Craig Street Cats

Lots of interesting things have been happening around here.  Throughout November and December Craig Street CAts was the recipient of some amazing acts of generosity.  We were able to bring most of our bills up to date and had a little left to take care of some storage and transportation issues that have been plaguing us for quite awhile.

Storage has been a huge issue around here.  As much as I love my character home, I have to admit that it is sadly lacking in the closet department.  Part of the funds raised were used to buy cabinets and storage containers for all of the cats’ assorted paraphenelia (food, dishes, toys, medical supplies, towels, blankets . . .).

 Some of you already know that we were able to buy a used van last week.  It’s very nice to be able to do all the things that need to be done without having to wait for someone else to be able to give the cats and me a ride.  It’s also very nice to NOT have to pay cab fare when nobody is able to ferry us around.  That’s the good stuff.

Of course, being mobile now, the first thing I did was take critters to see the vet.  It turns out that just about all of them have ear mites.  Now, ear mites are a very common thing.  They are not an issue when you have one, or two, or even six cats.  When you have 23 cats and 20 kittens, however, ear mites are no laughing matter.  All of the cats have to be treated.   On top of that whopper, we have 12 kittens going in for spay and neuter over the next 2 weeks.  Another 8 will have to go within a month after that.

We had almost 3 glorious months where there was enough money to pay the bills as they came in, and a little left to do things that needed to be done.  Now it’s back to reality and the need to get out and do fundraising.  There truly is no rest for the weary.

The past month has been just a little overwhelming.  Craig Street Cats has been the recipient of some tremendous acts of generosity and kindness, and I would like to say “thank you” to everyone that has contributed food, supplies, money, time and effort to help us out.

Like the young couple who decided that they would rather make a donation to Craig Street Cats than give each other Christmas gifts.  Thank you.

Like the expectant mother who dropped off the largest donation we’ve ever had.  Thank you.

Like  the people who see me at our information table in Sobeys, or at craft shows and run over to hand me money “for your kitties”.  Thank you.

Like the people who drop things off anonymously, while I’m not home.  Thank you.

Like the children who put their candy money in our donation cans instead of buying candy.  Thank you.

Like the amazing volunteers who chauffeur the cats, and me, around because I don’t have a car.  Thank you.

Like the people who have sent cheques or donated online  to help the cats.  Thank you.

Like the pet store that has put out a bin and asked customers to donate food and supplies for the cats.  Thank you.

Because of all these people and all their amazing acts of generosity, we are in a much better position than we were a month ago.  Although we are still struggling, most of our bills are current, we have been able to put out 3 more shelters, we have materials on hand for at least 5  more shelters, and there is about a 2 week supply of food and litter on hand.  There’s even enough to make sure the cats get turkey for Christmas

Our next hurdle is raising enough money to pay spay / neuter fees for the 20 kittens currently in care.  Somehow I just know we’ll do it.

Thank you.

This week Craig Street Cats moved to a new webserver, and the journey has been a tad traumatic.  I think everything is in its proper place now, but if you find any whoopsies, please be sure to let me know.

It’s a very good thing that this move was completely virtual.  The poor cats have been trying to figure out why things are topsy turvey around here — schedules all out of whack, mom up all night working on the computer, less cuddle time (oh horrors).

We have some new additions around here.  While I’ve been working away on this site, some very caring people have been finding cats and kittens that needed rescuing.  Kathy brought in the 2 kittens that needed vet care, as well as a big, black tom cat that we’re calling Kettle.  The youngest kitten has been adopted already (Kathy couldn’t resist ).  Kettle and the other kitten have appointments for neutering coming up soon.

June called just before Christmas about some kittens she had been feeding for quite awhile.  She was concerned about how they would survive the winter, so we went out and rescued them on Boxing Day.  June was obviously doing a very good job of feeding the babies, because they are incredibly sturdy — tending toward pudgy.  They have appointments with the vet, as well.

Things are starting to get back to normal around here, so I should have some photos of the new arrivals by the end of the week.  I hope.

Week 1 of the drive to manage the Craig St. feral cat colony has been a great success. Four females were trapped and spayed. They will be released this weekend, to live out their natural lives. Although this may seem to be a small step, the simple act of sterilizing 4 female cats will prevent the births of almost 100 unwanted kittens this year, and thousands over the next 5 years.

Just so no one can pooh-pooh the statements in the previous paragraph, let’s do the math. Female cats can have several litters each year. Let’s assume that our females would each have had 2 litters of 5 this year. That’s 40 kittens, half of which would be female. After the birth of the first litters we would have 14 females. The new girls become fertile at about 4 months of age. So, now we have 14 females giving birth to an average of 5 kittens each. That yields 70 kittens for the second litter of the year. Total unwanted kittens in year 1: 90.

After the second litter we have 49 females.

Litter 1, year 2: 245

Now we have 171 females.

Litter 2, year 2: 855

If you’ve been keeping track, you should have a total of 1,190 unwanted kittens after just 2 years. All from 4 females.

Week 1 has been a resounding success. The process will be repeated in May. Appointments have been made for 2 cats on each of the 14th, 15th, and 16th. With luck, we’ll manage to use all of those slots.