Topic: Sunny Harbours Feral Project - Harbour Cats! - Phase 2 Update 19/07/10 (Read 29688 times)

Tan · « **Reply #131 on:** September 14, 2010, 14:16:15 PM »

Sending lots of love over to Sarah and the gang at Sunny Harbour. I know they are going through alot at the mo with lots of little ones in.

If you would like to help- they have sponsor going on at the mo - http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,34121.0.html

StreetKatzRescue · « **Reply #130 on:** July 23, 2010, 21:26:41 PM »

Sarah, you are doing a great job! Just think what a difference you are making to so many little lives. Well done you.

Tan · « **Reply #129 on:** July 23, 2010, 12:51:34 PM »

Fantastic hun

Shirley · « **Reply #128 on:** July 21, 2010, 16:39:19 PM »

Excellent news!

You are doing an amazing job!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #127 on:** July 21, 2010, 15:34:26 PM »

just back to the ranch with the 2 kittens. age 6-8 weeks and 2 stunning little tabby and whites - they have a much better life ahead of them now

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #126 on:** July 21, 2010, 11:44:23 AM »

we are hopeful desley.

We released the boy last night and he was off like a shot bless him. we also sat for a good hour and a half and have found the main route the cats are taking to the feeding point which cover a fenced in overgrown area and the other side of the harbour (1 mile away). the area we are covering is so vast we just can't cover everywhere at once.

Though whilst watching last night while paul went on site to release the boy I did spot another 4 new kitties 1 of which 'may' be larry but we don't think so who is walking with quite a severe limp so we will try our best to get him so he can be checked over.

The kittens are currently residing in the main power inlet for the whole plant so are completely inaccessible and with 5000 volts surging through it is too dangerous to get in and poke around. Just have to hope they pop in the trap soon but if not we will have to come up with a plan of action somehow!

We now however believe the workmen were mistaken and the black female that we have just now may not in fact be mum - but the babysitter but we are still scoping things out and will be back down there tonight.

It is difficult as we cannot get on site permanently to do the main trapping ourselves and are having to rely on the workmen and just hope they follow our advice. Though on another hand it is also a blessing as we are utterly swamped here and totally exhausted so just fitting in the to-ing and fro-ing to the harbour is draining what little energy reserves we have left!!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #125 on:** July 20, 2010, 08:13:58 AM »

Fingers crossed she can be rehomed as a pet then.

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #124 on:** July 20, 2010, 07:59:10 AM »

yes we are especially as the company on the other side are anything but helpful!

The little black mum who we believe is sister to those already rehomed is doing really well. She will happily sit outside her carrier and even took some treats out of our hand last night through the wire of her pen..... so we have decided to give her some time and see how she does.

The smoke and white boy will be released later tonight all being well.

He is such a handsome dude - will get piccies today

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #123 on:** July 20, 2010, 07:54:00 AM »

Glad to hear a positive update, bet you are relieved the workmen are on your side

Shirley · « **Reply #122 on:** July 19, 2010, 21:37:37 PM »

Great update Sarah! Didn't think you'd have time to do any feral trapping with all these moms and babies around

You must be exhausted!

Hope the feral mommy isn't pregnant again and well done those workmen!!!

Teresa Pawcats · « **Reply #121 on:** July 19, 2010, 11:29:01 AM »

Great to hear the workmen are on side and that you have made so much progress; hope little black isnt pregnant and hope she is calmable, am sure you will soon have them all sorted.

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #120 on:** July 19, 2010, 09:32:30 AM »

Thought it was about time we updated on this thread to let you all know whats been happening.

All of those caught, neutered and released are looking brilliant. Really healthy and happy which we are very pleased about. The 3 kittens already tamed and rehomed are all doing brilliantly well and we couldn't be more proud of them.

After much searching and a few chance conversations we have finally discovered the location where some of the workmen have been putting out food for a group of the feral cats on the other side of the harbour. (it is a vast area)

Due to the location of the feeding point and the fact it is located by the main docking area we are unable to get full access ourselves for safety reasons however we are delighted that the workmen are more than happy to help us with the trapping of them and to give us a phone when they have them so that we can collect and have them seen to. With their being workmen there 24hrs we have had calls at all times of day and night so have already had a couple of trips back and forth - Poor paul away out just after midnight last night!

But at least we are able to say that we have finally got phase 2 underway.

The first to be trapped was a small black female

who we believe may be a sibling to Kali, Lily and Baby. A tiny tiny wee thing who has had 3 kittens around 8 weeks ago. Both kittens are eating on their own and although not ideal to get mum first if we let her go I doubt we'd get her again so made the decision to get her and the workmen are going to work on getting the kittens over the next day or so. 1 of the kittens has already been caught by the workies and he has taken him/her home.

Mum does seem to be very calm so we made a decision last night to give her a few days to see if we feel she may be an option for taming and rehoming. Would be great if she is but time will tell. Also she may be pregnant again as well so until we can get a clear look at her to tell we are dubious about putting her straight in for neutering if she is in later stages.

The 2nd to be caught later last night was a wee smoke and white coloured boy. Very handsome lad and he is currently in the vets for neuter, etc. again very calm.

so phase 2 is well underway even if Paul and I are pulling our hair out we are so busy and over full to bursting point.

Shirley · « **Reply #119 on:** April 08, 2010, 09:48:38 AM »

So sorry to hear that-what about when kitten season starts (if it hasn't already!) Why don't people neuter and look after their cats-GRRRRRR!!!!! Best of luck to you

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #118 on:** April 08, 2010, 09:31:35 AM »

Hi Shirley - at the moment yes. We are feeding the colony every 2nd day as the weather is improving and we hope to get another trap done in the next few weeks. We are full to bursting then some and also had some pretty huge vet bills to contend with too with so many sick and injured of late.

will update as soon as firm date is planned

Shirley · « **Reply #117 on:** April 07, 2010, 07:54:48 AM »

Assume you're still swamped and no date for more trapping?

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #116 on:** March 15, 2010, 09:57:50 AM »

hi guys sorry for lack of updates we are utterly swamped at the moment.

We haven't set a firm date for the next trapping at the moment as we are SOOO stretched at the moment and with only 2 of us its hard going sometimes.

But the group already done are looking great

Shirley · « **Reply #115 on:** March 06, 2010, 13:09:10 PM »

When's the next planned trapping, Sarah?

Shirley · « **Reply #114 on:** February 24, 2010, 15:47:38 PM »

Fantastic!!!! You must be so pleased with yourselves!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #113 on:** February 24, 2010, 11:51:21 AM »

All the little one's were released last night happy and well albeit rather grumpy. All took off at a great rate of knots and stopped by the fenceline to watch us lol Have uploaded a short vid we took of the release last night and also have some piccies I'll post in separate thread to introduce the individuals in this particular group. PT was very funny and didn't even give Paul time to step away and he was off - strangely enough it was also PT who got Paul through the large trap the other night too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFkQGL5P5G4

Shirley - our estimated numbers are 20+ They are in different groupings and the group we have just done are the majority of those that come to feed between 6 and 10pm. A later group appears from around midnight - 3am.

Shirley · « **Reply #112 on:** February 23, 2010, 09:04:02 AM »

Hope they're all well this morning after their night in 'captivity'

Do you know how many more are still left to 'do'?

Enjoy the release! A job well done!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #111 on:** February 22, 2010, 22:34:20 PM »

well the little ones are all wrapped up for the night and will be released tomorrow. They safe n sound and been given a chicken dinner - though not convinced they will eat it - though you never know they may just be hungry enough after their long day.

Not worried about the ferals seeing us Liz - we needed them to see the car so they knew the food was there - but certainly more bothered about being hit by cars, trucks or forklifts on the harbour!

These guys aren't like your typical farm ferals who barely see anyone - these guys see people all the time so don't have the same fear of people as you usually get with farm ferals. Truth be told PT really didn't care and took a good swipe at paul through the large trap - lol needless to say he was soon moved to a crush cage! lol

Liz · « **Reply #110 on:** February 22, 2010, 21:47:04 PM »

Congrats on the haul Sarah - Paul does look fetching in his dayglo!

Thats how I used to go trapping stand out in the crowd and let the ferals see you!!!!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #109 on:** February 22, 2010, 16:38:54 PM »

Just back from collecting the crew from the vets....

We had 3 females and 4 males. 1 female had just recently been caught by a tom and was pregnant unfortunately but she is better off without any more litters and she has to be the priority for us. Vets reckon she would have had at least 5 babies - the thoughts of numbers that could have followed are quite breathtaking!

Mum cat is not a happy bunny at all bless her but it does appear that the injury to her foot is in fact a deformity most likely caused by an old injury or old break which we have been advised that apart from affecting her gait isn't something we need to worry about but will monitor. Once I clarified the actual findings - rather than 3rd party - mum showed signs of having had kittens recently but was producing no milk - though by recently they referred to the last month or so and don't believe that there are any very young kittens - most likely Lily, Kali and Baby are the litter referred to.

Vast majority of those collected last night we believe are under 2 years of age with the exception of a big black tomcat (nicknamed Bruce) and a silver tabby & White the double of 'oor lily' tom cat - now to be known as Larry rather than Lily Sr!!

All are currently resting after their ordeal and we will make a decision later tonight as to whether to hold them for release tomorrow or to release them very late tonight.

Still have paperwork and pics to gather for them all - will try and post some later - though in the meantime here's a couple o pics of we got last night of us hard at work!

Paul & Caroline having a giggle during setup!

Resetting traps

Our Bounty!!

Shirley · « **Reply #108 on:** February 22, 2010, 14:44:05 PM »

Brilliant news! What a result!

Shame about having to release them all early tho-assume it's ok?

Hope you manage to find the kittens!

Well done!!!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #107 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:40:43 AM »

quick update for now - Just got word back from vets that most of the crew caught last night appear to be in fact male :-) so over and done with much quicker.

Looks like we were right in that mum has had kittens though at least 4weeks+ ago - so as we need to play safe for the kittens sake we will have to move release up to late tonight.

Then the fun begins to try and find the kittens - no easy task!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #106 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:02:51 AM »

To be honest Liz as it got colder less and less appeared - they all started to take cover.

Thankfully over the last few weeks we have built up a routine and when we finish feeding we bang the empty tins. Few bangs and making sure they could see the car (we hiding in van) did the trick

Liz · « **Reply #105 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:14:16 AM »

Good result Sarah and hope all goes well at the vet - a good number in a short time - amazing what the cold will bring!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #104 on:** February 22, 2010, 08:54:16 AM »

Well guys what can I say - we got a great result last night.

We came home with 7 inmates by 10pm having started around 4pm. We were on site from the back of 3 getting everything ready and prepped and our first inmate we had without even knowing it! lol

It would appear that a lovely little black and white managed to get very nosy and got him/herself caught in the big trap while we were off setting up the others. Was quite funny and quite a nice surprise lol

The important - in fact very important - catch that we really wanted was Mummy cat - and guess what - We got her!!!

By the looks of things her limping is coming from a swollen foot so hopefully we can get that taken care of and she will be able to go back none the worse for wear

All of these little ones are headed into the vet this morning for neuter, deworming and health check before coming back here and once we feel they are ready they will be re-released. Most likely tomorrow.

We were hoping to fill our last 2 traps but the little blighters weren't having none of it so we decided to call it a night at 7 and we were very pleased with the result.

Will let you all know how things go with the vet later.

Shirley · « **Reply #103 on:** February 22, 2010, 08:50:59 AM »

Hope you had some trappings yesterday!

Bazsmum · « **Reply #102 on:** February 20, 2010, 22:45:25 PM »

Positive vibes for tomorrow, hope all goes to plan!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #101 on:** February 20, 2010, 18:39:20 PM »

thanks guys been getting everything prep'd today for tomorrow - fingers crossed all goes to plan!

We even bumped into our elusive 'feeder' tonight too - kinda caught them by surprise whilst at the feeding station! lol Thankfully they have now taken on board what we have said and are in future going to phone us and let us know if they intend to come through and feed.

Strangely enough they aren't even local but come through all the way from Glasgow!! mind boggles! Hopefully though this means an end to the frustrations we've experienced!

Hoping for a relatively early night tonight - big and long day ahead tomorrow!

Shirley · « **Reply #100 on:** February 19, 2010, 17:33:21 PM »

Everything crossed for a great outcome this weekend!

Liz · « **Reply #99 on:** February 19, 2010, 16:51:08 PM »

Sarah good luck - I have a couple of spare bathrooms if they are the right age and the time to spend being mauled

Good Luck to you and Paul

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #98 on:** February 19, 2010, 15:09:28 PM »

Just a quick note to let you all know that plans are still in place for begin trapping this group this weekend - will keep you posted! :-)

Bazsmum · « **Reply #97 on:** February 13, 2010, 20:49:53 PM »

Wow I think you have a boxer in the making there!

Good luck from all here too!

Liz · « **Reply #96 on:** February 13, 2010, 20:46:43 PM »

Sarah good luck with the trapping = hope you got hold of Michelle

The video is

Shirley · « **Reply #95 on:** February 13, 2010, 12:37:51 PM »

Such a cute video!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #94 on:** February 13, 2010, 10:09:40 AM »

As a small consolation however I do have a video we got of 2 of the girls playing the other night whilst cleaning them out - Lily trying to break into the toy cupboard! lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ADgY9ymbM

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #93 on:** February 13, 2010, 09:58:19 AM »

hey guys! been SOOOO busy this week not had a chance to pop on and update - we had to have a slight change of plan so instead of this weekend it will be next weekend we will be trapping aiming to get at least 6 - 8 so we can make a dent in the regular cats. The others we will have to get as and when as they seem to frequent the ships and boats that come in and out of the harbour.

The cats are doing well though and enjoying a regular meal and most definitely start to trust us. Mum cat ran under the feeding station last night while we were both stood there! lol

Author Topic: Sunny Harbours Feral Project - Harbour Cats! - Phase 2 Update 19/07/10 (Read 29688 times)