When cats are too smart for their own good
HIYA!! SAVANNAH HERE!!!
I know all of my readers know what TNR is; but let me just say a couple of things about “targeted” Trap, Neuter, Return which is what my our nonprofit, Project Delta View Cats, does.
We go door to door within intact neighborhoods to learn who is feeding abandoned community cats and whether or not they need no cost spay, neuter or perhaps medical treatment for the cats they feed. By targeting complete neighborhoods, or complete colonies in one location like our Riverview park cat colony, we are able to trap out the entire population to eliminate any possibility of further breeding. Abandoned community cats, left intact, are subject to a wide array of illnesses from fighting and mating. Once we can reduce the desire to roam and mate, we reduce not only unwanted kittens being born but we also increase the adult cats’ long term health.
I say all that ‘cuz now you will understand why Mom L and other volunteers have been trying for about three months to trap an intact male cat that comes for his meal once a day at one of our park feeding stations. The park feeders named him Freddie the Freeloader! MOL!!
Turns out that Freddie is what we call a “trap savvy” kind’a kitty. He hears a teensy tiny “clink” of metal and he is gone! This mancat has been trapped before. Now, the all our park cat colony is already spayed and neutered so we are not much concerned about him starting any “families” or fights in our park colony. BUT—cats roam and who knows where Freddie goes let alone how much we will improve his own health and well being if we can just trap him and get him “snipped”!
Standard trapping practice is to cover the baited trap with a towel to create the appearance of a safe dark space for the cat.
First time Mom L tried to trap Freddie, she did her usual “special bait” of salmon and stinky sardines. Freddie didn’t even bother to show up!!!
Next time Mom L used “camo” cover from a kids birthday party decorations. She baited it this time with ONLY stinky sardines. Of course, Mom L also sprinkled food grade diatomaceous earth under the area where the bait was to keep the stuppy ants away.
All set! Now where is the cat???
Mom L didn’t have long to wait. She sat in her car reading her latest book on her Kindle and after about thirty minutes, all of a sudden, there was Freddie!! Up above the feeding station where the trap was waiting for him.
Mom L was now on the alert! Watching Freddie’s every move. She was holding her breath when he slowly stepped carefully, on paw forward at a time, down the slight embankment toward that delightful smelling stinky trap!
Freddie was sniffing that tantalizing stinky goodness of those slimy, squishy canned sardines. It was almost more than he could stand.
Squeee! His head is under the trap door!!! GO FREDDIE!!!
And then, he ran up that hill like he knew the world was gonna end instantly!! MOUSES!!!
In a minute later, Mom L heard a “meew” under her car and a very skinny little girl kitty emerged, talking back to Mom L like they were gonna be best pals.
Next thing Mom L knew that kitty dashed, starving, into the trap!!! So Mom L and Freddie still have a few more “trap” dates to make sure he gets his “snip” appointment, but check out this totally darling, friendly ladycat that is now under our care.
Meet Chiquitita!! (Yes! After the ABBA song!
We are not certain, but Chiquitita may be a bilingual kitty. She appears to respond to Mom L’s “not so good” Spanish!
So, what have you been doing lately that just makes your day??!!
PAW PATS, SAVANNAH
