Kittens and animals in general
Aug. 6th, 2009 10:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ostarellaI have a kitten in my yard. We generally have 1-2 cats who take up abode in the out buildings for whatever length of time, but this one is a kitten, and on its own. I generally try not to get "involved" with the feral cats (or other animals without collars or known "other residence"). The last time I did that we started out with an abandoned mama cat and two kittens, which I fed because they were obviously starving. Two years later, we had 27 cats 
prowling the yard and neighborhood, all very friendly (climbing on our shoulders as we worked in the gardens, following us into the house, etc). Eventually between inbreeding, disease and the highway we lost them all and I vowed that was the last time! Nature, however cruel, should take its course.
Now I have The Kitten.
It's around 8-10 inches long, with a long tail, huge feet, and is, I guess, a silver tabby with rust blended in (I thought at first it was called a tortoise shell but that's something different - and yeah, I looked it up
). I can't tell for sure whether it's a boy or a girl yet, but it's very shy and very verbose. And loves trying to catch butterflies. 
And also loves the dog food I've set out for it.
Yes, I've done it again.
Only because it appeared to be very hungry, very young, and alone. If I had evidence of a mama around, I probably wouldn't have done anything. I swear I wouldn't have. But in the course of a couple of days, it's gone from running at the first sight of me, to coming within a couple feet (if I stand still and talk softy).
I'd try to tame it for myself, but with two rather obnoxious (ie, spoiled) dogs and a brother who is severely allergic to cat dander, bringing it in the house is out of the question. And I'm worrying how it will make it through the winter, being so young now and without other "family" to help stay warm. So now the plan is to get it tamed so it feels comfortable being held, and then I'll take it to the local animal adoption place and see if they will take it. I'll pay for the neutering/spaying if necessary.
I should've just ignored the little bugger. I really should have...
prowling the yard and neighborhood, all very friendly (climbing on our shoulders as we worked in the gardens, following us into the house, etc). Eventually between inbreeding, disease and the highway we lost them all and I vowed that was the last time! Nature, however cruel, should take its course. Now I have The Kitten.
It's around 8-10 inches long, with a long tail, huge feet, and is, I guess, a silver tabby with rust blended in (I thought at first it was called a tortoise shell but that's something different - and yeah, I looked it up
). I can't tell for sure whether it's a boy or a girl yet, but it's very shy and very verbose. And loves trying to catch butterflies. And also loves the dog food I've set out for it.
Yes, I've done it again.
Only because it appeared to be very hungry, very young, and alone. If I had evidence of a mama around, I probably wouldn't have done anything. I swear I wouldn't have. But in the course of a couple of days, it's gone from running at the first sight of me, to coming within a couple feet (if I stand still and talk softy).
I'd try to tame it for myself, but with two rather obnoxious (ie, spoiled) dogs and a brother who is severely allergic to cat dander, bringing it in the house is out of the question. And I'm worrying how it will make it through the winter, being so young now and without other "family" to help stay warm.
So now the plan is to get it tamed so it feels comfortable being held, and then I'll take it to the local animal adoption place and see if they will take it. I'll pay for the neutering/spaying if necessary. I should've just ignored the little bugger. I really should have...
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no subject
Date: 2009-08-06 04:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-06 06:26 pm (UTC)hey - I'm sure that's just a marketing ploy lol!
If it's any consolation I'd probably have done the same thing ;-P Though we don't really get stray cats/dogs around here... just a roaming hedgehog who I might buy a "house" for, to encourage him to stay in my garden :D
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Date: 2009-08-06 08:21 pm (UTC)I think dog food tends to have more stuff like cereals etc in it, since dogs are omnivores, where cats are pretty much totally carnivores and their food is just meat and fish. But a couple of dog food meals won't do the kitty any harm!
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Date: 2009-08-06 08:24 pm (UTC)did I just say that? GAWD!
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Date: 2009-08-07 06:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-06 10:58 pm (UTC)My mum only has a tiny, tiny garden - you'd probably consider it a good place to keep some of your tools :p - but it has a little concrete shed with a gap in the top of the door. She had seen a young cat coming and going but as it was just sheltering she let it be.
Well, they were off on holiday last year, and dad was dutifully sent to get the suitcases. Lo and behold, there was the young cat and her four tiny new kittens!! :o Mum started to feed the cat, as did I while we looking after her place. The cat got quite friendly with her, but eventually the babies were able to escape and after a couple of months were on the verge of getting out of the garden - and on to the road. It took weeks, but eventually we found a shelter miles away to take them, and when we went back to visit they told us they had found a home for all of them together in the grounds of a stately manor in the country. :) I think they lucked out. ;)
no subject
Date: 2009-08-07 12:22 am (UTC)I just hope the adoption place can take her - they're usually filled to the brim. :-(