CAT TALK is now available. Find out what your cat is TRYING TO TELL YOU. So guardians, click on to the Cat Store.

The Wilbourn Way Newsletter is Carole's free email newsletter, which brings you Carole's personal view on cat culture monthly..

Saturday, September 9, in San Francisco, the third annual National Feral Cat Summit will take place. You don't want to miss the only conference in the U.S. devoted exclusively to feral cats. Click on to neighborhoodcats.org for details.

Each day we strive to give our cats the very best care. Helping feral cats is a valuable and wonderful way to extend social response to Neighborhood Cats can be your source of assistance.

You may even be the guardian of a feral cat—so you're aware of the beauty they possess. My late cat, Ziggy-Star-Dust was a feral kitten and the cure for my anxious, reformed attack cat, Sunny-Blue. After Sunny passed-on, Star-Dust took on many of his Sunny's traits—particularly, Sunny's Siamese cry. He was nine years old at the time but lived until seventeen. He taught me so many things, including patience and loyalty.

There is a chapter on feral cats in my book, THE TOTAL CAT, click on to my site, thecattherapist.com, for more info. You can also refer to the archives for my column, click on to Archives at top of page. There are articles from 11/04, 1/05, 11/15/05.

Let us all be socially responsible for feral cats on behalf of our own cats.

"Carole, Jazzbo looks so comfortable now," said her guardians. She was stretched out in her carrier with the sounds of my low-key ,mellow whale music in the background. "Was it the music that relaxed her?' they asked. 

"Yes, I answered, "but it was also a combination of my body language, her case history, your concern and my recommendations. She sensed that this was all about making her happier—so she started to relax."

Her guardians had brought Jazzbo to my event because she was moody and plain unhappy. She was their senior and matriarchal, 14 years old, spayed cat who was tormented by Frankie, their neutered male. He didn't annoy their other two cats because they called his bluff. Jazzbo scurried off in a panic!

My prescription was to distract Frankie with a toss of a toy or a conversation before he made a dash for Jazzbo. If that wasn't enough, a sharp, no!

Whenever they interacted with Jazzbo, even if Frankie was in another room, they should mention Frankie's name so, although not included physically, he was—verbally. An example—"Frankie, we're taking care of Jazzbo for you so she remains healthy and you
do too".

Yes, Frankie was a very social and loving cat. However, deep down he felt insecure and this
insecurity manifested in angst and "I'll get you" when he felt threatened. Jazzbo was his tension target.

A multi vitamin and perhaps some other supplements would benefit all of their cats. They might also enjoy some catnip now and then. 

I felt Jazzbo's prognosis was good and such a pretty tiger cat deserved to be a very happy one.

Hi there,

Behind my office lives a feral colony. In the three years since I became aware of this colony, I have fed them and made sure that they have sufficient food and water (even on weekends). Many of the queens have had litters, and I even rescued one kitten and took it home to live with me (never was there a cat who was more spoiled and loved.) My question is this: there is a new litter (I estimate them at 2.5 months old). I would like to rescue another kitten (cats don't last long in my work area. Stupid, careless people, buses, etc.) and I'm wondering how to do it? I speak very softly every morning as I'm putting the food down, no sudden moves. I even petted one this morning! However, at best, they only tolerate my presence. The Humane Society and Animal Control are no help. They will put these cats down because they are feral and "can't be socialized". No one will come to
trap them and I am not confident enough to do it myself. Advice?

Regards,
Alexis

Dear Carole Wilbourn:

Please can you help?

I'm really worried about my cat. She is only young, 1 and a half years old, and so far has had a traumatic year. She fell out of our top floor window and lost an eye, she recovered remarkably and continued to be as dare devil as ever, she has no fear, up on the window straight away. She is sociable, always wanting to play and investigates everything, loves attention on her terms of course.

For five days she has been totally freaked out by something in the bedroom. She always slept under our bed, her hiding place and now she won't step foot in there. She is scared of everything and has jumped and clawed and scratched at the slightest movement. She is scared of clothes, shoes, under tables, everything! I have taken and moved all the couches and beds, picked up clothes etc....,cleaned and de cluttered in areas she can't make clear
vision under (everywhere). She is still terrified, not as bad; but still won't set foot inside the bedroom. I thought she may have been stung by a wasp, her paw was sore (but don't know). That has happened before but she still chased them again and wasn't to fazed by the sting.

I thought she might actually be scared of a mouse, and they are under all the floorboards (old Edinburgh tenement property). Or do I have a ghost??? There was no sign of anything falling on her either. The problem is I don't know what’s caused this or how to fix it. I'm worried that it will change her psyche permanently. Is she eventually going to get over what ever it is? Do you have any suggestions? I would be really grateful if you could help out. I did phone the vet but they were also unsure.

Thanks, Angela

Remember, please add a picture of your cat along with your cat questions.