We have a number of Strays hanging around the garden, and its thought that this may be contributing to Steaks stress levels and his FLUTDS. However as he doesn't get as bothered as his sister when a stray wanders about outside, we have yet to be convinced of the link.
STRAYS HAVE RIGHTS TOO
When you see a stray in your garden - don't ignore the fact, no matter how much of a pest it may be to you. Remember that these are living creatures with feelings.
If you don't want the stray hanging around, get in touch with your local Cat Rescue organisation who will be only too glad to help.
On the other hand, if like us it doesn't bother you, its fairly easy to teach these guys that if they are going to hang around then there are limits to where they can go and what they can expect.
We tend to feed the regulars daily - we are lucky to be in the position to be able to afford to do this, so don't feel that you need to. PLEASE however if the cat looks underfed or ill - contact a local organisation who normally will help the cat with no charge to you.
We would suggest using local organisations though, as the National ones that we have been in touch with seem to care more about donations than the welfare of some of the animals.
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One of our success stories with a stray - this is "Ginge":
"Ginge" turned up to us as what we believed to be an abandoned cat, half the size that you see him in this photograph. We cant publish the 'before' picture as we never took one - we were more interested in feeding him up and bringing him back to health. So here he is now - a gorgeous big picture of health and happiness!
"GINGE"
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And now for a sad story:
This is "Pie". She was a resident stray when we moved into our new home 4 years ago, and came faithfully morning and night for her food in all weathers. She was not at all socialised, and it took us many months just to even get close to her at all. In the end, she would would happily sunbathe in our garden while we sat outside. If she was in a good mood she would even approach you for treats. A beautiful natured wee animal - allbeit she would never let anyone touch her.
One day we noticed that she hadn't been for her food - which we thought was strange but not overly worried. However when it got to over a week of not seeing her we feared the worst and accepted that she was gone. Almost 2 weeks later however we were astounded when she turned up again - extremely emaciated, dehydrated and covered in flies.
She was so hungry and weak that she was unable to eat. Not being able to get near her we phoned the Scottish SSPCA for help. THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED, telling us that they did not under any circumstances deal with strays, and that as we had been feeding the cat for a long period of time her wellbeing was our responsibility.
There was nothing else for it but to try and deal with this ourselves. Lots and lots of water, and lots of tiny helpings of fresh food - (chicken, Beef and even Venison ...god that cat ate better than us), we eventually brought her back to health - although nowhere near as healthy as she had gotten over the last 4 years.
Sadly, she disappeared last year for the last time after a few months of being happy again.
Give your donations to the local organisations - as the national one that we dealt with was happy to take our money, but abandoned the animal in its time of need.
"PIE"