The incredibly kind owners of the lot where we did most of our trapping were kind enough to let me set up a winter shelter for the ferals before their return. Because the winters get so cold here in New York, ferals need places to go to keep warm during brisk nights, bad winter storms, and heavy rain.
Unfortunately, in the process of setting up the winter shelter, I found
a cat skeleton. Sadly, this type of fate is not uncommon for ferals who are
prone to getting sick, not finding enough food, or freezing to death.
Trap-Neuter-Return is one way to limit these casualties. As is getting
your community together to make sure ferals have adequate shelter and
food.
Another way to avoid these types of tragedies is not to dump unwanted cats in the street. If you can't keep your cat for any reason, please consider contacting your local shelter or posting for a home on craigslist. There is no excuse for abandoning your pet on the streets. None.
It was a sad way to start the return process, and it definitely made me much more hesitant to bring these guys back to the street. The only thing I could keep reminding myself is that through the generosity and help of so many people we're able to return these cats healthier than they were and to a location that now will have shelter and regular food. R.I.P. Kitty Doe.
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