HOW IT CAME ABOUT saving this kitty's life!
Our Feral cats name is "Kitty" she came into our lives on a drizzly cold day Sept. 2007...she visited our second floor deck to eat the seeds out of a bird dish. As I opened the door and she flew off the deck, I realized she was scared of humans. Everyday I left scrapes of food outside in the hopes she would come back...two days later she did and devoured every bit, continuing to leave scrapes she came everyday, although sheepishly.
The first snow came, we made a place for her to go and eat...my husband took a large cardboard box cut out an opening lined it with straw and towels, placing food inside she started to sleep in there, once even finding her mother in there.
We had a record brutal 2007 winter, seeing this kitty everyday in that cold was heartbreaking. We built another fortress for her, all brick around the box to keep it warmer. I would heat up a beanbag in the micro, wrapping it with a towel placing it in the box to keep her warm, yes she used it.
After a month she started to sit in front of the window of our patio doors looking in, even stepping up on the sill to look in and meow... I should say "meew" such a little voice! Her little paws where so cold she alternated holding them up. Everyday we cleared a path on the deck and stairs so she could get to her box. I placed paper and towels in the area she sat so she would not be wet from the snow...she ate anything I left. At times it was below 20 degrees with the wind chill even lower, her shivering couldn't keep any weight on her, so much energy was used just shivering. She had a cold and coughed, that's when I made sure the beanbag was always there for heating her up.
After Christmas she became friendlier and only ran to the top of the stairs when we opened the door, after a while she came up to the door when opened and even climbing on my husbands lap while on the floor. One time she came in and the door closed behind her...I had told my hubby, don't let the door shut, she will panic! yep she did panic, and tore my plants down trying to get out...hubby had to clean it up!
She became more familiar with us and started to trust us, allowing us to pet her and pick her up (that is unusual for a feral cat) The first time I picked her up I held her in my arms talking low and assuring her. I made a short video of her on hubbies lap playing with his sweatshirt pull, see Video.
continued below.....
The first snow came, we made a place for her to go and eat...my husband took a large cardboard box cut out an opening lined it with straw and towels, placing food inside she started to sleep in there, once even finding her mother in there.
We had a record brutal 2007 winter, seeing this kitty everyday in that cold was heartbreaking. We built another fortress for her, all brick around the box to keep it warmer. I would heat up a beanbag in the micro, wrapping it with a towel placing it in the box to keep her warm, yes she used it.
After a month she started to sit in front of the window of our patio doors looking in, even stepping up on the sill to look in and meow... I should say "meew" such a little voice! Her little paws where so cold she alternated holding them up. Everyday we cleared a path on the deck and stairs so she could get to her box. I placed paper and towels in the area she sat so she would not be wet from the snow...she ate anything I left. At times it was below 20 degrees with the wind chill even lower, her shivering couldn't keep any weight on her, so much energy was used just shivering. She had a cold and coughed, that's when I made sure the beanbag was always there for heating her up.
After Christmas she became friendlier and only ran to the top of the stairs when we opened the door, after a while she came up to the door when opened and even climbing on my husbands lap while on the floor. One time she came in and the door closed behind her...I had told my hubby, don't let the door shut, she will panic! yep she did panic, and tore my plants down trying to get out...hubby had to clean it up!
She became more familiar with us and started to trust us, allowing us to pet her and pick her up (that is unusual for a feral cat) The first time I picked her up I held her in my arms talking low and assuring her. I made a short video of her on hubbies lap playing with his sweatshirt pull, see Video.
continued below.....
Feral Kitty being tamed
third time in house
It was so cold (below 20) so Kitty came in and sat on my husband lap on the floor, we where very still and quiet, she played with his sweatshirt fob.
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Kitty stalking deer
intentive...
she watched them for a long time, as did I eating all my Hostas, there where 2 does and 5 fawns...
I took this video with my digital camera, so a bit shaky
I took this video with my digital camera, so a bit shaky
powered by Youtube
Kitty checking out the sounds
Kitty looking inside, notice the high snow
Annie our grandog meeting Kitty
Kyle & Annie checking out their friend
By April she was tame enough to come in for a period of time without panic.
During this period I could not spend too much time with her, I was busy with a big Art project and had my 29 year old Arabian to care for. I took Kitty to the Dane county Humane Soc. to have her fixed...she was already pregnant by another feral cat(I think related to her) This Humane Soc. fixes feral cats with shots, flea dip and ear crop (for feral ID), all this for only $26.
The day I brought her home from being fixed at the Dane County Humane Society, my beloved horse Ibn of 29 years had to be euthanized because of an unforeseen problem, it was devastating, I cried so much that when we brought Kitty home I slept on the bathroom floor for two days with kitty till she came out of her anethstesia affects.
When I let her back outside she became a loyal cat and is now our beloved pet. She comes in to nap and goes out to hunt at night, sure wish I could change that, she brings home birds, mice, chipmunks, baby bunnies etc. that just breaks my heart...but that wild part may take some time to rid, if at all.
She allowed me to place a stretch necklace with a bell around her neck(something that comes off easily if tangled). I always put a lipstick mark on her white forehead when she is outside, this lets people know she belongs to someone.
She is a very smart cat, she comes to my whistles, she does not go on furniture except on some chairs that she is allowed to, she knows the word NO and respects it. She is a wonderful part of our family now.
During this period I could not spend too much time with her, I was busy with a big Art project and had my 29 year old Arabian to care for. I took Kitty to the Dane county Humane Soc. to have her fixed...she was already pregnant by another feral cat(I think related to her) This Humane Soc. fixes feral cats with shots, flea dip and ear crop (for feral ID), all this for only $26.
The day I brought her home from being fixed at the Dane County Humane Society, my beloved horse Ibn of 29 years had to be euthanized because of an unforeseen problem, it was devastating, I cried so much that when we brought Kitty home I slept on the bathroom floor for two days with kitty till she came out of her anethstesia affects.
When I let her back outside she became a loyal cat and is now our beloved pet. She comes in to nap and goes out to hunt at night, sure wish I could change that, she brings home birds, mice, chipmunks, baby bunnies etc. that just breaks my heart...but that wild part may take some time to rid, if at all.
She allowed me to place a stretch necklace with a bell around her neck(something that comes off easily if tangled). I always put a lipstick mark on her white forehead when she is outside, this lets people know she belongs to someone.
She is a very smart cat, she comes to my whistles, she does not go on furniture except on some chairs that she is allowed to, she knows the word NO and respects it. She is a wonderful part of our family now.
Kitty at the waterhole...check the temp.
Lipstick ID
HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED A FERAL CAT?
let me know if you have...
If you like, let me know what you think of my "Kitty"
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- admiralglass admiralglass Nov 19, 2009 @ 8:27 am
- Really touching story. Kitty looks like little heartbreaker. I wish there would be more kind people like you around.
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- WordCustard WordCustard Nov 4, 2009 @ 2:31 am
- Wonderful story and the images of Kitty are adorable. All your lenses are truly special and unique.
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- RichLeigh RichLeigh Oct 12, 2009 @ 10:27 am
- As I was saying... The cat from down the road was rather feral when she first started visiting, and even though she had come from another home, she spent several months living in a garage and therefore became quite detached and wild in her ways. Apparently she didn't get on with the other cats where she was, she's found a place to call home here now though, and now spends a lot of time with me, sleeping on a cushion right next to my chair. She seems happy enough, and although she's certainly not as loving or friendly as my cat that died earlier this year (I just changed my picture on here to be the favourite one that I have of me and her); she can be quite affectionate at times, and does come to me for cuddles when she wants them.
I really enjoyed looking at all the pictures of Kitty that you've got on here, and liked the videos too. I really do love cats, and I knew that I'd enjoy reading this lens.
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- RichLeigh RichLeigh Oct 12, 2009 @ 10:16 am
- I really enjoyed the story of how Kitty slowly came from being feral to living with you, and I can definitely relate. My cat passed away earlier this year, and not long after she died, the cat from down the road started living in the garage. She was really timid at first, didn't eat the food when I first put it out for her thinking she was hungry, didn't really want to let you get near her, and didn't seem too fond of human company. She did come indoors occasionally, never for long though, and would then go back to sleeping in the garage afterwards. She brought me a dead bird one day, I saw her torturing a small animal in the garden another, and there were also a couple of dead blue tits down the bottom of the garden that I fear she may have been responsible for. Oh, and she also brought me an alive mouse one day, and set it loose in the bedroom. I wasn't pleased to have to spend several hours trying to get it out, but at least she didn't do any harm on that occasion!
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- eytans_art eytans_art Oct 10, 2009 @ 8:34 am
- Wow!! Kitty is such a cutie!! :-)
5 stars from me and my Shelly :-)
- Load More
my Easter Kitty
Kitty in the Spring 08 enjoying the yard
Summer 80 degrees brings her to the bird bath
now comfortably napping in the house
Silhouette on the window sill, check her legs
Kitty loves to hide in places
always checking for that chipmunk, (see L.ear cropped)
Xmas Kitty '08
Our Kitty has been coming in and sleeping during the day time in this record breaking cold snowy winter(again), however she seems to wake up and want to go outside to hunt at night when it is -0.
I bought her a SnuggleSafe Heat Pad, this is heated up in the microwave lasting up to 8 hours of heat, placed under her sleeping bed which is a new soft Igloo style bed(under a plasic cover next to out patio door)...she also has a new electric water bowl.
Ok, before you say we are spoiling her! You are so right...*!*
Kitty has gained weight...actually she has a thyroid problem, now dieting
Kitty, this is your potty box not sleeping box!
with her long Winter fur
resting up for Spring
Her head on a pillow is how she loves to sleep in the day time...resting up for Spring. Spring Sun '09
ahhhhh!
Resting on a warm day
or just resting
always into something
they where planted for me?
I staked out ferns growing with left over electrical flags
a snake? no a worm!
from any angle watching below
Kitty's favorite pose
Ok checking out below the deck again
then for some more rest
another place to rest
in her Igloo
Kitty's favorite rug to roll on
Kitty's Bowl
hand made by mommie delia
When we visited our daughter Sonya in Kansas last year, she took me to a place where you can paint ceramics...there I made a bowl for "Kitty" 
SnuggleSafe Thermapol
keep your outside pets warm...
I have to tell you this is the best thing I ever got for an outdoor cat...I purchased it through Entirelypets.com...Link below...it comes with a cover and the cost was the most reasonable, it was shipped real fast.
entirelypets
Heated Pet Bowl by 'Farm Innovators'
what all pets in a cold place needs...
Thermostatically controlled, operates only during freezing temps. 25 watts
farminnovators
Christina's cat named "Fluffy"
waited all her life for a cat...
Chris is my sister-in-law, she has always wanted a cat and now finally has her very own. This cat named Fluffy is part of her life and she is enjoying the venture...of course Fluffy is happy to be saved and has a wonderful caretaker. Check out her beautiful blue eyes...
PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO IF YOU LOVE CATS!
you can help by capturing and spaying....
I'm so Thankful that I found out about the Dane County Humane Society in Madison Wisconsin...it would have cost me over $300. to spay, shots, dip and ID at my Vets Office...the Human Society was around $26. and the only thing you had to agree with was having one ear tipped.(cropped) The cost changes so be sure to check with them...still a reasonable fraction of cost there.
Please check out your area for special deals on FERAL CAT NEUTERING.
Please check out your area for special deals on FERAL CAT NEUTERING.
curated content from YouTube
Blog Posts about Feral Cats
all issues...
We should take notice, to what we allow to happen to our pets when we don't take responsibility...
VENTING HERE!
It's the human being that causes the problem, if they where responsible pet owners they would spay or neuter them. There is no excuse in having cats run amuck and have society pay for it through funding whether it is destroying the cats or catching and releasing. If it where mandatory to alter your cat, then this would not happen, at least not to the degree it does.
I find it selfish and unreasonable to make a poor animal, cat or dog that is depended on a human being for their comforts in life to suffer needlessly by not fixing them.
It's odd, where we live you have to pay a license fee for a cat in the house and get rabies shots...wouldn't it be more important to make sure the cat owner alters the cat? Unless you are a fancy cat breeder there is no need in keeping the cat intact to breed...after all we will never have a pure cat, there will always be mixed breeds.
I find it selfish and unreasonable to make a poor animal, cat or dog that is depended on a human being for their comforts in life to suffer needlessly by not fixing them.
It's odd, where we live you have to pay a license fee for a cat in the house and get rabies shots...wouldn't it be more important to make sure the cat owner alters the cat? Unless you are a fancy cat breeder there is no need in keeping the cat intact to breed...after all we will never have a pure cat, there will always be mixed breeds.
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on Amazon books about feral cats
The Stray Cat Handbook (Howell reference books)
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 12/05/2009) 
Community Approaches to Feral Cats: Problems, Alternatives, and Recommendations (Public Policy Series)
Amazon Price: $22.50 (as of 12/05/2009)
An Unlikely Cat Lady: Feral Adventures in the Backyard Jungle
Amazon Price: $12.78 (as of 12/05/2009)
CafePress feral cat stuff
Kitty and Cat Stuff
- Life-Like Products - Animals & Stuffed Toys - Prices and Photos
- 10" Siamese Cat Perfect Petzzz is a Cute Sleeping Kitty that Offers ... The Siamese is a brilliant, people-oriented cat which enjoys human companionship. ...
- Eight in One Pet Products - 8 in 1 Ultracare,DDS Wholesale Rabbit ...
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- Dog; Cat; Horse; Other; All; Narrow by MIRACLE CORP PRODUCTS Brands:. Grooma; AiRider; Trim Treats; Obey .... MIRACLE%20CORP%20PRODUCTS equine supplies ...
- Vita Gravy PETPRO PRODUCTS INC Wholesale Brand Name Beauty Products
- VitaGravy is scientifically formulated to enhance all cat foods, including premium brands. 12 oz. ... PETPRO%20PRODUCTS%20INC Wholesale Beauty Products.
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- Bird; Dog; Cat; Other; All; Narrow by EIGHT IN ONE PET PRODUCTS Brands:. Pro Pet ; Perfect Coat ... EIGHT%20IN%20ONE%20PET%20PRODUCTS equine supplies ...
- Dr. Pia Salk website
- Dr. Pia Salk is a psychologist and animal advocate. She has written extensively on and is the spokesperson for many animal related topics. Dr, Pia Salk's involvement in the animal rescue effort following hurricane Katrina has been featured on Animal Planet's Hurricane Heroes and 20/20.
- Dane County Humane Society Madison, Wisconsin
- This is where I took Kitty
eBay feral cat stuff
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
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