our feral kittens -- more than just their eyes!

[Bertha Venation]

Last time I posted photos of these babies, all I could show you was their eyes.

Get a load of these two cuties, eating their breakfast:

Black and Ginger


Black saw me through the window and ran under the porch to hide. But Ginger saw Mommy Ringtail coming up and decided it was safe to stay.

Ringtail and Ginger


Finally, Ginger spies me, but that little devil isn't afraid enough to run (at least, not until after I shot this, when I opened the front door).

Ginger's full attention; Mommy eats her breakfast


*sigh* I love cats.

[meti57b]

1. They're little beauty cuties!! ... great photography, too!!

[Bertha Venation]

2. Amazing what you can shoot

through a double-glazed window w/ a digital camera, eh? ;) Thanks.

[Deja Q]

3. Ginger is a doll!

They're both great cats, but Ginger looks so sweet and cuddly.

[Bertha Venation]

4. It's a damn good thing they're feral!

Tortie didn't show up for this shoot, but she's a fluffy miniature of her mommy, Ringtail. (Except w/out the ring.)

[WinterStorm]

5. Can you get near them at all?

The red headed one has to be a boy.

Can you post a link to your other thread for us newbies I would love to see more pictures of them.

:loveya:

[Bertha Venation]

8. Nope. They're almost completely wild.

Their mommy doesn't run as readily as they do, but still she won't let us get very close.

Unfortunately I can't search the archive right now -- servers are too busy. But I'll try to post a link to the other thread, kittens with glowing eyes, tomorrow.

[WinterStorm]

11. Mama was probably tossed out when she was young

They are cute kitties and mama is a very pretty cat.

:hug:

[Eurobabe]

6. STOP!!

You are giving me a serious case of kitten-itis!!

Very cute!

[Bertha Venation]

9. I can't!

Can't help myself.

Hmm... Crozet... fictional (or is it NOT fictional?) town in Albemarle County, VA? (Have we had this discussion already? :crazy:.)

[MuseRider]

7. Ahhhh

I love these posts with the cute pictures but I love most of all that you all care for these abandoned creatures. They look cared for. Ahhhhh. :loveya:

[Bertha Venation]

10. I feel SO. FREAKING. GUILTY. when I trap them for spay/neuter

and shots. But I know it's for the best.

[Carni]

12. OMG WHY?

Do you know how few people would be willing to (or can afford to)shell out the $$$ so that the little devils can continue to live outside and thrive?

You shouldn't feel guilty! :)

[Bertha Venation]

19. I feel guilty because I'm an emotional basket case, Carni. :)

I anthropomorphize all animals constantly. I can't turn it off. So when I trap a cat, I read "its" thoughts: "aaaaaahhhhhhhhh what is this why am i in a cage i'm so scared i don't want to die get me out OUT OUT i thought she would take care of me she always feeds me and talks to me why why why scared scared scared" --- :crazy:

I can't help it. :shrug:

[jukes]

17. it's hard to do

but def in their best interest. hardest is letting them go...

[MissMillie]

13. Bring them to me!

I want them all!

Precious babies!

[ET Awful]

14. They're awesome Bertha :)

Thanks for posting them and thanks for taking care of the poor little furballs :)

[SHRED]

15. Please keep these dangerous animals indoors

Americans keep an estimated 60 million cats as pets. Let's say each cat kills only one bird a year. That would mean that cats kill over 60 million birds (minimum) each year, more wildlife than any oil spill.

Scientific studies actually show that each year, cats kill hundreds of millions of migratory songbirds. In 1990, researchers estimated that "outdoor" house cats and feral cats were responsible for killing nearly 78 million small mammals and birds annually in the United Kingdom.

University of Wisconsin ornithologist, Dr. Santley Temple estimates that 20-150 million songbirds are killed each year by rural cats in Wisconsin alone.

Feline predation is not "natural." Cats were domesticated by the ancient Egyptians and taken throughout the world by the Romans. Cats were brought to North America in the 1800's to control rats. The "tabby" that sits curled up on your couch is not a natural predator and has never been in the natural food chain in the Western Hemisphere.

Cats are a serious threat to fledglings, birds roosting at night and birds on a nest. Research shows that de-clawing cats and bell collars do not prevent them from killing birds and other small animals. For healthy cats and wild birds, cats should not be allowed to roam free.

http://greennature.com/article2223.html

[jukes]

18. i echo your sentiments

& add that it is a great danger for them outdoors. realism must prevail, however, & most of us can only provide space for a lmtd #. if you can't keep them, spay/neuter is paramount.

[Bertha Venation]

20. I appreciate this and understand completely. But it's impossible.

These are feral cats. The best I can do is alter them so they don't reproduce.

FWIW, our indoor cats are strictly indoor. They're not allowed out.

[Carni]

22. I actually tamed one feral

It took me six months to catch him...he was about 8 months old.

I used a laundry basket and stick contraption.

You balance one end on a stick with a string attached and then put food under the basket--when the cat goes in you pull the string and the basket falls trapping the cat.(I forgot to add you have to set the whole thing on a board or heavy piece of cardboard)

It wasn't very effective which is why it took six months!
I also trapped 2 skunks in the process and I am not kidding...that was a bit dicey)

Once I caught the beast I carried the whole affair into a bathroom and let him chill there with food, water a blanket and a litter box for about two days.

We would gradually visit him and pet him (He was not happy)

Then we moved him into our bedroom where he stayed for about a week.

On about day four I was just about ready to hang it up and concede that he was too wild to be a pet when he suddenly started acting like he had always lived inside!

He's two now and strictly an indoor cat. He is BY FAR the smartest cat I have ever owned--loves people (esp kids in fact he prefers kids)

Actally he's doglike (comes when you call him fetches etc)

Taming a feral can be done but the older they get the harder it is!

[jukes]

16. Well, now!

FINE feral felines!

i love them dearly also. my life wd be very empty w/o them; in fact, it probably wd have ended long ago.

my 'tonio saved me from desperate depression.

[Bertha Venation]

21. well, jukes

Seems you and I have yet more in common. :hi: