a couple of cat pictures (at CatWoman's request) (DIALUP WARNING!!)

[Bertha Venation]

Sorry, CW, I don't have many right now. But here are a few to show you how these guys have grown.

I also apologize to folks who opened this to find HUGE files. My photo editor isn't working tonight so most of these aren't compressed. :shrug:

Skittles

("Oh, just leave the laundry basket here for now. I'll put 'em all away later.")

Harry & Charley

(Harry's the gray one)

two of Charley




Sleepy Skittles -- Mrs. V. took this one today

[ET Awful]

1. Skittles and Charley are definitely lookers :)

I love those little spots of orange here and there on Skittles, she's such a cutie :)

[MuseRider]

2. Great photos!

Thanks for sharing those. They are beautiful kitties. Are these the kittens that were feral?

[yellowdogintexas]

3. darling cats. I used to have a black tabby

I still miss that cat

[Bertha Venation]

5. Yep, they're the ferals. Never did find a home.

Come spring, they'll be outdoor kitties (after we get them fixed & chipped, of course). But we're pretty sure they'll come in when they want to.

[amandabeech]

6. How did you get them to come in?

My mom's been feeding a calico kitty who took up residence in her garden shed this winter, in Michigan. Kitty is still afraid of Mom at least somewhat and Mom refuses to abduct Kitty to the house.

Kitty looks like she will make it through the winter, but both Mom and I would like Kitty to be inside by next winter.

We'd both appreciate any advice.

They really are adorable!

[Bertha Venation]

7. We trapped them. We care for a feral colony. You can get Kitty

with a humane trap. You can borrow one from your local humane society. Or if you want to have one on hand, you can get them for about $60-$70 at www.havahart.com (more at retails like Petsmart).

It truly is humane. It might frighten Kitty a little, but she won't be harmed physically.

Best method is to withhold food for a couple of days so she'll be good and hungry. Then bait the trap with something really stinky, like tuna, early in the morning (or at the usual feeding time).

If your mom can, have her make up a small room just for Kitty, w/ litter box, of course (which she'll use instinctively). Keep her there for a while. Go in a couple of times a day, and sit and talk to Kitty. Have Mom leave something in the room that smells like her -- slippers, a worn t-shirt, etc.

After a few days, leave the door open. Kitty will eventually get used to being in the household.

Oh, one other thing: FIRST, take her in the trap to the vet. Don't even let her out. If you have to keep her in the trap overnight to do this, that's okay. Kitty will be fine. Just put a small box (like holds a case of Coke) under the trap w/ a little cat litter in it.

Take her to the vet first because she'll need to be checked for FELV and get her shots. She might also need to get cleaned up -- and, of course, spayed. You don't want a wild cat going into heat in your house.

Best wishes! Feel free to PM me any time.

[amandabeech]

8. Thank you very much!

I'm sending your response to Mom tomorrow by snail mail. She doesn't have internet access despite my urgings.

I really like the idea about taking the trap directly to the vet. I've been concerned in particular that Kitty may surprise Mom with a litter well before Mom would think.

[Bertha Venation]

11. If Kitty turns out to be preggers when you trap her, there are other

options. If you mom wants to foster the litter, it's pretty easy to find homes for cuddly iddow kittens. Her humane society will help. Alternately, the humane society can hook her up w/ someone who will foster the litter, and after the kittens have been adopted, your mom can take Kitty home.

Let me know if I can help any more. Let me know how it all turns out. :7

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Adorable kitties..and great pics!!!!

[CatWoman]

9. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Melting like budda here!!!!!!!! :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

Those guys sure have grown!!!

LOL -- looks like they are taking over, too :D

Thanks, BV :hi:

[Bertha Venation]

12. They're not taking over... their siege is complete.

They've even filled the moat so it's easier for other cats to storm the gates.

More in a week or so. :hi:

[roguevalley]

10. I love kitty pics. I also LOVE the black Skittles picture, the one

where a HUGE black cat is sitting on the floor looking 'bad' to the bone. That was so great, I have saved it.