Urban Cat Coalition TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release Program) Arrived in our care:
3 kittens - Cooper, Chris, Colby - trapped 4 Nov 2024
Sheba - Queen Mum - trapped 9 Nov 2024
4th and final kitten - Crypto - sighted and trapped(!) 13 Nov 2024
Disposition: All five released December 7th, 2024
ALL ARE COMING AROUND FOR BREAKFAST AND DINNER!
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Check out other UPDATES
FIRST SIGHTINGS OF SHEBA (MAY & OCT 2024)
A little bit of history...I had seen a black cat in the neighborhood for several months. But the cat did not visit regularly so I was unable to make contact and trap him/her.
Several weeks later (early Sept 2024) I got a call about a litter of kittens in someone's back yard. The mother was a black cat and they sent me a picture of a child holding
one of the kittens (later to be named Cooper).
Unfortunately, the mother (later to be known as SHEBA) fearing for the safety of her kittens, moved the kittens that night and I was unable to locate them.
COOPER
On October 18th, a black cat started visiting our porch; we fed her. It was clear she was nursing so I couldn't trap her, that would be a death sentence for her kittens. I kept feeding her, and lo and behold on, eventually three kittens showed up with her...ocassionally there was a fourth kitten as well. After they had established a regular time of day they visited for food I set up a trap and waited for all five to show up; I was hoping to get them all at the same time. However, only 3 kittens regularly showed up so I couldn't trap Sheba as I was afraid the remaining fourth kitten wouldn't have a chance without her. I didn't want to wait too long though, so I trapped three kittens and waited to trap Sheba and the fourth kitten at a later date.
CHRIS
Captured Three of Sheba's kittens 4 Nov 2024
Before trapping Sheba, I wanted to wait to see if her fourth kitten would come back so I could trap them too. Alas, I did not see the fourth black kitten all week long.
After much agonizing, I decided to go ahead and capture Queen Mum Sheba on 10 Nov 2024.
Upon capture, the three kittens and Mum were all very fearful and scurried away when I entered their room.
I was in my backyard on the 13th and heard a pitiful kitten cry. Long story short, she was hanging out in the neighbors yard...I
waited for a bit and baited her with food and was able to trap the black kitten that same day!
I was so relieved the 4th kitten, since named Crypto, was still around and is now safe and sound.
(After spay surgery she was identified as a little girl!)
The image on the left shows Crypto among the black and whites, if you can make him out!
The image on the right shows Sheba on the left side of the carrier and not-so-little Crypto in the back of the carrier.
The whole Fam-Damly, together again
VIDEOS
Through December 5th, 2024.
Still inside with us as the weather took a nasty turn (Minus 5 degrees F!)
They spent several weeks with us as they recovered from S/N surgery, but they were not friendly enough for adoption at that time.
Alas.
However, I'm hoping they will take advantage of the food and shelter we have for them.
I will be working with them to improve socialization and then to hopefully find them homes - eventually. They were released on December 7th, 2024 Since thier release we have had sporadic sightings of a few kittens. Update December 25th, 2024
Sheba, and all four kittens visit our porch, some more regularly than others, but I am hopeful.
UPDATES Sheba and her kittens are hanging out nearby; they come by for food in the morning and evening.
I am happy to see them doing well; I am trying to get them accustomed to me and human activity. My hope is to eventually bring them inside, ensure they are socialized and then try to find forever homes for them.
It is a long process but I am hopeful.
Chris entered the cat room; I hope he comes and goes when the weather is bad!
Colby hanging out in the styrofoam condo
Hanging out in the backyard
Cooper exiting cat studio; does he have in and out down?
Update: April 2025.Cooper.
Cooper, Chris and Colby are regular visitors. They enter the heated garage and are quite comfy, even in horribly cold weather.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen Crypto for quite awhile, but Sheba, Queen Mum has been around pretty regularly lately. Here, she even entered the garage...someday, she may work her way in the cat door and enjoy a warm comfy room as well.
Update: January 2026.
We have a colony:
LINKS