The Castle Rock MARE-TERNITY WARD
Message Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chanda on August 06, 2019, 02:26:48 PM
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darn it, I got something snatching cats at night; I've lost 3 for sure in the last 4-5 days, and one about a week to ten days prior to that. the last 3 were snatched from around my feed building, so yesterday I put mesh panels up around the "yard" in front of the building, and a cat still went missing last night (and she's been around a long time and is saavy). I do need to flip one of the mesh panels over, as the bottom may be too blocked for the cats, as it's the skinny end. Damn it, this makes me mad and sad. Always lose favorites to something like this. I hate to lock them in the feed shed at night, it's just so hot right now, and the shed isn't cooling off like it should; it has a doggy door (cat sized).
I'll admit we have an abundance of barn cats due to drop offs and missed low cost spay/neuter clinics; but I still hate to lose even one, well there are a couple that wouldn't hurt my feeling, but of course they'll be here til the end, crap only happens to the favorites. Did get that panel flipped over, and may just have to lock them in, but that also means any one I miss is locked out. There is no evidence of foul play, no piles of hair, no nothing to show something snatched the cats; but it has to be something. I know we have hawks and maybe owls, but I can't imagine they can swoop and snatch a cat in that small area around my feed building; and you'd think with a coyote and a especially a fox, that there'd be evidence of a snatching.
Feeling a bit bummed out today.
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So sorry Chanda , I hope they show up soon ;pray
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So sorry Chanda , I hope they show up soon ;pray
Thank you.
I wish, but I do not think that is going to happen. One has been gone nearly 2 weeks. This past weekend's losses were a cat with a mobility issue (and I though he was getting better, but still couldn't outrun something), a kitten (6-8 weeks old) and grandma kitty (if she could come back we'd be over the moon, she's too feral to be a house cat, but has come around enough to enjoy a few good pets now and again).
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Ill give you some hope by saying..... I had a cat before I got my boxer 9 years ago. I only had her about 3 months before my dog arrived. One day the cat just vanished and I was sure she had been taken by a fox or something.
When managing hotels and working night shifts, I returned home one night and was having a night cap of a glass of red. It was so hot and in the middle of summer , that I thought Id have it outside. I was flicking thru my phone and I looked up to see the cat looking at me on the back lawn. This had been about two years since she had vanished.
I still see her every now and then, running thru the back paddocks.
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I think you had too much red... ;)
We do have one cat that goes on walk about every summer for a month or two, the first year she scared the crap of us, but she's been doing it about 6-7 years now. She doesn't get along very well with many of the other barn cats, but always comes home for winter.
It would be nice if the missing kitties would show up, but I'm two and two for possibilities: two are maybe could happen, two are not likely.
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Oh, I'm so sorry Chanda. What a shame and kudos to you for trying to protect them. I hope you're successful and figuring this out. So sad.
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If the silly things would all go in the barns at night and stay there, they'd probably be just fine, but they are nocturnal and go hunting at night, so get nabbed.
Hopefully, no one else is missing this morning; can be hard to tell with so many plain black cats, but a little easier to tell with the tabbies if someone is missing and with the few that aren't tabby or black. [My most favorite kitty is an old grey girl, I now call her grandma grey; she was in one of the first groups we ever took to a spay neuter clinic. She must be pushing 9-10 years old now, maybe old; she sticks pretty close to the feed building, and I'm pretty sure she is always in at night.]
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Well, there is no coming back for the Siamese grandma cat that was the last to be snatched, I found her remains this morning, had to be her, even though there wasn't much left. I don't know how I missed it yesterday, other than I sometimes go the other way around the building when heading to feed the geldings, and I'm often pre-occupied. [I'll be burying her with mom's cat and another that was lost earlier, that I haven't had time to bury, yet.]
Sorry to bum you guys out, but had to dump my feeling somewhere.
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having this sort of afternoon... :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
It's been awhile since losing a barn cat affected me this much, but the last one lost was a favorite and had been around for years, hence calling her Grandma. :'( :'( :'(
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Still having a blue kind of day; but did get a little bit of corral cleaned. Cleaned one area, right up to where a horse was standing and didn't want to move; will get back to it Friday, as tomorrow we go to town for a meeting.
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I'm so very sorry about your cats Chanda. It does sound as though whatever is taking them is returning regularly for more. No chance you could set up a camera to see if anything is coming up real close instead of waiting for the cats to venture out hunting? Or maybe sitting outside with a loaded gun for a couple of nights - but then I don't suppose this would be much good if the cats are wandering further away. I can understand how you feel, it must be so frustrating as well as very sad. (((HUGS)))
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Thank you, Anna, I appreciate it. We're trying to figure out what to do, including figuring out a place to lock cats up while we try to catch whatever is causing problems, but not sure with the number of cats out there that it would be very feasible.
On a better note, a cat I have not seen in awhile showed up this afternoon. Doesn't look too skinny; and I think my MIL said she had seen a strange Siamese in her yard (they live 1.5 miles north), so hopefully, he's smart enough to stay in the barn at night and not venture out and get snatched. [We only have a couple Siamese in the mix, so they are some what easy to tell apart.]
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I think you had too much red... ;)
We do have one cat that goes on walk about every summer for a month or two, the first year she scared the crap of us, but she's been doing it about 6-7 years now. She doesn't get along very well with many of the other barn cats, but always comes home for winter.
It would be nice if the missing kitties would show up, but I'm two and two for possibilities: two are maybe could happen, two are not likely.
I thought Id had too much red too.
Im really sorry , does sound like somethings snatching them. Any chance of containing the cats and trying to set up a trap, for whatevers lurking around ?
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Im really sorry , does sound like somethings snatching them. Any chance of containing the cats and trying to set up a trap, for whatevers lurking around ?
Trying to figure out the logistics of locking them up and trying to trap or something, but we have lots of barn cats due to drop offs and a few missed low cost clinics. Hopefully, the mesh around the barnyard area will help, but some are still too stupid to stay inside.
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Hope you can work something out Chanda, Im thinking of you :)
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Praying the disappearances stop sooner than later. ;pray ;pray
So sad this is happening, but how nice one of your old cats came back.
I'm praying this sadness ends ;pray
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Thank you, Diane.
I keep forgetting how crafty coyotes are, and if it's a coyote, it may take more serious intervention to stop it. Just annoying that we've not had noticeable cat snatches in years, then all of a sudden several in a short time frame. Sure we've had cats disappear, but they've been spaced so far apart it doesn't look like the snatcher is making camp in our yard somewhere.
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Hope you can entice those little ones to come inside for some good "smelly" food to contain them at night. Coyote's are certainly clever, but praying they take the road AWAY from your farm and life can return to normal without the sadness.
;pray ;pray
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Sure, it could be a fox, as they'll snatch cats when opportunity arises, but young coyote seems more likely. Just really bummed me out this time, probably because so many so quickly.
But, happy Linus came home, and hope he shows his face this morning.
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One wild kitten didn't show his face for breakfast, but he and his sister are so wild, I don't always see them (she was there and nervous, but I don't see her enough to know her "normal" nervous); and their mom moves them around on a regular basis; just hope she leaves them where they are, as the gelding barn hay slot should be fairly safe from most predators.
As far as I can tell, everyone else showed for breakfast; although, I didn't count heads.
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Even if I don't lose another cat, this has really bummed me out. Just so shocking. I've been here on the creek since we got married, 17 years ago, when we first got married we got 4 cats, and lost 3 within a year or two, then suddenly they started surviving and thriving, and we only had the occasional loss or total disappearance for like 15 years, now this year, 4-5 losses in only a couple weeks. [While I may not know what killed them or what they died from, at least half the cats that died, I found the body somewhere in the yard or even the feed building. Only a handful in those 15 years just totally disappeared.] I'm probably not making much sense, but this is bothering me more than usual. [We live on a creek, we have livestock, I understand losses happen.]
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We do have a game camera, something my BIL gave Shayne for Christmas a few years ago. Need to try to get a micro SD card for it in town today, so we can maybe give it a try. It has a light on it, so I don't know if it lights up to take pics or what, guess we'll give it a try and see what happens. Probably just lots of pics of barn cats.
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Even if I don't lose another cat, this has really bummed me out. Just so shocking. I've been here on the creek since we got married, 17 years ago, when we first got married we got 4 cats, and lost 3 within a year or two, then suddenly they started surviving and thriving, and we only had the occasional loss or total disappearance for like 15 years, now this year, 4-5 losses in only a couple weeks. [While I may not know what killed them or what they died from, at least half the cats that died, I found the body somewhere in the yard or even the feed building. Only a handful in those 15 years just totally disappeared.] I'm probably not making much sense, but this is bothering me more than usual. [We live on a creek, we have livestock, I understand losses happen.]
You have every right to feel a bit bummed, these cats are part of your family. :(
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A lot of pictures of barn cats are just fine -- just what you want! You just don't want to see anything ELSE visiting in the dark!
;pray ;pray
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Picked up the micro SD card in town for the camera, had the batteries; we were lucky to find one, as small town had limited choices. I got it from the phone company, and when I called asking, they said they didn't have it; but after the other two possibilities in town came up empty, we drove to the phone company, and I could see the card hanging on the wall when I walked in the door, so I don't know how the employee missed it.
Not sure how low/high to hang the camera; high enough they can't pee on it, but low enough the sensor is tripped.
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Let us know how it works out. ;pray ;pray
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Well, shit, Linus, the wayward kitty that showed up the other day, is now missing this morning. Hopefully, he just went back on walk about and didn't fall prey to our cat snatcher.
I have not checked the camera to see if it captured any images, yet, as I'm still in the middle of chores; I have a routine, that includes a trip to the house mid chores to set Che`s food to soak and check e-mail, then back around to let everyone out of stalls and onto pasture if they go out.
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We'll just wait to hear once you can take a break! No worries!
;pray ;pray
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The camera took 135 pics between about 7PM last night and 9:30 this morning. Several of us setting up the camera and figuring it out, a few of just "scenery", then some of the cats, but around pic 50, it was dark, and the pics fuzzy, but I'm sure it was raccoon butts that I saw. I picked up two traps from my MIL, I'll try baiting with the dry cat food that the cats eat but aren't fond of, so hopefully, they won't be interested enough to investigate; and we'll see what happens tonight. We have a trap somewhere, too, so I'll find that and get it set. And, I'll turn the camera back on tonight.
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I haven't been out yet, this morning, but went out last night just after 10PM, and found one cat in a trap and three raccoons on the gelding shelter roof, so now I know I have at least 3 to catch.
Cross your fingers I caught a couple last night.
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one down, at least two to go.
Last night the camera took 316 pics between about 7PM and 8AM. Mostly cats, and since a cat got caught early in the trap closest the camera, every time he moved it triggered the camera (I didn't see him when I checked after 10PM, but black cat in a trap after dark, not easy to see).
Will need to reset the traps this evening, if I do it sooner, I'll just catch cats. May move one trap over to the gelding barn, since I did see three coons on the shelter roof when I did my check.
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Fingers crossed!!!!
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Thank you.
I hope I can catch them all, I know 3 for sure (already got the one so two more for certain), and if it happened quickly, that would be the best birthday present ever.
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Just got home from supper, and made a quick drive around, let one cat out of a trap; everything else looked good for only 10PM (no time stamp on the pics, so I don't know when the coons cruise behind the barn). Stupid cats were out and about, but otherwise quiet.
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I'm still in, as I've not gotten a head cold; but Shayne was still here this morning, and he said we caught another, so it's been dispatched. That's 2 out of 3 for certain (I hope there aren't more, but there probably are).
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Sounding better each day!! Hope you get them all!!
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Due to an inch or more of rain last night, the only thing we caught was a cat. I haven't been over there yet, so not sure which one, nor how wet it is to guess how long it's been caught. :o
Last night's pic from the game cam could be interesting or non existent with the rain.
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Really admire you for all the effort you have been putting into this Chanda. Are coons known for taking cats or other small 'life stock'? Hope you manage to catch the last one - and that there are no more.
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Glad your getting some answers Chanda. So are you thinking its the coons or wild cats hurting yours ?
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Glad your getting some answers Chanda. So are you thinking its the coons or wild cats hurting yours ?
Pretty sure the coons. We might have feral "house" cats, but if they were fighting, there would be evidence; whereas coons eat the evidence.
As far as I know we don't have bobcats around here, and if we had cougars, they'd be more interested in the horses than small cats.
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Really admire you for all the effort you have been putting into this Chanda. Are coons known for taking cats or other small 'life stock'? Hope you manage to catch the last one - and that there are no more.
I honestly didn't think they'd take on a cat unless challenged or desperate, they've stolen cat food from the barns, but until this go round, I had no idea they'd take cats, and so many. [Previously lost cats may have been coons, but one or two a year tops, you really don't notice as much as 6+ in two weeks.]
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Hopefully they are caught quick ;pray
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I think the cam already drained the batteries, no pics two days in a row. :o
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We caught a couple more young ones, so hopefully this is the end of it.
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YEAH!!!!!
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I am sorry youve been loosing kitties.
I dont know if its possible for you, but a LGD might help. ?
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I am sorry youve been loosing kitties.
I dont know if its possible for you, but a LGD might help. ?
I think we'd be hard pressed to keep a LGD contained, and fed (expensive enough to feed the stock dogs); but I've wondered about LGDs especially during calving season. But, I'm guessing we'd have problems with the LGDs when we send the cows out to pasture away from home; either with keeping them home, or keeping them out of trouble if they went to pasture with the cows.
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Nothing new for a few days.
I need to mow some tall grass down by the calving barn and tack building, there is a trail down there, but it would be hard to set a trap in the tall grass, so I'm going to mow a swathe in the area and set the traps down there and find out if it's more coons, or just cats going under the tack shed.
I'm sleeping much easier now that the main perpetrators seem to have been taken care of; although, I still have other stress in my life causing me grief (hopefully that will soon be lifted as well).
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Its very difficult keeping a LGD or a pair contained, but soon they leatn or create their own boundaries.
I cant speak for other LGD breeds but haveing 2 great pyrenees i wouldnt expect and trouble from them during calving season at all...
My pair have access to my mini horses, and are amazing with the new foals....
We used to have issues with stray dogs, coyotes and wild hogs, but not anymore.
The great pyrenees is very well equipped to do his job, and oes so with enthusiasm.
Its not easy for some people to have them but i wont ever be without.
I could tell you thousands of stories ive had in just 3 years! By far best dog to replace our beloved gsd.
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Glad you are starting to sleep better Chanda. Hope everything else starts to settle for you. :)
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Glad you are starting to sleep better Chanda. Hope everything else starts to settle for you. :)
Thank you.
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Im sending you good wishes :) ;pray
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Its very difficult keeping a LGD or a pair contained, but soon they leatn or create their own boundaries.
I cant speak for other LGD breeds but haveing 2 great pyrenees i wouldnt expect and trouble from them during calving season at all...
My pair have access to my mini horses, and are amazing with the new foals....
We used to have issues with stray dogs, coyotes and wild hogs, but not anymore.
The great pyrenees is very well equipped to do his job, and oes so with enthusiasm.
Its not easy for some people to have them but i wont ever be without.
I could tell you thousands of stories ive had in just 3 years! By far best dog to replace our beloved gsd.
Thank you for the info on GSDs. I thought I replied earlier, but guess I didn't finish my thought and post before closing the window, so lost it.
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Mowing didn't happen yesterday, perhaps today I'll get it done. I ended up riding along to town yesterday, so no mowing.
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It's been over a week since the last catch, and guess what... We had a coon in a trap this morning. So my anxiety and stress levels are back up again. Being near a creek we are going to see them from time to time, if they'd just left my cats alone, no one would be the wiser and my stress level wouldn't be so high.
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Have there been any more sightings ? Hoping not ;pray
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Have there been any more sightings ? Hoping not ;pray
Nope, but I've left one trap set.
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Darn it. Finally got the two smaller traps set down at the calving barn, yesterday; and we have a coon this morning. I'm so over this crap.
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Well, hopefully this will be the last one!
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Well, hopefully this will be the last one!
It looked young, so perhaps belonged to the last adult we caught.
We live on a creek, so it's probably a never ending adventure, but perhaps we've now caught all the cat snatchers.
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Well, darn it, caught a grouchy one last night; well it was grouchy by the time I spotted it this morning.
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At least they seem to be in the mood to get caught quickly~~!! Good job!
No more cats missing, I pray ;pray
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Hopefully last of the cat snatchers are well and truly gone ;pray
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I think we got the cat snatching family, and the last couple were down at the calving barn, opposite end of the place from my horse barn and feed building where most of the cats went missing (one cat went missing from the calving barn, so I quit putting out cat food there, and then other cats started disappearing).
Haven't lost any cats, knock on wood, since we caught the first two adult coons.
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Sincerely hope that is the last of this coon family Chanda and that your cats are safe from now on.
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Sincerely hope that is the last of this coon family Chanda and that your cats are safe from now on.
I hope and wish, but we live near a creek, so wild critters keep popping up. If we go back to cat food stealers, that would be ok.
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Yes, I agree. Stealing food is one thing, but stealing the cats is a whole different ball game!
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ANother one this morning. I don't know if we had two, one in each trap, or if the one we did catch tried both traps... The lighter duty trap has a hole in it. :o
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GOODNESS!!
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Do coons 'prowl' around all year Chanda or is it a seasonal thing? Sorry, know nothing about them - just wondering if they might 'disappear' at certain times and thereby give you and your cats a break?
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Do coons 'prowl' around all year Chanda or is it a seasonal thing? Sorry, know nothing about them - just wondering if they might 'disappear' at certain times and thereby give you and your cats a break?
I'm honestly not sure. I know they're around, as we live near a creek. I'm guessing with winter coming on, they are more likely to look for easy food. Until this summer, I never noticed more than cat food eating; but once they started snatching cats that was it for them. And, it's possible we've lost barn cats to them in the past, but never more than one or two in a year; not like the 6+ in two weeks or less time this summer.
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Hope that's the last of them. Fingers crossed that they have decided to move elsewhere. ;pray
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Praying you have been VERY successful in getting rid of all of them that are cat stealers! Eating food is one thing, but stealing cats is another that requires "capital punishment" for sure!