The twenty Kittens were apparently born in the last Spring, the person I inherited this property from was too lazy to TNR the four mothers so now we’re at where we are. I like the Cats and the Kittens, but 30 has to be the maximum. Another generation and I’m worried this problem will be so completely beyond my control. It’ll already cost me at least $1,000, and being in a rural area there are no City Shelters or resources on alleycat.org for at least 100 miles.
The Cats are all skittish, and only half of the Kittens will let me pet them if they’re preoccupied once I’ve put food out; otherwise, they all bolt when I come out. No one’s “feral” though, they don’t hiss ever.
Is there a sedative I can put in the food that won’t hurt them so I can round them up and take them in? I worry about trapping them in those box traps meant for Raccoons/Opossums, and even if I could fool a few of them, I doubt I could catch all ~30 this way.
I absolutely want to fix all of them and let them live together, the property’s huge and I see all of them every day, they’re not bothering anyone – but this has to be the last generation.
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Also, with that many, see if you can negotiate with a vet to give you a discount – or a cat rescue to help offset the cost. You are doing the right thing!!
Call the local humane society.
You will have to trap them.
>I worry about trapping them in those box traps meant for Raccoons/Opossums, and even if I could fool a few of them, I doubt I could catch all ~30 this way.
I wouldn’t worry you can catch them all in a week if you have at least 5 or 6 traps. I use those traps to catch strays who wonder into my yard. I then drive them out of the subdivision. A little tuna will lure them in. You might need a large kennel to keep them in though.
Live traps and cans of sardines in them as bait.
Some places have laws on how many cats you can have I’d find out
Reach out to your local humane society or cat rescue and see if they do trap- spay- release. They would probably appreciate a donation.
A trap, neuter, return program can help you.
You should see if you can contact the nearest TNR person. There are lots of organizations across the country that will help you TNR community cats. If they can’t physical help they may help you by lending you traps.
I followed Poet Square who similarly moved into a house with a ton of cats. She made it her mission to TNR as many of her community cats as possible(she lives in a suburban area tho). Watching some videos on TNR might help you with getting some tips.
I would start with the kittens since they aren’t super feral and probably won’t need to be trapped. Then work towards the adult cats. Getting as many of the females spayed as possible is huge since cats breed like rabbits.
Your county animal shelter could be of help when they hear your not dumping them into the system. You may want to have some contacts in place because every person I know who lives on a few acres gets regular free animal deliveries. They may even be willing to loan traps.
Leave a worn undershirt (toss and replace) by the feeding station. Your scent will become synonymous with good stuff. Sit on the ground and toss treats while you scroll your phone. You’ll figure who is friendly and could easily transition into being a house cat.
Start your own nonprofit to at the very least write off what you spend in cat care. Many people who foster dogs do this because they are unhappy with the dysfunction in some of the rescue organizations. They feel they’re better off being a one dog at a time rescue. It doesn’t hurt to see if the local vet is willing to do some TNR at cost since your local and cleaning up an existing mess not of your making.
Start your own you tube journey with cameras in the barn and recording your comedic attempts at herding cats.
Good on you for stepping up!
You don’t. Those are barn cats. They eat mice and varmits. Stop trying to make them into pets and let them do their feral thing.
Can you sell the farm