P.S.

I got a GPS system for Christmas. Now maybe I won't get lost going Northwest when I'm supposed to be heading Southeast. Let's just hope I can figure out how to use it!!! = )

KBs two kitties

These are KB's two kittens. I have taken them to the vet for upper respiratory meds (that shit is expensive), deworming, and testing for FIV and FeLV. I may get their shots, not sure yet if my budget can afford it. I also treated them with Frontline Plus. (Good thing for samples!) I'm really hoping to find them homes soon, because KB's had them for a while, and Mrs. L is not exactly helping.

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Though there's nothing I can do now ('cept find them good homes), it still pisses me off that I was brought into this thinking that Mrs. L had homes already lined up. (She told me this) That KB would be "socializing" them, not "fostering" them. (She said they just need a couple of weeks in a home before being adopted out.) There's a difference. I was also under the impression that she would have them for three weeks, tops. She's had them for over two months now. I did not expect to have to take them to the vet, to have to pay for food, litter, etc for more than a couple of weeks. It doesn't help that Mrs. L is not calling me back, is not helping with trapping, is not giving out the right information, is not helping to pay for any of their vet bills.

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Well, I know now. And I know that I really don't want to be involved right now in rescuing - I want to get animals sterilized - but other people can go ahead and do their rescuing to their hearts' content. I just can't afford it, honestly. I make almost minimum wage - which does not include paying for feral kittens' vet bills. Irritated that I got pulled into this with completely different intentions and expectations, but at least I know better now. Won't be doing this again.

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Oh, but on a good note, I finally have my license! Yay! Fifth time's the charm! = ) Haha.

The cats may be too smart...

I had really been hoping to trap two of the adult cats the next night, but though I stayed out there for hours, I only trapped one. Better than nothing, though. A young grey tabby female. Dr. R said she had been pregnant before, but not recently. She was spayed, ear-tipped, treated with a flea medication (can't remember which one), and given rabies and distemper vaccinations. She looked pretty healthy, was at a good weight, no cuts or abcesses, no noticeable fleas or flea dirt, and no earmites.

There was a stupid truck out there the whole night, and I believe that is why the cats were staying away. The man would turn his truck on and off throughout the evening, which scared everybody away. That and the fact I caught a skunk. Who fortunately didn't spray me, but ambled out nonchalantly when I opened the trap door. Cute little guy, he was. = )

The cats are entering the traps and eating the food, but somehow, they are not stepping on the trip plate and are therefore not being trapped. It's very frustrating, because I want this all done as soon as possible. There at least four more adults, who knows how many more kittens out there. They NEED to be sterilized and this is slow-going. Not to mention that my dad is currently irritated with how much I am "focusing" on cats and not on driving, getting a better-paying job, moving out, etc. So I'm not able to go out there every night as I would like to.

I went back a few nights later to trap again, and this time, I caught a little grey kitten. About the same age as the others, but so much more scared. The LV's agreed to take him in, as he's still little. But though I was out there for many hours that night as well, I caught no adults. It's especially frustrating when a car pulls in and you see that they were all there, in the shelter, even in the traps, but no one is being trapped. Makes me want to chase after them with nets. (I read in an article recently that they have a little machine that shoots a net out - I should look into this.)

The hours spent at Wendy's break picnic table have been interesting. T camped out with me on one night (we should bring s'mores next time), I called a college friend that I haven't talked to in over a year, and wrote a ridiculous, lengthy letter to a friend on a paper plate while listening for the trap door. I don't mind spending two or three hours out there, but more is a pain. Especially since the cats are smarter than the traps. Too many times have I seen them scurry out of the trap. I need a remote control that snaps the door shut or something. Anyone have any suggestions?

I haven't trapped since then because of the pressures at home. I've been letting Mrs. L know she can go ahead and trap anytime she wants, just call me and we'll take the cat(s) over, but her cat is missing, and she doesn't have the time to trap while she's searching for her cat. So. It's getting colder, I need to pass my driving test on Monday, and I need to get these cats sterilized. This not being able to drive myself around sucks and NEEDS TO CHANGE.

Stray and Feral Sterilization Program

My workplace is implementing a stray and feral sterilization program quite soon. The paperwork is being finished at the moment and I am excited! The CSR supervisor mentioned that she will be talking to Dr. R about making me liaison for the program and I hope it turns out so.

I have been working on my "stray/feral cat handbook" scrapbook. It will be forever until I feel like I am finished with it, though. Scrapbooks are hard, people. Especially when you are a self-proclaimed perfectionist. Why do you think it took me years to write papers in college? Every paragraph had to be rewritten about twelve times. (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. Just eight. ) Anyway, along with needing every minute detail to be perfect, I struggle with being too broad and too specific. I want to cover as many topics as possible that come up with the issue of TNR, but as it's simply a scrapbook/handbook, I feel I don't need to delve into every little topic. Just the basics. (Basics are difficult for me, though. I feel the need to say things ten times in ten different ways.) I do plan on including a "further resources" page, which may help me to not make a page on "how to arrange the pieces of straw so that they insulate best."*

Anyway, there I go in explaining things too much again.

The only issue (well not only, but lets not talk too much about my personal life here) I'm having is that I feel like my influence is going to be minimal as I CANNOT PASS MY DRIVING TEST. Yes, that is right, I am 22, I have failed my test four times now, and I seriously want to give up. I have a car, though. A cute little red Honda that my dad helped me purchase. I have been riding my bike more, but for someone like me, it gets a bit tiring. Especially when all I do is run around with dogs all day - I just really don't feel like biking home. (I have to proclaim that I am *not* a sucky driver. I drive like a perfectly normal human being. I just make stupid mistakes on the tests: speeding, turning the wheel the wrong direction when attempting to parallel park, and not yielding the right of way. Little things, people.)

But not being able to drive means that I quite limited in my ability to help people out. No trapping, transporting, or helping set up appropriate areas for feeding and sheltering. Hopefully I will be able to help out in other ways - such as information. And encouragement. = ) I am quite excited about the program, though. There are so many stray and feral cats around - it's good to have a resource to truly be able to help them on a larger scale.

Oh, and speaking of the scrapbook, I really should start talking about main topics that have to deal with stray and feral cats, huh? I promise to start that soon. As soon as I remember again. *shifty eyes*

*just kidding