Conference misery::feline

    Anne.
    
    As a rescuer of many cats and some of them being feral..I can 
    tell you that it can be done with ALOT of time, money and patients.
    It will be very hard to find an Organization that will help you
    without just capturing the cats and putting them to sleep because
    they are feral.
    
    Can ferals learn to trust humans.  They sure can...but it takes alot
    of time and patients to reach their hearts so they become adoptable.
    You can capture them by a have-a-heart trap...and once they are
    caught you will need to keep them confined..pay alot of attention
    to them..and try to win them over.   This will be a major project..
    and depending on how many cats there are it could take you years
    to accomlish.   It can be done because I'm on my 6th year in
    my neighborhood and have rescued well over 25 cats....BUT there
    are still more out there. (sigh)  
    
    Is it possible to build them a few boxed shelters???  I can give
    you instruction on how to build some good insulated boxes.  Can they
    get in the barn???  It would be GREAT if you could find a group to
    atleast trap, provide medical work (shots/fixing) and even put them
    back and continuing feeding them. 
    
    I wish I could help more...but I'm still working on my own problem..
    and I doubt I'll ever see the end in my neighborhood.  Do some
    advertising at your husbands work to see if people can help..
    provide money for medical care or food...or take turns feeding them
    atleast throught the winter months.
    
    If you have any questions...please feel free to write to me
    offline.
    Sandy 
            

    Just an FYI, but I got my recent addition from the Dog Officer.
    Guess she receives calls and attempts to capture them, especially
    those with the new families and keeps them in the dog shed.  There
    had to have been three to four moms and kittens the day I went
    there, but I don't think they advertise the fact that they do
    rescue and attempt to get adoptions for all of them (so yes, I
    am spreading the word).  May be worth a shot to call your local
    officer and chat about the situation.
    
    Cindy
    

    HI....Here's a suggestion for feeding these barn cats.....since they
    are already wild....try putting out bird feeders around the area, they
    are more apt to catch a bird than come near you with food in your hand. 
    	Also, wild cats can get sick from eating domestic cat food, they
    have spent so long surviving on fresh kill.
    	15 years ago I adopted a kitten whose mother gave birth to her
    under a pile of leaves and feed them regurgitated worms. It took a long
    time before she would eat regular food, she drank milk for the first 6
    months of her life.
    	I would find her occasionally eating worms from the garden. I never
    thought she would remember, she was only 4 weeks old when I took her. 
    	Unfortunantely she died 2 years ago, old.
    	So, if you want to begin by setting up bird feeders, and then put
    cat food under the feeders, once they start to eat the food, take away
    the feeders and draw them towards yur home little by little......before
    you know it, they'll be entering your house to eat. 
    	I don't suggest catching them and confining them inside. That will
    make a very miserable kitty! I did that once and to this day the cat is
    a grumpy scared nervous wreck. I have another I caught, but still he
    goes out.....but he never misses meal time!
    
    	Be careful with the attempts. You may lose your patience often but
    don;t give up! Eventually they will love you back(some of them)
    
    					K.T.

    I've domesticated wild cats.  It takes patience, and putting food
    out (I've never had a problem with good quality cat food being
    accepted, and IMHO they need it after half starving), and
    slowly getting the cats used to you.
    

    Ohhhh...I do know it's natural for cats to feed on birds, BUT
    I could never actually "set-up" a death trap for any other
    animal.    It's interesting that your wild cat got sick
    eating cat food because I  have never had a problem feeding 
    wild cats cat food.  As a matter of fact... food and catnip are
    the only way I have reached their hearts!!!
    
    Again..no matter what works for the base noter...it takes
    alot of time and patiences.
    
    Sandy
    
    

    What is complicating this matter is that these cats are about a 45
    minute drive from my home, and I can't seem to get a regular ongoing
    committment from any of the workers there to feed them. I am going to
    try to catch them with a have-a-heart trap (I think), take them to get
    fixed, and see if my vet or another one suggested to me can help find a
    home. Wish I could take them myself, it sounds really rewarding and I
    like to think I'm on a very compatible wavelength with cats--I think I
    could get their trust. But my four Fuzzy Faces are enough. 
    I also wrote that recent Peeing contest note! I dread to think what would 
    happen with even more
    cats around. Plus, we rent a house and have no extra space. But I'll
    do what I can. Thanks for the suggestions. I can't really handle the
    bird feeder deal either. I also love birds. Hey, I can't even kill BUGS! 
    I put them out! So these cats will have to just eat cat food or
    continue to go hungry. Thanks again for all the suggestions. 
    

    Check to see if there is a branch of National Pet Alliance in your
    area.  They have a program for feral cats call TTVAR (trap, test,
    vaccinate, alter and release).  If there is a branch in your area,
    perhaps they can help.
    
    Jan

    Yes, true, that bird feeder idea didn't sound very nice, but I meant
    only if they wouldn't accept the cat food. I have even called Tufts
    Universary for listings of groups that may help you out. Try them.
    Maybe even the MSPCA??
    
    		Good Luck.

    The sad part is that in Mass most of our animal organizations
    that would help with ferals...will NOT find them homes and
    just put them to sleep.   Including the MSPCA or Worcester Rescue
    League.   You could attempt to call some of the No-kill
    animal shelters....
    
    I'd really love to see an Organization in this area that believe
    in the trap/neuter/release program.  
    
    Sandy 

    .6
    
    I know what you mean.  We have just added an additional 3 to our 5
    furry faces.  I find that Odermute and kitchen plastic wrap handle the
    problem of spraying quite well.  My bookcases and other furniture in 
    "shot" have a surrealistic look to them with skirts of Saran wrap, but 
    if I were the kind of person who cared about that kind of thing I 
    wouldn't have cats.  It didn't help that they haven't been able to go 
    out because of the cold and snow, but even so the problem hasn't been 
    a big one.  Were they glad last night when I opened the cat door for 
    them to run in and out all night.  Are they going to be mad when I 
    close it tonight.
    
    I have only tried to tame a wild cat once.  I was having limited
    success, but he stopped coming the day after the Rabies Shot law
    came into effect.  I am afraid that someone "handled" the problem
    permanently. I miss old Casper. 
    

    
    Maybe I missed it somewhere, but in what town is this barn located.
    Perhaps some of the people reading FELINE would we willing to help
    out if they knew the location.

    It's in Westford, MA, next to J.A.Healy and Sons Oil and Heating, but
    nobody has seen the cats lately. Food is being left out for them daily,
    and it's gone the next day. I know this is just a short-term solution
    (feeding) but it's all I've had a chance to do. I'll let you know if
    they reappear. (I only rely on reports from my husband--I don't live
    near there, otherwise I'd be doing much more.) Thanks for caring :-)