Feeding stray cats

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Feeding stray cats
16
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 9:52am
Hi,

I don't own any pets but I have four stray cats that come to my house on a daily basis every morning because I put cat food and water out for them. I have done this for several months now so it has gotten to the point where they sit on the porch waiting to be fed. Anyhow, lately I have been having trouble with them fighting right on my porch. They used to share the food but now they fight over it. I don't like to see them fighting but I won't get in the middle for fear of getting clawed at. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this?

Also, one of the cats (yellow fur) has little black spots, almost like a human has in blackheads but you could see them on the fur and when I have pet on her she has bumps on her head and neck. Does anyone know what that could be? I was thinking about getting a cage and taking her to the vet but also wonder if I would be creating problems if she in fact does belong to someone but I have to say that if she does, shame on the owner because she might be in serious need of care. Please advise if you have suggestions. Thanks much. Lucy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 7:58am
I feel the same way you do about my cats. I am a home daycare provider, home all day with kids. My sons are 18 and 23 yrs. old, so I guess the animals have become my babies. Ginger may just not like other cats in general. I have one female like that. Wonder if Ginger is already fixed? I use paper/foam plates to feed my cats, but I use can and dry food, have 16 cats now, have some eating inside, some outside. Some share a plate, others need their own. I need to buy stock in the paper co.!!! How long have you been living away from family and do you plan on staying where you are? If so, you must love your job or the area you live in must be a great place to live. Petco.com has an igloo type dog house for $53. on sale, it has a long tunnel entrance way to help keep rain out. I have found good dog houses at yard sales. One year the woodworking? class at the vocational school made doghouses as their project for the price of the plywood. Well, I gotta go to town soon, have a great weekend!

donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 9:17am
Donna,

Thanks again for the reply. 16 cats? Do they all have names? Are they all yours or are some strays included in the count? That is wonderful! I have been away from home (CA) for 7 years now. I divorced in June so that is why I have stayed this long. There aren't many jobs in CA and frankly, I love my family to pieces but there is always so much drama there. I hear when major things happen but not the day to day problems and that is fine with me. I used to be a nervous wreck living at home because my brothers can be troublesome, even as they are from ages 27-40 (3 brothers) I may still go back though because I have trouble in the winter with snow and ice. I want to be able to find a good job first and an apartment so I don't become a burden to my mother. Thanks again for the response. I have a Petco 3 miles from here so I will take a look at the igloos there; I love the tunnel idea. Take good care and you too enjoy your weekend. Lucy

Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 10:38am

Hi Lucy.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 12:22pm
You should see the pecking order in my house! donna
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 3:26pm

LOL I bet it's something.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 8:40pm
You must live up North. I live in Alabama, from WARM Florida. My cats are 16 yrs. old to 8 weeks old. Have slowly over the years built up to this amount. I've lost several to leukemia/leuk. related sicknesses over the last two years, but got several new kittens over the last six mos., all of my cats were homeless, ferals, two came from a shelter. I trapped several as kittens, got 3 almost full grown cats from a trlr park, they are all tame. My biggest problem is a couple of my male cats pick on a couple of other gentle males. All of the cats except the two youngest are fixed. I have 6 inside-only, the rest come in and out.

Have small amount of woods behind house, a hayfield with small pond on other side. The animals are one major reason why I can't easily move. But thats my choice. donna

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