Never caught

This beautiful striped guy, friendly, living alone at the first stop of those of us who went to feed, would always come to greet us, eat, visit, and walk away. There were 2 who were willing to keep him safe after he was trapped and neutered but alas, he proved extremely hard to catch- despite the recommended Churche's fried chicken. Once a cat failed to stay in the trap or realized what was happening he grew leery and near impossible to trick. This cat last came to us, turned away and ran at breakneck speed to catch a squirrel in its jaws, crunch its head, eating it in front of us- tauting us to see his sweet side and trap-- we couldnt. We left him. I believe he still lives by a large rock alone, charming residents he trusts, and getting by. Even the most experienced trapper never caught him. He is close to 3 years old now- a dangerous time for an outdoor cat living by his wits, alone. He is thinnner now and bigger. Maybe someday, someone will keep him safe.

It is like looking at photos of troops in Iraq- MIA. It all comes full circle- the right, once alive and not harming others, to exist.

never seen again

this large yellowish cat disappeard. Did he die quietly somewhere or in pain? Is he still hiding or are his remains destroyed? It is still painful for me to see this photo; I fool myself he "got away."

We will never know. He wasnt trapped and didnt come for food.

This sweet guy was hurt by angry residents. They called a private trapper who "humanely" destroyed this life.

The concern was trapping a raccoon instead of a cat- fortunately, it didnt happen. This raccooon (in background) was never visited again.

always aloof

The cat I called mine was always off alone- with the group but not quite. I imagined this was the cat's royalty, specialness. I became obsessed with helping this cat.

By this time, residents had called animal services, and time was running out. I panicked each time I couldnt find my cat.

Help comes from strangers when least expected. The newly placed office manager said he needed to help someone or something. He fed a cat near his office and gave us access to the newly "gated" community. A guard knew generations of the cats and could point out this mother had this baby who then got with that cat and had these 3, etc .