need advice on ferals

[kubiakea]

An elderly neighbor of mine recently had a stroke and will not be able to return to her house. She had been feeding a colony of feral cats for years. I have been feeding them in her absence. I had the familys' permission. However, the family of my neighbor have now told me to stop feeding the cats in hope that they will "go away" . They are afraid that they won't be able to sell the house with the cats there. I told them that I would trap them and relocate them as soon as I found someplce that could take them.
Three months later and I have not found a place for them, or an organization to help. I have contacted about 10 locally. My local SPCA says that I should stop feeding them and they will move on. I disagree. I need advice on what to do.
I have 2 dogs and 7 cats and do not have anywhere I can keep them. I have also contacted several farms in the area and they have all the dropoffs they need. I have trapped all the ferals in this colony and had everyone spayed and neutered. I can't stand the thought of them starving.
What do I do???????

[kimlovescats]

Bless your heart ... you had them all spayed/ neutered? Are they friendly enough to be petted, and possibly adopted into homes, or are they really feral? If they are tamable, maybe you could place an ad in the paper for adoptive homes ... if they are really feral, maybe you could find an organization that could help you relocate them to another place? I'm not much help here I know... best of luck, and hats off to you for your efforts...whatever the outcome!

[kubiakea]

None of the rescue organizations I have contacted have been able to help. Only two have bothered to call me back. It's been very disappointing.

[K & L]

Is there an area close by where they are eating now that you could set up a feeding station, away from the house, but near where they're use to being? Relocating has steps to follow in order to have the cats stay in that location. Could you relocate them to your place with a feeding/watering station? Have you contacted anyone from Alley Cat Allies?
http://www.alleycat.org/
They may know of someone in your area that would be able to help you. It would be a shame to have these cats destroyed after years of feeding and they're all fixed and not reproducing! Please check some of the feral cat rescue sites out, they may have suggestions for you!

[moosmom]

kubiakea,

You might want to mention to your neighbor's family that since your neighor HAD been feeding and providing for them, that technically they are responsible for them.

I know how frustrating it can be when you're looking for help with feral colonies. Right now it is kitten season, so most shelters and rescue organizations are inundated with cats and kittens. Keep trying. In the meantime, keep feeding them. Even if you have to move the feeding station a little ways and out of sight. At least they'll be cared for until help can be found.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[kubiakea]

Hi Moosmom!
I did mention that to the family and their response was that if they were responsible for the cats, then they would trap them and "take care of them their own way".
I live about 1/4 mile from my neighbors house where the cats live and last night one or two of them were on my front porch. Do you think they would "migrate" to my house if I put up shelters for them? I always have food on my porch for strays.
How do I set up a food station?

[kubiakea]

Hi K&L
Thanks for the info. I can set up a feeding station close to the house-I already got permission from the person who owns the adjacent lot to the house. Is there any specifics to this??? How do I know the cats will get the food instead of racoons, opposums, skunks, etc?

[K & L]

Originally posted by kubiakea
Hi K&L
Thanks for the info. I can set up a feeding station close to the house-I already got permission from the person who owns the adjacent lot to the house. Is there any specifics to this??? How do I know the cats will get the food instead of racoons, opposums, skunks, etc?

I'm not sure how to ensure only the cats are getting the food unless you go there everyday around the same time. We have to do this at the park since the chickens, rabbits, peacocks, etc. will eat the cat food if we just leave it. We go daily at dusk and when we drive up the cats are waiting! Check on the alleycat allies website, I believe they have instruction on how to build a feeding station. Maybe they'll have some pointers. You also want to make sure the food is safe from idiots that would do something awful to it (like poison). Luckily for us where we feed the cats is unaccessible to the general public so their food is safe.

That's GREAT you can feed them about in the same area...and that you are taking the time and willing to do this. Also make sure you're providing water. We have a couple of the large self-waterers (they look like bottled water) set up in the park.

Please let me know if you have any other questions that I may be able to help you with! Good Luck to you and thank you for caring about the ferals!

[moosmom]

kubiakea,

I'd let them know that if ANYTHING happens to any of them, they will be the first people the authorities contact. They are idiots.

Set up a feeding station near your house. You can put the food and water inside a rubbermaid bin to avoid other animals eating it. You can also make a shelter out of a rubbermaid bin. Take a 19 gal. bin with the lid. Flip it lid side down. Cut a hole in it large enough for them to get in and out. Line it with newspaper and straw.

Good luck! Your neighbor's family are a bunch of jerks. They're more interested in the money from the sale of the house than the welfare of disposed cats. Too bad they couldn't be more like your neighbor.

[smokey the elder]

You are my hero!! It sounds like you are doing all of the right things, but the Alley Cat Allies web site can help. Since it as a "sterile" colony, in theory it will be stable (keep other cats out.)

Good luck!