Pregnant feral cat update

On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 18:45:52 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 13:32:57 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
.. .
Today she abandoned her hidey-hole and perched on the stub wall that
encloses the shower cabinet. She stayed there all day. I went in the
bathroom several times and took some pictures, and she didn't budge.

I got a better look at her when she was sitting in front of the nanny
cam, and she looks pregnant alright. She is eating well.

I posted a couple of new pix at:

www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/catcam.htm


Charlie, that terror-stricken look on her face just
tears at my heart. She surely looks like a true feral.
If she comes to love you--and I bet she will--she
might prove to be the sweetest cat you have ever had.

Her anxiety eats at me too, because it is a form of acute suffering.
I don't like doing it this way, and I'm not trying to make her into a
pet. As you say, she is a true feral. I want to help her with some
things she can't do for herself and then release her. If she decides
to warm up to me, that will be a nice bonus.

Charlie

But Charlie, she is meant to be a pet. It is just by a nasty
accident of fate and irresponsible humans that this pretty
girl was on her own. No matter whether she warms up
or not, whether you keep her or let her go after you
have her spayed, she will be better off. One less--
actually many less, including her kittens--suffering
cat in the world. Way to go. I want to see those
kittens!!!

I'm dying to see them too. She is unafraid of the nannycam and in
fact seems to be quite interested in it. I may be able to set it up
to watch the litter. But when will it be born??? Cats have a
gestation period of less than 2 months, right?

I think she grew up wild and likes her freedom. This is rural western
Washington, an easy climate. If she sticks around, I will feed her
and provide for her needs, but not interfere further unless necessary.
If she decides to approach me, fine, but I will also be happy to
relate to her from a distance. I'm a recluse myself.

Charlie

"Charlie Wilkes" wrote:

But Charlie, she is meant to be a pet. It is just by a nasty
accident of fate and irresponsible humans that this pretty
girl was on her own. No matter whether she warms up
or not, whether you keep her or let her go after you
have her spayed, she will be better off. One less--
actually many less, including her kittens--suffering
cat in the world. Way to go. I want to see those
kittens!!!

I'm dying to see them too. She is unafraid of the nannycam and in
fact seems to be quite interested in it.

See, I think she is slowly coming around.

I may be able to set it up
to watch the litter. But when will it be born??? Cats have a
gestation period of less than 2 months, right?

I read that it is about 65 days years ago, but I am not sure.



I think she grew up wild and likes her freedom. This is rural western
Washington, an easy climate. If she sticks around, I will feed her
and provide for her needs, but not interfere further unless necessary.
If she decides to approach me, fine, but I will also be happy to
relate to her from a distance. I'm a recluse myself.


I understand. Do you think she is safe from wild animals out
there? I am unfamiliar with that part of Washington state.

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 01:38:15 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


I understand. Do you think she is safe from wild animals out
there? I am unfamiliar with that part of Washington state.

Coyotes, dogs, traffic or people with chickens or outdoor pet cats can
bring immediate death at any time. Skirmishes take a toll as well. I
think it is common for a feral cat to eventually pick up an injury
that turns into a festering wound, which either kills the animal or
makes it an easy target for predators. I have some anecdotal evidence
for this.

So, the answer is no, the cat won't be at all safe. Her life is
likely to be short, but with more good days than bad, given the mild
climate and a year-round abundance of prey.

Charlie

"Charlie Wilkes" wrote
Coyotes, dogs, traffic or people with chickens or outdoor pet cats can
bring immediate death at any time. Skirmishes take a toll as well. I
think it is common for a feral cat to eventually pick up an injury
that turns into a festering wound, which either kills the animal or
makes it an easy target for predators. I have some anecdotal evidence
for this.

So, the answer is no, the cat won't be at all safe. Her life is
likely to be short, but with more good days than bad, given the mild
climate and a year-round abundance of prey.


If she is completely feral and cannot be tamed, ping Phil for some feral cat
dwelling plans. You can make her a nice house so she can at least stay in
at night.
She looks like she's ready to pop any day, from the pics you posted. I may
have missed it, but does she have a little nest she can have the babies in?

--
-Kelly
kelly at farringtons dot net
"Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG

equalizer wrote :

Charlie, that terror-stricken look on her face just
tears at my heart. She surely looks like a true feral.
If she comes to love you--and I bet she will--she
might prove to be the sweetest cat you have ever had.


Terror?!? Hell, that's not terror. Here's Robocat at the vet last year
for his wellness exam:

http://web.newsguy.com/equalizer/robo_vet.jpg

And that's dosed up on Feliway. Robocat doesn't like going to the vet.


OMG! Forget wide-eyed, his eyes are actually bugging out! Does
he growl and scratch or just freeze up? Cheeks just becomes legless
and tries hard to disappear. She never makes a sound, either. It
makes me feel worse than if she got aggressive.

"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 01:38:15 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


I understand. Do you think she is safe from wild animals out
there? I am unfamiliar with that part of Washington state.

Coyotes, dogs, traffic or people with chickens or outdoor pet cats can
bring immediate death at any time. Skirmishes take a toll as well. I
think it is common for a feral cat to eventually pick up an injury
that turns into a festering wound, which either kills the animal or
makes it an easy target for predators. I have some anecdotal evidence
for this.

So, the answer is no, the cat won't be at all safe. Her life is
likely to be short, but with more good days than bad, given the mild
climate and a year-round abundance of prey.


You're going to keep her, I just know it. Please do not tell
me if you aren't.

equalizer wrote in message
...
On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 15:16:13 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


equalizer wrote :

Charlie, that terror-stricken look on her face just
tears at my heart. She surely looks like a true feral.
If she comes to love you--and I bet she will--she
might prove to be the sweetest cat you have ever had.


Terror?!? Hell, that's not terror. Here's Robocat at the vet last year
for his wellness exam:

http://web.newsguy.com/equalizer/robo_vet.jpg

And that's dosed up on Feliway. Robocat doesn't like going to the vet.


OMG! Forget wide-eyed, his eyes are actually bugging out! Does
he growl and scratch or just freeze up? Cheeks just becomes legless
and tries hard to disappear. She never makes a sound, either. It
makes me feel worse than if she got aggressive.



Freezes up. You could drive a nail with him.

lol! What a visual! Poor baby.

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 14:49:05 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 13:32:57 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
. ..
Today she abandoned her hidey-hole and perched on the stub wall that
encloses the shower cabinet. She stayed there all day. I went in the
bathroom several times and took some pictures, and she didn't budge.

I got a better look at her when she was sitting in front of the nanny
cam, and she looks pregnant alright. She is eating well.

I posted a couple of new pix at:

www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/catcam.htm


Charlie, that terror-stricken look on her face just tears at my heart.
She surely looks like a true feral. If she comes to love you--and I bet
she will--she might prove to be the sweetest cat you have ever had.



Terror?!? Hell, that's not terror. Here's Robocat at the vet last year for
his wellness exam:

http://web.newsguy.com/equalizer/robo_vet.jpg

And that's dosed up on Feliway. Robocat doesn't like going to the vet.

eq

Looks like he is saying a prayer! MLB

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 15:17:47 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 01:38:15 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


I understand. Do you think she is safe from wild animals out
there? I am unfamiliar with that part of Washington state.

Coyotes, dogs, traffic or people with chickens or outdoor pet cats can
bring immediate death at any time. Skirmishes take a toll as well. I
think it is common for a feral cat to eventually pick up an injury
that turns into a festering wound, which either kills the animal or
makes it an easy target for predators. I have some anecdotal evidence
for this.

So, the answer is no, the cat won't be at all safe. Her life is
likely to be short, but with more good days than bad, given the mild
climate and a year-round abundance of prey.


You're going to keep her, I just know it. Please do not tell
me if you aren't.


I will look out for her to the best of my ability. I won't hold her
captive against her will once she has raised the kittens and been
spayed.

I think she will maintain the relationship. After all, she alerted me
to her presence under the house by making a racket in the ductwork for
several consecutive nights, which stopped as soon as I started feeding
her. She allowed herself to be trapped less than 24 hours after
seeing how the trap works. She is frightened, but she is accepting my
help. Once she has a litter of tiny kittens, my bathroom will
probably seem like the ideal place to be, and she might begin to sense
how I fit into the big picture.

Charlie

"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 15:17:47 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
. ..
On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 01:38:15 -0400, "Mary" wrote:


I understand. Do you think she is safe from wild animals out
there? I am unfamiliar with that part of Washington state.

Coyotes, dogs, traffic or people with chickens or outdoor pet cats can
bring immediate death at any time. Skirmishes take a toll as well. I
think it is common for a feral cat to eventually pick up an injury
that turns into a festering wound, which either kills the animal or
makes it an easy target for predators. I have some anecdotal evidence
for this.

So, the answer is no, the cat won't be at all safe. Her life is
likely to be short, but with more good days than bad, given the mild
climate and a year-round abundance of prey.


You're going to keep her, I just know it. Please do not tell
me if you aren't.


I will look out for her to the best of my ability. I won't hold her
captive against her will once she has raised the kittens and been
spayed.

I think she will maintain the relationship. After all, she alerted me
to her presence under the house by making a racket in the ductwork for
several consecutive nights, which stopped as soon as I started feeding
her. She allowed herself to be trapped less than 24 hours after
seeing how the trap works. She is frightened, but she is accepting my
help. Once she has a litter of tiny kittens, my bathroom will
probably seem like the ideal place to be, and she might begin to sense
how I fit into the big picture.

Charlie




You never know... she may just say what the hell and decide to stay. Sounds
like she knew who to come to anyway. In the photos, she doesn't look *too*
wild or like a stray. She has a lovely coat. Good luck anyway, it sounds
like she is letting you grow on her.