Tuesday, September 18, 2018

How Many Kittens Does It Take to Change a Light-bulb?

Answer: it doesn’t matter; they keep coming regardless.

Apparently, there are more kittens in the feral colony behind my work-place. I am told that there were three, a black and white or grey, and two grey tabbies. Now, there is one. I caught two last night.

They are from different litters. The black and white kitten, whom I’ve named Doodle, appears to be five weeks old; the tabby, now called Sketch, seven or eight weeks. The contrasting ages is not encouraging to me, since it may mean there are still more. However, after some investigation, I’ve learned that three new ones are all that has been sighted. In any case, we faced a bit of a dilemma of what to do about the new pair, since the two groups who took the last batches - the staff of the charity next door took the first, and a rescue organisation took the second - are unable to help this time.

But good people are often found when needed. My colleague, who feeds the feral colony, and is my chief source of intelligence on it, volunteered to take in the newly-trapped kittens. He had four for whom he was caring, but I was able to arrange their transport to an adoption centre up north. Really, rescue work is a cross between complicated business deals and medieval alliances.

One more kitten - of whom I know - remains to be captured. But what of their mothers, neither of which is Beulah, Adah’s elusive parent? There are still numerous cats to trap and sterilise, so the operation continues. Your good wishes would be appreciated and, if you have influence with those who create favourable conditions, another couple nights of double-captures would not be scorned. Just a word in your ear.

15 comments:

  1. John, your efforts are saving these cats! Thank you and your group for the effort...and the love.

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  2. Look how scared they are, precious little ones. They should be okay, though, with patience and TLC. Congratulations on getting them! And continued good luck with the remaining ones. There always will be a never-ending stream of (unwanted, feral, abandoned, etc.) kittens and adult cats, but you (and all involved) are doing amazing and wonderful work, making such an incredible difference in the lives of the ones you get (whether or not they realize it!).

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  3. Best of luck in catching the (rest of the?) remaining kitten(s).

    carrylovescat.com

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  4. ARE YOU LISTENING, ST. FRANCIS?!

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  5. nice catch on the babies....and lots of good wishes on catching the rest of them

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  6. You're doing such a great job of TNR, John, and it's especially wonderful that you've caught kittens. The best time to socialize kittens is when they are between 2 and 7 weeks old. After 7 weeks of age the chance to socialize them can be lost and it's more difficult for them to learn how to relate to humans. Keep up the marvelous work! I'll add my voice to Undine's!

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  7. You are doing wonderful work catching the kittens so they have a better life. I hope your success continues.

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  8. J;

    blessings to you and everyone involved in helping these cats have better lives....and we will ask st francis to put a "bug" in their ears, to let the cats/kittens know that this is .....a good thing.....

    ♥♥♥

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  9. I think you and your rescue are wonderful. I mean it.

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  10. They don't make it easy but we sure appreciate you helping those sweeties!

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  11. I will say a prayer that they can all be helped.

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  12. We are all so thankful for and proud of all of the work you are doing to help these homeless little ones. You never ask for or even accept recognition for yourself. St. John of the Kittens. May God bless you.

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  13. Oh my, it's so sad that there are so many. Especially the adults who will cause the next batch of kittens. Wishing you lots of luck and good weather, that the older ones and the last kitten can be captured. I know you realize the good work you are doing, but know too that your readers, including me, are so proud of the work you are doing. Keep up the great work!

    Eileen

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  14. I love what Kari above said. I agree with her description of you.

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  15. Thank you for the work you and your wonderful co-trappers/rescuers. This seems endless but think of the cats and kittens you have managed to trap and care for. You have changed the lives of all these lovely cats.

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