This post is being written Sunday morning - because Monday morning bright and early I am hitting the road before 7am to pick up miss Tula-Lou who HOPEFULLY will be contained back in the live trap and ready for her hour-plus drive over to Hillsville VA for a well thought out and agonized over spay procedure.
After talking with the folks at Carrolton/Grayson Humane Society - we believe this is best for all involved. Especially Tula, who is VERY young and feral, though she has improved greatly with her acceptance of people - especially since there is a rotating population of quilters staying at Quiltville Inn.
She is still feral - and makes under the old general store her main "lair." Should she have kittens there, there is no way that we can get under there to help her. And I will be gone the entire month of June and can't leave her care to anyone else.
And then there would be MORE cats that would need to be neutered - good luck catching those.
She was not happy about this trap the last time!
We are not feeding her breakfast today (Sunday) so that she will be extra hungry come tonight when we will set up and entice her with a little trail of treats leading into the trap with the reward near the step-panel that will close her inside.
I had to call 5 different vets to find one who would work her in. Most vets are scheduled out until mid-May which would not help the situation at all.
I'm grateful to have found a vet in Hillsville who will work her in.
Her foot is doing much better - she is using it almost normally now. I'm glad we got to see the mobile vet last week - that 12 day antibiotics shot seems to have worked its magic.
She has been spotted curling up in the makeshift bed that the Richmond Express gals made for her.
As I said, I have wrestled with this for the past week+ and I am moving forward believing this is best.
Thank you for the encouragement to do what needs to be done!
This little note came from Maggie May and Suki Fluffybutt who understand and wanted to help.
Extra treats for you little ones!
She has a wicked sense of humor, and I'm grateful for things that make me laugh even while wondering if I'm doing the right thing.
Yes. Yes, I am.
I'll fill you in tomorrow on how everything went.
My feeling is - Tula is an outside kitty. Who knows how long she will stay with us and grace us with her presence on the porch. She may be here for a time. She may move on. And if she does move on we will know we did the best thing for her. She should not be left wild to breed.
There are already far too many ferals out there that are not neutered, bringing more poor babies into this world without any care.
For Tula, this stops here. It's what is best.
Quiltville Quote of the day
Sometimes, I consider it a success if I just make it through this day one hour at a time.
Don't measure your success against anyone else's day.
Don't measure your success against anyone else's day.
And be aware of those who might be having a rough one!
Bless you Bonnie for your care and concern for this sweet kitty.
ReplyDeleteYou're going above and beyond giving her Vet care and spaying her. Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteBonnie you are doing the right thing. When she comes "home" will you try to keep her confined til she heals a bit. You may be able to befriend her more that way and perhaps though still being outside, she will decide to hang at Quiltville. You have done the best you can.
ReplyDeleteBonnie - in my humble opinion, you are doing a great deed! I've traveled quite a bit around Europe. Many European countries have the "neighborhood" cats and dogs. In Greece, cats were EVERYWHERE!!! They are rounded up every year to be spayed or neutered and to be given their shots and then released back into their respective neighborhoods. You said it best about bringing more babies into this world with no care, maybe just dinner for some bear or coyote. Shows what a big heart you have and I for one thank you!!!! 😊 ♥️
ReplyDeleteYes…..you are doing the right thing! Thank you for going above and beyond.
ReplyDeleteYou are very right!
ReplyDeleteI think Tula Lou will be happier and will have a chance at a better life after this. It's always a difficult choice but she may hang around and help keep the rodent population in check. Best of luck with the drive this morning. Anna in IL
ReplyDeleteSo sad how many of us deal with issues like Tiulas. I have spayed innumerable abandoned kitties in hopes that they will have a better life. Thank you for doing the same.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the best thing for Tula!! Best of luck to you both!!
ReplyDeleteI had my feral spayed while pregnant too. It was the best decision.
ReplyDeleteValerie Kurz
Good for you! !! And good for Tula! You're doing the right thing for all involved!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing. She is one lucky kitty to have you care so much about her. Bev Hodson
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you are going through. A year ago a momma cat and three babies showed up. By the time I was able to catch them, three of the four were pregnant and the other was a male. I had them spayed and neutered. It’s heartbreaking, but can you imagine having 18 kittens living off the land?? You are doing the brave and right thing. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteYour quote was timely. Yesterday was a minute by minute just get thru it kind of day. Today with the sunshine things are looking up!
ReplyDeleteGood for You and Tula, she will be better off and will most likely stay around, she knows she has a Good Thing !
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Bonnie……a tough, but loving decision for TulaLou.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are doing the right thing! Hard as it is, you have thought this through and are doing everything you can for Tula’s health now and in the future. How fortunate that she came to the inn and found such a kind and loving person to help her.
ReplyDeleteI recognize those sneaky kitties who sent you a $20. I woulda should too if my (currently) 7 had thought of it. 3 strays (1 very! feral) and 4 re-homed. Go girl! (Not you Tula! You keep your legs crossed, young lady!)
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely doing the right thing, Bonnie! Ignore the naysayers. There was a stray cat (she was not feral, but not very friendly) that frequented our property years back who began bringing and leaving her kittens with us. Within a little more than a year, she had left three litters with us. When she showed up with the third litter, she was already pregnant again. I bit the bullet, caught her, and had her spayed. I don't know what happened to her, as she didn't come around anymore, but at least she was no longer adding to the unwanted kitten population. When I took one of the kittens from the first litter to be spayed, she was already pregnant at six months old! So I have made the same choice as you on two occasions, and it was the right choice every time.
ReplyDeleteYou made a tough choice and consulted with folks who are "experts". Wishing you and Tula well today.
ReplyDeleteMade the same decision years ago. It was tough and I agonized over it for a long time. You have made a good decision for Tula’s future.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing by having her fixed .
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Bonnie, you definitely did the right thing. I wouldn't think twice about it.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who argues that, has no idea what they're talking about.
Thank you Bonnie for being caring and making the right choice. We are all lucky to have you in our world. Keep shining.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing, Bonnie. Thank you for caring about Tula.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Bonnie! A hard decision but I think the best decision for Tula Lou. (Love her name). Cheryl
ReplyDelete☺️ 🐱🐾
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely the best decision for Tula!
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard decision but I also believe you've made the right choice. Nature is not often kind to the abandoned, so this is by far the more humane choice all around. Thank you for making the hard choice and doing your best for sweet Tula
ReplyDeleteWe have rescued many kitties and this is the best for the kitty, I believe, too. And I also understand your dilemma. ❤️ Anita
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for Tula and you. This is the best thing for her. She is too young to be a mother, especially a good mother, since she is still mostly feral.
ReplyDeleteI'm another supporter of your kindness and generosity in seeing to Tula's medical needs, including the spaying. Besides, if she's smart, she'll continue to hang out at the Quiltville Inn. Just imagine all the new two-legged friends she'll make throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteYou are ABSOLUTELY doing the right thing! All animals should experience warmth and love at least once in their life, and this is her chance for that. I hope she sticks around and becomes another Quiltville cat. There is a reason she ended up where you could find her and care for her.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Bonnie - you are so kind and caring.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing out of love, compassion and responsibility to the animal population of your area. I applaud you!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely the right thing to do Bonnie. I rescued 2 kittens I named Flora & Fauna a few years ago from my cousin’s barn in Ohio. The girls were about 8 weeks old born Easter week when I arrived. Their mom was just 1 year old and this was her second litter. She had 5 total but only 3 survived. My cousin doesn’t believe in spay/neuter and the thought of these two girls becoming feral breeding machines tore at my heart so I brought them home to San Diego. I had driven to Ohio so bringing them home was easy. Luckily they were still young and not pregnant but the first thing I did as soon as they were old enough was get them fixed even though they were going to be strictly indoor cats. Momma had two more litters that year :( :{ If I had been able to catch her I would have had her fixed. She was the only female with 3 males.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your caring ♥️ Debbie quiltshopemails@gmail.com
we already have enough kittens (see cover photo of Tula?) If she decides to be a quilting kitty, (which i'm suspecting she may after all those spa days and good treats and loving quilters) You will only have an existing cat, not one plus a family! to feed and spay and neuter and all that jazz... Kittens are so much fun, and yet there's more to them and I applaud making a practical rather than emotional decision... I have not read all the posts, but they certainly popped up and i'm hopeful they reinforced your decision... hugs from Carlsbad CA to you and all who sent you some cash to help... Cats
ReplyDeleteYou made the very best decision for Tula. Now she can live her life doing what she loves best, without contributing to the feral cat overpopulation.
ReplyDeleteMy friends who work in rescue have been utterly hammered and discouraged by all the ferals and re-homing that's been going on of late. They can't find enough homes for all these cats and dogs. Spay/neuter is a compassionate and responsible choice. As always, your heart shines through in every decision you make, Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteSupport your decision WRT sweet Tula 100%. You have a kind caring heart and Tula is lucky to have found you in her time of need - her foot and getting her spayed. Hugs to you! 💕
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to have veterinarians in your area who are willing to treat feral cats.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Yes, you are doing the right thing for Tula's health and well being. Interesting note... a study was done...when feral cats are removed from the community, somehow the population of feral cats grows its numbers to bring it back to its homeostasis. Don't ask me how. HA! But allowing Tula to continue in her habitant without having to keep getting pregnant will be good for everyone. They also studied how to best house cats in shelters to keep them healthy and happy. I learned this from Morris Animal Foundation and they were looking out for keeping cats healthy and happy as well as people communities.
ReplyDeleteHappy Snow Day, UFO, Monday. It's must be April Fools day again. Woke up and my back hurts, just thinking about having to go out. Hope all goes well for Tula Lou. you added the Lou recently. Glad Nola could avid the possum in the trap.
ReplyDeleteYes! Thank you Bonnie!!!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely did the right thing. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Su in MN
ReplyDeleteVery happy for you both....wish more people would follow suit!
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie, We homed a feral cat for 16 years! He lived outside. We did take him to the vet for shots etc. (Not easy as you know.) He did come to let my husband hold him and he'd 'ask' for attention from me. We had to say goodbye in November and I miss his presence greatly. My uncle made an insulated box out of some sort of styrofoam type stuff which we put in the garage. We put a cat door on the side door of our garage and added a heated pad to the box for winter. It was made especially for cats. We also used heated dishes in the winter to keep his water and food from freezing. I always felt bad he had to live outside but I don't think he would have been happy in the house. Plus we had inside cats at the time with health issues and our vet advised not to have him be inside as he probably carried 'germs' that the inside cats had not been exposed to. Tula is a lucky little kitty. She's so beautiful. I hope you have her for a long time.
ReplyDeleteYou have the biggest heart, Miss Bonnie!! And that was the sweetest gesture from the other kitties... :) God put Tula there because he knew you would do what is best for her. Happy Monday.... only 4 days for us this week as we get ready for Easter weekend.
ReplyDeleteTula won't think this way, but you ARE doing the very best thing for that sweet little cat! Bless you for thinking of her, spending the money and making the arrangements (not to mention the long drive!) to make it happen for a little one who can't do it herself. Good luck! Deb E
ReplyDeleteYou were between a rock and a hard spot in this situation with Tula but, in my opinion, you’re doing the humane thing. Good luck today with sweet Tula and may she live a long and healthy life.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely doing the right thing! Stop worrying
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the comments; it was the right decision for all. Thank you.
ReplyDelete(Susan) Tula is beautiful and, yes, sometimes the best things are the hardest things. But those things are still the best.
ReplyDeleteHi... thanks for taking care of stray cat.. she has pretty coloring
ReplyDeleteYears ago our trucking company was known to all wayward cats that if you come to see us and are not well you will be vet diagnosed and get all you shots and if need be antibiotics. Once well, you could stay or carry on your journey. (95% chose to stay) BUT, if you stay at least 1 month you will be spay or neutered. So, the joke around the office to new owner operators was if you come to work for us be careful because you may be fixed. Kat.
ReplyDeleteGood for Tula! She was lucky to come to your porch.
ReplyDeleteyou're doing absolutely the right thing. Too bad more people don't do it. Everyone of my animals (a few dogs and lots of cats over the last 53 years (that I've been owing pets) have all been neutered. There are too many animals that need a loving home already!
ReplyDeleteBonnie. Don't fret you did the best for Tula. She's a beautiful cat. I'd adopt her myself. That's my favorite color. May God bless you. There are too many cats dumped off and dogs too.
ReplyDeleteTough decision. Well made. Been there, done that. In the long run, it will benefit Tula.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience rescuing cats since 1977, many are abandoned or thow-away kitties. I'm praying that Ms Tula just needs some shelter, food, water and time and much love and she'll forget her past and become the trusting furrever kitty that Quiltville will enjoy playing and snuggling with for years to come. I miss my calico, Ms Tekka, rescued at 2 mo old, lived to 14 (too young to go). Thank you for taking care of her, you are a loving soul.
ReplyDelete