I missed a female calico in the round of feral fixing last spring. She gave birth to three kittens in my neighbor’s garage. Once I was sure the kittens were over two pounds (the minimum weight for neutering), I started up the trapping again. After checking that the shelter was still doing TNRs (Trap Neuter Release) I caught two of the kittens the night before TNR day so I could keep them away from food and water to reduce the risk of aspiration during surgery. I dropped off my youngest at school and headed to the shelter. Alas, the TNR vet was sick. No TNRs. Oh dear. I knew if I let the kittens go, I would not catch them again, so they got to hang out in the guest room while I figured out the next step.

One of our local cat rescues has donated slots at a local TCAP, and they had two spots available for ferals the next day. Phew. Luck was definitely on my side since these slots only happen once a month, and this was the last set until the new year. Did I say “Phew”? Phew.

I was a little under in my weight estimation. The black cat (female) was over four pounds, and the orange cat (male) was over five. Vet estimated they are about 4 months old.

An intact female cat can have anywhere from 9-15 kittens a year. Well fed, healthy females tend to have bigger litters. A colony can rapidly balloon from 1 female cat to 36 in less than 16 months.

Please remember to spay or neuter your pets. Even the outside ones. If you feed them, get them fixed.

Mr Tom, my neighbor’s cat that likes to hang out in my meadow, also like to stand on the fountain bowls to get a drink. The trail cam caught the image when he tipped over the bowl.

The trail cam even caught the droplets of water suspended in the air.

I do need to rework the fountain, make it more purposeful and less ramshackle. I’m not sure if that means gluing the bowls to the stands, or doing something completely different. Hm.

Happy Halloween from the meadow cats.

Even though Sophie is now about 90% an inside cat, she still retains her outside skills. Like climbing onto the chicken runs.

And climbing up and down trees. No rescue needed here, she knows how to handle Post Oak.

Izzy took an unusual sleeping pose, like she is stretching out for her high kicks, so I snapped a pic. Seeing one cat picture today probably isn’t enough, but at least it is a good start.