by Jan Plant
(Marion,Texas U.S.)
Some of our "Wild Bunch"
When I became my mate's 24/7 care provider in June, I moved in with him. He owns a small trailer park in a rural area of Texas. One day I noticed, while taking out the trash, four very skinny, fairly young cats in the dumpster. Well, me being me, I can't stand to see an animal in such shape. I started putting out food and fresh water; trying to gain their trust.
Which has taken some time. I've made friends with the tenants as well and to bring this to a short, but fairly happy end, through a slush fund the tenants and I contribute to, which we created, we have managed to spay and neuter 10 of these kittens (all but one are under a year old, and he's a wily,old beat up tom).
Although none of the tenants wish to "adopt" any of this "wild bunch", they all freely give an extra $25.00 a month to the "kitty", to help pay for food and vet bills.
I cannot have them in the house as my mate is on oxygen and has severe breathing problems. But even as I am typing this there are two sitting on the air conditioner tapping on the window reminding me that it's almost breakfast time.
We fixed a shelter of sorts for them under our large picnic table. They have a futon mattress and we wrapped tarps around it to keep off the wind and the warm air from under our trailer keeps the air from getting to cold inside.
Unfortunately, there's not much else I can do. They are feed, sheltered, have been vet checked and are all befriended by some of the kindest people I know.
I am open to any suggestions. These were all dumped animals and sadly I do not know how to stop that. My mate says they hung out a welcome sign that only cats can read. LOL! Lord, I hope not.
Jan
