Two of the kittens I have been trying to trap look very similar. I have caught Shasta; he was neutered and returned to his family last week. This morning, I trapped another black and white kitten. This is him, immediately below. Right below him is Shasta.
You can see the similarity. I had to consult to of my colleagues at work to help me differentiate them. The cats’ faces are too close for contrast - looking at Shasta’s photograph, I began to doubt that the dot on his nose was permanent, and therefore doubted that I could rely on it for identification. We at last decided that their flanks had differing patterns.
Then, I recalled that the doctor performing the surgeries now tips the ears of the ferals whom he fixes, rather than tattoos them. The efficacy of that practice was demonstrated when I saw that today’s kitten’s ears are intact. Much the better method of knowing cats than trying to find a visual difference in twins. All I have to do now is remember to look for it...
I've named the new one Fresca. I’ll say that he is another boy, and brother to Shasta. He will be fixed today.
Success for another kitten caught and will be fixed before release.
ReplyDeleteYou are dedicated to this and so are your colleagues. These 2
certainly look to be twins! And maybe easier for you to tell if they
have been previously TNR.
Fantastic job! I thought you were going to tell us that your crew (or some of) now had ear infections, in addition to their colds. So I'm glad to read something entirely different! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe clinics around here tip the ears, too. I'm not crazy about the disfiguring effect, but it does make it easy to tell what sort of stray you're dealing with!
ReplyDeleteThe alternative is tattooing, which was done until recently here. My Raleigh had a tattoo after he was neutered, but it could barely be seen on close examination. I would have had no luck trying to see a feral’s proof of sterilization.
DeleteFresca, you may be scared now, but your future is looking much, much brighter!
ReplyDeleteGood job, John!
Good work on getting another kitten.
ReplyDeleteFrom the photos it looks like the black marking on the right side of Sasta's face by his eye goes back straight, whereas on the other kitten it looks like it goes downwards. Ear tipping is much easier to see though.
Congratulations on trapping a second kitten! I love the names you've given them. Shasta and Fresca are so cute, and they do look like twins. If I remember correctly, didn't you mention that there are two adult cats in the colony that you are also trying to trap? Good luck on catching them.
ReplyDeleteActually, Fresca's the third kitten of this litter. I need to catch one more, a grey one. And yes, two adults are in my sights, too, but they - and the fourth kittem - won't be easy to trap.
DeleteMade me thirsty, reading those refreshing names! Ear tipping IS easier I am sure but some vets or techs get too too too free with it and disfigure the feline.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I submitted my comment and it's awaiting moderation, or was I called away first and never hit send. Agree with Undine. It IS disfiguring especially when they do both ears and cut half of it off. .
ReplyDeleteThey are both super cute and I'm glad the fixin' will be done.
ReplyDeleteExcellent news John!
ReplyDelete