Stray cats

[CathyA]

In the past 2 days, I've had 6 stray cats show up here! 3 were in the barn, and one on my porch. I don't want anymore pets.
There's 2 younger/smaller-looking ones that just showed up under my shed. One is black and one is gray.
I just saw them laying out by the shed in the sun, against each other, grooming each other. They looked so sweet. :(

I just won't take in any more pets. I sure hope they go away. I'm into birds, and now I have to quit feeding them until these stray cats are gone. And I hope they don't kill my chipmunks or squirrels.
I don't want to see anything bad happen to them. They are very sweet looking. I hope they leave soon.................

[Mary B.]

Cathy, I don't know your circumstances and certainly don't mean to be presumptuous, but is there an organization in your neighbourhood that might help? I live in a small place, and we have a volunteer organization that works with homeless cats.

[iris lily]

I hope sweetana comes on here and offers suggestions.

My friend who is also the rescue coordinator for national and local bulldog rescue is plugged into the rescue community. She said that the stray cat population is way down this spring due to the harsh winter. The cat rescues have only a fraction of kittens that they usually have. Sad, but goo.

[sweetana3]

We live in Indianapolis where the winter was one of the worst and we already have stray feral kitten litters. Sometimes the population is not yet wild enough to breed only in the "right" seasons.

Cathy, our city participates in Trap/Neuter/Return as much as possible. You can go to indyferal.org for a lot more info or Alley Cat Allies on the web.

What resources does your own community offer? Sometimes vets will have resource info.

[shadowmoss]

I just adopted 2 kittys from a similar organization here in Phoenix. My guys needed a fair amount of vet work invested in them by the rescue organization, but they are really nice guys. Just a comment from the other side of the stray/rescue equation.

[CathyA]

Thanks everyone. I look out there and the one cat I'm seeing the most looks so sweet. But I'm really tired these days and just not up for training and cleaning, etc.
If they hang around, I'll definitely do something with them that is kind-hearted. We have a volunteer humane society here and they seem like a good bunch.

Another thing that keeps me from getting more pets is that I've lost a number of them, and it really makes me sad. I'm not sure I want to keep going through that.
Plus, as I grow older, I would hate for my pet to outlive me and be without me.
Thanks for your suggestions.