Well, the cat I mentioned in my post of 7/8 was caught again, and picked up this morning, 7/9. at about 8:15 AM. That left one more.
And this evening, 7/9, about 10:00PM, she was caught. That’s the last of them. I don’t really count the big yellow tom that showed up this evening, after a long absence. He’s only been an occasional visitor, noticable for a somewhat crippled paw.
So tomorrow morning, 7/10, I will call Animal Control to pick up the cat, and tell them they can take the trap too. It’s been a long haul. I may still keep water out on the porch, but won’t need to put food out anymore.
Instead of the snippy letter I would have written I am going to write a letter of praise. AC has been prompt every time I called.
I feel like pond scum. Earlier this afternoon I was outside talking to my neighbor, and suddenly I heard a “mew-mew” sound. There is a junky garage across the alley, and the house it belongs to is around the corner from me. I had seen the cats on it’s roof, there must be a hole up there they got in and out of. The mewing was coming from inside the garage.
One of those cats I caught must have had a litter, and now those kittens have been in there for two days without nourishment. I knocked on the door of the house, called them on the phone, and have now left a note taped to their front door, begging them to call me back and let me into the garage, so I can rescue the kittens. They haven’t returned yet, and from the sloppy look of the property who knows what kind of hours they keep. I’m sitting here in suspense, waiting for the phone. Dang, I wish I knew how to pick a door lock.(for the garage) I wouldn’t do it, but I’m hurting here, knowing I’ve hurt yet more animals. If I can get them out I will take them to the emergency vet, I don’t care what it costs.
Baker, I know you’re feeling like twelve kinds of rat right now. Please don’t beat yourself up. The mortality rate for those kittens is so high, that they easily could all die anyway. Yes, I know you want them to be saved, and so do I. Phone animal control right away and ask for their help. You want someone from the authorities to break into the garage. I hope all comes out well. If there are any problems, offer to pony up for the damages. I’ll chip in on them and rally everyone else here at the boards so you don’t have to pay a red cent.
Baker - I am so sorry you’ve been through this hell, count me in on pitching in for damages. You are my sister to a T, by the way. She takes it upon herself to save animals when others turn the other cheek, too many stories to tell. They just seek her out. You are the designated angel in your neighborhood - thanks from those of us who despise cruelty and ignorance towards our furry friends.
Thanks to those who have offered, but it’s not money that’s what is bothering me. That can be replaced. What I wish I had was a magic wand to make this all come out right. When I ran over the kittens at the end of May, at least they died quickly. In this matter I condemned these kittens to a slower death.
I called the Animal Control number, but it is after hours. I was blubbering a bit on the phone to the police dispatcher that answers for them. She asked if it could wait until morning. I explained they had been without nourishment for at least 48 hours, but she didn’t seem to want to send a police officer. So I gave my name and work number, my home phone number and my own address, as well as the address of the home in front of the garage. I told them I had left a note for the homeowners, and the officer said someone from Animal Control itself would investigate in the morning.
I guess that’s all I can do for now. If the homeowners call I will ask if they can open the garage. If they can’t I will call a locksmith if they will agree to it.
There may be good news. I never heard back from the homeowners, although my note disappeared from their mailbox. I talked to a police dispatcher this morning who said it wouldn’t be allowed to go into the garage without the consent of the homeowners.
But after two more calls to Animal Control itself I got a call at work that an officer was en route to the home, and could I come? I left work and zoomed over there. The officer was one I hadn’t met before, and she gave me the news that since they had determined one of the females that had been picked up had been nursing, that meant they could go in and get the kittens, because they are supposed to be picked up together. We just had to wait for a Police officer to supervise.
The kittens wouldn’t have had to wait so long if I had examined the north side of the garage. Turns out there is an unlatched window there, and since we weren’t “forcing entry” and causing damage, in the words of the Police officer, “no harm, no foul”. It took the AC officer a while to find them, as their crys were echoing. Seems they were up near the roof, on a wide shelf, or ledge. That’s where the hole is that the adults used for getting in and out. She got all dirty and dusty retrieving them, and rushed them out to the shelter. She has promised to call me back later with an update.
I told both of them that they, and the other two AC officers, are welcome to come to the cafe where I am the baker, and I’ll buy them any lunch they want. If I hear back from her this afternoon I will update this message.
And I had already written a nice letter to the editor about the Animal Control Department. It may have actually been a police dispatcher, not an AC one, who made the remarks that started this thread off in the first place. The ACD has been nothing but fine since.
How wonderful, Baker! It’s so nice hearing about a happy end to all of this. I commend your idea of baking something nice for the officers. Their department policy probably prohibits them from accepting free meals or gratuities of any sort. Personally, I wouldn’t let this stop me from baking a couple dozen yummy butter cookies and seruptitiously dropping them off at their various places of work. It looks like your mission has been a resounding success. I’m especially glad to know that AC has played such a cooperative role in your honorable efforts. May fortune smile upon all that you have done at the behest of these helpless creatures.
I am so happy to hear the news, Baker! And I will buy YOU lunch, if you’re ever in my neck of the woods. Sounds as if you’ve got the Animal Control department alerted to the problems in your neighborhood, and it also appears they are trying to do the right thing. Wish I could come scoop up those kittens and bring them home with me. Thanks!
Ditto as to Zenster’s suggestion: a small gesture of appreciation goes a long way.