Jake's found a home!

Jake found himself a new home!

Those of you who visit CatVando are familiar with Jake's ways and charms. He was an indoor cat who became an indoor outdoor cat then became primarily an outdoor cat, living on the enclosed back or front porches with access to the yard area. He had quite the beginning, coming to us initially for therapy for his 'bite' behavior. He was doing great. We always had to exercise caution but he quit the intensity of his behavior and became more the charmer he really was. Jake is an alpha cat and even tho he was neutered, whenever there was a new cat on the premises, the boy would spray his little heart out - and, because of the influx of cats coming and going for TNR aftercare, ............... let's just say, there use to be a great leather couch here - use to be. Jake helped redecorate. We now have all wicker furniture. Anyway, Jake disappeared. He was in the habit of getting into cars and we thought maybe he took a ride somewhere and was trying to find his way home. 4 weeks to the day that he disappeared, we got a call from a local vet. Jake found a new home in Forest Park. We've worked out the arrangements, warning of his behavior and habits and are thrilled that he has a home where he's the only cat, where he can cuddle in bed for his night's rest, which he loves. Don't you just love the white heart on his abdomen

Berwyn's Colony of 18!

The Adventures of TNR

We got a referral from Animal Care League about a couple of fellas who just inherited a colony of cats from their neighbor. An older woman had been feeding cats for years, but like so many people who are compassionate and feed rather than let them suffer and starve, she didn't realize she could get them to stop having kittens. Most people think it either not possible or they can't afford it - so they multiply.

The Good News is that after she died, her neighbors took over as their caregivers. They've built wonderful winter shelter, have a heated water bowl, and feed twice a day. Knowing they needed to stop the kitten flow, after several calls, they found us. We TNR'd 15 out of the 19 cats this week. 3 of them are 2 month old cuties, now in foster, young and friendly enough to adopt ( TNA's Trap Neuter Adopt) . And 1 is on the enclosed front porch and will be vetted next Tuesday. He or she, a beautiful long haired grey and black tabby with a white crest, was in the yard the day when I returned the males. Fortunately, there was still a trap there (to catch Popeye, who's one of 2 known unsterilized, uncaught cats). Typically, when the cats were returned, they ran for the hills as soon as I opened the trap doors. The guys (caretakers) left food for the returning boys and she was there for lunch. With the boys out of the way, I put food in the trap, took the rest away and it wasn't long before she was in the trap on her way to TNR. Unfortunately, that was Wednesday and next clinic is Tuesday. Not wanting to leave him in the trap for a week, I attempted to put her in one of the large cages equipped with a small carrier in the hopes that she'll run into it. Welllllllllllll, she made a U Turn at the opening of the trap, and in 3 seconds she was on the other side of the room 1/2 way up the wall then, because she was freaked out she hit every wall on the porch until she found a hiding place under a chest. Poor baby has been crying on and off since. The females, were still in their traps on the porch. For the next day, there was a symphony of cat calls. The most vocal group we've done aftercare for. The girls are gone but the Porch Girl l is still loose on a porch. Trap is pre-baiting, she has warm places to sleep but she's miserable. A real downside of doing this is going through things like this. Hopefully, she's comfortable enough by Monday so I can set the trap, get her vetted and returned to her family by next Thursday.

Chances are we won't catch the remaining two. That's why we go for as many cats as we can with the initial trapping. However, good news is, 90% is effective against further growth.

The kitties are being treated for upper respiratory infections and should be ready for in about 1-2 weeks. They're on Clinidrops, Crystal Lungs & Terramyacin eye gel.

And, that's the skimmed version of this weeks TNR report!