Gross.
This happened when I had just pulled up and
discovered that the shelters I placed behind this house that used to be across
the street for years, behind a house, and the property manager trashed
everything months ago, were now piled up by the curb. I am talking about Parsells Avenue. AGAIN.
These 10+ cats have been displaced.
I moved most of everything to the porch two doors down, the house where
Five Brothers Properties had taken all my shelters late winter/early spring
from this porch. This is where I will
continue to feed until these jerks come around again and remove
everything. This house remains vacant
for now. I did look around for empty
lots (none) and thought about going to a few doors and asking (begging) if I
could set up something behind their house so that these cats can have a shelter
to sleep in, and the food covered during storms. I am thinking of a man who lives a few houses
down the other way who is known to be a hoarder, but he likes cats. I am considering talking to him and asking if
I can do something at his place. I must
do something, and soon. These poor
animals are so confused. There are a few
that still need spaying/neutering too but its so hard to do this when there are
so many around, and one feeding spot for all.
Today was TNR day and I managed to snag a sweet
one – named him (or her) Wally – from Ferndale Crescent and Webster
Avenue. I also placed a trap on Central,
behind the field near Fifth Street, where there are at least five cats that are
NOT spayed or neutered. I have had a few
problems with a trap not going off because the trip plate was getting stuck,
but thanks to Walt and Karon, and thanks to Laura who had to fix this one also,
it is working properly, but these cats are NOT falling for it. I don’t know why. I left very little food there yesterday. I saw a tiny baby red kitten on Friday
morning – and have not seen it since. At
first I thought it was a rat, but it was too red and furry to be a rat. I was able to get a kitty for my second spot
that comes from a colony out in Gates/Spencerport Road area. She may be pregnant, but will be going into
clinic with Wally today. One less cat,
one less kitten being born. I will get a
pic of Wally and post tomorrow.
Speaking of rats, I have been placing cotton balls
soaked with peppermint oil, and spraying the same in some of the shelters that
are overrun with rats. Well guess
what. The rats don’t seem to mind. Its driving me crazy. So this morning, I picked up a box of moth
balls and I will sprinkle those around the shelters tomorrow. These critters are huge! I must figure out something. In the meantime, on Short Street, when I know
it won’t rain, I’ve moved the plates on top of the shelter, but wouldn’t ya
know it, I saw a huge rat climb up there before I left. GRRRRRR!
So I rescued a sweet sweet young boy named Spencer
last Wednesday because a man from Facebook wanted a companion for his
kitty. I had him vetted back in May,
brought him in for leukemia test on Wednesday, and he was good to go when I
delivered him on Friday morning. This
man, very kind, retired priest, and his only kitty Midnight were waiting. After
sitting for a while on the couch with Spencer on my lap, Midnight sort of by my
side, and no hissing, etc. happening, I thought all was well. I let Spencer down to sniff out the
place. I left and prayed for the
best. There is a whole ritual of
introducing cats, one I do each and every time.
But there are rare times when you find the perfect cat and know there
won’t be a problem with them. I thought
this would be that one instance. Then I
got the following message from Charlie: At 1:00 AM Midnight abruptly jumped off my bed where I was
half awake. All of a sudden all hell broke loose in the living room. Midnight
almost had Spencer pinned on the window sill with both screaming loudly. Not
good for the neighbors at that hour. To stop it I threw some mail at them. They
both ran off toward the bathroom, and, so far all is quiet. I don't get a sense
that Spencer wants to cuddle, and Midnight won't come when I call her. I am
going back to bed. If these two cats don't learn how to get along, then Spencer
will have to leave. I am doing my best. Good night.
Update: All is quiet along as the cats remain
separated. Spencer is hiding somewhere in the apartment . Midnight is following
her regular routine. Occasionally, like last evening, I hear noise coming from
the living room. Oh what fun this is!
Then I got the following
message that same day, around 2 am. : Errrr...Spencer is under the bed. He is crying
a little and still frightened of me. I have food and water for him. Meanwhile,
Midnight is in the living room. I have to keep the door shut to keep them
separated. I am wondering where I am going to sleep.
SUN 2:00AM
Sorry, Spencer has to go! It is 1:55 AM and
things have quieted done. I am going to catch hell from residents because of
all the crying. I got Spencer to purr up a storm, but he is too restless and
won't sit still, and the crying is non-stop. I had the cats separated with
Spencer in my bedroom where I fed him and gave him water. Still remained
restless. I picked up and brought him to the litter box. Couldn't sit still. I
brought him back to the bedroom and tried to go to bed. More crying loudly and
climbed up the blinds. I got him down and went to bed. Then heard strange
noises on the floor near the food tray. Then I caght a bad odor. Spencer had an
accident! Sorry, this cat is not in my pay scale!
 |
| Spencer |
 |
| Jace and Lucy |
 |
| BAYLEE |
 |
| COOKIE |
So, Spencer was retrieved Sunday morning, and I
think happy to see me again. I have
taken the gate off from the bathroom door where he has been kept, and so far so
good. There is a little hissing on his
part with my guys, but then again, I have some
of the most tolerant cats on the planet.
Now, Spencer is free to walk around and be himself without fear. He is one of the most sweetest gentlest cats
I’ve had the pleasure of rescuing. I
must find him a home. I would not have
rescued him if I hadn’t had a home for him.
I did mention to this man that I didn’t think he gave it the time needed
for two cats to learn to get along, but he had neighbors to worry about, and I
don’t fault him for this. But now we’ve
got to get this cutie adopted. Along
with Cookie, and Baylee! Ugggh.
Life's Tug Of War
Life can seem ungrateful and not always kind.
Life can pull at your heartstrings and play with your mind.
Life can be blissful and happy and free.
Life can put beauty in the things that you see.
Life can place challenges right at your feet.
Life can make good of the hardships we meet.
Life can overwhelm you and make your head spin.
Life can reward those determined to win.
Life can be hurtful and not always fair.
Life can surround you with people who care.
Life clearly does offer its ups and its downs.
Life's days can bring you both smiles and frowns.
Life teaches us to take the good with
the bad.
Life is a mixture of happy and sad.
SO...
Take the life that you have and give it your best.
Think positive be happy let God do the rest.
Take the challenges that life has laid at your feet.
Take pride and be thankful for each one you meet.
To yourself give forgiveness if you stumble and fall.
Take each day that is dealt you and give it your all..
Take the love that you're given and return it with care.
Have faith that when needed it will always be
there.
Take time to find the beauty in the things that you see.
Take life's simple pleasures let them set your heart free.
The idea here is simply to even the score.
As you are met and faced with Life's Tug of War.
that's so sad - Spencer wasn't given a real chance. Esp. since he's doing good at your house.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely with above statement. Tossing two cats that have never met, in a room together, is a recipe for disaster. Tell this individual if he's looking for an instant 'companion' for his other cat, try Match.com. Cats rarely have an instant connection with a stranger cat, unless they are kittens. Tell him to try a human. If he gives up that easily, he shouldn't get another cat.
ReplyDeleteAgain, the following places on Parsells Ave are OWNED by the City of Rochester so no one except them can tell you that you are not allowed:43, 64-68, 77, 170, 206-210, 214-218, 321, 336, 366, 378. Also, 110-118 Stout St which is on corner of Parsells & Stout is City of Rochester owned. Info is from City of Rochester website, Vacant land & structures.
ReplyDeleteyou were forced to swallow a bug. That make me chuckle. Sorry, but it IS a little bit funny. :) You are such an amazing, amazing person. What you do is almost superhuman. You should feel immense pride. I am proud to know you.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great deal of information out there about how to introduce one cat to another. I suggest that you get some of it, make handouts, and give it to a potential adopter if they have other animals. If the person refuses or is unable to do what is suggested on the info sheet, then do not adopt to them. I know you are up to your ass in alligators and no one has drained the swamp, but ignorant/stupid/hard-headed people are out there and the welfare of the cat/kitten comes first. A bad home can be worse than none--the animal will be traumatized and it will be even harder to place the next time. Sorry to be such a downer but unfortunately you can't fix everything no matter how hard you try. Kudos for doing what you do. BTW, some vets have handout sheets about introductions--maybe you could snag a few... If you can't get any, let me know in your blog and I could probably snail mail you one or two.
ReplyDeletePoor little Spencer! No wonder he had an accident. He was terrified!
ReplyDeleteMy research indicates that NOTHING repels rats. I had one (or more) living in my garage and was trying to find a humane option. If the smell of cats and cat urine won't work, then nothing will. I was told by a friend (but have not been able to confirm) that the city used to do rat abatement but stopped sometime in the last decade. Hence, the current overflow of rats :(
ReplyDeleteMoth balls are poisonous to cats. Please look it up if you don't believe me.
ReplyDeleteHe didnt go about introducing the cats correctly. YOU have to enforce that the new cat be kept in a separate room at least a few days if not longer, and then slowly introduced by swapping bedding etc. That method used is asking for trouble.
ReplyDelete