Allotments 4 All

I rarely see the plot cats sleeping but today Wanda and E.T. were stretched out in the sunshine.

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Ah!!!!!!

I thought that some of you might like an update......

As most of you will know I started this thread because I was so thrilled that
the feral cats on our allotments were starting to trust me.  I had never had
anything to do with cats since I was a child but I've always liked them.

Three years ago we gave a home on the allotments to Felix, a 'tame' cat who
was not happy living in a house.  Sadly, he had to be put to sleep in September.

On my plot I have the original three - Psycho, E.T. and Wanda, and a newcomer -
Red Fred.  Red Fred was re-homed to us from a bad domestic situation earlier in
the year and is not really feral.  He spent his first month with his brother in a
large cage in Shirley's shed but once they were released, they both disappeared.
A couple of months ago, I realised he had moved into my shed and he started
appearing every morning when I fed the others.  To begin with, he would not
come near me but now I find it very difficult to walk as he tries to wrap himself
round my legs like the other three do.  He is very big and chunky and completely
ignores E.T. when she growls and spits at him.

Another cat decided to join us last year, but he is not friendly like the others.
I've called him Johnny Cat.  He wanders all over the allotments but mainly stays
over by the pavilion with Janet, the sweet little tabby.

I've attached some photos, the four cats on the path are - nearest the camera -
Red Fred, Wanda, Psycho and E.T.

Johnny Cat is the black and white one.  When I tried to get a photo of Janet the
tabby she kept coming to my hand for a fuss so it's not a very good photo.

Lovely pictures Betty, they all look very content. It's funny to see pictures of cats I've never met but recognise them!

Red Fred is so gorgeous isn't he.

Quote from: Unwashed on November 22, 2013, 19:10:59
Red Fred is so gorgeous isn't he.

He is such a beautiful cat.  All I know about cats is what I have learned in the
past few years at the allotments but he seems different to the other cats there.
He won't approach strangers yet, but with me, my husband and Ken who also
feeds him he is really confident.  He sits on the table while I put his food out
and starts eating before I've finished doing it. 

He is very confident with the other 3 cats on my plot and doesn't seem to bother
when E.T. spits and hisses at him.  Even Psycho is getting used to him!

Lovely photo's Betty.  I was only thinking of them the other day, wondering how they all were.

They look in wonderful condition, Betty, Red Fred is positively glowing. They probably have happier lives than many a pampered indoor cat-gym-and-toys type moggie. Well done.

We need an update Betty - pretty please 

Quote from: galina on June 19, 2014, 23:06:45
We need an update Betty - pretty please 

How nice of you to think of us Galina 

Wanda, E.T. and Red Fred continue to live happily on my plot.
The girls sleep in their special shed (I'll take a photo later and show you) but
I'm not sure where Red Fred sleeps, he just appears as soon as I pull up in
the car.

Psycho mainly stays by the pavilion and big greenhouse.  Our Cats Protection
friend Jenny actually picked her up and cuddled her the other day - and lived
to tell the tale!

I don't see Janet very often.  She was missing for at least a month recently
but then suddenly appeared as if nothing had happened.

Johnny Cat is getting used to me and stays quite close while I get his food
ready.  He also stays by the big greenhouse and tolerates Psycho so long as
she doesn't go too close.  The strange thing about him is that he always
makes a snarly face and hisses at me.  Maybe trying to tell me something?

A new cat appeared last month.  Very timid, but I managed to get photos of him
and when I looked at them closely it was obvious he had a very tight collar on.
There was no way we could have taken it off so we managed to trap him and
our CP friend took him to the vets where it was removed. Poor thing must have
really been suffering.  He wasn't microchipped and although I had registered him
with a lost pets website nobody had claimed him.  We had him neutered and
chipped while he was at the vets and then he was returned to us.  He kept out
of my way for a few days and then I saw him again.  I've called him 'Otto' because
he is our 8th cat.

Ken has a cat living on his plot - Virginia, but she is very shy and never wanders
round.

Some photos - Johnny cat showing his not-so-friendly face
Otto - before the collar was removed
Psycho asleep in a tray inside the greenhouse

I've thought of them often, so it's nice to see an update of them all.

So many new names though.

Thanks for the update, I love to read about 'your' cats. Aren't they lucky.

Gosh yes,  Otto's collar was tight!  He has 3 colours and long, thick fur just like Calico/Psycho.  So she is calming down now!  About time too.  Didn't Shirley manage to stroke her a while ago and she was ok with that?

I see what you mean about Johnny.  These white whiskers, moon-round face and close together eyes do look sinister!  And snarling too!  Strange.  Another character.

Maybe Janet got herself 'adopted' for a bit, or found a local cat flap she could get into and pinch food?  None of them are really feral any more.

They all look so well cared for.  Thank you for showing us.  It's a cat's life (At Wallsall Rd Allotments)    

Squash64 thanks for this update and photos.   xx

Quote from: galina on June 20, 2014, 09:34:33
Gosh yes,  Otto's collar was tight!  He has 3 colours and long, thick fur just like Calico/Psycho.  So she is calming down now!  About time too.  Didn't Shirley manage to stroke her a while ago and she was ok with that?

Everyone can stroke Psycho, she loves people to make a fuss of her
but I am a bit cautious about picking her up.  I can pick up Wanda and
Janet, they are both very sweet.  E.T. loves me to stroke her but she is
more nervous than the others.  Red Fred head butts me to get my
attention and loves to be stroked too. 

As you know, I have no experience of cats apart from what I have
learned from these allotment cats.  I find them quite hard to 'read'
sometimes, dogs are much easier!