It rained most of yesterday, mostly a light rain, but rain nonetheless. I wouldn't have thought much about it, except when I came home for lunch I saw this:
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| August 22, 2011 |
Notice the black cat curled up under the bench, which is under the tree. The cat is trying to take a nap and stay dry. I have seen this cat around before. I posted about it when it first showed up, early this year. I have a hard time distinguishing stray cats from pet-cats who roam, but seeing a cat out in the rain sure makes me wonder if it is homeless.
The other day, it was curled up in the middle of the yard, taking a nap.
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| August 15, 2011 |
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| August 15, 2011 |
Last month, I saw it hanging out in the tree in the side yard. Laura said she saw it catch a mouse in the tall grass and eat it.
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| July 29, 2011 |
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| July 29, 2011 |
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| Feb 9, 2011 |
In this, one of my first pictures of it, you can see it has a big gash in it's right rump.
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| Jan 23, 2011 |
Every time I have tried to approach it, it runs off. It frequently tries to visit with the cats, even one time coming on the roof so it could visit through the upstairs windows. Theo and Nahum enjoyed visiting with it, but now Buddy won't have any of that - he makes a big fuss and tries to scare it off.
I have recently started leaving food out for it. I haven't actually seen it eating the food yet, but something does, because the food keeps disappearing. There are other cats who roam and there used to be a family of raccoons who live nearby - hopefully they let this hungry black kitty have the food.
In my dream world there would be no homeless cats. Sadly, that world only exists in my dreams. So, I am left trying to figure out how to best care for this kitty. I'm entertaining the idea of building an outdoor shelter so it can have a dry place to live and eat. Another option would be to capture it and take it to the animal shelter. For all I know maybe it's someone's microchipped cat who got separated from it's peoples. I have even thought of investing in a microchip scanner.
Today, I know there is a homeless black cat out there and it breaks my heart.
Poor sweetie. :-(
ReplyDeleteWe're glad you're putting out food and hope this cat is getting some, that it's not all going to other cats or the raccoons.
Things like this make mom sad as well. We hope someday there are no more homeless pets!!!
ReplyDeleteHere is her advice: see if you can borrow a live trap. Then find a local vet that handles ferals or a low cost clinic and at least get him vaccinated and neutered. Our local clinic also scans all cats for a microchip. Then you can put him back in the yard. Alley Cat Allies has some great ideas for shelters....you can build something if you are good at that or mom put together one using 2 rubbermaid containers.
Bless you for caring for this kitty....
I think it is a stray and has lived long enough outside to become quite afraid. I doubt it is feral (born in the wild from a feral mom) because it wouldn't be sleeping in the middle of the grass where all could see it. It looks to me that it has been abandoned. If you can catch it that would be best but feeding it and keeping it dry and warm is the next option. You are very kind. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
ReplyDeleteOh he's a handsome guy! We are sorry he doesn't have a home. We agree with the Random Felines, it would be nice if you could trap him and get him fixed.
ReplyDeleteIn my dream world, there would be no more homeless cats, too. It breaks my heart that so many cats don't have loving homes to stay in. :(
ReplyDeleteI would try to put food down the next time you see him. Maybe he'll come up and eat it and maybe you can get him and see if he has a microchip. It would be sad if the kitty has people who don't know where he is. If he doesn't have a chip, I love the idea of building an outdoor enclosure so he has somewhere safe, warm, and secure to stay where he won't be hurt by anything.
Please keep us posted on what happens with this kitty.
Thank you for feeding this kitty. We hate to see kitties with no home. A small shelter for him would be great.
ReplyDeleteMommie says you should think through what you want to do with him before attempting to catch or trap him.
Feeding and trapping him is my vote; however, I think I would take him to "no Kill" shelter where they can identify him if possible and fix him up. Buddy sees him as a territorial threat! Buddy is at home now. Be careful, as I do not want to be watching you on TV in the future on "Animal Hoarders!" :)
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