What would you do?

[Bayard]

We already had several fixed cats when we bought our little farm two years ago. The problem started when three strays showed up, and had litters when they were still just babies themselves. We ended up spaying/neutering 16 cats in the past several months. I said, that's it---NO more cats!!

So, wouldn't you know it, this little calico showed up, incredibly hungry. She was obviously dumped, very friendly and affectionate. Of course I fed her. And she had kittens in my barn. Three. As cute as they are, I'm saying......oh crap. Four more surgeries. I'm not about to take them to the pound. The closest shelters don't even accept new kittens anymore. I'm always afraid to just give them away. I almost took the last couple batches to the local pet store for adoption, then chickened out. Too much under the table dog fighting around here.....couldn't stand for any to be used for training them.

We go thru a 40 pound bag of dry catfood a week. Only 4 cats in the house, the rest are barn cats. We also have a couple of big insulated cat houses on the covered front porch. (they prefer sleeping on top of them). All have names, get personal attention (lucky my husband is also a cat person), and are obnoxiously friendly. I'm lucky I can give my own vaccinations. They are excellent at catching vermin, but to my sorrow, they also get the occasional bird.

So, what do you do?

[blondie58]

1. Have you tried contacting any of the

Organizations that might help? Stray Cat Alliance or Alley Cat Allies? The Pound?

I am so sorry. People are so stupid. One Mama cat And her offspring, if not fixed, will result in 500,000 more Cats in just 7 years. Half a million! And they can Get pregnant as early as 4 months. It is Crazy!
Good luck. Maybe a vet can Give you special Rates?

[ginnyinWI]

2. No good no-kill shelter around?

There is a group called BRATS in the Midwest that will do transports, but I don't know how feasible it would be. Even if you had to drive a few hundred miles to drop off some of them at a good shelter, that's what I'd do.

[hamsterjill]

3. I would leave things as they are.

I may have misread your post, but if you are able to get the calico and her kittens fixed, then I'd say leave things as they are. Anywhere there are outside cats there is the risk of "just one more" showing up.

You are obviously very knowledgeable about the pitfalls of adopting out, etc. I agree with all that you've stated here.

Sounds like your barn cats have a pretty good life to me. Thank you for looking after them!

[Bayard]

4. Thanks

I'm sure I'm becoming known as the Crazy Cat Lady in this neighborhood---and a good place to dump cats. Maybe I should start dressing them in little hats, and have tea parties for them......really earn the name!!!

[japple]

5. Have you tried rescue groups? It is a tough time of year to place kittens,

but large pet stores like Pet Smart and Petco have adoption days and some rescue groups even have cat habitats with kittens that are available to adopt. You might go to a Pet Smart or Petco and look at the kitties and see which group is sponsoring them and get in touch with that group. Good luck.