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Author Topic:   Feral Cat Tips/Resources
T
Knowflake

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posted January 06, 2012 08:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Why Feeding Bans Don't Work

IndyFeral opposes feeding bans for stray and feral cats. These bans are inherently cruel and do not come close to achieving their intended goals. Feeding ban laws, ordinances and policies are misguided policy and wholly ineffective. The logic behind feeding bans or instructing people to stop feeding stray and feral cats is that if there is no food available, the cats will go away. This is not true and in fact only makes the problem worse.

Read more about why feeding bans don't work to eliminate stray and feral cats


Why provide shelter for free-roaming cats?

Read our Outdoor Shelter and Feeding Station Idea Sheet
http://www.indyferal.org/index.php?page=shelters

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T
Knowflake

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posted January 06, 2012 08:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
http://www.feralcat.com/

~~~~~~~~~

The cat's in and around my area and surrounding cities are having a hard time with these imposed feeding bans and the people who take care of them are getting in trouble.

Spreading awareness can help.

also

Fasting and Starvation

Cats – Do not mobilize fat reserves for energy very efficiently and, in fact, break down non-fatty body tissues for energy. This upsets the internal chemical factory and can lead to a very dangerous feline disorder called hepatic lipidosis. Never put a fat cat on a starvation diet, it might just put the entire factory out of business.

Dogs – Can tolerate prolonged fasts and utilize fat reserves for energy.

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T
Knowflake

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posted January 06, 2012 08:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Winter shelter building idea:
http://www.spayandstay.org/wintershelter.htm
http://safepetspace.com/outdoor-cat-shelter-building-one-in-a-hurry/

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T
Knowflake

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posted January 06, 2012 08:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apqlQtJhZXE

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T
Knowflake

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posted January 07, 2012 07:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Watching "My Cat From Hell" on Animal Planet and have learned the difference between feral and stray. I was thinking they were pretty much the same thing. A feral has had no human contact at all and the stray was once a pet that is now homeless.

One of mine is a stray and sooo sweet. He was defintely loved at one point. They others are skiddish but mostly okay too. Another lives under my porch and house and is def. completely feral. Afraid of humans and the other cats. I set him up his own special place under the porch a few months ago and he rarely leaves his den. Don't mind him under there. He keeps other pests away too.

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T
Knowflake

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posted October 21, 2012 08:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've seven regulars now, at my new house (that i'm aware of. there are probably more).

The ferals are getting used to me and dont run right away. They stand in the distance and look at me. Some of them feel comfortable getting closer now. One little guy is super friendly. He's the one who comes meowing really loud to let me know when they want more catnip or want food in the morning.

The amount of food i'm going thru is insane, but it's fine. I'm buying in bulk now, good quality, two different brands I mix up. I like to see them all lounging around my backyard and feeling like it's their home and comfortable there now.

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cathy
Knowflake

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From: canada
Registered: Jul 2009

posted October 23, 2012 01:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cathy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I befriended a feral cat, at first it would peak at me from afar, I started putting food out months ago, it now comes right to the door, It has shelter here too, My housecat does'nt like it, so hav'nt tried to coax it in. I think feeding bans are cruel.

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T
Knowflake

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posted October 23, 2012 02:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sweet cathy.

also I can't exactly afford to be feeding all these cats, but you cant pick and choose either. Two of the strays"came with the house". (they are brothers and live underneath the house) (acually three, but one of them disappered and iis nowhere to be found) and they have always been taken care of by whoever lives here.

If youre fine with feeding a couple, you'd better be fine with feeing a bunch more that come around. In these parts anyway.

I worry that they might lose their prey drive and become too dependant on the food...and someday I will eventually move.., but there are so many ferals and strays around here (that have been captured, fixed & released) that as an animal lover, you can't just turn your back on them. Many people in the neighborhood leave food out for them. But I'm beginning to think I'm one of the few regulars that do that...

I was taking care of a few at my old house (two regulars and a few stragglers) and it's upsetting to wonder how they are making out. I was hoping they'd follow me, or find me, since I didnt move that far away, but cat's can be territorial....

they may have tried to, but not made it. I don't know. I've heard a few cat fights going on at night.

Will have to just do what i have to do to take care of the new ones here. I've been especially worried about my old feral that didnt get along with any other humans or cats. Over time, it got better and he tolerated my dog and the other main stray, but not after they got in a few scuffles and not after he tried to attack my dog a number of times.

Unfortunately at this place, i don't have an enclosed backyard and can't let my pup out on her own. So, the gang of cats rule the roost out there....they own the place now. I'd love to see my old cats here, getting along with them, but I don't think it's going to happen. Have to focus on these homeless ones now and hope that the other ones are somehow making their way...

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cathy
Knowflake

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From: canada
Registered: Jul 2009

posted October 25, 2012 07:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cathy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There should be more caring people like you.
So far I just have one, if more come they are welcome. I can't believe how some treat cats, lately around here cats have been found wrapped in duct tape. Another was shot with a crossbow. I know what I would do to those phycos.

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cathy
Knowflake

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posted October 26, 2012 12:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cathy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
T, I don't think feral cats lose their prey instinct, the one I have still catches mice and snakes, and sad to say some birds. I know pet food can be expensive, I buy a big bag of the cheapest kind. I know I spelled phycho wrong above.

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T
Knowflake

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posted October 26, 2012 05:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks. Nice what you are doing too. Yeah, sickening how some people treat animals. I grew up with a parent who hated cats and have known many others who look at them like they are pests or a nuisance. & we didnt even have a problem with them where I grew up like we do here. Really sad. There are many out there working on helping them thankfully though. Have to remember that.

Since I'm somewhat health conscious, i've read up on the importance of feeding animals good quality food and a diet closer to what they natural diet would be. I can't buy them anything that contains mostly corn or corn meal because it's not really healthy for them, can't bring myself to do it.

btw - I don't like to shop there, but Wal Mart sells a 15 lb. bag of a brand called Evolve. Last time I went to get some, it seemed like they changed the size and price of the bag (large bag for $20 now). I'd been getting some different brands at a local pet store and can't remember the name now - for around the same price.

Not a bad price for the quality and amount of good ingredients in it. I just go thru so much of it now.

& i know there is better, more premium out there, but this seems much better than average corn based stuff out there without completely breaking my bank.

Here's some more info:

Evolve Natural Maintenance Formula Cat Food with Chicken is a chicken-based food that will satisfy your adult cat's natural carnivorous instincts and provide the nutrition needed for health and vitality. Evolve Maintenance Formula contains a superior blend of high-quality ingredients which provide the balanced protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy adult life. It contains chicken, a source of high-quality protein; fish meal, an excellent source of essential fatty acids; dried kelp, rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids; blueberries and cranberries, sources of natural antioxidants; brown rice, a source of highly digestible carbohydrates and choline; and bioavailable minerals, encapsulated minerals for increased absorption and assimilation. Evolve Maintenance Formula with Chicken is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult cats.

Evolve Natural Maintenance Formula Cat Food with Chicken:
Ingredients for superior nutritional excellence
With added vitamins and minerals
No wheat, corn or soy
Made with real chicken
Made in the USA

You might want to check it out too! I bet it would last you quite awhile with your one cat.

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cathy
Knowflake

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From: canada
Registered: Jul 2009

posted October 27, 2012 02:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cathy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the tip T, I'll check it out. I have the one feral, and my housecat she's my baby, she does'nt like other animals, I love all animals, I'd love a dog, but would'nt be able to spend enough time with it. I'm sure you enjoy your puppy.

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T
Knowflake

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posted October 27, 2012 04:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wonder if she'd get along with the right cat friendly dog? Some dogs know how to respect cats and live peacefully with them. (mine mostly does, since she's been used to seeing so many of them, and being around them since she was young)

Either way, it's great what you are doing. Dogs can be high maintinece, but maybe the right one will come along for you someday. And they arent as really as high maintinence as you might think.

My little bubbie is what keeps me going. We are so connected and go everywhere together and havent spent a night apart siince i got her. I'd be lost w/o her. It's really going to suck when she goes. Still i hope she does before I do, so i can comfort her. I can't see her living with someone else. She'd flip. She doesnt like to be touched or held by people other than me. Any time I've tried to put her in someone else lap or arms she struggles to get away and back to me. Kind of makes me sad. I wish she was more open to others.

God please let me outlast her.

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 04, 2012 04:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Nice! I love cats too.
It's good to hear some people take care of the cats. I do my share. I have 4.

T, cathy, I'd love to see your sweet babies
Right now, a little miss is warming my right arm. and making some noise in her sleep :-) :-)

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 04, 2012 05:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This one was a feral cat I found 2 years ago now. She was my first pet. I took this picture this afternoon during her siesta

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 04, 2012 05:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Cats are so cute. And funny.
out of my fantastic 4, the 2 males come from 2 farms where they were about to die in their first weeks. The farmers didn't care about them and they both had problems with their eyes. When I took the first male last december, he was a few weeks old (i suppose he's a scorpio) and one of his eyes had swollen (sp?) very badly. I just wanted to bring him to the vet since the farmer didn't consider it necessary. And he told me I could keep him, he had enough cats in the farm. So I did that. I love him sooo much; the cat, not the farmer. He's gorgeous. Big and sooo cuddling. So sweet. We have a very strong bond that I don't have as much with the others. He is a bit like my son and my lover at the same time. I suppose it is not healthy to feel like that for an animal but truly him and I the bond is amazing. When I call him and he comes running I feel so proud. That's embarassing

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 04, 2012 05:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There he is

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 04, 2012 06:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote


That is the second male also from a farm. One of his eyes has still a white shade over it. He is supposed to be a taurus of this year.. He was just a few weeks old according to the vet. He joined the gang and took longer to get clean but eventually it happened. *crosses fingers*

I can't show the other and last "baby girl". I didn't manage to take a clear picture of her cause she's black and i use my phone to take pictures. She's the only one to come from a house.

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 05, 2012 04:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
*

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 05, 2012 05:04 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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pire
Knowflake

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posted November 05, 2012 05:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Regarding the prey drive mine still hunt although they have access to food all the time. It is a game first. I saw a mouse being eaten, starting by the head. Ewww.

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pire
Knowflake

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posted December 03, 2012 02:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here is the fourth musketeer.


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T
Knowflake

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posted December 03, 2012 10:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Pire!!! So cute!

I've a bunch of pics of mine but they are on my phone. Will upload some soon.

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MoonWitch
Moderator

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From: The Beach
Registered: Apr 2009

posted December 04, 2012 09:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MoonWitch     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
http://www.alleycat.org/

One of my favorite charities for a long time now. They are great!

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pire
Knowflake

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posted December 04, 2012 02:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pire     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
T, do, please.

I am about to read the “what we do“ section on the link tou provided moonwitch, but I stopped on the descriptions of the cats in the office.

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