Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Rescue & Rehoming General => Topic started by: Steff - Petsearch Bedford HQ on October 24, 2010, 13:16:54 PM
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I don't know who it was that got me into Petsearch (Angie *shifty*) but I am getting more rescue type requests than lost and found at the moment!!
On Friday I was told about a mum and kittens living in the bushes in the local Toby Carvery car park. My friend lives nearby so I got him to check out the situation and put some food down for them. There is a mum and two kittens and on investigation it turns out the mum belongs to the pub next door and this situation happens every year/kitten season. Also there were originally 4 kittens but it turns out that people have helped themslves to free kittens (I can only hope these were nice people). I dread to think how many litters this poor cat has had and will continue to have if no one steps in...so I have a plan.
Originally I thought about catnapping but as I know who the possible owner is I didn't feel right doing that so I plan to speak to the "owners" and say that I had the cats reported to me as strays but on investigation understand that the mum may belong to them. This could go a couple of ways:
A. They deny all knowledge and I say ok then I will take them, sort them out and rehome them.
B. They admit to the cat being theirs so I explain to them about the risks etc and the need to get mum neutered and the kittens rehomed and offer my help and advise.
C. They turn out to be complete morons and at which point I threaten reporting them to the RSPCA which will either make them co-operate or I actually have to get the RSPCA involved.
My friend was going to take the family in but since all this he has fallen out with his g/f and the home situation is currently up in the air. Rescues here are full, I already asked for the farm kittens. The only solution I could offer is my shed which is at least sheltered and will be warmer than outside. My friend will fund everything so I can get them all checked, vaccinated, neutered etc. Would the shed be ok? I can't bring them in because I am already have problems with Marble weeing and it has finally stopped and she has started to chill out so I don't want to stress her again.
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If that were me,i wouldn't bother considering the "owners!"I would take them any way.Good luck to you for caring.x
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Thanks Catgirl
The thing is ideally I want the "owners" to step up and take responsibilty for their cat. I'm not a rescue and I'm not really equipped to take cats in, I just can't turn a blind eye to this little family. Without my friends funding I wouldn't really be able to help. Its really going to stretch me time wise as well (I work full time and am currently going for a promotion to manager) plus I have my 3 cats to look after and the dog to walk and care for etc plus just general house stuff BUT I will do it if there is no other option.
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I'm back from visiting the little family and from making my enquiries. Mum cat doesn't belong to the owners of the pub or anyone else. Apparantly she has been straying around the area for a couple of years now and has just been left to have litter after litter :(
I put out food a stayed around for a little while (being quiet) but couldn't get near them, they are camped out on thick brambles. Sooooo it looks like I'm going to have to trap them, I have already been on to CP about borrowing their trap and am just waiting for someone to come back to me.
I'm guessing mum maybe used to be a pet but I have no idea how tame/feral she will be.
Is my planned set up in the shed ok?
Any advice regarding trapping would be much appreciated and I will report on the situation/ask for further advice once I have them here.
Sometimes I wish I could just leave things alone!!
P.S. Mum is white with black spoldges and the kittens are mainly black with white socks and markings on their face...I'd say about 6 weeks (ish) but I'm not very good (yet)!!
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No practical advice, just wanted to wish you luck :luck: :hug:
(P.S To change the title of the thread you have to edit your first post title, changing the last post title only changes that one post)
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Thanks Helen :hug:
I modified my first post...I think its worked
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You need to ask Cp for some neutering vouchers for the mother once the kittens are not feeding from her and later on for the kittens.
Will they be able to get in and out of the shed and will you be able to get them some warm bedding.............I believe that Gillian is going to start using hay.
Think it was Gillian.....sigh
Loads of luck :hug:
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Thanks Gill :hug:
My friend has agreed to pay for all their care (vet check, vaccinations, neutering and blood tests for mum, worm and flea treatment and anything else they need) plus the dog crate and all accessories (and probably the first batch of food and litter etc). I have warned him that it could be nearly £500 or even more but its fine. I hope to not have the kittens by the time they get to 6 months but if I do then they too will be neutered.
They won't be able to get out of the shed, its secure and initially they will be in the crate because I need to clear the sehd out and make it safe. I will make sure the crate is off the floor (probably get a pallet from work) and will make sure they are warm with whatever bedding I need.
I will also leave a radio on all day for them and as I have electric in there see if I can get some sort of permanant heat source.
In a way its good that I couldn't get them today because it gives me a bit more time to prepare.
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Good luck Steff! I wish I was close enough to help! ;D
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Steff not had chance to read all this properly but most important thing is having suitable carriers/ to transfer trapped cat/kittens to safely, you must NOT take mum until ALL kittens safely caught, if you catch mum first transfer to carrier and continue trying to catch kittens, DO NOT leave tra[p unattended. Good Luck :hug:
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Good luck!!
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Got the go ahead from CP to borrow the trap and they will even deliver it to me :)
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Best of luck with this :hug:
Is it a manual trap? (I understand automatic ones can be dangerous for little kittens?)
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Good luck with this Steff, I always have a spare boc to put the kittens in if you catch Mum first preferably a wire one you can wrap in a blanket but Mum can still see the kittens put it at the perspex end of the trap so she can se them whilst coming up the nice dark tunnel you make by covering the trap and the kitten basket
Feel free to call if you need anymore help I am around and would love to help in any way I can - I have one feral of ours to catch Master Spyder
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Thanks Liz
I'm planning on doing it this weekend so the trap isn't left unattended.
Sweepster, I'm not sure but will ask CP. I have never trapped before so I don't know the difference and don't know how they work. Hoping the CP lady will give me a little briefing.
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Good luck with this Steff! Poor mum cat :( Your shed will be ideal, luxury to what they've got now! :hug:
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Good luck with the trapping! Let us know how it goes. :hug:
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Thanks for your support guys.
I'm really starting to panic and doubt my capabilities of catching them and looking after then but your wishes of luck have helped spur me on. Also we had a frost yesterday morning and its raining today so that makes me even more determined to get them out of this situation and into the warm.
The CP lady is bringing me the trap on Thursday and will show me how to use it. It is automatic.
She has reccommended sardines in tomato sauce a "bait" which I'm sure has been mentioned on Purrs before.
I'm getting really scared now...will I be able to manage the trap on my own (I have no one to help me).
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Also, T mentioned what I should do if I catch the mum first but what about if I catch the kittens first...does the same principle apply?
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I assume that the CP lady knows that there are kittens and that the automatic trap is okay for them then. The drawback may be that the noise of the trap closing on whoever goes in first will scare the others away, at least for a while, making the process potentially more long-winded - especially with the concerns about not separating mum from the kittens. With a manual trap, although you would have to stay closer to it which might delay their approach if they're very nervous, there is at least a chance that all three might go in together - and then you also wouldn't need to worry about transferring them to a carrier and resetting the trap. Anyhow, if you liberally smear yourself with sardines you might be pleasantly surprised at their friendliness and not need the trap at all :sneaky:
ETA: Just noticed that you have no one to help you. Wish I lived closer. I'd be concerned about trying to transfer a frightened cat/kitten from trap to carrier unaided - could one of the CP volunteers help you with this? If it were just one cat then fair enough, but I'm surprised that they think you could be expected to manage this on your own.
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They don't know I'm doing it on my own so have probably just assumed I will have help. I will see if they have anyone available to help but if not I will do it alone and I'm sure I will manage. I can have two carriers if that will help :s
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Deffo 2 carriers if you get the kittens first put them in one box and then if you are having probl;ems with Mum and she is in the trap put her in the boot of your car still in the trap - she can if needs be stay in it over night till you can get her to the vet to get her speyed - I have left male cats over night.
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Oh no I think their might be a fourth cat!!!
Just at the site now, found the two kittens and a bigger cat which at first I thought was the cat I assumed to be mum but it looks completely different
And omg there is a third kitten!!!!
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Please tell me you're not alone in the dark at nearly midnight hanging around in bushes! :hug:
Sounds like you have your work cut out :shy: :hug:
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Oh dear...the situation is even worse than I first feared
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:scared: :scared: :scared:
:hug:
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Take care Steff do not take risks :hug: :hug:
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Don't worry Helen, I wasn't in the bushes. I found their other hiding place...and that's when I found more of them!!!
So it looks like 3 kittens and a mum or 3 kittens, a fourth older kitten from previous litter and mum. So either 4 or 5!!!!
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Bless you guys for worrying. I was in my car and I had my phone with me plus OH knew where I was. Its in the car park of a toby carvery and hotel so there are people about...I wouldn't put myself in danger.
I am now just more scared about the increasing number of cats!!!
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How many have you caught?
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None yet, I don't get the trap until Thursday. I think I'm going to have to see if a rescue will step in to help. I thought I would be just about ok with a mum and two kittens but three kittens and possibly another older kitten I think I might be pushing myself.
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Ahhhh right so why arent you back home then :innocent:
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I am now *promise*
I only popped up to feed them but it was later cos I had my hair done and then had to have dinner. I'm not mad enough to go trapping at this time of night...I'm scared enough about doing it on Saturday morning without adding the scary element of darkness to it as well lol!!
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Thats good, take care :hug:
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Good luck Steph.
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Take care Steff! :hug:
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Going up again tonight to do the feeding and see if I can work on gaining the kittens trust. I just hope there aren't anymore there tonight...I think I might actually cry if there is!!
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P.S. OH is coming with me tonight so no need to worry :) x
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Only saw two of the kittens 2nite :(
Starting to think that the bigger cat may actually be mum and not a older kitten as I got to see her a bit better 2nite. She disappeared off into the brambles after eating so I'm thinking the 3rd kitten could have been in there 2nite.
I was thinking it would be best to not feed them on fri night so they are hungry on sat morning when I go to trap them, would that be best?
Also, I've been able to get pretty close to the kittens so I might try to coax them into the carrier with food but if that fails then I will have to revert to the trap.
Crikey, so many things are going through my little brain right now
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Hope you are back home now and dont think it will matter if you feed them tomorrow if they are only getting fed once a day. Its also creating a bond between you and them. Nice lady comers and feeds us ....oops we in a carrier ;D
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I was advised not to feed them the night before trapping so they were hungry but I did feed mine just not so much. Then just a tiny bit the next day in the trap so that they could have the op that same day. Good luck!
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The CP lady has just been and dropped of the trap and a couple of other helpful bits, a crusher cage being one of them which I can use to transfer from the trap because it has a pull out top opener. I'm feeling a lot more confident now I have spoken to her and they will also offer me support and possibly direct homing support (which as a branch they have actually stopped doing). I think know that the lady has met me and seen what I am about they are a lot more willing to help.
Friends at work have also been great, one giving me a dog cage, another lending me an extra carrier and another two may even be able to come out and help me trap.
The person who originally told me about them has also offered help as I appealed on my Facebook.
The CP lady also said to call on Saturday if I need help and she should be able to pop to the site.
I also ran through my plans with her and she thought I was spot on...I mentioned Purrs and how much of a font of knowledge it is for me :)
All in all I am feeling a lot more positive :)
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That all sounds great Steff and wish you loads of luck :hug: :hug:
As before, dont take risks and watch their littel claws :shify: :shify:
I do hope it all goes well. ;D
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Steff, no advice as I've never done any trapping but hope all goes well. Have been following the thread and just wanted to say that! :hug:
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:luck:
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Hun, you'll be absolutely fine. :) :hug: :hug: I am sure the CP lady will be very supportive. ;)
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FOUR KITTENS!!!
I was up there earlier this evening and there are two kittens that look exactly the same!!! Luckily there were both out together otherwise I would have always thought they were one and the same!!!
Also saw the likely "father" cat and he was up there bothering mum :s
I just cannot wait now until saturday morning when I can finally get them out of there
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Thanks julie...I think we posted at the same time.
I am definitely feeling much more confident.
I think its cos my mum always says oooooo your taking on too much, its not fair on the other animals, it will make you tired etc etc. She is such a worryer!! I haven't even told her about this mission...I'll tell her once they are safely in MY shed. Yes emphasis on MY...I am an adult now!
(She cried and worried when I got Marble and didn't speak to me for a whole day, same again when I got Esco and you guessed it, same again when I got Soap. But each and ever time I managed and I made it work and I will do the same with these guys)
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Can't wait to see pics of these guys tucked up safe and warm (or warmer) in your shed ;)
Good luck, will be thinking of you while I'm watching Health & Safety videos!
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4 kittens lol you are going to have a shed full ;D
Good job you saw the 2 together, so how many cats and kittens will you be trying for ?
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Just wanted to wish you lots of luck Steff and hope everything goes well for you. It certainly sounds like you have a good plan worked out and great that you have offers of help too. Thanks for caring about these little ones :Luv2:
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Thanks Ann *hug*
Gill, after my observations all this week I am going for one mum and four kittens. I understand that the black cat I saw last night is male and belongs to someone in the houses behind.
So tonight will hopefully be my last trip with just a tiny bit of food to see who I can lure out so I can do a quick reccy.
Then up early tomorrow and out with all my gear and no idea lol!!
Liz your number is in my phone and on speed dial, as well as the CP lady.
Oooo I wonder how much sleep I will get tonight!!!
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Now you've seen them a few times how old do you think the kittens are? Hopefully they'll be young enough to socialise and find fab homes for :)
:crossed: for tomorrow! :hug: The boys will have their paws crossed for you too so would appreciate a speedy rescue as it gets uncomfortable after a while :evillaugh:
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Good luck!! will have everything crossed for you tomorrow
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Good luck for tomorrow.
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Thanks for all the luck!!
I spoke two soon, I was right about their being an older kitten because I've just seen it with mum tonight. So that's now six in total!!!
I've been speaking to the people that work at the carvery and they are going to help me. Show me the good places for the traps, let me have access to bin areas etc. They will also monitor the trap if I have to leave it at all which means I could trap over the whole weekend if I need to without having to be on site for 48 hours which may mean I can catch all of them!! I really hope there aren't anymore!!!
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Good luck today babes x
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Good luck today Steff :hug:
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Good luck chick x
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Hope today goes well, Steff. :hug:
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I've got one!! I've got one!!
Big kitten aka Two Face
Have called edf out to access the sub station as the baby kittens hide within the confines of it. Hopefully that will make me job easier!!
Had a failed attempt with mum too :(
Also just noticed my awful tired typing last night!!!
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Good luck :)
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I've got two!!!
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:wooooo: loving the live updates from the scene! :evillaugh:
On my way out now so fingers crossed for more positive updates on my return ;D
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Well done Steff! ;D Nothing to it, is there,lol? :evillaugh: Hope you get more today :hug:
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Oooh yay! Any more luck?
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Just those two for now. Just setteled them down in the shed...which was eventful to say the least!! I might post the full story later.
I think the trapping part was the easy bit!!!
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Just those two for now. Just setteled them down in the shed...which was eventful to say the least!! I might post the full story later.
I think the trapping part was the easy bit!!!
We want every gory detail :evillaugh:and pics
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Yep, trapping is nowhere near as hard as it sounds.... only when they are crafty little :censored: and figure out how to defeat the trap. :tired:
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Well done for getting two.............are you going back for the othersd?
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Full story (now I'm not feeling quite so distressed about it)
Got back and prepped the cages while the kittens waited in the car. I had a puppy crate and CP had given me a kitten cage, I'd decided to put big kitten in the kitten cage because its slightly bigger. So I brought little kitten in first and expertly transferred it in to the puppy crate...only for it to SQUEEZE itself through the bars!!! I really thought it was too big!! So the kitten dashes off under a unit in the shed, I get the torch and initially can't see it so start to panic that it has escaped somehow. Anyway after moving stuff around I found kitten tucked right in the back corner of the shed behind the unit. With my gloves on I go to scruff kitten BUT it had me as much as I had it and it wasn't going to let go until I did!! Kitten went back in the carrier while I sorted my finger out...AMAZINGLY no blood!! Got kitten successfully in the kitten cage then went to get big kitten. This one went in fine but was trying to find a way out which was pretty upsetting to see :(
After all this I was feeling pretty bad, luckily Liz was on hand to reassure me that all this is normal and then gave me lots of good advice. So I'm now feeling less mean and horrible.
Little kittens are about 8 weeks and big kitten about 6 months. Didn't get anything last night but the food was gone and the trap half gone off. I've reset it this morning and will check it throughout the day. I really want to get the remaining kittens and mum asap!!
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Glad you have managed to catch some, good luck for being able to get the rest today, and hopefully mum too.
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Steff glad I could calm you down a tad, trapping them sadly is the easiest part but they are young enough to tame down especially the little one
Our currently feisty poppet spent 2 hours on Robins knee last night and he is quite entranced we just have to get her a name - she is a grey and epach fluffy tortie about 10 weeks old and we were advised she was horrendous but suffice to say Robin wasn't having any of that and soon had her on his knee - Sunny Collies is in heaven he has 3 kittens and Miss Skye from SH to drool over!
Steff you know where I am we can do feral kitten taming together at a distance ;D
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I fostered a couple of feral kittens last year, it's so rewarding :shy: If I had a bigger place and more time to spare I would do it again, I definitely will in the future. They come round much faster than you'd think.
Liz, we need pics of these new kittens! Especially the "feisty poppet", she sounds gorgeous :Luv: I'm coming to visit with a large handbag!
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Well done Steff :hug: Hope the little one forgives you for frightening him and you forgive him for biting you! :hug:
Hope you can get the rest of the little family and set to work on socialising them :hug:
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Wow What an amazing story. I really wish I had moved cos I could have helped! Keep us all posted!
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It is distressing seeing them trying to get out of the cage, isn't it? Many a time i've been sat at my desk in tears after trapping kittens at work, waiting for the rescue to pick them up. :'( I didn't have to socialise them tho, just catch them! ;) Everything crossed for the others! :hug:
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OMG...woohoo!!!! I've just been in the shed and have been stroking the both of them and I think they have enjoyed it!!!! For the time being big kitten is known as Two Face because its face is diagonally half white and half black...its sooooo pretty and little kitten is known as Tyson after it biting me yesterday!!!
Wow, I feel pretty overwhelmed now :D
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Steff that is wonderful now we need the first Purr ;D
Our little poppet is currently sleeping next to me on the couch and is so very nearly at the purr stage till she hisses at me then I rub her chin and we close our eyes - she is to be called Pagan ;D
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Sounds good progress but do be careful hun... they just might be frozen with fear so not arguing with you. If they've never been handled before I would find it amazing if they enjoy touching after less than a day after capture and in a totally strange place. :hug: :hug: :hug: As Liz say, the first purr is the proof of the pudding. ;) :)
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Sounds like it's all going to plan! ;D
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Don't worry Julie I was still being cautious...believe me!! I was giving them good tickles and scratches behind the ears and at the back of the neck. Little on did seem to get a bit carried away with it at one point and I was listening out for purrs. I know I have to get them used to being touched and handled so I thought I better start sooner rather than later. The radio is on in there all the time now and when I'm with them I'm talking to them and avoiding eye contact. They have both been on SereneUm all weekend and I will be getting some stronger stuff from the vets tomorrow (as well as worm and flea treatment).
Saw little ones twin tonight, its still camping out in the sub station so will probably need to get edf out again so I can gain access.
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Aww this is a lovely story, hope you manage to catch the rest :hug:
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Just popped back for lunch and got lots of purrs and tummy tickles (yes TUMMY TICKLES) from Tyson baby kitten!!!!!!
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Steff that will be the most special memory the first purr is the best ;D
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Excellent! :wow: I cry every time a feral first starts purring. :-[ :doh:
:need pics:
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Little Tyson is continuing to Purr his little head off and really starting to warm to me. Still no purrs from Two Face, really not too sure how he/she is feeling but I will persevere for now...he/she is just so beautiful it would almost be criminal to put him/her back out in the carpark area :(
Thanks to a little help from a friend at work I am able to try to catch the rest in the evenings. She lives not too far from the Carvery so she is setting the trap on her way home and I am going up later on to check it and then unset it ready for her to reset it again the following day. Going to be setting off in about 10 minutes so I'm keeping my fingers crossed (I'm really hoping tysons twin might be in there...)
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:need pics:
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Lots of luck catching the twin :hug: :hug:
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Lots of luck catching the twin :hug: :hug:
Ditto. :cuddle:
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Mum and twin are still out there unfortunately :( I also haven't seen the other 2 kittens for over a week now :(
Will be getting edf out again at the weekend so I can hopefully get twin and then put together a plan for mum and try to find the other two!!
Neutering voucher arrived for two face today...he/she is not too happy and has now started hissing at me. Being realistic I don't think I am going to have the time needed to tame him/her. I put out an appeal email at work today and one lady who lives out near my parents responded as her neighbour already has outdoor cats with a proper shed set up and everything. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will take two face and eventually mum. Tyson on the other hand is coming on leaps and bounds and has even started playing...I have to admit I am falling in love with him/her. The same lady also has potential homes for 3 kittens which is great. All will be checked out by CP.
I will get pics but I just don't want to scare them.
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Fingers crossed for the weekend :hug:
Hope the possible home for two-face comes off, I predict Tyson may have already found himself a home :shify: :naughty:
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Just booked in twoface to be neutered and bloodtested next wednesday, fingers crossed all will be ok. I will also get to find out if its a boy or a girl!!
Got a plan for the weekend to catch the others and I'm also planning on making a kitten play pen (of sorts) so thaty Tyson, and the others when I finally get them, will be able to run around in the shed without hiding under the units!!!
Busy weekend ahead I think!!
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You are doing so well Steff :hug: :hug:
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Back on site again today and have just caught the mum!!!! Just need the twin now. Have put mum by the trap in the hope to lure him/her in.
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Well done! You're doing a brilliant job!
I have to say, I have a huge soft spot for feral kittens, they are so rewarding to share your home with :Luv:
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Brilliant and hope the twin comes quick................come in twinny you want to be with your mama cat now dont you ;D
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Good luck Steff! :crossed: da best
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Amamzing!!!! Well done!! Everything crossed the kitten will go in the trap!! :wow:
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Its really cold here now so hope you have got both and are at home getting warm :hug:
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I'm home minus twin :( I just wasn't that lucky today :(
Mum is settled in the shed and the trap is set in the bushes in the hope that twin goes in there, at least he/she will be well sheltered if they do decide to go in.
I really wanted to get everyone today but it was getting cold and dark and I was hungry so had to go home...will check in the morning...positive go in the trap twin vibes for tonight please :D
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Well done Steff, you're doing amazingly!!!
Positive vibes being sent! Go into the trap little twin, momma cat is waiting for you!
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Well done Steff and hope that Twinny wants his mother tomorrow :hug: :hug:
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:wooooo: Nice work Steff :wow:
I know Mum will be frightened but do you think she's friendly enough to be rehomed as a normal cat?
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Not too sure Helen, I've left her to calm down for tonight and will try to assess over the next few days. If she is more friendly then I will put her in with Tyson instead of Two Face. I hope she is because she is so pretty too. I will get her spayed on Wednesday when Two Face goes in.
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TT (Tysons Twin) was in the trap when I got here...just taking him back to be reunited with his family :D
I think that's mission accomplished.
I will still come back to see if the other two kittens reappear but I haven't seen them for over a week now :(
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Well done Steff - you can only do your best :hug:
Are they being returned or homed? - I hate the idea of cats being left to fend for themselves, although I understand if they are true feral, there isn't a lot of choice :(
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Congrats Steff, sometimes we never get them all but you have made such a difference to the 4 you have and its nice to see the dedication trapping can be a lonely thing to do - latte and a book works for me
I am still around if you need some moral help even from a distance ;D
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Well done Steff, great news ;D Now the hard work really begins :evillaugh:
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Brilliant news! Well done, just amazing! :hug: :hug:
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Excellent stuff, Steff. 8) I was going to make a remark about trapping and a small, stone bearing deep red coloured fruit and mislaying one but perhaps not. :naughty:
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:wooooo:
Nice work Steff! :hug: Still waiting on the pics though ;)
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Well done Steff, you have done so well ;D ;D
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Thanks guys :D I'm feeling pretty chuffed about the whole thing.
To answer Mark, the big kitten and mum are really not to happy and aren't showing signs of coming round. I'm taking them in to the vets tomorrow to be blood tested and neutered on Wednesday. If I haven't found a suitable outdoor home for them by the time they have recovered then they will have to be released back at the Carvery, where in fairness to them they were surviving pretty well until I came along and disturbed them. Neither are very happy in my shed and it would be unfair to keep them for too long. I will continue to feed and moniter them if they do have to go back. The kittens are doing ok, Tyson has come on leaps and bounds in the week I've had him/her and I am now trying to work my taming magic on TT so that I can rehome them.
Liz, I definitely think I will need some more advice from you soon so will give you a call or PM :)
Pics will follow...when I actually take some!!!
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fantastic work!! cant wait to see pics either!! :hug:
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Well done, Steff. Sounds like return to site is best option for mum and big kitten. A shame but what can you do and at least they will not breed and will be monitored.
Hope you are catching the trapping bug - some reckon it's better than sex!! :rofl:
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Little Paws Inn is my rescue name in honour of T :D
I think I have got the bug...might put adverts out "have you got feral cats that need trapping and neutering then call Steff at Little Paws Inn" just so I can get my rush...or maybe not cos I'm sure the flood gates would open!!!!
I am really pleased that I have been able to help a little bit and OH has said if I don't try to keep Tyson then I can help more (he knows how much I've enjoyed but also thinks we can't keep ALL the cats)
Tyson is doing amazingly, comes and sits on my lap and comes if I call him. Last night I let him have a little wander around the shed whilst I was trying to get some purrs out of TT (unsuccessfully) even though I was a bit worried he may get under the units again...but he was as good as gold...this is why I love him so much!!!
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Couldn't think of a worthier name :) Are there any other rescue groups nearby that deal with trapping? Maybe you could approach them so you can support each other?
I see where your OH is coming from but maybe just one teeny 'souvenir' from this episode wouldn't be too bad though :sneaky: :Luv2:
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The only rescue in my area is CP and that's whose trap I have...I will definitely continue to do work with them though.
I tried the sad eyes on OH and everything!! He is being sensible though...we already have the 3 puds and the dog and we're only in a 2 bed victorian terrace plus the puds are all indoors. I like your logic though Helen...a special one from my first mission although knowing me I would try that line every time cos I'm sure there will always be one special guy I fall for!!
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Tyson sounds like an absolute sweetheart :Luv: Sounds like you're doing an excellent job and I look forward to the pics ;)
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Introduced OH last night cos he was going to get some piccies but it didn't go very well...they just hid. I told him to sit down, not make eye contact, move very slowly and talk quietly etc but they were just really freaked out by him...bless them.
So my question is...
Do I continue to build up their confidence with me before I introduce anyone else or keep taking OH with me so that get used to his presence? I don't want them to totally rely on me and only like me...eventually they will need to go to new people and I'm not sure of the best was to go about that transition??
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I'm no cat expert -only had my first cat (Chuch) 6 years ago and had no problems with him- but Charlie, my semi feral, is a different kettle of fish!
In the factory he only ever came to Mike (boss) or myself and Mike was supposed to know about cats as he'd had them all his life, so i took my lead from him. Looking back, i wish i'd tried to get him introduced to other people as he's now nearly 8 and scared of everybody else, even me sometimes. It was difficult tho cos the factory was full of men, most of who didn't like cats.
It's still early days for you tho and maybe would wait a bit longer before introducing your OH. How long are you planning on keeping them with you?
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Thanks Shirley :D
It is still early days and at least they are young but I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing whilst they are young and impressionable. I'm planning on keeping them until a suitable home is found (which I know may be tricky). I'm guessing I will also have to bring them into my house at some point to get them used to the usual household sounds, smells, noises etc.
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I've only had Charlie for a year tomorrow, actually and he took to living indoors straightaway, after living most of his life in a noisy steel factory, then a feral compound with over 100 other cats, which scared him even more! He'd also escaped for 5 weeks last summer, i found him and then was rehomed from the rescue as he'd let a couple of the staff stroke him. He only lasted a week, escaped and was missing for 11 weeks and 2 days when i found him again and brought him home!!
I've known him since he was born almost, well, when his mom brought him out of hiding,lol and missed the chance to socialise him when he was young. Having said that, he'll sleep on my bed with Chuch and loves a fuss, he's never hissed once, looks at the tv if i switch it on when he comes into the room, hates aerosols and the vacuum (so does Chuch!) ,is terrified when the door buzzer goes, but ok with everything else! Your young ones should be fine in the house! I just kept Charlie in my spare bedroom for 5 weeks with a radio on and going in occasionally to give him some company . He used a used a litter tray from day one, which gobsmacked me-he'd never had one in the facory,lol!
Good luck!
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These guys have all used the litter tray from day one even though they were living outside. At the moment they are in a kitten pen in my shed with the radio on 24 hours a day and me popping up a few times a day to feed/muck out/socialise. Once vaccinated I will maybe start bringing them into the house in their pen, I have 3 other cats and a dog so don't want to completely freak them out.
I'm just going to take everything very slowly :)
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Just had good news from the vets :) Mum (Tia) and big kitten (TwoFace) have been tested for fiv and felv and both came back negative...phew!!! They are now being neutered and I'll be phoning at 3pm to make sure all went ok. TwoFace is a boy by the way :D
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Great news Steff and hope you can get somewhere for them we will keep our paws crossed for them ;D
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Didnt realise you had 3 cats and a dog-should be fun! ;) It amazes me how they know to use a litter tray-the first time i saw Charlie use one at the rescue i couldn't believe my eyes! What a clever boy, i thought! :wow: Seems like they all know what to do then! ;D
Great news about the test results! Fingers crossed the ops are ok. I took a kitten to be spayed yesterday-as soon as she was home and out of the carrier,she ran upstairs! Amazing creatures! :Luv2:
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Think you are doing amazing job Steff and expect TF to recover quicker than Tia and main thing is for them to be kept warm.
I dont know about socilization cos my moggies are not well socialized but agree with Shirley.
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I'll be getting them back tomorrow as my vets like to keep females overnight and I've asked for them to be kept together. I've got a heater in the shed now so they will be warm :)
I've just put some pics on Facebook for those of you on there and I'll get them on here soon too :D
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I have seen the pics :shify: Gorgeous little bundles of fluff :Luv: I'm not in the least bit tempted, honest :shify: :innocent:
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I has seen the pictures too. :shify: They is not kittens - someone drew some eyes, nose and whiskers on a fluffy powder puff. :innocent:
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Sounds like you did a great job x
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Steff hope its going ok - will pop the stuff in the post probably Friday but will send first class
I have been shredded by one of my nice boys Wispa as he needed wormed no chance so Oscar swollowed tablet with no hassle and he is a former feral :shocked: :rofl:
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Ok Julie you got me...they are just powder puffs with some of those googly eyes stuck on lol!!!
Just picked up the terrible two from the vets...Tia managed to slip out of her cage and do the wall of death and bite through the gauntlet the VN was wearing so she had to go to the doctors for anti b's. I think Tia was just trying to remind them that she is feral!!!
None of the potential outdoors homes are willing to take them, I have made another enquiry so we shall see. If not, I have had a couple of offers of help feeding them at their original site if they have to go back there. But at least they are safe and warm in the shed with radio 4 albeit not very happy and missing a "few bits"
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Poor
vet nurse Tia :evillaugh: I'm not on FB but bet they are really cute *hint, hint* ;)
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Its just not good enough
:need pics:
sorry :innocent:
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It befalls upon me to do the decent thing and copy the pic from FB. :evillaugh:
As I said... not kitten, powder puff with sticky on eyes and whiskers. :innocent:
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:thanks: Julie
Powder Puff is just too scrummy :Luv:
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OMG just too beautiful! :Luv2: :Luv2:
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:Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
I reckon Misa looked like that as a kitten ;D
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I promise I was going to post pics when I went on the lappy...just haven't been on yet...promise promise!!
So did Julie put both pics up or just the one of Tyson (TT was hiding in the bed so only got a face shot). They are just such cute balls of fluff!!! TT is slowly coming out of his/her shell and Tyson is super brave...likes to come out of the pen, sit on my lap, have an explore around the shed...its great to see him being so confident. They both love the feather dangler and am going to introduce some little balls and mice later on just before bedtime :D
OMG thank you Liz for the reccommendation of chicken roll...its really helping with getting TT to come out of his/her shell as he/she is proving to be a little more shy than Tyson. I also had the big guys eating it and TwoFace was even eating it out of my hand. It was a really handy tip because I was starting to worry that Tia hadn't eaten since I got her at the weekend. Even though I put down two bowls of food I was pretty sure TwoFace was eating both. But with the chicken roll I was able to distract TwoFace with a little piece and chuck bits down the cage to Tia. I will get another pack tomorrow so at least then I know she is definitely eating.
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See I'm on the lappy now and here is TT who is still a little shy (you can hopefully see why I named this one TT - Tysons Twin - they are so similar)
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Oh Steff i have just caught up with this and what a wonderful thread. ;D You done brill hun :hug: :hug:
Little TT and Tyson are just gorgeous :wow: :Luv: :Luv: and will have a loving life ahead thanks to you. :hug: :hug:
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They arre adorable and know you have Mia but who is the fourth?
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Tia...they are all T names :D
Tia = mum
TwoFace = older kitten from prev litter (that's who you were forgetting)
Tyson = mr quite friendly kitten (I say mr, I really don't know)
TT = miss scaredy hissy kitten (again I say miss but I really don't know)
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Was mixing TT and TwoFace up lol
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Little cuties x
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Fingers crossed for the taming down of the youngsters and releasing of the others.
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awww :Luv:
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Been following this post and just wanted to say what a great job you are doing! the kittys are beautiful! well done x
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Thanks for your support everyone :D
Its not easy but seeing them all safe, warm and eating makes it all worth it. Working on bringing the kittens round is also amazing...Tyson is such a character now :) Just got to work on TT!!
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It's the best thing isn't it, taming a feral kitten? *Must resist urge to put my name down for Tyson or TT, must resist the urge, must resist the urge* :evillaugh:
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I'm just going up to see to them now...think I'll tell them about you, Chilli and Dave...see what they say!!
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After ringing nearly every livery yard, stables, farm shop and even some farms in my local yellow pages I had a few maybes and one of those maybes called me back tonight.
I will be taking Tia and TwoFace up to a lovely old farmer gentleman who has his own family run farm and farm shop with lots of land and stables. He already has a few ferals he looks after and provides food twice a day and shelter. They will be going to live in a lovely little village called Sharnbrook which is where I used to go to school and my parents were actually going to buy a house up the road from this place.
I will take them up there in the puppy crate and let the gentleman keep the cart for a week or two so he can keep them in it initially before letting them out into the secure stables and eventually out onto his land. He has introduced ferals before so knows it takes a couple of weeks for them to get used to being there and being fed regularly etc.
I will update again once they are actually settled in to their new home :)
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That's great news!
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Excellent going, Steff! :wow: I'm dead impressed.... so when you moving to Canterbury? :innocent: :evillaugh:
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This is just great and looks like you have found yourself a new job Steff :evillaugh: :evillaugh:
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:wooooo: Nice work Steff :wow:
So pleased for them :) Hope they enjoy their new job and the live in accommodation! :)
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Yay Steff (does a little dance!)
I'm so pleased you found them a home, the difference you've made to their lives is amazing!! ;D
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This is just great and looks like you have found yourself a new job Steff :evillaugh: :evillaugh:
It's amazing what you can do when you have the time to be proactive (even though I am poorly and should be resting). I just decided that these people weren't going to come to me so I needed to do a little PR and cold calling and it paid off...even if I aggrevated my already sore throat!! I was so pleased with myself and am so pleased for Tia and TwoFace...can't wait till the weekend now :)
I called the CP lady to update her and to see whether or not she felt an official home check necessary (which she didn't but has just given me a few pointers). Whilst on to her I may have mentioned that I have really enjoyed everything that I have done so far and that OH has seen how rewarding this has been for me and that he agreed it would be a good little hobby for me to continue (as you know from my early posts I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough spare time and it would impact on my family life, but the impact has been pretty small and I have managed to fit the additional care into my routine)...so I offered my services as a CP fosterer. Now that I am kinda in the "gang" and they know I have good intentions and I'm a good person etc etc they are more than happy for me to be a fosterer and have even offered me one of their special pens. We are going to sort it all out in the New Year as they close for rehoming on the 1st of December so not a lot of point starting now plus I have enough to do at the moment with Tyson and TT :) Plus I really need to shake this stooooopid virus :(
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This all sounds great and so pleased that CP slam their doors so early ;D ;D
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They are already closed for rehoming because their waiting list grew to over 100 although I think they are taking in emergencies again as the lady I speak to their had picked up a mum and a litter of 4 week old kittens - one of which had to be pts :( She also had the "please can we rehome a kitten as a surprise christmas present" call today as well...no doubt that will be one of many!!!
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Am really pleased to hear this, and fantastic that you will be fostering for CP, at least then you will have the back up while you get used to things.
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Really well done Steff, you have done a great job and those little ones will now have a much better life cos of you ;D Great that you will be fostering for CP too, welcome to the wonderful world of CP :Luv2:
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Very good point Desley...the thought of continuing to do it totally on my own was pretty daunting. I have been pretty lucky with this family in that they have all been well and everything has been ok (touch wood).
I felt pretty honoured that they would like to have me on board...although in all honesty they are probably pretty desperate lol!
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They will be very lucky to have you Steff and don't you forget it ;D I know how hard it is to get good fosterers so they will be thrilled I know.
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:wow: thats fantasic Steff hun You star ;D ;D ;D :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
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One more day with the big ferals :( TwoFace has actually started to get quite brave and come right to the front for his food and I'm sure Tia is a little bit happier with me. Maybe they sense they will be "free" again very soon...
Tyson is a right little explorer now. When I let him out of the pen he goes wandering off, climbing on everything and generally having a whale of a time :) He is also less jumpy around me when he is out now. I am still working on TT, he gets most of the attention now when I let Tyson explore. I managed to get in some good strokes with TT tonight...hopefully I will get some purrs from him soon.
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The big guys are going to their new home today...I'm starting to feel pretty emotional about it now. Have to keep telling myself its the best for them.
TwoFace's purrsonality has really started to come out this week as well. He comes right to the front of the cage for his food now and he starts sniffing for hit so hard that he is practically grunting and last night he even meowed for it...this massive and really distinctive meow...it was the cutest thing. We also had a little play last night with the feather waggler but all from the safety of his cage because in truth he is still scared and hissy. On the flip side, Tia just looks sad and depressed at the back of the cage.
I really hope I am doing the best for these guys :(
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Steff you are doing the right thing you have found a wonderful place for these 2 to go and you can visit I'm sure it also means you have amore space available for the kittens to come on and go to wonderful homes ;D
Everyone who passes through your life takes part of you with them - us folks in rescue have big hearts to cope with this :hug:
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Thanks Liz, that was just what I needed to hear :)
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So here are the two big guys and here is my latest update...
Just got back from taking Tia and TwoFace to their new home. Its amazing. A proper old fashioned working farm with LOADS of outbuildings and stores and hay bales and cows. They will have a whale of a time. Met a couple of the other resident farm cats, both beautiful tabbies so my two will stand out like a sore thumb! Will be going back up there next saturday to collect the dog crate and bits and will see how they are getting on. They are currently secure in an old outbuilding which was converted into a chicken house so they are nice and safe while they settle in.
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P.S. I will have to invest in some wellies before next week because I came back covered in mud and cow muck.
On the upside I got to see all the lovely cows and baby calves...including one which was only born last night
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Two Face is adorable and hope they get on well in their new home ;D
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He is sooooo handsome isn't he. When I first saw him I wished that he was friendly and that he was a boy so I could keep him...only one of my wishes came true unfortunately :(
Now I just keep thinking about all the fun they are going to have on that farm.
Oh no...their beautiful white fur is going to get sooooo muddy!!!
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They're both beautiful and thanks to you now won't be destined for a life of scavenging and baby making :hug:
Is the farmer amenable to you pestering him for mini-updates on how they're doing from time to time?
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Its a small family run farm so they are pretty busy (and struggling too I think) so I'd feel a bit bad pestering them. I thought I could get around it by buying from their farm shop and asking after the two beauties whilst in there.
When I was there today I'd interupted them vaccinating calves against flu.
It really was a wonderful old fashioned farm, I just wanted to hang around there all day exploring etc!!
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hope they settle in ok - keep up the good work
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Sounds like a fantastic life for them, and that is what rescue is all about.
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Yay! Sounds like a wonderful home for them!
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It really is great :) I hope they are getting on ok...I'm still having pangs of guilt. I guess I'm just going to have to get used to it though because it all comes with the territory.
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Little ones are doing well...TT has actually started to venture out of the kitten pen now and goes off exploring the shed with Tyson. Its great to watch and they chirrup the whole time. TT is still hissy and I when he is out of the pen I can't get near him so I have to use food and the stringey toy to coax him back in after playtime.
I have resisted calling for an update on the big guys...I'm sure they are fine and if there were any problems the farmers have my number. I must get some wellies ready for the trip up there at the weekend.
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Glad they're getting on OK, this is all very difficult to visualise though Steff :see: :pic: :evillaugh:
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I am with Helen, as I said on Facebook, I need powderpuff cuteness! You can't tell us all these cute stories without visual aids :rules:
I'm honestly still not tempted..........................
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Sorry not updated for a while, been a bit hectic!!
Adults first...went up to the farm nearly two weeks ago to get the crate etc back and to see how Tia and TwoFace were settling in. Well Tia had managed to escape from the barn but had been seen still around the farm and had plenty of shelter and food round there to keep her close...farmer was more upset because he wanted to try and tame her down but she will no doubt pair up with their other totally feral black boy. TwoFace stayed put and has started to gain confidence around the farmer and he is hoping to be able to tame him down so he is a bit more like his other farm cats which you can stroke and pick up! Again I just wanted to hang around the farm all day!! I took some food up also just to say thanks :)
The little guys now...well mr shyguy tt actually let's me stroke him now and even pushes his head into my head although he still hasn't purred. When I feed them at lunchtime I let them out of the pen to have full run of the shed until night time which they love and has actually made them a lot more confident around me. Tyson continues to be mr friendly, I can pick him up for cuddles and he sits on my lap :D. Still don't know sex and I want them to be a bit more confident before siubjected them to a vet visit. All in all we are doing good :D
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Glad to hear it! Still need pics though! :P
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I wouldnt leave them too long till a vet visit if you dont know the sex.
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Good point Des as I am just naively assuming they are both boys because of their name (although TT could be a girls name I guess). I am just nervous about how they will react to a vet visit but I know they need to go and we just need to get over that first hurdle. I picked up some more Kalm Aid at the vets so will have them on that again before we go.
I have made a massive breakthrough with TT over the Christmas period and he now let's me stroke him and purrs. He is not quite a confident as Tyson yet (Tyson jumps on my lap, let's me pick him up etc) but he is doing so very well all the same.
Its amazing to think back to how they were and how far they have come along :D
I finally told my mum about my escapades (thinking she can't moan now that I've had them for a couple of months and have been coping fine) and I wasn't surprised when she said she would have them subject to them getting on with resident cat Tilly, my dads face was a picture lol! So all being well they will be staying in the family :)
Not sure whether to get them over there soon or wait until they have come on a bit more? They are still unsure of other people. Maybe I should get my mum to visit them regularly so they at least get used to her first?? Any thoughts/suggestions welcome :)
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I would definately get your mum to visit them regularily and get them bonded to her ;D
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Hey that's great news that they'll be staying in the family ;D Will be lovely for you to visit them and see how happy they are when they've settled in :)
I've no experience in such things but my instict would be to get them to your Mum's ASAP so that they can settle in and start getting to know them. They're going to be nervous in their new home initially, regardless of whether they've met your Mum, it'll just take time and patience for them to settle in.
Well done for sorting this little family out :hug:
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Steff, do prepare for them to take a step backward in a new situation. ;) Sabrina on this forum had a very heart breaking experience a couple of years back so awful I still can't bear to think about it. :doh: :'( :'( She had been working with two older feral kittens for ages and felt they were ready for rehoming. They went to live with a relative I seem to recall... only one of them, the most timid one, seemed to have 'escaped' overnight and couldn't be found anywhere. :shocked: Several weeks later they discovered it hadn't escaped the house at all but had managed to get behind the kitchen splash boards and was stuck there too terrified to come out. Puss didn't survive. :( I've been warning people about this potential situation ever since. :doh:
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Oh no :( that is what I am scared of Julie.
They would basically need to start again at my mums house then, maybe even be back in the kitten pen to start with and then be let in to a very secure room. One of the spare bedrooms should be ok cos they would only be able to hide under furniture but not get stuck. Then wait until they are settled before introducing to Tilly. I will of course insist on feliway, rescue remedy, kalm aid etc and chicken roll. Before that step I'll get mum over so at least she is familiar to them, in fact they will all probably happily visit as much as they can beforehand.
Does that sound like a good plan?
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Well it's hard for me (or any other one here) to judge as we've not seen them. It's down to your judgement as to when they will be ready. :shy: Fingers crossed it will all go swimmingly and you seem to have already covered some of the things I would suggest... but rather safe than sorry is all I am saying - make sure anywhere they could get stuck or hurt themselves in is properly sealed up. ;) Also don't forget to transfer scents - do they have a favourite blankie you could make a bed out of in their new home? They'll want somewhere to hide at first I would think like under a bed or a wardrobe. :innocent: :)
Above all, cats are excellent at hiding and can stay as quiet and still as church mice for hours on end so don't let them fool you into thinking they've escaped. :doh:
Just before Christmas I visited one of our fosterers and we thought two 6 week old kittens had escaped. :shocked: Five of us spent an hour searching high and low. It was like they'd vanished into thin air. :scared: Eventually we found them under the sofa. They had found a hole in the lining underneath it and had climbed INSIDE the sofa and were curled up asleep totally oblivious to our panicking. :rofl: :rofl:
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I think the kitten pen in a quiet room is the way to go, and remember cats can go into the smallest of places - Ellie (18mo) got into a place i haven't seen anything bigger than a 10wo kitten get into, cos a noise scared here. and when she first started coming out of the cat room, she hid for days and she was in the same house, just a different, less quiet part of it - she was very food orientated, so easy to entice out.
One of my other timid fosters was more like a normal cat when I rehomed her, and they still had to pull the fireplace apart because she thought that was a good place to hide, and also managed to get into the desk through a hole no one knew was there - so checking the furniture for any slight hole is a good idea.
When they do let them out of the kitten pen, I would have either some boxes, or a cat tree with a box on the bottom, mine has had some massive cats squeeze into it cos it seems such a dark, safe place to go. I have also made tent like dens from material for scared cats.
will your parents be able to sit in the room for long periods of time doing quiet things to show the kittens they aren't scary creatures? I am convinced Sonny Jim came out just to stop me reading to him any longer!!
As well as the blanket suggestion, do you have anything like a small teddy bear - Sonny Jim loved his dog (he was an adult, estimated at 5), and would often curl up with it in his den.
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Misa who was 4 years old when he came here had a terrible past and was even then a big boy but he used to pull himself under the back of the recliner which is only about3 inches off the ground at the back and I watched him pull himself out but could never understand how he managed to get under the frame.
Once inside he could probably lie quiet comfortably but he was just too scared to be outside in the room for a few weeks.
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Ok so here is the plan...
Set up the pen in my house and bring them in for a few hours each day and see how we do. Depending on how that goes I will take it from there.
I've decided that I'm in no hurry and will just see what happens.
Much to their disgust they will be off to the vets before the end of this month for checking, sexing and vaccinating.
They are really turning into little characters now! Tyson likes to climb up my legs at feeding time and is generally pretty bulshy when food/treats are around. TT is a little more reserved but in a polite way, he gently bats my hand for a piece of kiten whereas Tyson tries to grab it out of my hands. They love the laser pen and they also think that helping me empty the litter trays is a good game!! I have to tell them that pieces of poop are not little toy mice!!! *sick*
Tyson sits of my lap and will even be picked up for cuddles and snuggles. TT likes to come to you for strokes but absolutely loves a fuss, he doesn't like being picked up...I don't think he is comfortable with his feet being off the ground bless him.
I will have to get some better up to date pics for you all because they are truly stunning balls of fluff ;D
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Sounds like a plan ;D Soooo glad mine don't play the poo mice game :evillaugh:
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Shread the kitchen roll was the new game yesterday!!!
Lots of developments today :)
I finally called the farm where mum (tia) and big bro (twoface) are. I had been putting it off just in case there was bad news for some reason, well I don't know why I was so worried. Tia is back and can be seen frequently around the farm after initially disappearing...phew! TwoFace has tamed down enough for the farmers to stroke him and even tickle him under the chin. I was so happy :D. On a more practical note, the farmer did say they were earning their keep and making sure the rat population stays down ;)
And right now, as we speak...I have two little powderpuff kittens in my house *wow* They are in the kitten cage with a sheet covering them. They've had a little bit of chicken and got to see Soap, Bourneville and Esco through the bars and there were no adverse reactions. I have now just left them covered and quiet to get used to the new smells and sounds initially.
Feliway is plugged in lol!!
Exciting times :D
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So they have moved inside lets hope its onwards for the powderpuffs we are sending all the helpful Purrs and some hisses from all of us here at the Clan xx
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Just read this thread from start to finish and what a great story it is! Well done Steff, you're doing an amazing job by the sound of it :)
Can't wait to see some more of those gorgeous little ones ;)
x
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They are all sounding great and def we need some pictures ;D
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I am off to the vets with the boys tomorrow for their first vaccinations!!!
I think they are both boys as I'm sure I found "peas" but no doubt the vets will confirm tomorrow ;)
They are getting pretty big now and I'm sure they are almost ready for neutering as Tyson lost a tooth the other day when he was chewing my fingers (I've kept the tooth) so they must be coming up to 6 months and adult teeth.
They are on the kalm aid in preparation so please wish us luck for tomorrow *scared*
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:luck: 'boys' ;D
How have they been adjusting to life indoors? Have you decided whether you're going to try them with your Mum?
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We're back and I still have all my fingers!!
TT put up a little resistance to getting in the carrier but I got him in there in the end.
Tyson was great in the car on the way there and was having a good look around but TT had gone all saucer eyed on me bless him.
We went to a differnt practice, out in the countryside. My friend recommended it to me as they are pretty much half the price of my usual vets in town because they are family run and only do vacc, neutering and basic other stuff (whereas my vets have all the fancy equipment, loads of staff etc).
Fortunately the cheaper price did not mean a lesser service. The vet was fab and really patient and calm. Tyson went first and let the vet check him over (he is a boy). I even got a cuddle while the vet prepped the vaccine!! Not a peep from him when he had his injection, then he went back in his carrier. TT was brave and came out of his carrier even though he was scared. He wasn't too keen on the vet handling him so the vet didn't fuss him about too much but will instead have a good luck when he is in for neutering.
So, they both got a clean bill of health as well as confirmation that they are boys and the vets put them at 5 months.
In 4 weeks they will be going back for part 2 plus the ship and chip.
Vaccs, chip and neutering for each boy will come in at just over £80, vaccs alone would have been £75 at my usual vets!
The boys are currently in their pen inside. I haven't had them in as much as I would have liked over the past couple of weeks but they are still progressing so well...I even got TT to sit on my lap this morning (before we went to the vets).
The plan is still to take them over to my parents once they are snipped and chipped :(
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Glad the boys' (can say that with confidence now!) vet visit went well ;D They really are lucky little boys as it could have been so different for them, I doubt they would have even made it through the snow/minus temperatures we had so mahoosive pat on the back for Little Paws Inn :hug:
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Helen, I do often wonder if they would have made it through the snow :( Plus by now, mum (Tia) probably would have been pregnant again by now but instead she is living the "good life" up on the farm :)
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Glad the vet visit went well and they behaved themselves and did not try and shred the vet, though perhaps they are saving that for snip day :evillaugh: . Seriously, you have done a wonderful job with this family who now have lovely lives to enjoy.
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Thanks Jiji :) I've only done a tiny thing in comparison to some of the rescue peeps on here bit every little helps I guess and I'm glad I have been able to make a different to this little family.
I was going to post some up to date pics so you could all see how much the boys have grown...BUT you can no longer copy and save pics from your Facebook which is where they all are. You will have to bear with me a little longer...sowee
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Thanks Jiji :) I've only done a tiny thing in comparison to some of the rescue peeps on here bit every little helps I guess and I'm glad I have been able to make a different to this little family.
I was going to post some up to date pics so you could all see how much the boys have grown...BUT you can no longer copy and save pics from your Facebook which is where they all are. You will have to bear with me a little longer...sowee
It's not a competition .... that is four cat lives you have already changed for the better, plus a number of human lives, stopped a heap of kittens resulting from them growing up feral, plus all the other cats they'd have fought/ mated with, passed diseases to, competed with for scraps, those who've read the thread and felt inspired. :hug:
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I can copy and paste pics from FB to my pc.............but not direct to Purrs
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It's not a competition .... that is four cat lives you have already changed for the better, plus a number of human lives, stopped a heap of kittens resulting from them growing up feral, plus all the other cats they'd have fought/ mated with, passed diseases to, competed with for scraps, those who've read the thread and felt inspired. :hug:
I've just had one female and 7 males from one garden and a male from the next door to that one neutered, 4 kittens rehomed and i feel great! If it had only been one, i'd have still felt the same! You've done a great job Steph!!
Firefox says it all!
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Really wonderful Steff hun. You're a star ;D :Luv: :hug: :hug:
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Thanks guys :D *hug*
I guess I just a bit frustrated that I can't help all the cats :(
BUT I am making a difference and will continue to do everything I can :D
The Puffs are now comfy in the spare room!!! I kept them in the house on Saturday because I wanted to monitor them after their jabs and then I worked out with OH how we could keep them in the spare room. So they're all settled in, have already covered the duvet in fur lol and they have adapted really quickly, especially Tyson and whatever he does TT follows :)
Its making kitten cuddling a lot more convenient (and regular) now they are only upstairs ;D