Feral Kittens in TV

[ctuttle]

I am greatly disturbed by the number of feral kittens I have seen in the Lake Sumter area in the last few days. There are some at the pier, some in the Sweetbay parking lot and I even had one run in front of my golf cart on Buena Vista. Does anyone know if someone in TV, or TV itself does TNR (trap, neuter, return)? I have done it in the past and have a Have a Heart trap but don't have the funds to pay for the spay/neuter. I was wondering if there was anyone doing this who knew of a low cost spay/neuter program or if there was already TNR going on in TV. One of the kittens in Sweetbay parking lot was very skinny and I put some food down. When I returned 20 min later is was gone. Any info about who to contact for help would be appreciated.

[Barefoot]

I am greatly disturbed by the number of feral kittens I have seen in the Lake Sumter area in the last few days. There are some at the pier, some in the Sweetbay parking lot and I even had one run in front of my golf cart on Buena Vista. Does anyone know if someone in TV, or TV itself does TNR (trap, neuter, return)? I have done it in the past and have a Have a Heart trap but don't have the funds to pay for the spay/neuter. I was wondering if there was anyone doing this who knew of a low cost spay/neuter program or if there was already TNR going on in TV. One of the kittens in Sweetbay parking lot was very skinny and I put some food down. When I returned 20 min later is was gone. Any info about who to contact for help would be appreciated.

This is a problem all over TV. I've seen some heartbreaking things. Starving cats and kittens living in parking lots, around restaurants, on golf courses (easy breakfast for displaced coyotes.)

Almost daily we hear of people losing a cat. Sorry, but I cannot understand why anyone would let their cat out. Of course, some cats escape by accident, they are sly little devils.

The whole feral cat issue breaks my heart.

[kittygilchrist]

http://sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19084

[rubicon]

I had one that dug into my garbage for about two years. His/her favorite chicken n the bone. It took a lot of dissuading to get this critter away from home

[Bogie Shooter]

I am greatly disturbed by the number of feral kittens I have seen in the Lake Sumter area in the last few days. There are some at the pier, some in the Sweetbay parking lot and I even had one run in front of my golf cart on Buena Vista. Does anyone know if someone in TV, or TV itself does TNR (trap, neuter, return)? I have done it in the past and have a Have a Heart trap but don't have the funds to pay for the spay/neuter. I was wondering if there was anyone doing this who knew of a low cost spay/neuter program or if there was already TNR going on in TV. One of the kittens in Sweetbay parking lot was very skinny and I put some food down. When I returned 20 min later is was gone. Any info about who to contact for help would be appreciated.

More than just a problem in TV.
As Florida Bill Looks To Aid Feral Cats, Opponents Claw Back : NPR (http://www.npr.org/2013/04/26/177634462/as-florida-bill-looks-to-aid-feral-cats-opponents-claw-back)

[ajbrown]

http://sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19084

What a sad report to start my day. I had no idea and cannot get over the activity in that report for just June. If I am reading it correctly it is much sadder that your post title indicates. They took in 164 cats just in June!

Truly breaks my heart.....

[KathieI]

What a sad report to start my day. I had no idea and cannot get over the activity in that report for just June. If I am reading it correctly it is much sadder that your post title indicates. They took in 164 cats just in June!

Truly breaks my heart.....

The reason they're are so many strays, is that we don't have a trap/neuter/return plan here in the villages. We had one in an area of Los Angeles where I lived and it was very successful but it takes a tremendous amount of effort and funds to keep it going. I was very involved in it but only had one or two other volunteers helping me.

Would anyone be interested in starting a club for TNR here, perhaps if enough people want to be a part of it, it won't be all on one person's shoulders????

[blueash]

I understand trap, I understand neuter. I don't understand return when they have no home to which they can be returned. If the goal is to have feral infertile cats to act as garbage bag rippers, or coyote and gator meals, then I get the return part. If the goal is to get feral cats out of circulation then the solution is adoption or elimination. Sorry cat lovers. Perhaps that tremendous amount of effort and funds could be used for such a project and I'm just not getting it.

[KathieI]

I understand trap, I understand neuter. I don't understand return when they have no home to which they can be returned. If the goal is to have feral infertile cats to act as garbage bag rippers, or coyote and gator meals, then I get the return part. If the goal is to get feral cats out of circulation then the solution is adoption or elimination. Sorry cat lovers. Perhaps that tremendous amount of effort and funds could be used for such a project and I'm just not getting it.

I must admit, I also have a problem with "return" here in FL... Usually its hard to adopt and domesticate feral cats unless they are very, very young. In my previous experience, we were able to place the neutered kittens into areas where they were out of harms way (back of warehouses in large docking or parking areas). However, they weren't secured in such a way where they couldn't get out, because they could. The only benefit of this program is to stop the proliferation of more kittens but that's IF you can capture the majority of strays, and that maybe too tall a task. It was just a suggestion if there was enough interest to start this program.

BTW, I'm not really a cat lover because I am highly allergic, but I do love all animals and can't bear to see them in distress.

[ctuttle]

The reason for the return is that when you take the trapped cats out of the living situation, it creates a sort of "vacuum" for other stray cats to come in, who are possibly not fixed and you are back to square one. By returning the fixed cats, they claim the territory and it helps to keep others out, but they must be fed. Usually the TNR people will take shifts, or days, to leave food and water for the cats so they don't go getting into someone's garbage. One ear of the cat is "tipped" so if anyone else who knows anything about TNR sees the cat, they know it is fixed and being taken care of and won't bother wasting time trying to catch it themselves. I would be more than happy to help start a club with someone. I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to take it all on myself because I have only been here a month and am looking for a job so I don't want to start something I can't finish. But let's see if we can get enough people to start a club. I was thinking of seeing if any of the vets in TV would consider supporting a club and offering very low cost spay/neuter to ferals. Some vets won't handle ferals. If anyone has an "in" with someone in the town offices or something, maybe they can put a bug in their ear about scrounging up some money to help this cause.

[paulak]

I am there in Jan thru april and would love to help and get involved in a group....... also to inform the person who says why return, did you ever see the mice or rats along the golf cart paths? The cats will help to keep that population down. They also eat bugs, They do good for the community........... I believe it is a good program and we definitely should get as many people involved as we can.......... Thank you for noticing and doing what you can!

[Bosoxfan]

I was pedaling home from work around 2:30 a.m. & while I was crossing the bridge I saw the cutest little one sitting in the opening of a storm drain on the road near the curb.I couldn't do anything for it as I was on my bike. I sure hope it's alright but I doubt it considering where it was.

[batman911]

I am there in Jan thru april and would love to help and get involved in a group....... also to inform the person who says why return, did you ever see the mice or rats along the golf cart paths? The cats will help to keep that population down. They also eat bugs, They do good for the community........... I believe it is a good program and we definitely should get as many people involved as we can.......... Thank you for noticing and doing what you can!

They also kill thousands of birds and carry fleas into your yards.

[CFrance]

I am there in Jan thru april and would love to help and get involved in a group....... also to inform the person who says why return, did you ever see the mice or rats along the golf cart paths? The cats will help to keep that population down. They also eat bugs, They do good for the community........... I believe it is a good program and we definitely should get as many people involved as we can.......... Thank you for noticing and doing what you can!

I would be interested in helping out in such a group.

[lovinganimals]

If anyone has any contacts at any local vets, please ask them if they are willing to do some free or very low cost spay/neuters for TNR. I have been leaving food at the Sweetbay at LSL. It has been disappearing but I was afraid a rat was eating it. Tonight, I saw a little kitten eating it! Oh how I wanted to pick it up and give it some love! I don't have any money for spay/neuter, but am willing to spend time trapping and feeding. Please post if you have any resources for the costs of fixing.

[MoeVonB61]

They have an EXCELLENT program in Orlando, FL (funded by Orange County). I would be interested in helping. I carry food in my car to feed any when I see them. This is something Sumter County needs to establish...........Orange County's is they provide a trap, you can bring the male in in the morning, they neuter them and you can release them back out at night.!!

[lovinganimals]

What happens if you trap a female? You release it right away? How can you tell if its feral and won't "show you its parts"? Can we take the ones from here to Orlando? Do you know how much it costs? I have been feeding two (that I have seen) absolutely gorgeous kittens in the Sweetbay lot by LSL. They are a beautiful silver grey and look like a seal point. They look to be about 8 months or so, or they are just small for adults. I would love to get them fixed so at least I know I'm not just feeding them to no avail and then there will be 60 cats! Also, I would love it if someone would like to give me their phone number or email so when I am not around they can feed them. There is a night here or there when I don't get home until around midnight, which is rare, but I am going up to CT for 2 weeks around Christmas and would very much like to know they are being fed. Any takers? Also, if anyone goes to any vets in TV or close by, can you please ask about low cost spay/neuter on ferals and let me know? Thanks!!

[Terri TVG]

When I finally make the move, I'll definitely join the TNR (trap-neuter-release) group. I've done it up here in NY and have a humane trap. It made a big difference in the population of stray cats in the neighborhood!

Lovinganimals, a female cat needs to be held for a few days before being released. They can remain in the trap, but someone needs to keep the little patient in a quiet place during their convalescence. I've been nursemaid to a few. :)

[lovinganimals]

I found a place called Cares Center (carescenter.com) about 30 minutes from here. They do spay/neuter on ferals (as well as domestic animals). $25 for male, $30 for female, which is WONDERFUL!! I saw a third cat at Sweetbay LSL last night. I am going to try to trap one Monday night. They said no appt needed for ferals, just bring them in Tuesday for surgery. I have one have a heart trap. Does anyone have another I can borrow?

[casita37]

You can contact Pet Lovers Rescue. Barbara Irwin, at 753-2321. She rescues and places cats in homes. She also told me once that there is a farm somewhere around here for feral cats. No idea how involved she can get, but she will be able to give some guidance.

[CFrance]

I found a place called Cares Center (carescenter.com) about 30 minutes from here. They do spay/neuter on ferals (as well as domestic animals). $25 for male, $30 for female, which is WONDERFUL!! I saw a third cat at Sweetbay LSL last night. I am going to try to trap one Monday night. They said no appt needed for ferals, just bring them in Tuesday for surgery. I have one have a heart trap. Does anyone have another I can borrow?

lovinganimals, how did that work out? Were you able to trap? I don't have a trap but could help with transportation.

[lovinganimals]

CFrance, I have not had a chance to trap yet. They do surgeries on Tues and Fri. I work on Fri so I will have to trap this Monday or next. I only have one trap and was hoping to get both the seal point kittens at once since they are obviously siblings and are very close, from my observations. I hate the thought of leaving one of them alone, especially since I am pretty sure one of them is female and if I catch her, she will have to be kept for a few days before release again. I am also having cold feet since the one I think is female is more trusting and is coming closer to me day by day. I am afraid if I trap her and have to keep her for a few days, I won't want to put her back. I know I have to, but I won't want to. Anyway, I will post a few days ahead of when I am going to try to trap. The Cares Center is about 30 minutes away by mapquest's calculations. It would be great if you could help with transportation if I need it. My husband and I just sold one of our vehicles so we only have one and I would hate to trap and find out he needs the car for work. Its good to know there are options. Thanks