by Jackie Dale

There was no column last month since there was not a lot going on. I was and still am, quite full of cats and kittens. I did not do much trapping either as I was so busy caring for the current load of felines.

I had two kittens die from FIP. Fortunately, those kittens, per my protocol, had been kept separated from others. It is exactly this scenario that justifies my separation rule. Until I am as positive as I can be that any cats/kittens I bring in are not sick, they stay in separate quarters. Hence the reason there are cats in every single room in my house including the living room.

I had hoped to move the one large cage out but a friend asked me to take in four kittens. She said the rescue they were headed for had suffered a bad fire and could no longer take them. I agreed, and the kittens arrived. I asked if the kittens had been given a black light exam, and she told me “yes.” I was less than pleased to discover that the kittens, in fact, had ringworm. Since the ringworm appeared to be in an initial stage, I agreed to keep them. Each cat was given a fungal bath and any visible lesions treated topically. I find that the fungal bath is essential in controlling the spread of the ringworm. Soon these gorgeous kittens will be ringworm free and ready for adoption.

October was a very good month for cats exiting. I had two private adoptions, and on two different occasions, I was able to send a total of 12 cats/kittens to rescue. Most were teenagers and I was glad they were gone because at that age, they really can wreak havoc in a house. Particularly at night. Sometimes I get up in the morning to find items on the floor, cat prints on the table and counter, and ALWAYS overflowing litter boxes. It’s like they have some kind of nightly contest to see how much poop they can expel. Let’s just say I spend quite of bit of time scooping litter boxes. I like my home to smell nice, so clean litter boxes are essential.

I had a lot to keep me busy besides the care of my feline residents. I had a cat come spend a few days while her owner went on vacation. I helped a friend fix three of her cats. I took one of my kittens in for eye removal surgery. I helped a gentleman fix his 3-year old male cat. He wanted to know if it was too late to fix him, and I assured him it definitely was not. I also emphasized how neutering his cat will eliminate the pungent smell of his urine.

I held onto a gorgeous adult cat who needed a place to land for a bit while waiting for his rescue. His people had moved away and left him behind. He was a very chill cat but was living with a group of feral cats. The property owner rescued him but she was from out of town and had no place for the cat to go while he waited. So I agreed to help. He was subsequently taken to an adoption event where he was adopted that same day.

Yoda, the kitten who came in just rife with ringworm, completely recovered and went to rescue! Chuckie, the kitten who came in with a feral mom, is doing well physically but seems to be retaining just a bit of the feral. I can pick him up, if I can grab him. He runs away but will submit if I grab him. I am confident that he will come around eventually.

The golf course kittens have certainly had a change of attitude. Three of the four are now sweet, loving kittens. The fourth is trying to be the lone holdout, but is showing signs of a change-of-heart. That kitten, sex as yet undetermined, will now let me get very close without striking out at me. I am certain this kitten will also come around.

I took in two black kittens from a lady who hounded me relentlessly about taking them. She would send me frequent texts asking me when, when, when could I take the kittens? I finally relented just to get her off my back. She arrived at the meeting spot promptly, no surprise there. She handed me a cardboard box containing the two kittens. No thanks, no gratitude, and of course, no donation for relieving her of the “burden.” I just took the box and walked away. I know I shouldn’t expect gratitude, but I do. I have to care for these kittens, feed them, bathe them, vaccinate them, and get them fixed. Yes, I expect some modicum of gratefulness. Call me crazy!

As the time for the winter vacation draws near, I am trying to clean up the TNR’s I still have left. I once again attempted to trap at the home by the river. Those cats are the most elusive cats I have EVER dealt with. I ended up catching another skunk and a possum.

I also trapped at a local school, catching the mother cat I was after and two of her three kittens. The kittens were already two months old and very feral. All three were fixed and released back to their home. I will attempt to catch the third kitten but trapping one kitten may prove to be difficult. If I don’t catch it, I figure I have a 50/50 chance it is male and at least won’t produce any more kittens before I can trap it.

A lady I had helped before called me to say she had found a kitten in the middle of the street. I agreed to take it. It will be the last one I take in before the winter break. I can’t trap any more until February. The kitten is in quarantine until a wellness check-up, but appears healthy enough. She also asked me to vaccinate her personal cat for her, which I did. I make a few dollars here and there vaccinating cats. It helps support my efforts.

DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS GREATLY APPRECIATED!! I can’t operate without them. If you would like to make a donation, I have a PayPal account jackiejoy@hotmail[dot]com You can also support the post office and send donations/supplies via good old snail mail to Jackie Dale P O Box 1859, Reedley, CA 93654.

You can check out more animal rescue articles in KRL’s animal rescue section! Join our Pets Facebook group to help keep up with our pet articles.

Jackie Dale is a freelance writer who lives in Reedley with her husband of 27 years, Frank, and their 2 children. A former ballerina, Jackie now teaches yoga and fitness classes privately and at local area gyms in addition to her cat related duties.