Monday, February 17, 2014

We got her.....

First - a statement from the management: mom volunteers for two different groups. The "shelter" is a limited admissions group. The "rescue" is no-kill, TNR based. The shelter is run by paid staff during the day and volunteers in the evening - and the same group that mom had issues with this summer with the space kittens. Some would tell mom to move on, but she like the volunteers she works with and helping the adopting public. So, while this is about a cat and that group, this isn't a referendum on mom continuing to work with them. She may not agree with the director, but since she doesn't have to work with her all the time, mom is willing to go with it.
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This summer there was a young cat that showed up in the parking lot of the shelter. She was skittish but wouldn't run like a true feral. The admissions policy for the shelter is that the cat needs to be adoptable. This girl was going to require some serious work. So volunteers were concerned about her. However, the director decided to trap her, spay her and release her.

But....the director then sent an email that they "didn't want a feral colony and would not provide shelter/food for her". Mom - among others - wasn't happy about this. Mom asked for permission to trap her and move her....and didn't get an answer.

Mom spent some time thinking about this girl. We have our feral girl here so mom had some concerns. Allie has to be our first concern - what if she didn't like the new girl? If this new cat decided not to stick around, we live near some big roads and that made mom nervous.

Then our friend Miss Emily posted on facebook about her feral cat. Well Miss Emily lives about 20 minutes away and not near a big road and has some land. So mom emailed her and they went back and forth a few times. Miss Emily and her husband said they would take in this girl and they even had a shelter so she could be contained until she adjusted to her new environment.

On the sly, mom started trying to trap the cat. Mom caught a raccoon.....saw the girl often....fed her when she could. But could NOT get her into a live trap.

Last weekend mom was at the rescue talking and another volunteer mentioned that she had a drop trap and mom could borrow it.
Mom didn't get a picture of it set up cause she forgot the camera.

Saturday night mom went over to the shelter. The cat met her in the parking lot and even watched mom set up the trap. Mom put some food next to the trap to get her attention. And then it was wait. The girl ate the food next to the trap. She then walked in, sniffed the food...and walked back out. Don't move mom.....well the girl went back in and mom yanked the string. With a satisfying thunk, the trap dropped and the girl was caught inside.  WOOHOO!!!


Even better, Miss Emily was near our house at another event. So she stopped over last night and picked up our girl. She is going to try her out in the bathroom for a couple of days to check her temperment and see what happens. With any luck, she is shy and we can rehab her and find her a home inside with someone. If not, Miss Emily will take her out to the enclosure and let her adjust to her new surroundings before letting her live in their yard.

Either way, Katniss (after surviving the shelter hunger games) will be loved and cared for with food and shelter by Miss Emily. THANKS!!!! 

And we have to tell you, if you have never done TNR, mom says there is something seriously satisfying about trying to catch a cat that needs help and finally hearing the trap drop or close. Want to try it? We bet there is a group in your area that could use your help.  :)


31 comments:

  1. Aw, isnt she pretty! I hope she is just shy, and can be brought around to live indoors! Yay for your mom for not giving up on her!

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  2. Paws up for Katniss! Although she is probably not too appreciative right now! Those drop traps are awesome. Please keep us posted on her.

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  3. Awwwww Katniss!! Such an apt name for a gorgeous and brave heroine! Yay for mum and Miss Emily!! Take care
    x

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  4. What an awesome post to read! Congrats on getting her and the boys are sending purrs for her. She'll be safe and well taken care of now, no matter where she ends up. Yay!

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  5. She's beautiful. We're so glad you finally caught her so that she can have a brighter future, either in a home or at least a safer place for a feral to live.

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  6. We enjoyed reading your post ; concatulations on your mom's trapping skills ! Purrs to Katniss and you all

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  7. That is such a great story and so glad you caught her. It took me two years to catch the Momma kitty that lives here. It is such a rewarding feeling to finally catch a cat like that. And then get them to trust you is even better. Great job getting that cat.

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  8. Yay! Persistence paid off. We're so glad you caught Katniss (love the name) and that she will have a home one way or another. The mom agrees about the trapping thing too...she's trapped a few cats, like Zoey, and it's a very satisfying feeling when they're inside the cage. :)

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  9. What a pretty lady cat - thank you for caring about her.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  10. yay! wonderful. Congrats and you should be proud of your tenacity and care for this little needy critter. We're proud of you!! What did you do with the raccoon anyway? - Crepes.

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    1. the raccoon was let go - mom had to argue with him to get him out of the trap though - he seemed young and was pretty sure the trap was a good place (heck - it had cat food in it at one point). MOL

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  11. We could just hear the thunk when the door closed, but she looks trusting and must know a good home awaits. So thankful a pretty girl like this has hope in her future! ~ Julie and kitties Chopin, Tinker and Anastasia

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  12. That's great! So glad you are providing for her so she has a home one way or another.

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  13. Well done! Have a good life, Katniss!
    Mommy used the life trap several times and her heart would pound when the target cat approached the trap and how excited she felt when the door slammed shut, WITH the cat in the trap. :)

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  14. Yippee! Thank goodness she was gotcha'd and will now learn how good life can be! Way to go mom! Purrs...

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  15. all de best two ewe katniss wear ever yur forevers home may be !!!! yay! N manee thanx ta yur mom tim N ta miss emily for steppin up N helpin this gurl...we noe her will bee thanx full two !!!!

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  16. Yay for Mom! She looks a lot like Stinky the farm cat. She will now have a much better life.

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  17. YAY for katniss!! And thank you for not giving up on her!

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  18. A huge round of ap-PAWS for your mom and Miss Emily!!!!

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  19. Great work, it's so good to know one more cat is safe and will be taken care of!
    I hope she turns out to be merely shy, and adoptable, but either way she's a lucky girl to have you (and Miss Emily) there for her.

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  20. You and Miss Emily rock! We have our paws crossed that Katniss rehabilitates and comes around enough to live indoors!

    the critters in the cottage xo

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  21. Glad to know on more kittie is safe. Concats to your momma, and many purrrrrrss to Miss Emily.

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  22. Thanks for persisting to get the sweet girl.
    I had a drop trap built since there were two in our colony who were trap-wise - it worked for both of them!

    Keep up the good work!


    Pet lovers please check out my homeless cat blog archives for some informative posts and stories about the cat abandoned/feral colony I manage.

    Debby in Arizona
    http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/

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  23. Also Seriously Satisfying to read the happy ending to this cat tale!

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  24. Yay!!!! So glad to hear this! Wonderful work, and paws up to your mama and Ms. Emily!

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  25. Great work! It's a shame (and I could rant with a similar problem) that some staff (and to be fair I have seen it with volunteers) can really cause major issues at shelters. I'm glad you got her, despite no response in the request to do so. You are part of the future of animal welfare that includes counting feral/outdoor cats as those who deserve a high quality and cared for life.

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  26. That's so awesome, Jeanne! Well done, and thank you and everyone involved for caring so much!

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