Tuesday, October 6, 2020

The Fugitive Surrenders

Two years ago - in August of 2018 - I began Operation Slim Pickens, my first attempt to trap and have neutered or spayed the cats in the colony behind my work-place. I was able to capture quite a few, the majority kittens but, importantly, several adults. In October, 2019, I launched Operation Doctor Moreau, to capture five older kittens who had appeared in the same location. In this endeavour, I was successful. Then just this past June, I opened Operation Raffles, intending to catch still more ferals. This effort too achieved results.


Through all of these attempts, over more than two years, after an endless series of mornings and evenings of traps set out and baited, the cat Bauble, possibly mother to many kittens, has eluded me. Irregularity and infrequency of appearances, wariness, fear of enclosure, knowledge of traps, all had given her a seeming immunity to my plans. That ended today.



It was a tense few minutes. I had evolved a plan using Temptation treats, and the fact that Bauble waited close by for her meals. I set two traps, each with treats on two dishes, one with a few treats half-way into the trap, and the other with more at the back, to draw Bauble in and onto the trigger. Then I sprinkled treats at the entrances. I tossed individual treats toward Bauble, so that they would land increasingly near the cages. Another difficulty, though, was that the other cats who gathered for breakfast were also interested in the treats. I had to throw treats behind those beasts to pull them away from the cage. If one of them triggered the trap, it would not only catch the wrong cat but probably scare Bauble away for good.


But, for once, all worked as it should have. Bauble came closer to the trap, then entered deeper into it. There was a possibility that the trap’s trigger would not collapse under her and shut the door; that had happened before. The chain connecting the trigger-platform to the door sometimes sticks. I watched the whole drama from just yards away. I don’t think I breathed the entire time.


Bauble’s surgery has already been arranged; it will take place at mid-day. She will then stay over night at my apartment, and then be released tomorrow. There is a chance that she has had kittens recently; if so, I don’t want to keep her away from them for too long. If there are youngsters, they will be old enough to survive without their mother; their capture will likely not be an ordeal (at least not for me).


But, as far as I can determine, there are no more cats in the colony who need to be fixed, certainly no adults whom I have seen. With Bauble’s capture, at long last, I can close down Operation Raffles. I can relax. For now.

13 comments:

  1. Congratulations on capturing Bauble! Your patience paid off, and now she will have a much easier life without the stress of having litter after litter.

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  2. Oh, that's such an extra achievement when you can capture a mom cat and get her fixed. Congratulations!

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  3. we noe ewe R scared bauble; but itz gonna bee aye oh kay; promize...thatz a promize frum all oh uz...ewe R one gorgeouz gal N we send best fishez two ewe for a success full op

    ☺☺☺♥♥♥

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  4. A veteran of three TNR campaigns; my hat is off to you!
    The feelings of finally trapping a cat are indescribable: journey's end.

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  5. That's wonderful, we know all about those elusive Mamas.

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  6. That is the best of best news! Congratulations John, on capturing the mama cat. That is an achievement that will please you and we on your behalf, a long time.

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  7. Congratulations! I am glad your perseverance has paid off.

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  8. Congratulations, this is fantastic news! She's a pretty little thing; purrs and paws crossed for her spay and recovery. Well done! :-)

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  9. Well done John! To know that there won't be more unwanted kittens to be saved is wonderful. It's such a shame that some many people feel these animals as disposable.

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  10. Such persistence has paid off in a good way. You'll be able to relax, knowing that these cats have been spayed or neutered. Hopefully an end to a another batch or two of kittens. Work Well Done John.

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    1. Thank you but, as I've learned, I won't be able to relax yet. Sigh.

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  11. Great work and that there are no more is wonderful. I am sure some irresponsible owner will make that a no more for now in the future but small wins can lead to success in an area

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