Josefa, our lovely neighbour and macaroni chef, commented last week that, yes, there are fewer cats, and yes they are healthier, and yes, there are quite a few ‘intact’ males - but they have no girlfriends! This was music to my ears. I knew it too, but it was lovely to hear it from her. Here's the lady herself and the macaroni she cooks for the cats.
Our impending permanent arrival here with four ‘city’ cats means there will be some changes around here! How I wish the ferals and the Gang of 4 could all mix happily, but there are various reasons why that ain’t gonna happen. One is called Scruffy, and he is our big, long haired fella who loves to protect his territory, was neutered late (not our fault) and has no idea what is about to happen to him! Here’s Scruffy
I think we have to carve out some distinct territories for the two tribes, at least at the start. So it’s all about location, location, location. Currently, the seven or eight (very – they are here all day) regular visitors get fed under the horreo a few metres from the kitchen door. We will all very likely be living in this particular house for at least a couple of months when we arrive, before we decamp to the house across the way that is being renovated. And when I say ‘all’ I mean me, Adam and three long haired black cats who look like a gang, and a semi-feral half Bengal matriarch who is the oldest of the lot (77 in human years) and completely wild herself (she disappears for weeks in London). Which is ironic.
The location to which I refer is the location of feeding. Luckily, we have a few options but we do not have a spare horreo. So I am commissioning a local carpenter to build three of these. They are feral cat feeding stations. Yes such things exist, have been thought about, planned and built, but mainly in the US …
The location to which I refer is the location of feeding. Luckily, we have a few options but we do not have a spare horreo. So I am commissioning a local carpenter to build three of these. They are feral cat feeding stations. Yes such things exist, have been thought about, planned and built, but mainly in the US …
Before impending arrival of the London Gang of 4, we will start feeding the ferals in the new location and hopefully we can minimise any clashes! Clashes are a worry as it may well be that FIV (feline HIV) is endemic in this population and we want to avoid any exchange of bodily fluids through bites.
We will then move into the ‘new’ house, and hanging around the kitchen door of the old house will be futile. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the purpose built ‘comedors’.
Finally, here we have Cat Feeder of the Month. This is Brett, originally from Cape Town and now living in Nottingham, who clearly has a way with cats. It is true that I am permitted to scratch Jessica’s head and this has progressed to stroking her (!), but she has known me for 2 or 3 years. Brett leant down to feed Jessica under the horreo and she almost nuzzled him. One thing led to another and here she is letting him scratch her head. Bette Davis looks on unimpressed ... Thank you Brett.
We will then move into the ‘new’ house, and hanging around the kitchen door of the old house will be futile. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the purpose built ‘comedors’.
Finally, here we have Cat Feeder of the Month. This is Brett, originally from Cape Town and now living in Nottingham, who clearly has a way with cats. It is true that I am permitted to scratch Jessica’s head and this has progressed to stroking her (!), but she has known me for 2 or 3 years. Brett leant down to feed Jessica under the horreo and she almost nuzzled him. One thing led to another and here she is letting him scratch her head. Bette Davis looks on unimpressed ... Thank you Brett.
RSS Feed