On yard cats and veterinarians….
Ginger, a beautiful orange tabby, started frequenting our yard about year ago. When I would put out a bowl of dry food, skittish Ginger would run away and wait at a distance until I left before eating.
I had been feeding Ginger for about two months when yard cat #2 showed up. This cat was a disaster. He looked like an old dirty mop. His long hair was matted and dirty, and large patches of fur were torn out along his sides. He would chase Ginger away from the dish and eat Ginger’s food. At first I chased Moppycat away, but somehow he too became a fixture in our yard. As the months passed, Moppy transformed into a beautiful rag doll cat. He was not skittish. He would let me pet him, and wanted to come into the house. One day he succeeded and there was an instant cat fight with our indoor cats. Then a neighbor started complaining about Moppycat and wanted to get rid of him. I knew something had to be done. Since Ginger and Moppy were both unneutered males, I decided a trip to the vet for a little surgery might calm things down.
I borrowed two traps and some expert advice from a neighbor and surprised myself by trapping both cats on the first try. Early Tuesday I hauled the two traps with Ginger and Moppycat inside to a feral cat clinic on the other side of town where they were to be neutered and given rabies shots. It wasn't the one day in and out that I thought it would be. I finally got the call on Thursday evening that they were ready. By now I was sure the kitties would never forgive me and would run away to some other place when I released them. So I was surprised when they both went to their food dishes, ate, and then lay down on the patio.
It seems that not much has changed. Moppycat is even more tame than before, wanting lots of petting. Ginger still won’t let me near. And Moppy still chases Ginger away. I am using a spray bottle on Moppy when he does this. He seems to be a quick learner, so maybe things will settle down. I hope!
I had been feeding Ginger for about two months when yard cat #2 showed up. This cat was a disaster. He looked like an old dirty mop. His long hair was matted and dirty, and large patches of fur were torn out along his sides. He would chase Ginger away from the dish and eat Ginger’s food. At first I chased Moppycat away, but somehow he too became a fixture in our yard. As the months passed, Moppy transformed into a beautiful rag doll cat. He was not skittish. He would let me pet him, and wanted to come into the house. One day he succeeded and there was an instant cat fight with our indoor cats. Then a neighbor started complaining about Moppycat and wanted to get rid of him. I knew something had to be done. Since Ginger and Moppy were both unneutered males, I decided a trip to the vet for a little surgery might calm things down.
I borrowed two traps and some expert advice from a neighbor and surprised myself by trapping both cats on the first try. Early Tuesday I hauled the two traps with Ginger and Moppycat inside to a feral cat clinic on the other side of town where they were to be neutered and given rabies shots. It wasn't the one day in and out that I thought it would be. I finally got the call on Thursday evening that they were ready. By now I was sure the kitties would never forgive me and would run away to some other place when I released them. So I was surprised when they both went to their food dishes, ate, and then lay down on the patio.
It seems that not much has changed. Moppycat is even more tame than before, wanting lots of petting. Ginger still won’t let me near. And Moppy still chases Ginger away. I am using a spray bottle on Moppy when he does this. He seems to be a quick learner, so maybe things will settle down. I hope!