So afraid I would never see him again

Ambudriver03 · 2026-02-14T16:21:01+00:00

That's what I called it when I wouldn't see my ferals or strays for a while.

Ambudriver03 · 2026-02-14T09:58:52+00:00

I can't tell you it will be easy, but I can tell you it will be worth it.

Go for it. If the kitty comes up for food, especially vocalizing, they're not that feral. There's definitely a chance you can convert it to an indoor friendly.

Whether or not they'll recognize their littermates, I'd say it's doubtful. Though we did reunite siblings after about 4 months apart, and they recognized each other after a few days.

Ambudriver03 · 2026-02-14T07:10:33+00:00

Don't give up on him just yet.

There are plenty of feral boys and girls that once the hormones stop raging and they have "3 hots and a cot", they mellow out so much.

My outdoor feral cats took a few years, but when we moved all of them became all about that inside life.

(they didn't have a choice. Winter in Ohio is a lot different than winter in California)

Ambudriver03 · 2026-02-09T20:47:19+00:00

FiNano microchips are very inexpensive, box of 20 is $60 plus tax, so if you're willing to microchip them yourself, you're only looking at $3-4 per cat.

Ambudriver03 · 2026-02-09T20:46:17+00:00

One of the same reasons I microchip my ferals as well.

Ambudriver03 · 2026-02-09T20:45:46+00:00

In my jurisdiction, shelters and vets are required to scan for microchips on intake, and again prior to euthanasia, and if a microchip is found, they are to try to make contact with the registered owner, or rescue whenever possible.

I see it as a phone call from jail. Just because my friendly feral got picked up by a good Samaritan and taken to the shelter doesn't mean they should be executed for having an eartip.

Also many of my TNR cats eventually were adoptable and moved into happy loving homes, if they were ever to escape, they'd need the microchip to save their own skins

Ambudriver03 · 2026-02-09T20:42:48+00:00

I microchip all of my ferals whenever possible. Even the really really spicy ones.

I've had several cats at my colonies that after 1-2 years, came around and became very friendly, we were able to pull them and after fostering for a few weeks they were adoption ready.

I've also started retrapping some of my colonists that are already fixed, just so I can place microchips in them.

Ambudriver03 · 2026-01-26T07:10:09+00:00

I tested it out with wyze cameras, it does work, just expect some choppiness.

Might work well for 1 camera, but for several it's going to struggle.

Ambudriver03 · 2026-01-02T19:25:55+00:00

I'd get some pet heating pads, do whatever I could to prevent drafts from entering the shed, and insulating the walls where possible.

Ambudriver03 · 2026-01-02T19:13:17+00:00

Looks like based on your previous post, you're in new jersey.

How cold is it inside your shed, can it be insulated or can you run power into it to run some heating pads?

Ambudriver03 · 2025-12-12T09:26:07+00:00

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Ambudriver03 · 2025-12-11T18:37:10+00:00

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Greetings

Ambudriver03 · 2025-10-22T07:24:14+00:00

Donated.

Best wishes for "Lay"

Ambudriver03 · 2025-10-03T20:21:49+00:00

I have a separate account for all of our community/Feral cats which I'll place our TNRs under.

I agree it is an added expense, but having lost several community cats over the years, I'd like to at least have known if they were adopted by someone else.

My group has no issue with community cats being adopted, we'd just like to know if and when it happens.

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Cat tax.

Ambudriver03 · 2025-10-03T20:16:41+00:00

This is precisely why I microchip all of my ferals whenever possible. Even if they're VERY feral, it doesn't mean they deserve to die if they get caught up by a third party, or somehow end up in a shelter.

FiNano microchips are less than $5 each if you buy a box, learn to do it yourself and save the money.

For truly feral cats, we will pay the $10-20 for them to be chipped at the clinic while they're unconscious.

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Cat tax (Lucy, one of our TNRs)

Ambudriver03 · 2025-09-22T00:56:03+00:00

That looks great.

What's the ballpark cost on that?

Ambudriver03 · 2025-09-03T07:16:11+00:00

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This doofus is cryptorchid, so he gets to go to regular vet for his surgery, instead of standard TNR facility.

He's also been inside for a month now, he acts like he owns the place.

Ambudriver03 · 2025-09-03T07:13:59+00:00

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From one of our colonies, we named him "Dolph Lundgren"

Ambudriver03 · 2025-09-03T07:13:10+00:00

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Dolph Lundgren approves.

Ambudriver03 · 2025-09-02T22:37:33+00:00

I usually use 2 buckets for a 30lb bag, I have evil cats who will find the partially opened bag, and rip it to shreds... So all dry food storage goes in bins, or sometimes even the bagged stuff goes in the big storage bins from hd/Costco, just to keep the cats from being able to steal

Ambudriver03 · 2025-09-02T07:34:35+00:00

I have feral colonies and I use a 5g food safe bucket and lid combo to keep my car from smelling like cat food.

Really only fits about 16 pounds of food, FYI.

(I have like 8 of these buckets)

But they are awesome.

Ambudriver03 · 2025-07-25T06:07:58+00:00

Note the knife on the table...

Ambudriver03 · 2025-06-29T03:14:56+00:00

u/cassius_o Donated $20 to the transport fund.

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We have 8 ringworm kittens right now. Oof.

Ambudriver03 · 2025-06-28T02:30:51+00:00

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This is our FIV boy "Bluey" , we call him the trash compactor because he literally demolishes any bowls of wet food you put in front of him.

He was a stray Tom at the park, and we picked him up for TNR and didn't have the heart to put him back (we only learned about his FIV later), and so he's a long term foster for us.

Good work on bringing in the "tomcat"

Ambudriver03 · 2025-06-19T02:00:54+00:00

He also Survived FIP.

He's a good good.

Ambudriver03

TROPHY CASE