Cats, cats, cats

Hey, ladies! I haven't been here for a while, but I need some advice! Last spring a skinny little black cat showed up around my house. It turns out that she had 2 perfectly black kittens under my deck (I think). I started feeding them (because I LOVE black cats), and although they like the kitten food I put out for them all, they won't let me get anywhere close to them.

Well, now it's finally getting pretty cool in Tennessee, and I'm worrying about them being without shelter. The thing is that they could belong to some neighbors-- People tend to let their cats roam around here. I don't think anyone owns them, but I don't know for sure. Anyway, is there a type of shelter I should buy for them? Do you know what features I should look for?

It's apparently a family of 2 black offspring (now grown and indistinguishable), a black mama cat, and a larger black daddy-cat who comes around sometimes, too. The offspring and mama look exactly alike, so I can't tell them apart. Unfortunately, none of them will let me get within even 15 feet of them!

I know I should catch them and have them neutered, but how? I do have a trap somewhere in the attic, but what do I do if I can't get it fixed within a day??? I have GREAT respect for the damage an angry cat can do! Also, I worry a bit about inadvertently carrying any diseases they may have to my own inside cats, Piper (tuxedo) and Dobby (black). Dobby has pretty serious kidney disease, so his vet has held his vaccinations this year, and I don't know how vulnerable he is.

Thanks!!!

Leslie

there's a lot of ideas on the Facebook page of 'cats haven' in Indianapolis. On that page, they have linked several articles about that very thing! https://m.facebook.com/CatsHavenIndy/

Yes fingers crossed Miss Felix will ace her exam.

Mommyof2 i have completely given up on having a decorated Xmas tree other than with lights. Waaayyy too much interest in my house if I dare to place an ornament or two

Novel therapy for Chemo-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy just discovered!

We made it. Miss Felix was a good kitty. The vet said she is getting so old that she doesn't need to take the vaccines anymore. She has lost another pound since Feb. The doctor changed her Gabapentin to twice a day, instead of prn. Just to make her comfortable. She is 22.

Petite, At 22, Ms Felix should have everything she wants on a golden platter (not to say she isn't getting that). She will be more comfortable with the extra gabapentin.

Fairchild, Good luck to you and your daughter. Our shelter loans out traps, so you might see if anyone does that.

Petite I am glad that the Vet is allowing Ms Felix to enjoy her golden years without shots. I hope the Gabapentin works wonders for her.

Saw a stray black kitty that was sooo hungry two days ago. I stopped and all I had in the car was potato chips which he ate quickly. I couldn't take him with me in the car but I am keeping an eye out for him. If I see him again I have either food to feed him or will pick him up. He was so sweet. Had a wonderful meow like a Siamese.

One of the shelter volunteers sent back a photo of the public places to leave food for stray cats. They are valued and the population puts out food regularly.

I don't know. It was a seaport, so the cats were probably pretty well fed from that population. Perhaps the people offerings were just dessert.

I think it was Missouri Cat Lady (or something like that). She hasn't posted in a long time, hope she's OK.

It wasn't me. Here is a post from January 7, 2020 about a shelter MissoriCatLady's DH built.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/156/topics/834322?page=181#post_5501288

I remember that home for the strays. Midnight Louie thinks he is freezing and his little body is between me and the back of my chair. That is better than when he is helping me post. Miss Felix is doing pretty well with the increased pain meds. She was feeling so good last night she wanted to get in a fight with Louie. He usually backs off, but he stood up on his back legs with front claws out. He is now bigger. The last few months he has filled out and is no longer 3' long and 2" wide. Felix is shrinking. Since no one wants to go out on the lanai, I hope they just ignore each other.

Quick update on our COVID kittens (or shittens as we call them). Annie's prolapse looks to be fully resolved (yay) and Stevie is doing great too. Here's a super cute photo of Annie completely entranced with all our leaves (glad someone likes them). We call her Cowgirl b/c of how her fur looks, isn't she beautiful?

edj3, yes Cowgirl is beautiful!

edj3, she's a beauty! Glad their problems resolved.