Part I: A couple of weeks ago my father in law found a tiny kitten in a field. It was not afraid of people at all, which makes it seem that the kitten was born in someone's home and dumped in the country. It happens a lot, but usually they are older. Both my husband and father in law have both seen people open their car doors and let out animals then drive away.
This baby might not have lasted another 24 hours on its own. After a week of getting fattened up she had to go to the vet because they found an abcess on her cheek. At that point the kitten, now named Minnie Pearl still weighed only 11 ounces.
Part II: My sister was driving back from a late lunch this afternoon and the car in front of her tossed something out the window. My sister drove about 1/2 block and said to herself, "I need to see what that was." Thank goodness she did. It was another kitten. She brought it by my office so I could weigh it on the postage meter. I took him around and marketed him to my co-workers, but no nibbles so far.
My sister can't keep it because she already has three cats who are not happy about her giant puppy. She lives across the street from the woman who runs a feral cat trap, neuter and release program (and finds homes for many of them). Sis said she'd pay the medical bills to get it going if the cat group can get it into a foster care or home.
My mom lives out in the country and same deal. People always dump out dogs and cats out there. But they do not take care of the animals. If they wander onto the property they chase them away and if they refuse to leave or act aggressive toward my parent's farm animals or pets or people, they get shot.
This kind of thing makes me so sad. I have already told DH that if we every own a good amount of acreage I am going to have a large barn meant for feral cats. Probably would even have a place with a/c for them in the summer. Just a huge refuge for them where I could have them all fixed and they can have a safe place with food and shelter. May not sound like a good thing to those who think all cats should live inside but I just never want a cat to be euthanized.
EmmDee if you have a barn you will get cats in it for sure. They will look for any shelter they can. Last year when we got one stray spayed and found homes for her kittens, the next day another cat moved her kittens in. I neutered six cats last year and found homes for four others. You're right being a barn cat is not the best, but at least they have a place to live.
EmmDee if you have a barn you will get cats in it for sure. They will look for any shelter they can. Last year when we got one stray spayed and found homes for her kittens, the next day another cat moved her kittens in. I neutered six cats last year and found homes for four others. You're right being a barn cat is not the best, but at least they have a place to live.
I did catch one of our barn cats doing what she is supposed to. I had the canned cat food out, but she was being very interested in something over on the other side of the barn. She had a mouse!