A Proper Introduction

Shawn, Lisa and I sat down to finalize some planning and decided it was time to give these guys names. Because they live in an auto shop, we found it fitting to give them names that relate in one way or another to cars! Here they are...

MUFFLER

(001)

TORQUE

(002)

HEMI

(003)

He has a hematoma on his ear and we were referring to him as "Hematoma"

so he was named "Hemi".

AXLE

(004)

He was named axle because like an axle,

he doesn't move around or do much!

HEX BIT

(005)

BONDO

(006)

Bondo was taken to the vet and was in really bad shape. Aside from his leg/pelvis injury he had an abcess that wrapped from one side to another. He was not well and suffering.

He was put to sleep. RIP Bondo.

HOOD

(007)

This guy has turned in to the lot gangster.

He guards the cats that are eating and runs off the cats he does not want to join them.

WINCH

(008)

HITCH

(009)

GROMMET

(010)

BEETLE

(011)

BOLT

(012)

This one was seen once a couple of weeks ago and has not been seen since.

TURBO

(013)

This is a new one identified a few days ago.

He/She is so nervous to join the others to eat he/she just runs in the lot and out of the lot back and forth until everyone else settles in for a meal. Then he/she finds a spot to eat.

And awaaayyy we go!

A couple of friends of mine are doing a TNR project in LIC and they have been kind enough to let me join them!

Fortunately, there are many feeders in the community, just no-one spaying and neutering.

I would like to introduce you to the colony manager...
This cat is the first one to come out every time we go and the last cat to leave. He/She is amazing! Watching us, following us, present at every turn.

Our first task was to establish a regular daily feeding time.

Same bat time same bat channel.

This way, eventually they all come out together at the same time and we can get a count.

This also helps to prep them for trapping!

If they eat every night at 7pm and you go trap at 7pm,

you have a better chance to get the whole colony.

Although, it is hard to ID all the cats in the dark, so some daytime recon is necessary.

Make a few day time trips (with or without food) to get pics of each cat, front and side pics, note any markings etc that will distinguish them from others.

You may also get a heads up on vet care.

For example, the guy on the left has a hematoma on his right ear.

It was initially thought there were 2 of these gray tabbies,

but with some additional recon, we learned there are 3.

This guy has a white chest (and humongous paws)!

This one was identified earlier as pregnant, but now not...

She is a nursing mom, and we need to find out where he has stashed her kittens.

This guy was noticed limping with what looked like a bad break and an abcess.

He was taken in and is being evaluated by a vet.

This one has a bob-tail.

There are a couple of bob-tails in this colony.

Here are what we assume to be a mom and her 3 to 4 month old kitten.

Other kitten below.

Here is the other baby about 3 to 4 mos old.

These kittens seem to be in pretty good health.

This black kitten has a small white dot on his/her chest and a curly tail.

The other black cat is all black, a little bigger and has a regular tail.

So as you can see, the recon is very important to find the correct number of cats in the colony for planning how many traps and spay neuter slots you need. And having each cat individually identified helps you to know if you have missed anyone.

Another helpful thing to do is fundraising.

Big or small, every little bit helps.

This was a bake sale at the office.

Thank you to Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve their contributions!

Visit with an old friend

Anyone remember Little Girl?

Here are some old pics of her when she lived on 10th street.

Note her paws look brown.

(Old pic)

Little girl used to walk me from my car around the corner to my front door.

She never walked up the stoop, but would sit there and watch until I walked in the front door.

(Old pic)

Little Girl's caretaker, Mildred, had her spayed 8 years ago and has fed her every day since. She lived on the street and was well known and liked by the neighbors. She spent her nights in one guy's garage and her days in another guy's flower bed!

Mildred noticed Little Girl has lost a significant amount of weight and has decided it is time for her to retire from being a street cat. So she is living in a very spacious studio (crate) in her Mildred's garage.

Mildred has brushed all the mats out of her hair (there were many) and Little Girl has cleaned herself up! I now know her feet are not brown, but white!

Little Girl is suffering some digestive issues, so is eating boiled beef and rice with a little soy sauce. She is doing a little bit better and we are crossing our paws she will continue to heal.

She was so cute with the new food. This was the first day she had it and she was impressed!

She ate some and then she started feeding herself with her paw...

Very cute!

Mildred is happy to know she will never have to worry about her again when she doesn't show up for dinner as she is safe in her little house.

No more winters out in the cold for Little Girl!

Checking in

I still go to visit the warehouse once a week to check on food and water supply

and to check in to see how mama is doing.

I see her every once in a while, but I always know she is eating well!

The dry food feeder is a tell tale sign as well as the waterer.

I keep track of how much wet food I leave behind too so I know how often the warehouse manager is feeding her. I spoke with him today and he says she was there this morning and that she is still living there. He says he does not see any other cats in there, so it seems mama has made this her own little home. I cleaned both feeders and the feeding station and re-filled everything, so she is all set!

I hate to post without putting someone's pics up,

so here are some of my favorite pics of mama from previous posts...

Sweet Mama

Scary Mama!

Sweet Mama

Scary Mama!

Mama