Feeble rescue attempt

[moosmom]

Hi everyone!

Yesterday I spent my whole day attempting to trap cats beind the post office in Hartford. They hadn't been fed for 2 days so I knew they'd be hungry. It was sweltering out, but the smell of sardines ( ) brought the male out. He made it in the trap but unfortunately, I listened to the woman helping me instead of doing what my common sense was telling me to do, and that was to leave him in the trap.

Because we only had two traps, my friend said it would be better to transfer him to a carrier so we'd free up the trap, even though I knew that in order to do that we'd need a transfer cage. As we were transferring him (I had gloves on, my friend, who gave me gloves, didn't) he slipped out. Trying to restrain him, my friend got bit and had to have a tetanus shot as well as a series of rabies. Animal Control had to be called as a matter of law.

We reset the traps and waited. I knew in my heart that it was way too hot for the mama and babies to come out and I also knew that the orange male wouldn't go near the trap again.

I'm going to try it again next Sunday. Only this time I'm doing it alone! I've been trapping feral cats for 3 years. I should've known better.

[lizbud]

Donna,

You'll have better luck next time.As you said
it's just been plain TOO HOT for most critters,
me included. Sorry about your friends hand.

[moosmom]

Lizbud,

I just talked to my friend and she's fine. The Animal Control officer is going to try and catch the male that bit her and quarantine him for 14 days. Then he'll give him back so we can neuter him and MAYBE socialize him enough to get him a home. I feel so bad for these guys. They didn't ask to be dumped.

[lizbud]

Donna,
I don't want to throw cold water on the plan,
but in my city, I would be very reluctant to call
or report any bite from an animal I was trapping.
I'd see a Dr. for sure, but would not get A.C.
involved.There is no way to quarantee they will
return the animal to you. Sorry, but I'm just
paranoid about A.C. as a city service. It might
be different where you live. Good Luck. Liz.

[moosmom]

In Connecticut, the law says an animal bite HAS to be reported and she did go to a walk in clinic. That's why the AC got involved. He did assure her that after the 14 day quarantine we could get the cat neutered and then release him or find him a home. Personally, I don't think he's adoptable and we should just let him back out. But I'll worry about that when I need to. Don't worry, you didn't rain on my parade lizbud.

[moosmom]

I was at work last night getting ready to leave when I got a phone call from the post office. We got the three babies!!!!! I went and got them last night on my way home. They are now safe in my apartment. I am SO happy. We've now decided to try trapping the rest of them at night. If we can just get the mama next, that would make a BIG difference.

I can't tell you how excited and relieved I am that those babies (yet unnamed, suggestions anyone??) are finally safe. Now my job begins. I'm going to leave them be for at least 48 hours except to feed them (they're eating great!!). I did pet them this morning (one of them growled but the other two were quite passive). The first order of business will be to have them tested and all three vaccinated.




Can ya tell I'm ecstatic? Stay tuned!!

[sasvermont]

When I trapped several ferals, the mama was the last to trap. Could be that they are the most afraid.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Names.....lots would depend on their sex.... but the post office does bring some generic tems to mind.... let me think about names....

[lizbud]

Donna,

Great News !!! Three babies all at once.Good
work. Turned out not so feeble after all.Congrats
on a job well done. Now, come on Momma... Liz.

[Nomilynn]

For names how about Stamp, FedEx, and Priority! I know those are really obvious but what a cute combo and what a great story to tell!

I'm so glad you were able to catch them!!!

[moosmom]

We got one of the males last night. Unfortunately he was very badly beat up. I had made arrangements with the clinic at the Humane Society that whenever I trapped another cat I could leave them there and they would spay/neuter them and call me when they were done.

Well, this morning I called and told them that this poor guy was VERY sick and needed to looked at. The woman on the phone who was a real b#$@! said that they wouldn't seem him without any appointment. For a feral cat!!! So here I am driving around with a poor sick feral cat in a trap begging vets to please look at him and tell me if they can either help him or put him out of his misery. Everyone said no.

To add insult to injury, my air conditioning in my car isn't working and I'm sweating up a storm (it's 90 degrees in CT and HUMID!). Finally, I call my friend who is an animal control officer. She looked at the poor cat with this huge gash on his face and called a vet that helps her out with her cats at the pound and they agreed to look at him and determine what to do.

They were so very nice. The vet took one look at him and said he needed to be euthanized. I feel awful. I wish there was something I could've done to help him but he would never have been adoptable which means we'd have to put him back outside. I know he wouldn't have survived another winter. I'm just very sad that I couldn't be there with him when the vet had to put him down. No cat should die alone.

So, I'm still plugging away. We've got two more to go. The mama and daddy. BTW, the babies are doing great!

I worked with them this morning (as tired as I was) and although one is still hissing at me, they're beginning to relax. I know they're going to make great pets!!

I'll keep you posted guys!

[lizbud]

moosmom,

So sorry about the injured cat that couldn't be saved.

If this vet cared enough to minister to a "feral" kitty,
than he wasn't really alone when he died. Caring hands
released him to Rainbow Bridge.
It's good that the babies are doing well. I'll bet the hissing
babe is a male. Just a hunch. Good luck with the others.

[moosmom]

Lizbud,

I was able to "look" briefly when I moved them out of the litterbox to clean it this morning. I think the black one, Ozzie, is a girl, although I am not 100% positive because she jumped out of my hands when I lifted up her tail. Grumpy is DEFINITELY a male. Deke I assume is also a male because most orange cats are. Here are some pictures I took this morning. They're doing great. Now all we have to do is concentrate on the mama and daddy. Mama especially because I can guarantee she's pregnant again and time is running out (62 day gestation).

[moosmom]

Here's Ozzie (my daughter picked the names, BTW)
She's the shyest of the three.

[moosmom]

Here's Deke. He's orange with white feet and white on his chest.

[lizbud]

moosmom,

Great pictures !!! Wanted to ask if you are keeping them
together in the same cage ? They are cute little ones, and
I'm sure they will come to love the "good life" of home &
family one day. Well Done and Good Luck with trapping
the others. Liz.