Our Worst TNR Ever

Kevin & I trapped a cat in the park the other night to have neutered. Everything went well, he was neutered, ear-tipped, etc. Normally when we release a cat it runs for dear life when we open the trap door. This cat would not leave! It was the saddest thing. He kept coming to Kevin, stood by our car, and when we started driving off, ran after us. This was the hardest release we’ve ever done! We both felt so bad leaving him behind. TNR is a great thing for the most part, but this kind of stuff just breaks your heart!

I couldn't do it. I would have taken that little kitty back home with me, but I know that you did what's best. It must have broken your hearts in two.:(

Oh no! That would be so hard! :(
So do you think this kitty was abandoned and thus not truly feral? It seems pretty unlike a feral to hang around people for any longer than it has to.

I helped out with TNR some over my winter break. I was lucky because we were very successful, partially because in one area we were trapping for the first time. I can still remember the first two kittens we caught....they came bounding and stalking through the grass....and they were so cute I could hardly keep my mouth shut! Strangely enough the two of them ended up in one trap! So innocent and clueless! Heehee! :D

I'm trying to convince my mother to TNR the colony of cats living around her community college campus and then care for them. I figure since she goes there every day anyway that it wouldn't be too much of a hassle. I don't have her convinced yet and I realize that it is a big responsibility. There is one little adolescent cat that sneaks into her highly secured native plant shade house on campus and she expressed some interested in spaying/neutering this kitty as well as leaving food out for it. Hearing about that little kitty gave me the idea to TNR the whole colony since it would hardly be any more trouble to food out for many than for one. I know the whole issue tugs heavily on her heartstrings but she just has to convince the school to let her do it first. *Sigh*

Oops, sorry for rambling. :o

It was VERY difficult to leave him behind (why we now have 17) but we have to stop somewhere! I just keep thinking and thinking about him. Wish we could find him a patient home that would work with him and tame him.:(

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Originally posted by Kater
Oh no! That would be so hard! :(
So do you think this kitty was abandoned and thus not truly feral? It seems pretty unlike a feral to hang around people for any longer than it has to.

I helped out with TNR some over my winter break. I was lucky because we were very successful, partially because in one area we were trapping for the first time. I can still remember the first two kittens we caught....they came bounding and stalking through the grass....and they were so cute I could hardly keep my mouth shut! Strangely enough the two of them ended up in one trap! So innocent and clueless! Heehee! :D

I'm trying to convince my mother to TNR the colony of cats living around her community college campus and then care for them. I figure since she goes there every day anyway that it wouldn't be too much of a hassle. I don't have her convinced yet and I realize that it is a big responsibility. There is one little adolescent cat that sneaks into her highly secured native plant shade house on campus and she expressed some interested in spaying/neutering this kitty as well as leaving food out for it. Hearing about that little kitty gave me the idea to TNR the whole colony since it would hardly be any more trouble to food out for many than for one. I know the whole issue tugs heavily on her heartstrings but she just has to convince the school to let her do it first. *Sigh*

Oops, sorry for rambling. :o

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TNR'ing is the BEST thing you could do. This prevents reproducing and others having to live like these ferals. It is hard on the heart, but you have realize you're helping and go on. I have a lot of literature I could send you if you would like to give to your mom. Just let me know!

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Originally posted by slick
I couldn't do it. I would have taken that little kitty back home with me, but I know that you did what's best. It must broken your hearts in two.:(

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Me too. I just could not have left him. But I know you guys are at your limit - what is it, 18 now? So you did your best and what you had to do.

I think this is one of the things about rescue work that is so hard. Instead of thinking of all the good you've done for so many, you get so wrapped up and blame yourself for the ones that you feel you didn't help enough. I know it's hard, but you can't feel this way! You did more than anybody else would have - and are still doing more by being there every night for them.

Please don't beat yourself up over this, but try and think of it positively. You helped him to live a healthier life by neutering him and providing him a relatively safe place to live. He'll be fine. :)

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Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
Me too. I just could not have left him. But I know you guys are at your limit - what is it, 18 now? So you did your best and what you had to do.

I think this is one of the things about rescue work that is so hard. Instead of thinking of all the good you've done for so many, you get so wrapped up and blame yourself for the ones that you feel you didn't help enough. I know it's hard, but you can't feel this way! You did more than anybody else would have - and are still doing more by being there every night for them.

Please don't beat yourself up over this, but try and think of it positively. You helped him to live a healthier life by neutering him and providing him a relatively safe place to live. He'll be fine. :)

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THANK YOU! You're right, that's the way we need to view it. We will keep looking for a home in the meantime. The cat is very attached to Kevin, but skittish with anyone else. I think if he could find a home willing to work with him, he'd make a wonderful pet!

Oh Lisa - I am sure this was a heartbreaker! Do you suppose that if this cat comes back around when you are at the park - that maybe you could work with it and find a home for it? Maybe it used to be a pet?? Just wondering...I know you can't keep it yourself. I do not know how you do what you do personally. I am in awe of you, but only because I could not do it! I admire you very much. Anyway, I am very sorry about this difficult release...and that it bothers you still ((((Lisa))))

That would break my heart. :(
When Sweet Annie would not come out of her shell it was suggested that maybe she should go back to her "wild" family and she might live a happier life and I just KNEW I could not do that.

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Originally posted by sirrahbed
Oh Lisa - I am sure this was a heartbreaker! Do you suppose that if this cat comes back around when you are at the park - that maybe you could work with it and find a home for it? Maybe it used to be a pet?? Just wondering...I know you can't keep it yourself. I do not know how you do what you do personally. I am in awe of you, but only because I could not do it! I admire you very much. Anyway, I am very sorry about this difficult release...and that it bothers you still ((((Lisa))))

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Thank you so much! It is difficult, but also rewarding. When you think you've stopped the cycle of so many other cats living this life it makes you go on!

Here's his picture. I think I've posted it before:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/fa5c3c0b.jpg

Lisa - all I can say is - - {{{{{{Hugs}}}} across the miles.

I think you're both such dedicated people - it just makes me proud to 'know' you.

Lynne

PS Just seen his photo - oh what a sweetie-pie - just so lovable.

SEE! I just started a thread about volunteering and how I'm not sure if I can handle it emotionally!!! You guys are so amazing! I'm going to depend on you all for my emotional strength when my guts get ripped out because of some sad thing like this.
K&L you did what you had to do and I so admire your strength and courage to continue when it can be so heartwrenching. I only hope that it's something in the name Lisa because thats my name too!!
God Bless you and all that you do.

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Originally posted by catcrazylady
SEE! I just started a thread about volunteering and how I'm not sure if I can handle it emotionally!!! You guys are so amazing! I'm going to depend on you all for my emotional strength when my guts get ripped out because of some sad thing like this.
K&L you did what you had to do and I so admire your strength and courage to continue when it can be so heartwrenching. I only hope that it's something in the name Lisa because thats my name too!!
God Bless you and all that you do.

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Volunteering has it's heartbreaking moments, but the rewarding ones out number those by far! You go girl and VOLUNTEER...those cats need you!!!:D

What a heartbreaking story! I can't find words to express how much I admire you, and our other PT'ers who do such great rescue and foster work! All I can say is that I think you are wonderful, and I thank you on behalf of all the kitties whos lives you have touched.

(((HUGS)))

How heartbreaking. :( He's so beautiful. Hopefully you can get him to trust humans so he can go to a forever home.

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Originally posted by K & L
TNR'ing is the BEST thing you could do. This prevents reproducing and others having to live like these ferals. It is hard on the heart, but you have realize you're helping and go on. I have a lot of literature I could send you if you would like to give to your mom. Just let me know!

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I totally agree. I also think my Mom knows and realizes this but her qualms lie in whether she wants the responsibility. I will keep urging her gently but I realize it is ultimately her decision what she wants to do with her time. But thank you very much for the offer! :D

The more I get involved in issues of animal abuse, overpopulation, neglect, abandonment, etc. the more I am beginning to realize how very far behind the other states Hawaii is in terms of addressing these problems. For example:

• We have ONE Humane Society for a human population of 900,000 (about) on the island of Oahu. And this ONE Humane Society is an independent Hawaii organization and receives no funding from national organizations. One estimate reports that 87% of all cats turned in to this Humane Society are euthanized. After volunteering there I would not doubt this statistic.
  (www.hawaiianhumane.org)
  
• We have ONE USDA licensed animal sanctuary in the state.
  (www.threeringranch.org)
  
• In my experience, we have only 4 other independent rescue organizations on Oahu. There are probably some dog breed rescues I don't know about and maybe some other cat rescues too.
  1. Hawaii Cat Friends (www.hicatfriends.org)
  2. Hawaii Cat Foundation (www.hicat.org)
  3. S.A.F.E. House Cat Rescue (groups.msn.com/safehousecatrescueprogram)
  4. Hawaii Animal Sanctuary (www.fluffynet.com/hawaii.htm)

This makes for an place with less support than most places (in my estimation based on observation) and yet a much worse feral cat problem than most places.
1. There is no winter weather.
2. Cats breed throughout the year.
3. There are no natural predators.
4. Many people abandon cats despite laws against it. Hawaii also has quite large transient populations like military personnel and students who are statistically more likely to leave pets behind.

And this realization is making me more interested in returning to Hawaii after my education. This is a first for me as I always assumed I would want to live somewhere else in my adult life.

Oh Lisa..... not many posts really get to me this much, but this one really has. :( I don't know how you did it ... but I know you had to, and why you had to. I'm just glad it wasn't me who had to do it! At least he is comfortable with Kevin, so you know you can easily catch him again if you find someone to give him a home! Man, even if someone could give him a home on a farm or something ... just somewhere where he can feel a bit more loved and like he belongs! He is a beautiful boy!

GOD bless you Lisa .... and THANK YOU so much for caring for this boy!!! I know it is terribly hard on you!;)

I can imagine how difficult that must have been for you! That's the kind of thing which prevents most people from doing it. The fact that you keep doing it regardless of the heartbreak shows that you are a truly loving person.

OMG a little Meezer! If I had room and money for one more I would drive up to Phx this weekend and pick him up. But I live in such a tiny apartment and I'm getting ready to graduate so things are going to be stressful for a little while. I really wish I could take him :(

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Originally posted by Uabassoon
OMG a little Meezer! If I had room and money for one more I would drive up to Phx this weekend and pick him up. But I live in such a tiny apartment and I'm getting ready to graduate so things are going to be stressful for a little while. I really wish I could take him :(

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We'll keep working with him and if it ever comes to the point you can take him, let us know. We will have him tested and all shots done for you. He's already neutered so that would be one less cost also! Good luck at graduation!

Oh man, Java came running to our car last night. He still won't let me too near, but rolled over for Kevin letting him pet and love him. Then when we went to the other area to put food down he followed us there. Help me cause I'm weakning and we really cannot afford anymore. I feel if you can't provide medical care, etc. when needed, then you shouldn't have anymore. I would consider fostering, but then we get attached and never let go. *sigh* what to do?

Please see my PM to you.

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Originally posted by kimlovescats
. . . I don't know how you did it ... but I know you had to, and why you had to. I'm just glad it wasn't me who had to do it! At least he is comfortable with Kevin, so you know you can easily catch him again if you find someone to give him a home! Man, even if someone could give him a home on a farm or something ... just somewhere where he can feel a bit more loved and like he belongs! He is a beautiful boy! GOD bless you Lisa .... and THANK YOU so much for caring for this boy!!! I know it is terribly hard on you!;)

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My sentiments exactly!

Maybe he suffered abuse at the hands of a female, and that is why he is more trusting of Kevin. I hope all turns out well for this one, and ALL of the kitties you care so much for . . . you are a such a lifesaver for them all! :)

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I feel if you can't provide medical care, etc. when needed, then you shouldn't have anymore.

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That's what's keeping me from going to pick him up :( I have such a soft spot for little Meezers and he looks so much like a male version of Tibby. But maybe this summer if he's still doing well and I find a good job and move into a bigger apt (right now I don't think I could fit another cat into my 420 sq ft apartment) then I can bring him home.

That's heartbreaking indeed! :( Poor baby! I wish he would find a good place!

Kirsten