Lesson in Socializing Feral Cats

As a cat rescuer and one who has worked with all ranges of feral kittens and cats, I was reminded of an important lesson recently, not all cats are the same when socializing them. Going from strictly outdoors to indoors does not always work. Transition is key.

 Living in the city and as witness to the dangers, risks and tragedies for cats to live or have access to the outdoors, we encourage cat owners to keep their cats strictly indoors if possible. Along the same lines, when we bring in a feral cat or kitten, socializing is key so the cat has a chance of getting adopted. However, socializing a feral cat strictly indoors does not always work. Often times, life is not perfect and we have to follow their cues.

One day while jogging by my supermarket I saw a small black kitten. I immediately raced home and drove back with my catmobile. (Ok it's just a regular car with my cat rescue supplies in the trunk). I set the trap and went inside the supermarket to do my grocery shopping. Upon checking the trap after my grocery purchase, inside was a stunning, all white older kitten, a teenager, most likely 9-10 months old.

Zsa Zsa dropped off to get spayed

Well, I thought she's still young where there is a chance to socialize her so I decided to keep her indoors and not release her. Next day she was spayed and I kept her in my master shower (like a large closet) to recuperate. The master shower is also known as the cat intake room.  It's a lovely shower with glass wall and door so I can see through to observe their behavior, temperament, sleeping pattern, and energy levels. Plenty of room to move around and have a large litter box.

But after several days of tasty cat food, cat milk, water, luxurious soft bedding inside the carrier, me sitting in corner talking softly and leaving more delicious food, Zsa Zsa was not the slightest at ease or warming up.  She still hissed and tried to scratch me when my hand got near so she could sniff it. However, when any one of my cats walked in to peer through the glass walls, she cried. She wanted to be with them. My heart was breaking.  The shower was a sterile, cold jail cell for her.  Zsa Zsa was increasingly unhappy.

I was going to release her outdoors but in sharing the update with a new volunteer, Deborah mentioned she had great success in socializing cats.  What did she do differently?  At first Deborah kept Zsa Zsa inside a catio playpen indoors. But that bared no different results than my attempt. Zsa Zsa yearned to be with other cats, or free like them and was still feral. There was only one solution left.  Release her in the backyard with the other feral cats. 

Zsa Zsa finds comfort in the shade of the bushes

With nothing to lose, only to gain, Deborah let Zsa Zsa loose in her gated backyard.  We held our breath for hours, expecting the worst. Yet it turned out brilliantly. Better than we could have hoped for. You see Deborah has a home with backyard and a cat window. Instead of a doggy door, she has a cat window. Cats come in and out.  For several days Zsa Zsa remained in the yard, thankfully, and still came to eat and drink at the designated bowls set outside.  She seemed relieved. It did not take long for her to use the cat window.  Soon Zsa Zsa was nestling on the sofa, in a box and finally to crown it all--Deborah could pet her!

Zsa Zsa loves the outdoors

Of course finding an adopter with a similar set up would be very challenging. But Deborah fell in love with her foster kitty.  Zsa Zsa is stunning and that test of love and patience has created a bond that is unbearable to break.

Zsa Zsa lounging indoor as her guardian plays with her using feather wand

The lesson: Like people, and other living creatures, cats also, depending on their personality and surroundings, have their own way to transition and adapt to a new environment. Don't give up so easily. There is always a solution if you are willing to be patient and diligently find it.

Mama Cat Goes Missing

by Christine Michaels

Mama Cat in 2011

It's with a heavy heart to share that one of our beloved Riverfront Cats has gone missing now for a month. It can only mean something bad happened, normally. In the past we discovered the cats were injured (run over by vehicle or electrocuted at neighboring Florida Power & Light transformer room-- we stopped feeding near there and moved feeding station) and passed away. Many of you will remember the case of Leroy, the black cat who went missing three or four days, and fought his way back as close to the feeding station. We luckily found him in the dark, nestled in the grass with two badly injured hind legs. One leg was saved. The other was amputated. But! The good news and silver lining is that he adapted to indoors and is now living the good life!

Christine feeding Mama and Romeo (March 2011)

Sabrina (lead volunteer for coordinating the cat feedings) and I have searched high and low. I can't remember the last time I spent so much time crawling on my hands and knees in bushes. As terrified as I am of bugs and insects, I do it for the cats! (Of course I lather or perfume myself in bug and mosquito repellant! It really does work).

Mama is the name of the missing cat. She was named Mama by the first feeders (construction workers before I moved onto the property) because she had a kitten that died. She also has the sweetest face of all the Riverfront Cats. So tender and gentle. And Mama is one of two or three cats we can pet and pick up without much fuss.  I never seen or heard her hiss. Just look at that loving and angelic face. 

 Mama cat was at station 2. She never roamed far like Gabriel. The male cats tend to roam more and further away from home base.  She and Sabrina always stayed in the area.

One silver lining was the cooperation of local county workers.  Station 2 is near the Miami Avenue bridge where construction was undergoing for a year.  The day it reoopened she went missing. Could Mama be stuck inside one of the rooms under the bridge with padlock? So I called the Miami Dade County Bridge office.  It was 4pm. Close to quitting time.  I explained the situation to the receptionist. She was patient and listened intently. In five minutes I received a call back from Manny, the supervisor.  He remembered me from another incident three years ago. He would meet me in 20 minutes. Amazing!  Just maybe...

Manny came out. But he noticed the padlock was not a county lock. It was put by the contractor.  He called another county employee to bring padlock cutter.  In a few minutes he arrived.  Then he called the contractor who was in the area. I had three men out there moving mountains to help me get access to areas where Mama may be lying, perhaps injured...

Contractor for bridge repairs and Manny

Sadly, no sign of Mama.  The silver lining was knowing I could count on Manny and his team to react quickly. He remembered me from three years ago when I tried to lure a friendly black cat that was dumped under the bridge. I wanted to bring him in. He was someone's pet and did not deserve to live outdoors. The "wicked witch" of the bridge tower gave me hard time. That's when I called the office. The Director and Manny came out next day and apologized for tower person's behavior and ensured I had no problems in the future walking the area checking on cats. They've seen many homeless cats throughout Miami and could see the Riverfront Cats were well taken care of. That we have a well organized effort and no new cats. They were appreciative. Wow --what a difference from Metro Rail employees who did not care and removed a $600 custom made gorgeous cat house on property that my condo did have land rights to access! But Manny and his staff were kind and grateful. There are some good people in this world!

Christine with Manny, supervisor for Miami Dade County Bridge

 Mama cat, like the other Riverfront Cats, are approximately the same age, around six years old. She appeared relatively healthy, definitely on chubby side. She loved to eat and was a "home body" staying close to feeding station and caretakers, hence she didn't exercise a lot.

It really is heartbreaking. We get so attached to these community cats, like our own pets. This certainly puts a damper on our Christmas season put we still pray for a miracle.

Mama cat we will never forget you.  May you be happy and safe wherever you are.

Update on Leroy, the amputee

"So this is how humans live.
Didn't take long to get used this comfy, soft, ant-free, non concrete bedding."

We have an update on Leroy, the outdoor community black cat that lost his back hind leg.  His recuperation is going smoothly and he's adjusting to living indoors.  Leroy is certainly enjoying sleeping on a cool, not humid, soft human bed instead of hard, hot concrete.

"... but I miss climbing and running.
These condos don't have any trees or lumber piles like my old backyard."

But there's more good news!  Our volunteer Sabrina has decided to keep him along with her three other cats.  It was evident Leroy was in shock from both losing his leg and adjusting to a new environment. Often for cats a strange environment is more stressful than losing a limb. Given that Leroy was comfortable with Sabrina and allowed her and other volunteers to pet and hold him, we knew finding him a new home would cause additional stress.  So for now, he's happy.

We are still collecting donations to pay off the credit card bill for his treatment and surgery ($2,600). No amount is too small or large. We are extremely grateful for any amount whether it's $20 or $200 or $2000. Simply click the button on the right.

Aside from losing his leg, Leroy is a healthy cat and exhibits signs of curiosity and adventure.  He clearly misses climbing trees and running around. Exercise is important for all pets to prevent obesity and other health complications.  A cat tree would be ideal where he can climb easily and use his three limbs in a limited environment like his condo. If anyone would like to donate a cat tower here are a couple that would fit in his new home. Please email us for an address  riverfrontcats@yahoo.com.

These happy endings keeps us going in this tough line of work. Everyday we receive emails and calls of residents finding kittens, someone having to give up their pet cat, an elderly person who has passed and loved ones struggle to find homes for their pets...So we revel in these few victories, these precious moments.

Purchase the Espresso Lotus Cat Tower here  

Purchase cat tree resort here

Thank you for your support. Thank you for caring.
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We're a Petties Finalist! Please remember to vote daily until July 31 in the Petties to help us win an award and a donation. This will help us pay Leroy's vet bill and save more stray, feral and black cats!

Here are the three categories to vote for to help us win!

• Riverfront Cats - Best Cause Blog
• Riverfront Cats - Best Blog Post
• Zee & Zoey - Best Designed Blog (Deb Barnes has selected our nonprofit to receive the donation).

Here is the link to log in and vote. 

http://petties.dogtime.com/login