Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Wild Goose Chase

Oh me, Sunday night's cat trapping adventures was nothing short of a wild goose chase. Thank goodness i have a patient husband who was willing to sit out there for 3 hours and help me!! As you know, we were trying to trap 3 females....2 at the stockyards and 1 down the road from there at a warehouse. We did manage to trap Murphy, the mother of my current foster kittens. Poor thing was dumped into the feral colony with those kittens about 2 weeks ago. I was SO relieved to get her out of there. Unfortunately, the other female, Smokey, was being impossible!! We tried our regular traps and the drop trap but she was not falling for it...not even close. She normally comes out with the other 5 cats (all of whom we have snipped), but she wouldn't budge from the stall. I honestly don't know how we are going to get her. Sigh. We finally gave up and headed to the other location which was even more frustrating!! We put 2 traps out along with the drop trap and it was one debacle after another. The target kitty, Maddie, would sit beside them, then run off, then come back, then get spooked again. Next, a mother raccoon and her 4 babies came out and proceeded to get in the traps several times. I just kept having to let them out and re-bait. They would saunter off looking sheepish....cracked me up....and then come right back for more. This went on and on and then FINALLY, we reconfigured our drop trap strategy and Maddie went in. Well, total drama ensued. Brian was holding the drop trap down while she jumped around, and i had to get the regular trap butted up against it. You have to work super fast and do your best not to get your hand in the wrong place if you know I mean. I was being so careful and then somehow, she escaped. I can't begin to tell you how upset and disappointed i was!! I just wanted to kick myself in the head!! And then all we could do was laugh because the night was so full of crazy antics....it just wasn't meant to be. So, we'll keep on trying!!
For now, i am just concentrating on Murphy. She came through her spay surgery and vaccinations ok, but I am going to take her to my regular vet this afternoon for a full evaluation. I put her in our upstairs bathroom last night and realized how terribly emaciated she is. She is losing her hair, has scrapes and scabs and a runny eye. I just cried when i realized how pitiful she is. On top of that, she is THE sweetest cat i think i have ever seen. She just wanted to curl up and make biscuits and purr. I know I am a broken record, but i simply cannot fathom abandoning a cat like that and expecting him/her to survive. It kills me. I pray that she will be ok and that a lot of TLC will bring her back to health.

Many THANKS to all of you who have written and given me words of encouragement!! I truly appreciate it.

Here are a few photos of the kittens and Murphy...sorry for the terrible quality...she kept moving and i couldn't get a clear shot.





11 comments:

Jill said...

OH what a trying night you had. I'm glad you were able to get Murphy ~ what a sweet angel. Was she glad to see her kittens? I too cannot understand how anyone can abandon these sweet souls. I'm so glad she's in your hands now! It's good you can find a little humor in all your work. Those silly, crafty, escape artist cats! You'll get the other 2 next time! Purrs ~ Jill

Hope said...

One cat at a time...spometimes that is the way it goes! Bless you for persevering...and If I wasn't in Enagland, and didn't already have four cats...I would so take those kittens and that mom...they are gorgeous!

Jenny Carter said...

Oh, I hear ya. Frustrations. I have to say, though, you are lucky to have a man that helps like yours. I would give anything just to have mine care more!

Poor little family. I am horrified just like you about how humans can be. I would not let that cat go back there, she does not seem feral, then? The babies look so sweet.

Praise the lord, for you my dear!

Ginny Diezel said...

Hang in there, girl! What you do is nothing short of miraculous, and I am so grateful you are able to put yourself out there. Hopefully, there will be sales on my pieces on stj and that will assist the entire effort! fingers crossed! xoxo G.

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Oh Carrie, what an adventure!!! Silly raccoons and all...but you got one and she appears to have been the one you really needed to capture so WOOOO HOOOOO to you!! The other two will come!
Laurie

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had an exhausting night! Great job on getting Murphy. She sure is a lucky girl to have you nursing her and her kittens back to health!
I know they are in very good hands!

It can be so maddening! We have still been unsuccessful in capturing the icky-eyed kitty and my foster kitten's mom. The icky-eyed kitty comes so close, but just will not eat under the drop trap. Of course, the raccoons definitely don't help the situation!

Keep up the great work, Carrie!

Anonymous said...

Over here in England, we are in awe of what you are doing and so thankful that such a kind and truly caring person is helping these cats.
~
When you said you: "simply cannot fathom abandoning a cat like that and expecting him/her to survive. It kills me" - I so understand where you are coming from.
~
Sometimes I am quite literally soul-sick at the way humans treat animals ~ I just cannot comprehend such behaviour and it breaks my heart.
~
So Thank you for redressing the balance.
From Milo and Alfie's Mom.

Poppy Q said...

The kittens are growing up, and are very sweet. Good job getting Murphy, and thanks for showing her some love.

I can't understand anyone abandoning any animal, they're your family. You should love and care for them forever. I guess lots of folks don't think that way.

The Kitty Krew said...

Awww, sorry it didn't go better on Sunday, but at least you got one. We can't imagine how people abandon animals, either, it's a real shame. :(

Thanks for your hard work!

Purrs and hugs,
The Kitty Krew

Shelly said...

I'm glad you got Murphy at least. I hope she gets better real soon!

Susie Pastor said...

Carrie, I also am a vct lover with only kitties now. I had up to 7. I must commend you for yourunprecedented efforts to help the feral population. I weep for them. I have taken in several over the years. We have coyotes nearby and of course the racconn population here on the Oregon coast. I would take in every cat in the world if I could. Maybe I am am a little strange but there are many ( thankl God) who feel as we do. I love your work. You are so very talented.