Umbrage
 

Everyone at work knows I am the one who feeds the cats on the grounds.
It's practically a joke. I spend about $300/month on food and supplies
for these animals. I have, with the help of others NOT in my workplace,
spent close to $2000 trapping, testing, vaccinating, altering and
releasing these ferals back to their environment. Only one of my
coworkers has ever offered any assistance at all, which was okay with me
until yesterday.

Yesterday (my day off), I got a call at home from a coworker who
informed me that she had met and handled a small kitten in the parking
lot. I went and rescued the kitten, which was concealed in some
landscaping bushes. Found no other cats in the area; the kitten is now
being fostered at my home.

While searching for the kitten, I found a well-established, exposed
feeding center, complete with two plastic picnic dishes piled high with
kibble and a cut gallon jug of water. Without going into tiresome
detail, this setup is the same exact one I found almost two years ago in
another area on the same grounds. At that time, whoever it was caused a
HUGE upset at work (because of their poor planning and execution, and
the resulting unhygienic conditions, I almost lost management's
endorsement to feed the cats at my feeding station). This new station is
somewhat better, but it is still placed for the convenience of the
feeder, not for the safety of the cats. It is still in a place that
could cause trouble.

While I am ecstatic that someone at work seems to care about these
animals, I am nettled and vexed that they don't see fit to collaborate
or consult with me, or even simply inform me about it. I have been
caring for the cats in this area for more than ten years. Recently, at
least five of my regulars haven't shown up for more than a week. I'm
cranky about that to begin with. Now I find that someone else has been
feeding. Could that be why I haven't seen my guys? Could this new
feeding station be the reason for the sudden influx of newcomers?

How the heck can I keep track of the ferals in this area if someone is
feeding them on the sly? How can I budget for them? It just irritates me
no end that they wouldn't contact me about this. I know that there are
others feeding ferals at nearby facilities. There are probably 4 or 5
within a 1 mile radius. We all know each other; I'm in touch with them.
But not with the mystery feeder at my own workplace.

Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this?
How did you handle it?

On Sat, 04 Oct 2003 20:18:50 GMT, lid wrote:

Everyone at work knows I am the one who feeds the cats on the grounds.
It's practically a joke. I spend about $300/month on food and supplies
for these animals. I have, with the help of others NOT in my workplace,
spent close to $2000 trapping, testing, vaccinating, altering and
releasing these ferals back to their environment. Only one of my
coworkers has ever offered any assistance at all, which was okay with me
until yesterday.

Yesterday (my day off), I got a call at home from a coworker who
informed me that she had met and handled a small kitten in the parking
lot. I went and rescued the kitten, which was concealed in some
landscaping bushes. Found no other cats in the area; the kitten is now
being fostered at my home.

While searching for the kitten, I found a well-established, exposed
feeding center, complete with two plastic picnic dishes piled high with
kibble and a cut gallon jug of water. Without going into tiresome
detail, this setup is the same exact one I found almost two years ago in
another area on the same grounds. At that time, whoever it was caused a
HUGE upset at work (because of their poor planning and execution, and
the resulting unhygienic conditions, I almost lost management's
endorsement to feed the cats at my feeding station). This new station is
somewhat better, but it is still placed for the convenience of the
feeder, not for the safety of the cats. It is still in a place that
could cause trouble.

While I am ecstatic that someone at work seems to care about these
animals, I am nettled and vexed that they don't see fit to collaborate
or consult with me, or even simply inform me about it. I have been
caring for the cats in this area for more than ten years. Recently, at
least five of my regulars haven't shown up for more than a week. I'm
cranky about that to begin with. Now I find that someone else has been
feeding. Could that be why I haven't seen my guys? Could this new
feeding station be the reason for the sudden influx of newcomers?

How the heck can I keep track of the ferals in this area if someone is
feeding them on the sly? How can I budget for them? It just irritates me
no end that they wouldn't contact me about this. I know that there are
others feeding ferals at nearby facilities. There are probably 4 or 5
within a 1 mile radius. We all know each other; I'm in touch with them.
But not with the mystery feeder at my own workplace.

Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this?
How did you handle it?

Post or circulate a nice notice saying their help is so appreciated
that you would like a meeting to coordinate your efforts. Who knows,
maybe it will work. MLB

wrote in message
...
Everyone at work knows I am the one who feeds the cats on the grounds.
Only one of my
coworkers has ever offered any assistance at all, which was okay with me
until yesterday.


While searching for the kitten, I found a well-established, exposed
feeding center, complete with two plastic picnic dishes piled high with
kibble and a cut gallon jug of water. Without going into tiresome
detail, this setup is the same exact one I found almost two years ago in
another area on the same grounds. At that time, whoever it was caused a
HUGE upset at work (because of their poor planning and execution, and
the resulting unhygienic conditions, I almost lost management's
endorsement to feed the cats at my feeding station). This new station is
somewhat better, but it is still placed for the convenience of the
feeder, not for the safety of the cats. It is still in a place that
could cause trouble.

While I am ecstatic that someone at work seems to care about these
animals, I am nettled and vexed that they don't see fit to collaborate
or consult with me, or even simply inform me about it. I have been
caring for the cats in this area for more than ten years.

How the heck can I keep track of the ferals in this area if someone is
feeding them on the sly? How can I budget for them? It just irritates me
no end that they wouldn't contact me about this. I know that there are
others feeding ferals at nearby facilities. There are probably 4 or 5
within a 1 mile radius. We all know each other; I'm in touch with them.
But not with the mystery feeder at my own workplace.


How large is the company/organization where you work? If feasible, why not
send e-mail to co-workers, or possibly post a message on bulletin boards (or
even circulate notices by placing them in mail boxes). THANK the person who
established the feeding station for their interest in the welfare of ferals
but express your concern about sanitation and location. Invite the person
responsible to contact you so that you can possibly "join forces" providing
for the welfare of these cats.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly (pictorial history of my blind cat Duffy's
integration into our household):
Duffy, Part I: The Introduction -- http://tinyurl.com/8y54
Duffy, Part II: Life at Home -- http://tinyurl.com/8y56

Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this?
How did you handle it?

Put a note on the feeding station. Ask whoever is feeding to contact you to
coordinate efforts in order to better help the animals and protect them from
any adverse actions from others.

"Mary" wrote in message
...
Just a rant, I guess. Has anyone else run into a situation like this?
How did you handle it?

Put a note on the feeding station. Ask whoever is feeding to contact you
to
coordinate efforts in order to better help the animals and protect them
from
any adverse actions from others.

Oh, good idea. So sensible ... much better than my suggestion, which
involved sending e-mail, flyers, etc. Instead, you went right to the
"source." Great!

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

In article
,
lid wrote:

snip

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. For those who care, here's
what happened:

I found out who was feeding by asking around. One woman stepped up and
understood when I told her what was going on. She also promised not to
feed while I am trapping.

Still, I kept finding food left at the new place. This time the first
woman denied leaving any more food. So yet *another* feeder has popped
up. I just found out who it was today. Since I am trapping tonight,
swept up the kibble into a plastic bag and brought it inside. Then it
occurred to me that I could consider this a "donation" and just use it
at my old feeding station. I could sweep it up every day and really save
substantial money. Of course, that wouldn't be very honest, now would it?

Anyway, I plan on talking to the other feeder tomorrow. Thanks again for
the support.

Then it
occurred to me that I could consider this a "donation" and just use it
at my old feeding station. I could sweep it up every day and really save
substantial money. Of course, that wouldn't be very honest, now would it?

Hmm, if you take it, she will think kitties are eating it and feel good and
bring more. You will then be giving it to kitties who will be eating it in a
safer place. You will feel good. I'd do it. It's not like you're taking it and
eating it yourself ;-)

In article
,
lid wrote:

Anyway, I plan on talking to the other feeder tomorrow. Thanks again
for the support.

Woman number two was great. She understood instantly what I was talking
about. Plus, she knows yet ANOTHER co-worker who is feeding the cats (a
TRUCK DRIVER who doesn't even work at the facility!) who she will
inform of my plans.

So, I was feeling pretty darn accomplished when I left work today. All
the food was picked up. The kittens should be trap-hungry by the time I
return tonight (right after I post this) with their mouth-watering,
highly aromatic KFC bait. On the way to my car, as usual, I stop by the
feeding station to change their water.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear? An open can of tuna fish.
Just a can, open, sitting near the water dish. Not the cheapo stuff,
either. This is the pricey solid white albacore. I don't even buy that
stuff for myself, except on special occasions.

Sheesh. People are sabotaging these animals with kindness! Now, if only
they'd step up to be fosters or adoptees!

In ,
lid composed with
style:

Still, I kept finding food left at the new place. This time the
first woman denied leaving any more food. So yet *another* feeder
has popped up. I just found out who it was today.

Good luck! I know what you mean about good-hearted people and feeding
strays. There is a woman across the street from me who I think is
feeding the strays left here and I really need to talk to her. So far
the strays are staying mostly off the main road but they do cross it
to get to her house (VERY busy road, too) and I cringe when I see one
coming toward me from over there.