It’s all about the cats

How would you improve your community?

How about I talk about how have I improved my community…

I moved into my modest, mid-century modern brick ranch in 2017. It’s a nice neighborhood with ample yards and lots of trees. The first time I came to look at the house,  I was greeted by a friendly little grey cat. I would later find out from the listing agent (who I would find out lives next door) said her name was Molly. She was just a neighborhood cat that belonged to no one, but everyone fed her. Yep, I love cats. This is my house!

But the reality was that Molly wasn’t fixed. She pumped out several litters. Nearby cats bred with them.

More cats.

Less birds.

Late night fights.

Sickness and deceased cats.

At the end of the day, too many cats are not a good thing. Everyone wanted to feed them, but no one had the time, energy, or know-how to do anything about controlling the population.

So, after seeing yet another kitten pass from disease and three other kittens getting ready to breed (they can start at four months!),  I did some research. I found a local TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program and got involved.

I got certified as a Community Cat caretaker and started the process of trapping a few of these buggers. It wasn’t easy. Cats are smart, and they can be wary of the traps. Making the TNR appointment can be hard to do as demand is high, and walk-in appointments are rare.

Over the course of the next year, I was able to stabilize the colony. Four fixed adults remain; three females and one male. Outlier cats rarely come by because the females no longer give off the “come-hither” scent.

This is Mollie McGoo (not to be confused with Molly). She is in the trap and not too happy about her current predicament. We first saw her as a kitten. She had a limp, and we didn’t think she would make it. She is now the matriarch of the group. What she says goes!

This is Tater Tot, the only boy. He gets along with the girls. He’s quite friendly, but you have to watch him. He loves roughhousing, and he had no problems trying to “pet” you back with his murder mittens.

Lil Googie (short for The Little Good Cookie) is the sweetheart of the group. She is the nicest little cat. She loves everyone, including our beagle, Freya. My hubs is hoping that one day, she will want to be an indoor kitty. For now, she is very happy outside where she can run and hunt with her buddy, Tater Tot.

This is a couple of our cat shelters. They are made from a Styrofoam cooler nested in a plastic bin and insulated with straw. Even in cold Michigan winters, the cats stay quite warm. In this picture, Tiger Lily has taken up residence in the bottom condo. I’m sorry I don’t have a better picture handy. She is the most stand-offish of the bunch.

All of them sport the left eartip clip so vets know not to try to fix them again. They are all happy, healthy, and living out their best cat lives. When I watch my hubs feeding them every morning with their little “happy tails,” I know I did a good thing for them and the neighborhood.