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Nina, thank you again for your words of
encouragement and support. I woke up today feeling like a new woman...which
isn't so easy anymore at 41!
I decided that I must change my perspective for the
time being. It is very easy for me to become overwhelmed at the enormity of the
situation and the lack of support both physical help and financial. So, I
decided to take a deep breath and realize that I do not have to fix everything
today. I will step up my efforts and be diligent in learning as much as I can,
while investigating all avenues. If I let myself get overwhelmed, then I am
afraid I might fizzle out. So, I wll just put one foot in front of the other,
start thinking creatively and get going.As only 1 person, I certainly cannot
afford to fix it all myself, so I will do what and can do.I think that is a good
start.
I very much appreciate you being there with me in
this. They are all such precious souls and I will do whatever I can to improve
their health and existance. I promised them that I would do my
best.
I am going to print out some relevant info and see
about approaching some people in town. But I hesitate to draw too much attention
to them, because I fear for their safety. People here are always looking for
scapegoats and excuses for acting violently. I do not want these babies to pay
the price because I was naive. So I will read, learn and do my best for
them.
Thanks again so very much!!
Renee
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005 12:25
PM
Subject: Re: NJ feral group
Renee,
You are so very welcome. How nice to be
someone's angel! I'm glad some of my suggestions made sense to you and
that my moral support helped you feel less alone. This group is full of
angels, as you've now found out. As I said before, I'm betting that
Emma, (and probably her best friend too), will make the transition to house
cat pretty quickly. You guys already have a connection. I
understand the reluctance to "force" the issue, but most cats are not good
with change of any kind and Emma might be inclined to keep the status quo
without some stronger persuasion, (she has no idea how wonderfully her life
will change!). Her short life has been all about simple survival,
getting through the day alive, that's all she'll be thinking about. Ya
gotta be a little pushy so she can see for herself all the benefits of being
with you. You won't be sorry, once she understands that you are her
'angel', you'll have a devoted friend for life. If you've never trapped
before, I can understand your feelings of discomfort with the prospect.
Look at it this way, yes they're frightened, yes it is unpleasant for them,
but it's a necessary trade off for making their lives sooo much better.
It's like dealing with visits to the dentist. Pleasant? No.
But so much better to endure the momentary discomfort and keep your
teeth! The truly feral cats that you trap will be so much better off
getting neutered/shots. The colony will not only stop multiplying, but
as long as they have food and water provided, they will stop fighting and live
much more harmonious lives, (having food provided and being neutered
eliminates the reasons for fighting, hence cutting down on the transmission of
disease!). Continuing to feed a feral colony, while well intended, is
only half the solution. I have had the misfortune of seeing the
suffering and miserable deaths of sweet innocent kittens (most kittens born in
the wild do not make it to their 1st birthday). You have the power to
stop some of this suffering! We humans put these poor cats in the
position of surviving on their own, only we humans have the power to stop the
cycle. Get with one of the rescue organizations in your area, (Jenn sent
you a wonderful list of links that will surely turn up some help for
you). Let them know that you are willing to do the work, but you don't
have the funds necessary for such a large undertaking. Hopefully you'll
not only get financial assistance, but find a new friendship in someone who
will help you with the physical tasks as well. Patti is right, you don't
have to handle the ferals at all. You trap them, take them to the vet
still in the trap and bring them home while they are still asleep in a
carrier. Transfer them to a larger pen where they can recuperate from
their surgery in safety and then release them a couple days later. If
you trap someone that's friendly, hopefully the rescue you've found will be
able to foster them and find them a home. You can do it girl.
Sorry this is so long. Can you tell how near and dear to me every feral
in the world is?! Please let us know how you are doing. Whatever
the depth of your undertaking to help these guys is so very appreciated, esp
by any of the cats you help!
Nina
Renee M. Simon wrote:
Oh Nina, Thank you, thank you, thank you! YOU
HAVE BEEN MY ANGEL TODAY. i was feeling so frustrated and your words really
soothed my soul. I completely believe that the angels send certain kitties
my way. Last summer a feral close to death arrived on my doorstep. After
vetting and testing, we took him in. He is sleeping next to me now. I
found him collapsed on the grave of my beloved Miss Kitty.
I really loved your ideas about shelter. I
think I will open my crawl space tomorrow. I can't believe I didn't think of
that! And this is farm land, so free pallets are always around! Maybe my
hubby could get some heavy totes from work and we can use them. See, all I
had to do was ask and wonderful help arrived. I cannot thank you enough! you
have just eased my mind tremendously. At least I have a good start and
something constructive to do tommorrow for Emma and Abby, as well as the
others who live in the marsh.
Three days ago, someone who was feeding one all
summer decided to take him to the vet in hopes of adopting him. He tested
positive, but was asymptomatic. I do not know if they kept him or pts. My
boy Jasper was tested twice and was negative, so we were lucky. I currently
have 4 cats and 2 dogs. I have over 3000sq ft so they all have their own
places. My hope was to bring Emma into the house, but she seems to feral to
me and I am not sure she would make the transition.She is about 2 yrs old I
think. I don't know if she is positive or not and I don't have a room to
keep her isolated safely. I am waiting for divine inspiration on that
one!
I am also going to write to my local newspapers
and see if they can help,maybe an article? I will also post an ad to see if
anyone can donate supplies. It is a start. I have lived here for 7 yrs. I am
not sure why I felt compelled to do something now and not earlier. All I can
do is my best. Emma really stole my heart. I really feel a connection to
her. I pray for her every night and during the day I try to learn how to
help and what else I need to learn. Low cost spay here is running about $75
a cat, which is hard for me to manage for more than a few. And certainly not
for 30- 40.
Thanks so much for being my angel today. I went
from tears to really feeling like it is not hopeless. I appreciate the
kindness you have shown me. Have a wonderful night!
Renee
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