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Thursday, March 5, 2015

A Few More Homeless




It's been 3 1/2 years since I started my
 project of spaying and neutering the ferals and strays
in my neighborhood.  So far, I've taken 20 cats
 to the vet to get their shots and to get fixed since then!
I only had one new one in 2014....this handsome Slate.
But while he leads the pampered life of sleeping on faux
fur throws and leather couches, there are still a few
poor ones out there.





 I saw this one two days ago
and snapped his picture as I sat at my desk in the kitchen.
He needs a bath, some food and probably an antibiotic in his eyes.






While Slate and the others have fun romping in the snow,
they can come inside and be pampered whenever they want.
Who knows how the ferals survive, especially during this
terribly brutal winter we've had!  There wouldn't even
be any water to drink since everything is frozen.




Last night I happened to see him again, a little braver this time and
on our back porch.  He didn't run when we watched him through the
glass.  I didn't want to open the door, in case I frightened him
away.  I think he may have been wanting to spend the night 
in the chair out there with the heating pad on it!



He did peek through the cat flap as our guys peeked back!
I gave him a nice large serving of turkey breast through the
flap which he gobbled and we left him there for the night.  
Even if he doesn't decide he wants to stay, I'd love to
take him to the vet and then let him be on his way.
Maybe I should wait before naming him...it seems to
jinx them from coming back! ha.




Two more days to do an RAK!
Please come back on Friday and share!


63 comments:

  1. He gobbled the turkey. ha ha!
    I think you have a Cat Drop Box out there....
    :0)

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    Replies
    1. I think he could have eaten a whole one! ha.

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    2. That orange kitty looks like he's got a headache.
      :(

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    3. He really does! He looks like he feels awful. I could tell his eyes bother him and they are so weepy.

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  2. It is so awesome what you do for the strays, Betsy. It really is wonderful. He looks like he could be looking for help. I hope he does come back so he can be neutered and always have a full tummy Thank you for being so kind to them.

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  3. He looks like he might be from the same litter as Marmalade, where do all these feral cats come from, do you have neighbors with unfixed cats ?
    You have a huge heart to take care of these kitties, food, shelter, and lots of pampering......Thank you Betsy !
    ~Jo

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    Replies
    1. There is a little apartment complex for senior citizens close by. The elderly there put out food for the ferals but don't offer any other care for them. So they keep them alive and they just keep multiplying. I'm seeing fewer and fewer, though, so I know I'm making progress!

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    2. He does have the same stocky legs and huge paws that Marmalade has! I'm sure they are all related in some way. I know the first two litters I took in shared a father.

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  4. Awwwww...so sweet...it must break your heart to see him/her like that....
    I do hope he/she comes back....I think they would be so beautiful, once all cleaned up!
    Great job Betsy.....truly....
    Glad you enjoyed my beach find!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think he would be beautiful all cleaned up...Slate's before and after shots were amazing!
      I looked for him tonight but haven't seen him yet. It's snowing...surely he wants that warm chair! ha.

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  5. I think with your help he could be a very handsome cat. I hope he takes it.

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    1. I think so, too. I want to help him! I hope he'll learn that.

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  6. I hope he decides to make his home there. It is so sad to think of all the stray animals. You have a kind heart and a lot of compassion. You are doing acts of kindness every day of the year by helping these sweet souls ❤️

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    1. I hope he does, too. He needs to be rescued! ha.

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  7. I just read your post to DH here. He said you should be called Mrs. Kindhearted. Good luck with the new cat. Hope it is ok. One of the strays I was feeding a few years ago had a similar eye problem. She wouldn't let me near enough for drops but over a period of time she seemed to heal and still have her vision. Stay warm! Taria

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    Replies
    1. haha...I love that! Good to know about your stray. Cats are resilient, that is for sure!

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  8. You are the kitty whisperer!

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  9. He look really cute and little sad, poor kitty:)

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  10. Replies
    1. Thank you, Sandy! It's win/win for everyone, I think!

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  11. Ahhh, I'm so glad he has you. Have you ever been called the Kitty Whisperer?

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  12. The fact you feed and get the ferals to the Vets to be spayed or neutered is admiral in my book. We have a little one I dubbed Ginger, she is a beautfil orange cat, she is trusting of us now, I will get her into a crate & off to a feline only place spaying her, we will keep her as she runs into our home eats her food, drinks to her content and splays herself on a rug in our kitchen and sleeps for hours, our other cats don't bother her at all, we have had the warmest winter if you can call it in 37 years we soon will have lived here, thanks to God for that, when it gets really cold I fixed up a box plastic with warm bottles at night to keep her warm and safe she seems to enjoy it and pops out in the morning for food and drink and more sleep in the warmest part of our home the kitchen, she is Ginger to me and my hubs, our older girl and wild boy don't mind her but I want her to be fixed and wormed and defleaed she seems so gentle and needs the attention..We lost two kitteh cats we had for nearly 20 years one week apart 2 years soon and I swore to not get another but really how can one toss animals out like trash and they end up at our door, we take care of them..I would rather take care of a kitteh cat, get them fixed, shots, dewormed, defleaed then let them live the cruel life of outdoor type living here which we normally get 265 days of inclement weather this is the pacific northwest..it will get brutally hot this summer we got humidity like crazy Miss Ginger will enjoy our new windows, doors and coolness of a waterless heat thingie I get the name incorrect but it will cool down our home and keep it toasty in the winter if we ever will get it again..no Snowpack so many lost jobs and no water of anykind so farmer will be scrambling..God's Blessings to you for your love of animals and I adore your blog you are a kind and loving human being!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Sounds like Ginger has adopted you! How sweet. I had two cats, two about 25 years ago and they lived good long lives and my heart broke when they died. We've had a rabbit and parakeets since but nothing replaces a cat! Thanks for the comment and I appreciate you reading!

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  13. I meant to say thanks for the many recipes you put on your blog, I read with enthusiasm your daily life and your children tooooo..You are amazing and informative..If only others could take the time to be patient with their children and be sweet, loving and kind..what a wonderful world we would live in! I volunteer to make and serve people who don't have food come the 10th or 15th of every month, they work like crazy and just end of feeding their mates and kids and wee ones with nothing for themselves, no one complains about what I make or serve and they are humble and loving and kind..your blog makes my day, what a lovely home you have and what a talented chef you are! God's blessings to you and yours and smooch those ferals you take to the vets for me I am a kitteh crazy older lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Well, thanks...I do love to cook! Sounds like you're doing a good thing there...I'm sure it's very rewarding, too!

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  14. Such a great mission you are on. I have to confess this post made me cry a little. I am such a big sap regarding animals in need and this one is so bedraggled. I sure hope he/she stays around and gets a new lease on life. Velvet looks like she is guarding the entrance. I know that sometimes they don't take kindly to the new ones. Was Tiger in the vicinity encouraging him? :-) Well done, Betsy - 20 - wow! You must be so proud.

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    1. He does look so bedraggled. Aw. The mister and I size any new one up to decide if they belong to anyone.....starving? Healthy? ...it's usually easy to tell if someone cares for them. This one obviously needs help. I'd love to care for him and get an "after" picture. :). He wasn't around last night....surely he wants more turkey! Ha.

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  15. You're doing great work. Well done.
    Thanks for this interesting post too.

    Have a nice day.

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  16. I'm actually not a cat fan, but this is a kind and caring project you've undertaken, Betsy. I wish you continued success with it.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Martin! Even cat haters should appreciate controlling the population! Lol....

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  17. Bless you for caring. I know this kitty's stomach felt so good full of turkey. God bless.

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    1. I really hope he comes back! Sometimes a feral will come around and our cats just go crazy....all kinds of hissing and crying...it's obvious that they do not approve and will not accept him. Other times, they seem to know them....and don't make much fuss, and seem to know they need help. They did that with cocoa and slate, and they did that the other night with this one...more curious than upset. So we will see what happens!

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  18. You are such a good person, Betsy. hugs and blessings ~ tanna

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    1. This has been a fun project...I really enjoy it!

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  19. Betsy, You have a heart of gold (and an understanding husband). Jesus said if you've done it unto the least of these you've done it unto me. God bless you as you care for and love these beautiful cats! Fellow cat lover, Jan

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    1. Yes, they are God's creatures and we should be kind to them. And it makes the neighborhood nicer if the population is controlled! My husband is right on board with me....some of the cats adore him...so funny. In fact, it was him last night that kept turning the porch light on to see if this little orange guy or girl had returned! Lol.....

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  20. His poor eyes make me want to cry. Surely the turkey meat will keep him interested in joining your flock. If he does, he would need a bath pronto and some flea medication. Lynne in NC

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    1. That's what I think...who could resist turkey? Ha. I actually have the eye medication already from a previous vet visit...and flea control. We'd go through the house rules....a vet visit, no cat fights, no worms, no fleas, you must go outside or use the litter box, and nugget is a pet, not dinner. Lol.....

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    2. Doesn't Slate look wonderful in his fluffy winter coat? Wish you could feel him! :)

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    3. He bears almost no resemblance to that kitty who showed up a year ago. I can "feel" him with my eyes. Lynne

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  21. Your post made me chuckle in delight...you're a cat lady! I had no idea; could you be any kinder. I love your spirit.

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    Replies
    1. You're so kind not to include "crazy" in that! Lol.....

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  22. You have such a good heart, Betsy.

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    1. I desperately wanted a pet while growing up but wasn't allowed. I guess I'm making up for that. Ha.

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  23. Poor guy looks to be having a rough go of it indeed
    Hopefully he can be caught and get a little tlc at your feed
    The others sure seem welcoming to him too
    Maybe they lead him to your zoo
    Not sure how they survive with such a crappy winter either out there
    Guess they search out a place like your lair

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    Replies
    1. Yep, the others didn't get all wacked out
      and hiss and cry and pout.
      So maybe this one has a chance, too,
      of being a resident of the zoo!

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  24. smiles...i love your heart for the cats...
    even if he does not stay helping him out
    i hope he comes back....

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  25. Very kind of you Betsy . . . . wish I was a cat . . . . haha
    If I remember rightly I think you said Slate was once timid and shy until you gained his trust and now he is one of the most affectionate.
    Maybe the new one may be the same ~ how could he not wish lashings of turkey from the lady of the house ~ we could call it a cat RAK. . . :)

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    Replies
    1. No, Slate was always friendly and very affectionate. He was obviously domesticated and not wild. I think he was abandoned, actually. He was an easy one since he welcomed being held and petting. Velvet still has never accepted a pet or playful ear scratch. And a few like Samantha. Cinder and Domino will let me pet them but not pick them up, yet. It's hard to break the wild ones! And Velvet is their mother, who taught them well to be leery of humans....even though they have lived here since their birth! They're slowly coming around, though!

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  26. Beautiful photos, Betsy, and I think what you are doing is great. Thank you so much for all you do for these cats. You have a lovely blog.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I love that profile picture you use....so cute! I wonder if they all think that way!

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  27. How sweet. Your cat door needs a sign "Orders to Go". I love your cat stories, and makes me really wish we could have one again. One pet only in this complex. But Molly does like cats.

    Don't you just have one orange cat... Marmalade.?

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    1. Yes, just one orange one! And the poor guy got a sissy name before I knew what sex he was! hahaha....shh...don't tell him!

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    2. HaHa. We had a beautiful orange cat named Rusty. When Rusty had a litter of 5 kittens, we changed HER name to Rustina. We were not good at determining sex in cats...teehee.

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  28. Yeah, you do have to wonder how they manage to survive in the wild, during a winter as cold as this one.

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    1. It's going down to 1 degree tonight. Don't know how they do it!

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  29. Hi Betsy - I sure hope he/she adds to your clan ... and that eye gets taken care of in due course. The weather looks awful ... we have a cold wind, but it looks like Spring really is springing ... Slate is magnificent .. cheers Hilary

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