TNR project! ** release 20 pics 4/25 post 33

Sandra I'm sure you could make some things to sell, as you have done before for Church meets, I will see if I can get my mum to make something, she's made some lovely small quilts. I'll let you know next time I email you!

I haven't been reading or posting in a while. I just now read through this thread and I am amazed at all you have accomplished! These kitties were probably inbreeding over and over! Thank you SO MUCH for all of your hard work and dedication! You have prevented so many births and deaths as well! Good luck in getting those two mommies and babies!

BIG HUGS,
Kim

Here are the photos of the release.

First, we released the 5 black males on Saturday. We lined up all the carriers in Linda's back yard, as that is where these were trapped.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...lease5boys.jpg

Linda opened two gates, but they weren't in any rush to get out. They must feel as though they'd been abducted by aliens, and need to get their bearings as to where they are!

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...5boys003-1.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...se5boys005.jpg

She just kept going down the line opening carriers.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...se5boys004.jpg

Big Daddy wouldn't even look at the camera.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...se5boys002.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...se5boys001.jpg
More pics coming!

The first one to have his carrier opened was the last one out!

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...se5boys007.jpg

That was also the day we caught the large orange male. He was NOT pleased.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...ngiecaught.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...ecaught001.jpg

The next day we released one female. She was the one who had just come out of heat, so she wasn't far along in her pregnancy and was able to heal more quickly.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...eourofheat.jpg

You will notice her side is shaved. This vet does the European method for spaying. He goes in on the side, through muscle; which provides a protective shield for the healing.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...rofheat001.jpg

Linda had to coax this girl to come out.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...rofheat002.jpg

More pics next post!

Wow! What an assembly line! What a great job!

Two days later, on Tuesday the 24th, we released the rest of them.

Here is the orange male. Now he KNOWS he doesn't like us!

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...etorelease.jpg

At the same time, we picked up the remaining two females for release. Little Darling is the black and white one; she is quite cuddly with Linda. The other is a black female. They came in a carrier together.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...release002.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...release001.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...lckrelease.jpg

Linda had been a bit upset about Little Darling when she was trapped. And she really felt this girl was adoptable. So I separated the girls, and Dad and I went off to release the orangie and the black girl.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...release003.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...release004.jpg

I let Little Darling out in my small bedroom. She was terrified, poor thing. Tore down the curtains, rod, valance and all. Raced all around the room. When I got her, she calmed down. I could hold her, pet her, but once I let go she was in a fright again. So I felt it was better to release her as well, which we did. She will be with her siblings.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...release005.jpg

This morning, Linda told me that she went out at about 8 AM as usual with breakfast. Little Darling came dashing across the lawn and right up to her. Linda hadn't seen her in a few days so she scooped the little cat up and hugged her. That cat LOVES Linda, but she isn't too sure about the rest of us humans, or rooms with walls and ceilings. Because she was back with Linda, most of the others came right up to Linda's ankles again, just as they had been doing before we started this little escapade! So Linda feels they aren't holding it against her, he he. The major part of this project is now complete.

We have 2 females out there who were nursing when we trapped them, so we released them. One has not been sighted since; an all black. The other, black and white mom cat, has been lounging around in the 3 backyards, so we fear she lost all her babies. (She is the one with the baby tiger kitten in the baby pics thread. Her name is Smudge.) We will wait a few weeks to be certain there are no kittens around, then we will try and catch her for spay.

One little black male has a handicap, his head is tilted. It seems to be some sort of middle ear balance issue. He can't fend for himself and the vet told us NOT to release him. I think I will be taking him; I've been calling him "Little King," as he is getting loads of special attention at the Kathy's home.

So this is the end of this thread and my venture into TNRM (Trap, Neuter, Release, Monitor). Hope you have enjoyed reading all of it!

Hopefully, the vet will find out what exactly is wrong w/little King and can get it taken care of. If it's an ear polyp, his head will tilt like that. It's easy to remove in the early stages but if it "takes root", it gets more complicated. Yodie had to have it lasered after it grew down into her throat. It nearly strangled her before Dr. Lee could do the surgery. My prayers going out to little King. And to you for all the good work that you do.

Freedom, I have to give you TONS of credit. Had it been me - it would have been trap, neuter, KEEP! I'm glad they came back to Linda - makes me think they might be adoptable in future.

God bless you and Linda and your dad. You have done amazing work. Thank you.

Pat

Thanks all, it sure was quite an experience! We enjoyed it overall.

Casssiesmom, hehe, yeah I went through the "I wanna keep them all," and the "they MUST be adoptable" routines too. Kudos once again to Kathy, our sponsor via PawsWatch. She talked sense to me. Plus, seeing them careen around Linda's basement - we had 2 escapes! - in pure terror at being inside a dwelling, well, it all helped me see the truth.

These cats COULD be tamed and made into house cats. They will likely NEVER be lap cats. But who are you going to get to help them through the transition? It takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months to get them settled in a home. And most will be escape artists all their lives.

Plus, they are already almost a year old; kitten season is coming up quickly; and the public only wants to adopt cuddly kittens that will be lap cats. Sigh.

It took 3 people almost 2 hours to capture one escapee in the basement. And then, we only got the cat because it was so tired and terrified it couldn't keep running anymore. The other one to escape in the basement got up into the pipes in the top of the basement and then onto the concrete blocks that make the foundation. We had to turn off the lights, leave the door to outside open, and leave. Three hours later she was outside, but OMG what a time. And of course we felt awful because we knew she was terrified even though WE knew there was no need to be afraid.

I've sure enjoyed reading your TNR accomplishment and seeing all your pictures. Hats off to a job well done! I wish you luck on the other 2 moms. They need to be caught before they go into heat again.