Yes we do have organizations that trap, fix & release. Main problem with this one is I do believe the mother cat does belong to an irresponcible neighbor up the street that lets their cats run outside unfixed. I would most likely could be sued if I trapped her and the kittens (though the kittens can be classified as feral) even if they might never notice. So I'm doing just a small bit to help ensure their survival.sensei wrote:Do you have a feral cat organization in your area who could help out? While the kittens are cute, what often happens to such cats when they mature can be troublesome. And at the same time feral cats are often difficult to capture and place into domestic homes because of the wild habits they have already learned. In my area there is an active organization that observes and maintains a number of feral cat communities, providing shelter, vaccination, and birth-control to keep populations from outgrowing what the food supply can maintain.
Here's a place on the Humane Society of the United States's website where you can find and contact a local feral cat protection group. Or link to the existing ones for information on how you can keep these cuties safe and healthy in the long run. And here's a page for a group in the San Diego area with lots of resources and links.
Good luck to you and to your new neighbors!
OMG. I am amazed at the coincidence. You mentioned the FCC in San DIego. I am the veterinary liason for the San Diego FCC and am on their board of directors. I didn't know that very many people were aware of our website. Sorry it is a little out of date. The information is correct, but some of the photos and names are old.sensei wrote:Do you have a feral cat organization in your area who could help out? While the kittens are cute, what often happens to such cats when they mature can be troublesome. And at the same time feral cats are often difficult to capture and place into domestic homes because of the wild habits they have already learned. In my area there is an active organization that observes and maintains a number of feral cat communities, providing shelter, vaccination, and birth-control to keep populations from outgrowing what the food supply can maintain.
Here's a place on the Humane Society of the United States's website where you can find and contact a local feral cat protection group. Or link to the existing ones for information on how you can keep these cuties safe and healthy in the long run. And here's a page for a group in the San Diego area with lots of resources and links.
Good luck to you and to your new neighbors!
If they're on your property, you can basically do what you want. If the cat isn't wearing a collar and isn't microchipped, you can basically treat it as a stray. I imagine your local area has an ordinance against pets roaming freely, too. If the owners are as irresponsible as you believe, I doubt they'd even notice if their cat went missing for a few days if you took it in to be fixed. Many branches of the Humane Society offer free or low-cost neuter/spay services. Unless you want the feral cat population in your neighborhood to skyrocket, I'd suggest doing this (at least for all the kittens).I would most likely could be sued if I trapped her and the kittens (though the kittens can be classified as feral) even if they might never notice.
I have already email the Kitten Rescue org I got Moose from but am waiting to hear back from them, in the meantime I will continue to let them live on my front porch that is covered and provide food and water. My yard is one of the few "safe" yards IE: no dogs in our neighborhood. Over the years I have seen at least 20 or more cats (several generations) tied into this neighbor. More than half are no longer around and I expect they are dead (most likely cars or other animals). I would love to see these kittens have the chance to grow up in loving enviroment.sensei wrote:Yes, I wouldn't advise you to take unilateral action. But it would be good to let the group know of the situation, and take their advice on what to do to keep the mother and kittens healthy and safe. They doubtless know the issues involved and how to address them in the animals' best interest.
Doubtless your neighbor might have legal issues of his own if he claimed ownership of the animals and simultaneously neglected to care for their basic shelter and food needs. That's a civil crime in most regions. If he disclaimed ownership, then he has no legal problems but the feral cat rescue people are entitled to trap, vaccinate, and spay/neuter them to protect their health and that of the humans who live in their territory.
Actually, all I did was Google "feral cats" and your site popped right up. We have a group (Town Cats) nearby that looks after local populations, and they publicize their work at local fairs and in the papers, so I'm aware of the TNR (Trap, neuter, release) strategy of maintaining feral cats. Good luck, JWR. I think with people feeling passionately about the subject and passing on good information on how to help that the situation can change for the better.graymouser wrote: You mentioned the FCC in San DIego. I am the veterinary liason for the San Diego FCC and am on their board of directors. I didn't know that very many people were aware of our website.
