They have become known by many as the "ROCKPILE CATS" This "Colony of Stray Cats", live on the Muscle Shoals TVA Reservation at the Rock Pile Picnic and Boat Launch Area. They inhabit the small caves located in the rock facing on the bottom right as you enter into the launch area. Most of these cats at one time lived in a home and were taken care for a while. Some were gotten when they were small kittens and so cute. Once they became large, needed to be fixed or doctored, some individuals did not want to spend the money.Some belong to people who could not longer afford the animal, or were having to move to areas where pets could not be taken. Thus, by hook or crook they were brought to the rock shelter and dropped off to survive on their own. The Polite word given to them was "Feral" when if you really want to know what they are is "ABANDEON CATS" from so called "Humane Human Beings".
As the years have come and gone there have been a group of people who have started to feed the cats, see to their health needs as much as finances will allow and provide soft, warm bedding for them against the harsh winters.The Colony every year would vary in size from 2 or 3 up to as many as 15. Presently, there are about 10 to 12.
That is now in the process of coming to an end. According to Mr. R.J. Moore, TVA Regional Wildlife Biologist(256-386-3440),the powers to be in Knoxville, Tenn after receiving complaints from Birding associations, etc; have decided that Feral Cats on all TVA's Reservations have to be removed.
I met with Mr. Moore last week about what his orders were and if anything could be done to maintain the Colony as they have been there so long, and had actually become a draw for a lot of people to the particular launch area. His reply was afraid not. That TVA has already started moving the Feral Cats on their other reservations and he had orders to do the same with this Colony. He stated, he was willing to work with the individuals who have been taking care of them, and time enough to see if they could find other areas for them to reside. He felt that it was only fair to allow the group time enough to come up with a plan to move the cats before he had to act. If he had to act, the first thing would be signs posted that state, DO NOT FEED THE CATS. At the same time he would have all bedding and feeding containers removed regardless if this was winter or not. Anyone caught feeding or giving comfort to the cats would be fined. They would then hire a professional trapper to catch the cats. What their faith would be afterward he was not certain. He wanted it understood this was not his decision, but a directive that had to be carried out in a time frame that was reasonable.
First it is imperative for you the reader to understand the formal definition of a "FERAL CAT". A Feral Cat is a cat that was born from domesticated cats,yet has NEVER had human contact. By definition these Rockpile cats are NOT "Feral Cats". 98% of these cats were dropped off and are considered to be "STRAY CATS" by formal definition. These cats are use to human contact either from their formal environment or from the contact they have with the group of individuals who have fed them over the years.
We have now started the relocation of these cats, for if we do not, some will have find their future is very limited in time. Recently we have picked up two and gave them homes. It was discovered immediately these so called Feral Cats, loved to be held, cuddled, scratched, loved the children and would immediately curl up in the lap of the individual,and would on the first day use the litter box. This does not happen with REAL FERAL CATS.
Feral Cats hunt daily for food as they have no choice in order to survive. The Rock Pile Cats are so well fed, most are larger and bigger than cats presently living in some homes. The real proof of their not being a major danger to the surrounding wild life is they have living among them in the cave a "Chicken" which comes out and eats with them at feeding time. This summer there were two injured geese who would come over and eat with the cats. It is interesting to watch. Here you have a "chicken" or Geese who would be a meal ticket for "Feral Cats", but here at the Rock Pile Cave are living and co-mingling among these "Domesticated Stray Cats". I guess the cats, chicken or geese have not read up on our definition of what each is suppose to be or act toward one another.
I tell you this so you will understand that most of these cats would be a great pet for older people who need companionship, children, and would also be good cats for barns, sheds, etc;
HERE IS THE PLAN
We are in the process of taking the cats to a local Vet who has agreed to neuter or spayed them, check them for their health, give them the necessary shots,check for inserted chips, all at a discounted price. They will be marked in such away so the local vets will know they came from a colony, have been given their shots and neutered. We will then give the cat or cats to individuals who are willing to take one or as many as they can afford a home. The others not adopted will be taken to another existing "Cat Colony" and released into that Colony.
We need your help by:
Adopting one or more of the neutered, all required shots and health checked cat or cats
Giving us food, either can or dried.
Giving us blankets, soft bedding, etc for the existing cat colonies some will be moved too
Join our Group and contribute whatever you can afford, ( no amount to small) toward the cats welfare until we can find them a home.
We ask that you give up a pack of cigarettes, meal out, that coke or candy bar so we can use those funds to pay for the neutering and shots of these cats.
You can PM me and give me your email, or phone number and I will contact you.
Trader
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