Feral cat -- (Wikipedia definition) is a "descendent of a domesticated
cat that has returned to the wild. It is distinguished from a stray
cat, which has been lost or abandoned, while FERAL CATS are born in the
wild."
Semi-Feral -- (Wikipedia definition) is an animal that lives
predominantly in a feral state. This may be due to having been born
into a domesticated state and then reverting to life in wild conditions, or it may be an animal
that grows up in essentially wild conditions but have developed a
comfort level with humans due to feeding, receiving medical care, or
similar contacts."
It all happened rather insidiously. Six months ago, maybe more --
We've always had stray cats roaming the neighborhood. Often, I would
find one underneath my white van; comfortably settled -- surveying the
world with seemingly wise eyes. But as quickly as they sensed my
awareness of them, they would dart super-speed to some other territory, coming back only when they feel safe.
My youngest daughter has always wanted a pet -- dog, cat, bunny --
anything soft and cuddly but requiring lots of work in the feeding,
cleaning and monitoring of yet ANOTHER responsibility. And though my
child swears up and down that she will ultimately be in charge of the
above -- we all know that once the honeymoon phase is over, Mom will
once again be the one to pick up the slack.
So it came to be that one day, I notice this grey tabby, skinny and
looking roughed up, hanging out in the backyard. I would see it
gracefully scale the side fence, confidently striding on all four paws. I
think more or less, claiming territory over the fence and the domain
that lies within its walls. It was actually with annoyance that I
noticed this cat. I had a suspicion that it used my vegetable bed as a
over-sized litter box. I was trying to figure out how to discourage her
from desecrating my vegetable garden with her poop...Sigh! If not
snails or aphids -- now, this...well, I suppose better a cat than a
raccoon invasion.
At first we were not sure if the backyard cat was a "he" or a "she" --we
named HER Katniss, nonetheless...yes, the "Hunger Games" mania
continues to spill over in real life...Katniss and the daughter with the
obsession related to the book.
We started to set out a bowl of water and cat food, which she ravenously
would consume. Then, we'd watch her clean her paws; whenever we tried
to get close, she would hiss...baring her fangs at us --but that was all. We
knew not to touch her, even if she allowed us that honor-- until, we
were sure. As the weeks rolled into months, Katniss no longer hissed,
she came to expect the bowl of cat food and water at certain times of
the day. At one point, we were able to touch her with a forefinger and
she would look, but not hiss...
I noticed one day, and so did everyone else in the house that she was
carrying more weight, her stride slower and heavier. She had also grown
bigger -- maturing from the adolescent stage (I think) of our initial
acquaintance. "Is she pregnant, Mom?" My daughter voicing the question
that has been running through my mind. "Don't know! What do we do now
if she is?...Oh, my God!"
The answer came in form of a local newspaper article on the capturing of
wild cats by an organization called Island Cat Rescue Alameda. Many
editorials were written in the paper about the great work ICRA is doing in terms of
temporarily catching wild cat, vaccinating
and ensuring that the ferals will not breed more neglected cats. Once checked and vaccinated, they are
released back into the neighborhood and in certain cases, they are put up for
adoption.
I did not have a phone number but I sent them an e-mail. A few weeks later, I received a phone call
from one of their volunteer trappers. She was very knowledgeable about
the subject of feral and semi-feral cats. She described to us what the normative behaviors
of each type of animal was and what ICRA does to help people
like me who have concerns and questions. Mines was, does she need her
shots and if she is pregnant -- what would be the next step?
I did not
see myself keeping a whole litter of kittens, although my child would
definitely LOVE that!
M. came immediately, in fact, that same afternoon of our conversation.
The front door bell rang and this woman armed with a cage and two tins
of cat food came in and went to work. She showed me how to set the trap
and where; how to correctly place the cat food for optimum enticement
and we were done. With kitchen back door wide open, we waited and
watched...
As luck would have it, Katniss emerged from her makeshift shelter and
started to sniff at the outside of the cage where the chunks of cat food
were strategically smeared. M. with her expert and experienced eye
told me right away that Katniss had already been tagged. "Notice that
one of her ears had been clipped slightly...and
no, she is to pregnant
-- she is just fat!!"
"Whaaat?" Relieved and somewhat disappointed at the same time, (the
idea of being Cat Grandma was already growing on me and we had started
to find homes for the future kittens among our families and
friends)...
"Yes," M added.
"Your cat must be double-dipping somewhere
else."
Okay...so now we know that Garfield, the cartoon cat was based on a real fat cats like Katniss.
* * * * * * *
Island Cat Rescue Alameda (ICRA) -- a volunteer organization dedicated
"to reducing the suffering of the mistreated, abandoned and feral (wild)
cat populations and to educating and empowering the local,community to
aid in their plight" (From:
www.icaeastbay.org)
Info@icaeastbay.org
(510) 869-2584
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