To the rescue: cats and dogs : Living with ferals

To the rescue: cats and dogs

Carol Hawn-Miller and Cindy Liggett are local animal advocates who work to save the lives of homeless cats and dogs. In 2001 they founded Kitty and K-9 Connection, a non-profit rescue/foster/adoption program. In this blog, they will discuss the issues around the numerous homeless cats and dogs in Anchorage, and the process of placement, including animal and human behaviors that lead to success or failure. They are pictured here with Gladys on Carol's knee, Cherri in the middle, and Ambrosia the cat on Cindy's lap.

Contributors

Cindy Liggett

Because she's a "cat person," Cindy concentrates on cat rescues, fosters and adoptions. She faces daily attitudes towards cats as "throw-away pets" and deals with issues regarding "unwanted" cats due to over-population. She has advocated on their behalf for over 20 years and enjoys sharing her knowledge and insights so cats can enjoy their nine lives in the manner they truly deserveas an important member of the family.

Carol Hawn-Miller

Carol loves being the "dog mom" to all kinds and varieties -- small to large; mutts or purebreds. At home she deals with an ever transitional pack as she rescues, fosters and adopts dogs that would not otherwise have a "new leash on life." She has been doing pet rescue for more than 14 years. While loaded with a lap full of dogs, covered in dog hair or accepting K-9 kisses, Carol advocates for permanent, lifetime homes and responsible ownership so rescue will no longer be a necessity.

Multimedia

VIDEO

Spay & Neuter message

Kitty and K-9 Connection is a pet rescue and adoption program. This is their reminder to pet owners to take care of an important matter with their pet to lessen unwanted animals. Video by Brian G. Smith.

VIDEO

First Aid for pets

Robin Newby of the American Red Cross of Alaska teaches pet first aid. In this video of a recent class, she describes the focus and some of the techniques. Find schedules of ongoing classes at "The Red Cross"

Resources

ALASKA LOCAL

USEFUL WEBSITES

Living with ferals

Posted by Cindy

Posted: October 28, 2008 - 4:25 pm

Comments (0) |

I live with six or seven feral cats; they blend in with all the other cats. I don't know why I decided to keep them, I just did. They get along great with the other cats and the dogs, they just aren't very trusting towards people. They associate me as their food source, so some will come take treats out of my hand, but for the most part they keep their distance from me. I have never had any problems with the ferals. In fact, they seem to have better house manners than the domesticated cats.

A few of the ferals will actually sleep on the bed with me, and once I woke up to find one sleeping on my chest. Of course, once I opened my eyes, it was like her radar kicked in and boom, she was gone in a flash.

It's interesting to watch the bonding that goes on between cats. My first feral cat, Cassidy, absolutely adored Raven, one of my black female house cats. Everywhere Raven would go, Cassidy would be right behind her. They slept together, ate together, groomed each other and were pretty much inseparable. When Raven died of old age, I was concerned for Cassidy. She mourned the loss of her longtime companion, and within months, she died too.

I watch the bonding that goes on between my cat Horace and his feral buddy Aubrey. Aubrey has become Horace's shadow. This morning, Horace jumped up on the bed to greet me and behind him came Aubrey. I had been petting Horace and because Aubrey was so busy rubbing up against Horace, he never noticed that I was scratching the back of his head. He was really getting into it till he saw my hand, then boom...he was gone, probably to wash the cooties off his neck.

I had to take two of my feral boys to the vet for a lioncut, vaccines, and to check their teeth. Of course, they have to be anesthetized for the lioncut, but they had gotten so matted over the summer that I didn't want to totally stress them out by doing it myself, and I didn't need any battle scars. After everything was done to them, the poor vet tech was taking them back to their kennels. One wasn't as asleep as Amber thought, and just as she got to his kennel, he bolted. Seems he found solace inside the X-ray machine. Staff had to take the machine apart to get him out. I'm so loved there ...

Feral cats didn't ask for the life they were dealt, and their main purpose is survival. I'm not saying that ferals are for everyone, but if people had more compassion for them and understood them a little better, they might come to appreciate them more. After all, they are the result of mankind's irresponsibility.

login or register to post comments

By submitting your comment, you are agreeing to adn.com's user agreement.

Message to users on the new commenting solution

Edit your profile and avatar »