Newsletter – November 22, 2024
This is a photo of the last two kittens the day before we captured them off the back deck. They are Trisha (calico) and the OOC (Other Orange Cat). The temperatures fell, as did the rain, just after their rescue and we’re pleased they’re living together in a warm, dry home with a man who really cares about them.
We used a humane trap this time and the only scratches I suffered were the result of transferring Trish from one cat carrier to the other. She was scared to death and escaped my grip like a cat outta hell, running around our little downstairs bathroom, spraying food, water, and cat litter everywhere. I already had my tetanus shot from the previous rescue and hadn’t completed my prescription of antibiotics so I was safe, if somewhat bruised and bloodied…again.
The capture of the kittens was a bit of a comedy of errors. Trish got trapped right away. We knew when we heard her scream in fright, but the OOC was a different story. The humane cages, if you’re not familiar with them, have a spring loaded door that snaps shut when the animal steps on the metal plate at the end where the food is. First the OOC walked around to investigate the food from the outside, trying to reach it with his paw. We watched from the window quietly urging him to enter the cage from the other side. When he finally did walk in to eat, he accidentally wedged the little food bowl under the metal plate preventing it from triggering the door. He ate his fill as we despaired of capturing him at all. Suddenly the bowl moved and the door slammed shut. We did it!
They huddled together in our cat carrier while I texted my friend about coming to get them. He rushed out to buy supplies and arrived in a couple of hours.
Today, the report from their adoptive human is that they’re slowly warming up to him and the OOC is letting himself be petted. Trish is more standoffish just as she was on our back deck. I’ve heard the psychology of animals and humans says that adaptive behavior can be learned even by watching another’s progress. I expect she’ll come around.
Unless we capture their mother, Tabitha, I won’t be sharing more wild cat stories. She really needs to be spayed to prevent more pregnancies. Tabby won’t thank us for the experience, but it’s what she needs. We’ll also need to find a larger cage! The humane trap we have is too small for her.
* * * * *
If you received this email because it was forwarded to you by a subscriber, welcome. You can subscribe as well by following the link on my website: ericmargerum.com. A free story awaits you there.
Eric Margerum 