These three kittens fell through a loose ceiling board into the computer room in an office block at a factory. Efforts to reunite them with their feral mother failed. Fortunately, they were of weaning age and we fostered them and when they were old enough we found them homes, saving them from the hard life of a factory cat.
Feral cats and even kittens are seen by most people only generically, and in the photo above I try to convey the anonymity of these rescued foundlings. I altered the photo using a colour engraving feature in Photoscape to further suggest their anonymity. However, each anonymous kitten and cat is in fact a unique individual, as conveyed in the photo below.
One way of reducing feral cat numbers is to manage populations using a humane sterilise-and-release programme (also known as trap-neuter-release) that is coupled with an ongoing caretaking programme. Where possible cats or kittens can be taken in for fostering prior to being put up for adoption. Such programmes maintain stable or diminishing populations (as cats are territorial), where the sterilised cats are not a nuisance or a health risk, and the cats are provided with shelter, food and basic health care.
Owners of cats should be responsible and sterilise their cats as there are far too many unwanted cats in the world, and no-one should abandon unwanted cats or kittens. For more information on homeless or outdoor cats see here where the Humane Society of the United States provides comprehensive information on outdoor cats, much of which is applicable to other countries too.
I urge anyone seeking a pet cat or kitten to adopt a rescue cat from an animal shelter or welfare organisation. Our own pet cats are all rescue cats, rescued ferals in fact, and they are all affectionate and loving companions.
Posted in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the invitation to “explore the use of anonymity to express both that which is common to all of us and the uniqueness that stands out even when the most obvious parts of us are hidden”. For more images on this theme see here
Posted by Carol
March 8, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Ferality and fertility are often unfortunate friends. Again a story with a good ending 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Would there were more happy endings. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 27, 2018 at 7:47 pm
Great interpretation of the theme, Carol. And an important message.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 2, 2018 at 6:37 am
Thank you. Stray and feral cats do need support.
LikeLike
February 24, 2018 at 4:30 am
Reblogged this on Darwin Primate Group.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 25, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Thank you DPG.
LikeLike
February 23, 2018 at 5:35 pm
Excellent post! Sweet shots too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 25, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Thank you very much Belinda. Kittens are inherently sweet 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 23, 2018 at 9:54 am
Wise words and important lessons in choosing pets be they feline or canine. Also, and of course, very lovely pictures that illustrate your text perfectly,
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 25, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Thank you Osyth. Like you, I am reluctant to take photos of people, especially of strangers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 25, 2018 at 4:53 pm
In France it is illegal to take photos of people without permission unless they are actively demonstrating or performing…. it is hard to police but a good ethos I think
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 23, 2018 at 8:27 am
Charming, clever photos and a great lesson in choosing a pet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 25, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Thanks Margaret. I found this week’s theme to be a real challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 23, 2018 at 1:21 am
I love happy endings and lessons to learn in keeping the animal kingdom alive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 25, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Thanks. They were lovely kittens, and it was hard to let them go, although I was happy to find them homes.
LikeLike
February 22, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Poor little ones. Glad they were found.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 25, 2018 at 2:21 pm
Thank you. Yes, they were among the lucky ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 22, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Rescues are all I’ve ever owned. They make great pets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 23, 2018 at 6:27 am
Yes they do. Perhaps they appreciate the sense of security they find in contrast to what happened to them before, but likely they are responding to kindness that they don’t take for granted.
LikeLiked by 1 person