them for use as pets for a zillion generations.
Humans bred into them qualities that humans like, but perhaps bred out of them natural instincts that are important for their survival in the wild.
Plus because of humans, most feral cats probably live in cities.
That's unfortunate because cities are not the cat's ancestors' natural environment.

I have a sweet parrot I treasure, but I also realize it might be more moral for it to be born free in the wild.
We humans are selfish.

 

[Austina]

If I saw an injured cat (or any animal) I would stop and help. If a feral came in to my garden, I’d put food out for it. I know a lot of people here don’t agree with leaving food for foxes, but I’ve done that too.

When we were on holiday in Cyprus one time, a little cat came in to the private pool area of our room, it was very obvious it was sick, (likely poisoned), so I went straight to reception and asked if someone could help. Fortunately the receptionist felt the same and arranged for someone to come and collect it next time it appeared, and we paid the vets fees for it’s treatment.

I can’t bear to see or hear of animals suffering.

 

[missy]

On the other hand I feel badly for them; they got screwed over because humans have been domesticating them for a zillion generations.
Humans bred into them qualities that humans like, but perhaps bred out of them natural instincts that are important for their survival in the wild.

Exactly. It’s because of humans they’re in this predicament. Plus the fact many people abandon their animals and don’t spay and neuter all leads to this.

If I saw an injured cat (or any animal) I would stop and help. If a feral came in to my garden, I’d put food out for it. I know a lot of people here don’t agree with leaving food for foxes, but I’ve done that too.

When we were on holiday in Cyprus one time, a little cat came in to the private pool area of our room, it was very obvious it was sick, (likely poisoned), so I went straight to reception and asked if someone could help. Fortunately the receptionist felt the same and arranged for someone to come and collect it next time it appeared, and we paid the vets fees for it’s treatment.

I can’t bear to see or hear of animals suffering.

Thank you dear @Austina for having a heart.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I have adopted many in my life and I see them daily at work. I do not feed them BUT if they are friendly and come up I have tried (and succeeded a few times) at getting them into a crate so they can be potentially adopted or fixed and re-released. I would NEVER do anything intentionally to harm them, that is heartless.

 

[Bron357]

I’m sure there’s a sign outside my house in animal language saying “Kind lady lives here”.
When my daughter was a toddler she told me about her cat. We don’t own a cat. We had two dogs, whippets, very unfriendly towards cats. I figured the cat was like her friend Natalie, naughty Natalie, who was the one responsible for not putting the toys away, the one who threw food on the floor etc etc. To my absolute astonishment, opening her door one afternoon to get her up from her nap, there was a small black cat asleep in her bed! So she did indeed have a cat. Apparently the cat would knock on the window and DD would let it in (I didn’t know at that stage she could open windows eek) and go and grab a handful of dog kibble to feed it. Cleo as she was named was taken by me to the vet and spayed and given her shots and I was able to rehome her locally however within 3 days Cleo had made her way back and was in my daughter bed. Cleo only wanted to be outside at night and on my daughters bed during the day. So that was the arrangement for about 2 years. I got a call (Cleo was chipped to me) that she had been found deceased. I was heartbroken. Cleo however had a really great 2 years living as she wanted. Sad though.
Then the tiny kitten I found in the front yard all alone. Well my dogs, thankfully still on leash, alerted me to it. I searched for other kittens and a mother cat but no. So I took her to my vet, who is lovely, who said she was healthy but small. I left kitty there for observation. As it turned out a lady whose aged and very ill cat was at the vet saw little Muppet kitty in the cage next door and wanted to take her home straight away as her beloved cat was having to be put to sleep. The vet rang me and asked me if that was ok. So that was lovely all round.
Then there was Edwin, he was a Tom and by that time we had the rescue greys. Not “cat killers” as such but still, big dogs. Edwin was in our backyard just sitting under a bush, paying no attention to the two huge dogs barking furiously at him. He gave me a big meow when I saw him. Edwin I also took to the vet, he was very friendly so I thought he’d have a microschip, but no, so I had him desexed and rehomed him myself.
Then there’s the birds I’ve rescued including a baby Tawny Frogmouth Owl (fell out of a nest in high winds) and the loose running scared dogs (especially after firework night and/or big thunderstorms) I’ve caught and returned. In fact I walk my dogs with a spare leash and liver treats and a small bag for anything little like a bird.
yes, I’m a rescuer of animals anytime.

 

[Slickk]

I’ve taken care of the ‘local’ cats who stop by. They sleep on my outdoor furniture and I’ve taken a couple to the vet for treatment.
I’m sorry you are sad and worried about the plight of one of your adoptees. I hope they are able to help the kitty and release her/him.
People do suck though and conversations on that next door app can get vicious. I stay off of it.

 

[missy]

I’ve taken care of the ‘local’ cats who stop by. They sleep on my outdoor furniture and I’ve taken a couple to the vet for treatment. I do agree with TNR.
I’m sorry you feel sad and worried about the plight of one of your adoptees. I hope they are able to help the kitty and release her/him.
People do suck though and conversations on that next door app can get vicious. I stay off of it.

Sometimes I am so overwhelmed with all that is wrong in this world and I feel the pain of these animals who are suffering. And also of people who are suffering. I feel their pain. It can be too much. Some days I rue the day I got involved with animal rescue. But I know it was the only thing I could do. But that doesn't mean I don't regret it at times. And I think how much more pain can these animals take? How much more suffering? And how much more can I take feeling all these feelings?

 

[Slickk]

That’s because you’re an amazingly empathetic being and you can’t change who you are. I just hope that feeling everyone’s pain and suffering as your own doesn’t adversely affect your health and well being. That’s when you may need to reassess how involved you can be with your causes. You can’t help anyone, especially yourself, when you are depleted emotionally and physically. Take care of you too!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Back when I was 18 or so I had an apartment and the parking lot backed up to some nice condominiums. There were feral cats that lived in the wooded area between the two properties and I would feed the cats. Had to do it at night so nobody would see me or I would get in trouble with management. There was one day I was with the cats and a car drove up and the guy started yelling at me so I ran and hid behind another building. He actually sat there with another neighbor waiting for me to come back!

I stopped feeding them after I moved away and it looks like the cats aren’t there anymore because there aren’t any woods anymore, it’s all paved. Of course this is 20 plus years ago.

Missy, just ignore these people, they obviously are heartless, I wouldn’t even respond to them if they addressed me about the cats directly.

 

[oceanblue]

Completely agree with this, everyone is born with a certain level of empathy. I was labeled a "tender hearted" child, I just don't think other people are able to see what I can see and feel. Focusing on the good deeds does not seem fair but it is the only thing that works for me.

Recently we had older guests over and the husband started out a story on how much his son loved his dog, unfortunately it included how sad his son was when he dropped his dog off with hunting dog trainer who used punishment to train (pliers). I could not believe everyone was being quiet and listening to this story. In my mind a person that loves his dog would never do this, not in a million years. How can people think this way? Their minds must be programmed differently than mine?

Those three cats in your yard look like the happiest, most well cared for cats ever, I can not believe they are feral. You are doing a great job! Give them an extra 4th of July treat!

 

[elizat]

Option 1.

They didn't ask to be born. Humans and failure to spay and neuter, as well as humans that abandon unaltered cats are the problem.

TNVR is the solution for healthy ferals. TNVR must be full cycle to be effective. Ferals and owned indoor/outdoor cats do result in bird and other small animal death. Well fed ferals really don't hunt though. I am very anti outdoor cat as well for owned socialized cats unless on a harness.

If you can't help ferals, at least don't hurt them.

Disclaimer- I am active in cat rescue. I don't trap personally, but foster, do medical stuff for fosters and run an adoption center and also do vaccines for fosters. I also am one of the few that will vaccinate ferals. Our local clinics have stopped including FVRCP in the tnr service pack so we do it now. The cats are awake and in a trap, but vaccination of a feral that is awake can be challenging.

I am sorry about the kitty @missy - thank you for caring about him/her and trying to help. Thanks for helping the kitties as well.

 

[Karl_K]

Its really a catch 22, im allergic to cats but hold them no malice over it but I also love birds and cats are extremely destructive to the bird population.
I strongly dislike what they do to the bird population.

 

[TooPatient]

Yes! It makes me sad to see them suffering in situations I can't help with (way out of area in places I can't find them help or whatever) or when they are in situations with well meaning but inexperienced people "helping" them. I have seen a couple of situations firsthand where a well meaning person feeds and waters the ferals but doesn't have them altered or vaccinated. That is such an awful mess! So many litters of kittens and so much sickness!

TNR and TNVR (as it is called by some groups as they vaccinate also) along with feeding and providing shelter is amazing. Healthier kitty communities that don't grow in numbers. Some are able to socialize and home any kittens that do come along. They didn't do anything wrong. They are cats who were dumped and failed by humans and then had litters because (of course) no one cared enough to alter before dumping.

 

[Arcadian]

No malice to cats, however they do destroy a lot of local wildlife and bird species. I see it plenty. That said, I'm a big advocate of catching/spaying/neutering I'm iffy about release as I have 2 dogs, one that will absolutely kill a cat as she has a very high prey drive, and the other, as much as she's a senior, she's still a sitehound and its her territory, so will give chase. She's at normal dog speed and not greyhound speed anymore as she's older. I do not want cats in my yard because quite frankly that yard belongs to the dogs. I can't catch them once they're on the hunt anyway. And I have had to chase off cats myself. if a cat decides they want to try to take on either of my dogs (some might have given it serious thought) I chase them off because there's no need for that type of fight. if that makes me look like a cat hater, so be it, last thing I need is a 1,000 + vet bill because somebody will lose and I'll be stuck paying for it.

I much prefer people be responsible and keep their cats indoors for various reasons. Cats should be licensed as dogs are, should be subject to the same rules. I certainly don't want a loose dog in my neighborhood either.

 

[missy]

Its really a catch 22, im allergic to cats but hold them no malice over it but I also love birds and cats are extremely destructive to the bird population.
I strongly dislike what they do to the bird population.

Yes I care about the birds and all other wildlife as well. The thing is, a well fed feral cat is less likely to go after a bird and I have never seen any of the ferals here attack any bird. I have seen a fox kill a rabbit to feed her babies. That is nature and it is at times cruel.

In this world, there are predators and prey, and unfortunately we, humans, are the cruelest and most deadly predators of all. We kill not just for food but for pleasure. Animals kill to survive for the most part. Humans kill for sport and kill for no reason.

 

[missy]

No malice to cats, however they do destroy a lot of local wildlife and bird species. I see it plenty. That said, I'm a big advocate of catching/spaying/neutering I'm iffy about release as I have 2 dogs, one that will absolutely kill a cat as she has a very high prey drive, and the other, as much as she's a senior, she's still a sitehound and its her territory, so will give chase. She's at normal dog speed and not greyhound speed anymore as she's older. I do not want cats in my yard because quite frankly that yard belongs to the dogs. I can't catch them once they're on the hunt anyway. And I have had to chase off cats myself. if a cat decides they want to try to take on either of my dogs (some might have given it serious thought) I chase them off because there's no need for that type of fight. if that makes me look like a cat hater, so be it, last thing I need is a 1,000 + vet bill because somebody will lose and I'll be stuck paying for it.

I much prefer people be responsible and keep their cats indoors for various reasons. Cats should be licensed as dogs are, should be subject to the same rules. I certainly don't want a loose dog in my neighborhood either.

Agree. People need to be responsible pet owners and do their part. How many people do we know who refuse to spay and neuter their animals? How many people breed animals despite there being too many? How many people act irresponsibly and allow their pets to go outside unattended and roam the neighborhood?

We cannot control nature but we can control how we care for our pets and what we can do to help the ferals. We do TNR and we do vaccinate. At a relatively large expense. But it is well worth it. If everyone did a little bit to help think how much more quickly we could get the feral animal population under control. Or just took proper care of their pets and spayed and neutered them and kept them inside. And not abandon them or at least surrender them to a reputable trustworthy organization. If one has no choice but to surrender them that is. Not everyone should be an animal owner just like not everyone should have kids.

 

[missy]

Yes! It makes me sad to see them suffering in situations I can't help with (way out of area in places I can't find them help or whatever) or when they are in situations with well meaning but inexperienced people "helping" them. I have seen a couple of situations firsthand where a well meaning person feeds and waters the ferals but doesn't have them altered or vaccinated. That is such an awful mess! So many litters of kittens and so much sickness!

TNR and TNVR (as it is called by some groups as they vaccinate also) along with feeding and providing shelter is amazing. Healthier kitty communities that don't grow in numbers. Some are able to socialize and home any kittens that do come along. They didn't do anything wrong. They are cats who were dumped and failed by humans and then had litters because (of course) no one cared enough to alter before dumping.

Yes and there are courses for free one can take to learn how to do proper TNR/TNVR. It isn't that hard.

 

[missy]

Option 1.

They didn't ask to be born. Humans and failure to spay and neuter, as well as humans that abandon unaltered cats are the problem.

TNVR is the solution for healthy ferals. TNVR must be full cycle to be effective. Ferals and owned indoor/outdoor cats do result in bird and other small animal death. Well fed ferals really don't hunt though. I am very anti outdoor cat as well for owned socialized cats unless on a harness.

If you can't help ferals, at least don't hurt them.

Disclaimer- I am active in cat rescue. I don't trap personally, but foster, do medical stuff for fosters and run an adoption center and also do vaccines for fosters. I also am one of the few that will vaccinate ferals. Our local clinics have stopped including FVRCP in the tnr service pack so we do it now. The cats are awake and in a trap, but vaccination of a feral that is awake can be challenging.

I am sorry about the kitty @missy - thank you for caring about him/her and trying to help. Thanks for helping the kitties as well.

Thank you Eliza. We do TNVR (I always just called it TNR but we always vaccinate) and it can be heartbreaking but it is so worth it. Thank you for all you do. It is people like you who make the world a kinder and better place for many. Not just the animals but for people too. You are my favorite kind of people.

 

[missy]

Completely agree with this, everyone is born with a certain level of empathy. I was labeled a "tender hearted" child, I just don't think other people are able to see what I can see and feel. Focusing on the good deeds does not seem fair but it is the only thing that works for me.

Recently we had older guests over and the husband started out a story on how much his son loved his dog, unfortunately it included how sad his son was when he dropped his dog off with hunting dog trainer who used punishment to train (pliers). I could not believe everyone was being quiet and listening to this story. In my mind a person that loves his dog would never do this, not in a million years. How can people think this way? Their minds must be programmed differently than mine?

Those three cats in your yard look like the happiest, most well cared for cats ever, I can not believe they are feral. You are doing a great job! Give them an extra 4th of July treat!

Thank you @oceanblue. I appreciate that. It makes us so happy to see them content. Alternatively when I know they are suffering I cannot help but feel deep pain. Like you I am strongly empathetic and it is more of a hindrance than a help IMO. I wish I could remain detached but that isn't in my DNA and no matter what I do I cannot change that. I have tried. It was the only reason I didn't go into psychiatry as a career. It is what I wanted to do but my parents urged me to reconsider. They knew I would take on too much pain personally trying to help others and it would destroy me.
I have to work very hard not to let my empathy interfere with trying to help the ferals.

 

[missy]

Back when I was 18 or so I had an apartment and the parking lot backed up to some nice condominiums. There were feral cats that lived in the wooded area between the two properties and I would feed the cats. Had to do it at night so nobody would see me or I would get in trouble with management. There was one day I was with the cats and a car drove up and the guy started yelling at me so I ran and hid behind another building. He actually sat there with another neighbor waiting for me to come back!

I stopped feeding them after I moved away and it looks like the cats aren’t there anymore because there aren’t any woods anymore, it’s all paved. Of course this is 20 plus years ago.

Missy, just ignore these people, they obviously are heartless, I wouldn’t even respond to them if they addressed me about the cats directly.

Thank you for doing that @YadaYadaYada while you could. I can relate as we have gotten in "trouble" before too. I carefully checked the laws here and we are not breaking any per se. The person who posted on Next Door has now recanted. I am sure it is not sincere but she did so probably because everyone was for helping the ferals and did not agree with her post. For the most part everyone in the Next Door group is pretty nice. Of course actions speak louder than words and there aren't many people here besides Greg and me who do TNVR. We have an animal rescue person who lives about 30 minutes from us who helped get us started many years ago and we still use her vet to do the surgeries and vaccinations. I appreciate your kind and supportive post, thank you.

 

[missy]

That’s because you’re an amazingly empathetic being and you can’t change who you are. I just hope that feeling everyone’s pain and suffering as your own doesn’t adversely affect your health and well being. That’s when you may need to reassess how involved you can be with your causes. You can’t help anyone, especially yourself, when you are depleted emotionally and physically. Take care of you too!

Thank you dear friend. And right back at ya. XOXO.

 

[LilAlex]

Not a huge fan of feral cats. Or raccoons. Or rats. All are G_d's creatures and are pests in our area.

We do give a lot of money to the (human) Food Bank, though -- hate to see those poor creatures suffer.

 

[stracci2000]

If you were raised with cats, then you probably love cats.
If you were not raised with cats, then maybe you don't like them.

I have known so many people who say they don't like cats. When asked, they will say that they only had dogs growing up.
Perhaps that is the case with those folks upthread who sound like they don't particularly care for cats.

And yes, I have fed feral cats on many occasions, and I have taken in strays many times. My two previous cats were rescued from the alley. My current cat is from a shelter.

 

[kenny]

Its really a catch 22, im allergic to cats but hold them no malice over it but I also love birds and cats are extremely destructive to the bird population.
I strongly dislike what they do to the bird population.

A feral cat killed my last parrot.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

This is my “porch gremlin”, Precious. She is 18 years old. She was born on the apartment property. An old man who lived here for 15 years took care of her. She is the sweetest creature God ever did make.
It just so happened that the week we moved in, the old man died. His horrid adult children left Precious outside and cleaned out his apartment. She was 100% abandoned on the ground at the age of 15. Words do not express the rage I feel towards these people who left her.
She is half deaf, half blind. 3 of her 4 paws/legs are disabled. She weighs less than 3lbs. And I have been taking care of her since we moved in. She can’t live in doors because she has never lived 100% inside. But now that she’s 18, she spends 23/24hrs per day sleeping. I make sure she gets pets, food, water and bedding.
Our evil land lady threatens to call the pound on Precious, who doesn’t have many years left with us. So I have hidden her behind potted plants, on threat that if she’s found we will be evicted.
Her life is worth it.
Stray and feral cats are a problem caused by irresponsible humans. Humans who don’t have to pay the price for the poor animals negligence.
I will do what I can to help them as long as it doesn’t propagate the problem.

Precious is my sweet, soft hearted little Porch Gremlin and I am trying to give her the best, and I hope everyone can have a little compassion for animals. And have enough backbone to stand up to people who continue to worsen the homeless animal population.

 

[ShinyPink]

We don't have any feral cats here. We visited Grand Cayman a few years ago and there were cats everywhere near our hotel because they were being fed. They were cute and of course we visited with them. Can't resist the little kitties! It was kinda funny/creepy because they'd walk as we walked, and if we stopped, they stopped.