When I last posted about this little guy, he was in a cage off to have his parts removed. Alas, he was the kit I was going to foster, but it turned out he was too old to be tamed and was returned to the colony.
I still go out once a week to feed the colony kits (this colony is a small one, only 4 cats big) because despite popular belief, domestic cats, even if they are wild or feral CAN’T feed themselves. The best they can do without human intervention is raid rubbish bins, which isn’t good for them and rather annoying for us.
Anyway, like I said, I go out and feed these kits. They’ve all been desexed so the colony is not in any danger of getting bigger, which is good. What is also good is that they are getting better at being around people. They are still all skittish like, but will come when they hear me rattle the food containers. They will eat with me sitting a mere half meter away chattering to them (which is new, they weren’t so keen on that a while back) and the braver kits (like the little black one) will come and sit near (ish) me once they are done.
Not even remotely tame, but a definite improvement :)
Also, while I’m discussing kits. Friendly reminder if you’re looking for a kit, and you’re in Auckland, please check out Forgotten Felines. They have many many kits that were able to be tamed who are looking for homes.
March 19th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I think it’s SO great that this exists in your community.
There is something like that here — where if you have taken in a feral cat or kitten they will help you pay the cost to have them fixed.. only I’m not sure the stipulations or whatnot. I know that my mother (who took in a litter of feral kitten that were born in her shed) was able to get some help from them :)
March 19th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
@Desiree – It is pretty great :) I like that our little charity is doing it’s bit to help where it can. At this point we do all the desexing, and all our kittens that get put into foster care to be tamed and adopted get vaccinations and worm/flea medication. We ask for donations when people adopt but it doesn’t quite cover our costs. *shrug* Still, if it means a better life for the kits then it’s totally worth it :)