Tag Archives: Marin Friends of Ferals

How I Conquered a Phobia

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Originally posted in 2013

I think most people harbor a fear that borders on phobia. For me it’s snakes and small spaces. I understand why snakes give me the creeps, but small spaces? Maybe it’s the fear of suffocation or being trapped. Regardless, neither sound inviting to me.

I remember when we were kids, my brother put a pillow over my face as we played. I felt such terror that all rational thought left me; I screamed like I was dying. That feeling is still with me today whenever I feel confined.

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Along for the Ride, in Spirit

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Susan in Mendocino

Today I was thinking about my late business partner, Susan, while I trapped feral cats on a 50 acre water buffalo farm where they produce mozzarella in rural Marin County. Talk about farm fresh. As you’ve probably guessed, it’s uniqueness is evident. I mean, seriously, it’s where the buffalo roam. (And, I’m guessing, where the deer and the antelope play.)

water buffalo3

water buffalo2

Anywhere rural is bound to have feral cats. Like being in one of those revolving doors at fancy hotels, they tend to come and go. But not before we ensure they stop having kittens. Still, that’s a tall order to fill when, if we miss 2 cats of the opposite sex, well, there ya go.

revolving door

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Uh Oh. I Did It Again

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Okay, I ask just one thing…

On second thought, you have every right to judge me, or anyone else for that matter. But I hope you’ll be gentle. Just remember, my intentions were good. I had no desire to have a seventh cat. That’s right. I have another cat.

Call me a crazy cat lady because only one part of that sentence is accurate. I AM a cat lady, that’s true. And for that matter, a dog lady with four dogs. But by definition, I’m not actually crazy. Trust me here. But have you noticed people with a bunch of dogs aren’t considered loony?

I’ll get back to you on that. Anyway, as you know, I run a nonprofit feral cat rescue. As you can imagine, we come across a ton of cats needing vet care, fostering, spay/neuter, and on and on. It’s a never ending challenge providing humane care and management for these felines, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to positively impact a life in need.

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Our Sweet Boy

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For 7 years, our Marin Friends of Ferals volunteers have fed an orange cat (OC) living behind a theater in Novato. He was originally part of a sterilized feral cat colony across the freeway so we trapped and returned him, but he headed back to the theater. That OC is an independent fellow.

A couple months ago, the visiting CEO discovered our feeding station and demanded we promptly remove it, along with OC. Sadly, just like The Grinch, his heart is two sizes too small. When we ignored his demand, he had his employees throw away our feeding station. So we put out another. It, too, disappeared. Rinse and repeat.

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Just Another Adventure

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I have many adventures in feral cat rescue and meeting interesting people is part of the adventure. Now don’t get me wrong; interesting isn’t always so great. Take, for instance, two bozos I’ve had the displeasure of dealing with who work at a local college.two bozos

Slinky, an elderly feral our nonprofit has been feeding for 10 years, lives under a bridge at the college. But the head honchos (the bozos) have always prohibited us from offering him shelter. Why, you ask? Because they have their heads up their butts. I’m talkin’ way, way up there.

slinky 2

Slinky

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