Anyone lose a cat?

This evening I saw a cat that looked like a Blue Russion, without a tail, wondering around Vestals Gap and Autumnwood Sq. He/she was crying and calling out like mad. As I was thinking to get him and bring him in until the owner was found, he took off. I know cats wonder all the time, but he looked pretty skinny and very upset.

Hopefully he will find his way home or his owner will find him.

 

I have a very interesting story...I've been trying to trap a feral female cat for 3 years and she's produced as many litters. Well this year she showed up with 3 kittens, one manx, one with a stub tail and one with a normal tail. They all looked like mom (pretty brown striped tabby with spots). I trapped the manx and had to turn her in to the county shelter. The other two were eventually rejected by mom because she went into heat again! She showed up with a gray cat on her trail and he didn't have a tail. I never saw him before then and he looked extremely skinny and was clearly frightened. He had a stange cry and it was obvious he is not neutered! So now, I can count two male stray cats (not neutered) the other one is a Siamese cat, and one unspayed female. I wish people could be more responsible pet owners I doubt anyone will step up to claim him, poor thing.

 

It sounds like the same gray kitty, no tail and a very sad cry. How did you catch the Minx? Cat's are very hard to catch.....will the animal control put out humane cages if I asked? Then any cat's caught and not claimed could be adopted out. Should I try calling them?

 

Three years ago when I started to see the cat population grow, (I feed the song birds), I purchased a Hav-a-hart Humane trap. I haven't had much success with the local humane organizations for assistance except Ally-Cat allies. A few weeks ago I contacted them and they sent me an e-mail detailing methods of trapping and local vets who offered discounts for neuter/spaying. Well, that's not always an option for me - I've already spent a small fortune and without the assistance of an organization it's really out of the question for me to TNR (trap, neuter and release) out of my pocket.

The mom cat I've been trying to trap is very elusive and feral. If I can trap her I will try to make an exception and TNR her, but the problem is the vets I contact tell me I would need an appointment to bring her in. I can't possibly predict when I'll trap her and the county cannot hold her for me. Once you turn an animal over to them you cannot get it back.

It's a dilemma - I would lend you the trap if I weren't using it currently. Some organizations lend them out for a fee.

I'm glad to know there are others in the community who are concerned, like you.

 

It's a shame the county isn't of more help. I certainly can't afford any vet bills myself (I have aniimals of my own). I just wonder if it would be better if I just caught them and turned them over to the shelter. There are no-kill shelters around, right? Of course, I'd have to catch them first. I'll look into the traps myself, and I do appreciate the offer to borrow yours.

 

Here's what's so ironic..we have all these "no kill" organizations that rely on donations and volunteers and come to find out, our own county (funded by our taxes) adopts out unneutered and unspayed animals (puppies and kittens)all the time! I was floored to discover this fact. Their system goes completely contrary to the efforts of groups trying to educate pet owners about being responsible. Perhaps there would be fewer euthanizations if animals were sterilized before an adoption could occur. Can they really expect people to follow through with their suggestion to have the animal sterilized just because they recommend a vet that offers discounts. How screwy is that

 

VAluvr, if you want, I can send you the Ally Cat e-mail I received. Valuable information, but it's lengthy. I think it's too long for a PM. But if you're interested, PM me with your personal e-mail address and I will gladly send it to you and anyone else on the this forum who is interested.

 

When we adopted our 2 kittens from the county's animal shelter in Waterford (in 2000), we were not allowed to take them directly home -- they had to be neutered at a participating vet hospital beforehand, and the bulk of the adoption fees went toward the surgery. Have they changed that policy?

 

They don't adopt out unaltered animals. This is completly false.

 

Chick, I think the previous poster just said they adopted but had to have them altered before taking them home. That means taking them to a participating Vet for the surgery since the shelter does not provide for that.

Lkelly, did you claim your kitties at the Vets office or were you required to take them there yourself? What I said was based on a conversation with county personnel.

 

We picked them up from the vet's office. Taking them there wasn't even an option -- believe me, I tried!

 

The manx kitty went into the trap for some tuna - she didn't suspect a thing because she always knew the trap was there - just didn't know what it was for. It was difficult to turn her in, not knowing if she could be socialized/tamed.

 

Well, you don't have to worry about that stray siamese anymore, it used up all of its lives while crossing Demott near Vestals Gap.

 

Homer, what do you mean? Was he hit by a car? When? He came to eat twice yesterday - extremely skinny and very scared.

 

If that poor cat did get it, it just pisses me off. How many poor animals have lost their lives on Demott? PEOPLE NEED TO STOP SPEEDING DOWN THAT ROAD!! I'm tired of starting my days looking at poor rabbits, squirrels, or cats that jerks just don’t see cause they are flying down the road or purposely try to hit.

 

Could he still be alive - anyone know? I'm 1 hour out but I will head back if need be!

As for the speeding - there's absolutely no excuse to drive over 25mph in any residential area. My childhood friend was hit by a car as he crossed a residential street on his bicycle. The speed limit then, was 15mph - they found the driver speeding at 25mph. Fortunately, Travis only broke a collar bone, some blood vessels and was bruised but otherwise he was okay.

Has anyone explored the idea of speedbumps. I think it's a stretch to expect the local law (unless they're dedicated traffic cops) to police speeders.

Either that, or lower the limits on all surrounding streets including Claiborne and Waxpool.

 

Speed bumps would be a good idea. I would vote for one near the pool on Demott. It scares me every time I see kids trying to cross there.

 

I havent even seen a speed limit sign inside of the neighborhoods. Ive only seen them on the larger "connector" roads(IE Waxpool,Claiborne). Maybe before spending money on speeed bumps we can put up signs?

 

Signs could be a start, but I doubt they will do much good. Can you name one area where residential doesn't = 25 mph? Its common sense. People just don't care cause they use Demott as a cut through to the shopping center. I live off of Demott and each morning when turning onto Demott I have to watch for cars flying around the bend by the pool. Sad to say I feel like its only a matter of time before a kid gets hit on that road - the kids pool is right there and there are lots of little kids that live across the street from it.