The cat congregation

[EstimatedProphet]

For some strange reason, all the neighborhood cats like to hold their convention on my doorstep. I really don't mind; I like cats, and they're not in the way at all. It's just weird. Tonight they inducted a new member too-looks to be about an 8 week old tabby kitten, big feet and fluffy as all getout.
As I said, I don't mind-I just find the whole thing strange. They don't bother me, but they're very skittish, and hopefully I'm not bothering them. I'm not sure whether they are organizing for a purpose or not, and I am hoping that I won't find a grievance of some sort filed by their attorney soemday.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. They are plotting revolution.

If cats ever develop opposable thumbs, we could be in trouble.

[kestrel91316]

5. Cat vet here...........

I have seen some polydactyls with something VERY CLOSE to opposable thumbs.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. I love those paws.

They look like little furry baseball gloves. But if those guys can pick locks ... watch out.

[Soft Georgia]

10. I have been strategically mauled by just the dewclaw of cat who

didn't want her claws trimmed, so I firmly believe cats DO have opposable thumbs! (Ow.)

[NJCher]

2. you must not have a cat, then

They're sooooooooooooooo territorial.


Cher

p.s. you're lucky; I'd love to have a cat convention on my front steps!

[EstimatedProphet]

3. Nope, I don't

And I think these are all an extended family.
Being a Deadhead I can relate. My doorstep is a lot like a parking lot for cats. I expect pretty soon they'll have stereos with old shows going, and maybe some of them will start vending burritos and brownies. Have yet to see any tiedyed cats or catnip being traded though.

[ikojo]

28. I have a tie dyed cat...that's her name, Tie Dye...

She's calico...as soon as I learn how to send a pic from my phone to my e mail I'll post one of her.

[Taverner]

4. It's a secret society

They're plotting to fix the price of catnip - buy it up now!

[miss_kitty]

7. i saw this sort of thing once

all the neighboourhood cats sitting on fenceposts on either side of a driveway, two of my own in on the confab. there were 8-10 of them. it was a summer evening and it was over thirty years ago...it has always stuck in my mind, because it seemed very unreal. some of the cats at the meeting were real bastards, and I'd never seen them that close to another cat w/o trying to rip it a new asshole...

[EstimatedProphet]

8. Well, it is kind of like that

but, no fenceposts-just my front porch. And it's every night. Probably day too. They're there all weekend during the day too.
At least they aren't mean cats. They're very nice actually. I just have to wonder what the deal is: is it a cat business meeting? Are they in the parking lot, waiting for the band to start? Is this a cat version of Lourdes, and Saint Kitty is due to appear and bless them all?

[Misunderestimator]

19. My cat told me that he heard that...

the image of Puss-N-Boots can be seen in the folds of your front draperies. :D

[Soft Georgia]

9. Read "Tailchaser's Song"

I remember it only vaguely, but it had such things as cat meetings. And some cats would express a sense of personal failure if they had to go to a human's back porch to eat what the human left for them. Very interesting book.

Skittish -- are they feral?

[EstimatedProphet]

12. Maybe semi-feral

They don't bolt when someone shows up. But they will run when someone gets within 3 feet. Then they will stop a few feet farther away.

[Soft Georgia]

14. I'm glad I'm not there.

I'd try to adopt them all. :)

[Philostopher]

15. Good ol' Tad Williams.

You had to know he had cats, from reading that book. I remember they had regular gatherings, you're right.

Not normally a fantasy fiction fan, but Tad's a great writer.

[iconoclastic cat]

11. Yeah, we have that around here.

Mrs. IconCat and I usually catch about 4-7 of them before winter, and then we export them to the local no-kill shelter or any catless friends. We have kept a few, and we suspect that their relatives know that they are here: several times I have heard yowling outside our back door, and all of the cats that we have adopted listen attentively at the door.

Strange beasts. I know why Lovecraft was so taken by them.

[barb162]

13. I grow calaminta in the front and back yards

so I might get some cats around fairly often, especially when I cut it...it seems they can smell it from a long way away. I have been seeing a siamese wandering over every day, a black one, etc. As far as conventions, though, no. But I have seen that when there are large feral populations around, but there are not large populations of them around my immedaite neighborhood.

[WilliamPitt]

16. If cats had opposable thumbs, we'd all be fucked.

[Rhiannon12866]

17. I would rescue the little one, if I were you

Such a young kitten should definitely not be on her/his own. Are the others hungry or just someone's pets let out to roam? My three cats have all been indoor cats, including the one I rescued from outside, who I recently lost. She never showed any interest in going back outside after her horrific ordeal. It is very dangerous for pets out there and I just don't understand people who let their cats wander, unattended. Would they do this with dogs? I wouldn't do it with either.:scared:

[EstimatedProphet]

18. Well, the kitten isn't exactly alone

it's still nursing one of the older cats.

[Rhiannon12866]

32. At eight weeks, this kitten shouldn't need to still be nursing

Though you can't know the age for certain. My point is that a very young one would be the easiest to rescue, since he/she wouldn't have learned to fear humans that much, as an older one might. I rescued my cat at what I was told, by the vet, was age 12. However, she was not a feral, but a former house cat that had been abandoned, so had become fearful. I had a rough time bringing her in and finally had to resort to using a "have-a-heart" trap that I borrowed from the animal hospital. At first, she was more than terrified, but after she had dental surgery, she was a completely different cat. You cannot imagine how thrilled I was when I motioned to her and she jumped up in the chair with me! So there's hope for all of them. It just takes time, patience and, in my kitty's case, good veterinary care. She never showed the slightest interest in going out again, though she liked to sit up in the window. I can't say I blame her.:shrug:

[barb162]

20. absolutely

My cats are all rescues and indoor only now. No one should let their animals just wander, so many bad things can happen to them.

[Rhiannon12866]

33. I agree completely

My cats have all been this way, as well. I just cannot imagine letting a pet run loose, not knowing where he/she is, given all the dangers that are out there. I wouldn't let my dog run loose, and I feel the same way about my cats.:scared:

[EstimatedProphet]

21. I should also say that I can't get close to them

Short of a net, I don't know how to catch any of them. And they do belong to the neighbors I believe, but am not sure.

[graywarrior]

22. Would you take a picture of them and post it? Please?

[EstimatedProphet]

26. I'll try n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

34. As I said, I had to resort to using a "have-a-heart" trap

You need to bait it with something odoriferous, like tuna or sardines. I would be happy to coach you on this, if you decide to do it. I got excellent instructions from a woman who works at a local animal hospital and rescues and rehabilitates ferals. This must be the most difficult kind of animal rescue, but the people who do it are very dedicated.:-)

[EstimatedProphet]

35. I've used them before

I'm a biologist. Used to catch squirrels for marking with them.

[Rhiannon12866]

38. Then you know how to use them

It is not easy to catch an animal who is experienced with them, this way. But, with my cat, who didn't know what hit her, it was a slam dunk, as George Tenet would say. My neighbor drove me to the animal hospital, to get her checked out. She loves cats and had been following this. I was very grateful, since I was so freaked out, at finally having her, that I would have probably hit a tree. I was told that many cats will freak out at being captured, but mine was fine, even calm. She let my neighbor pet her even while she was still in the trap. I think she was grateful to finally be safe.

My rescued kitty:

[LynneSin]

36. Start feeding them

they'll be your best friend and I bet you can catch them then

[CPUSA04]

23. ,,,,,

im more aof a dog person

[puerco-bellies]

24. Are then moving stiffly and chanting "Brains.. Brains.."

If so be afraid, be very afraid.

[sasquatch]

25. Maybe your porch is the neighborhood cat bar

:)

[EstimatedProphet]

27. I put out a little milk for them

One of the older ones was getting less scared of me,so I put out a little milk. Only one I've seen today so far.

[juslikagrzly]

29. Good people give off

catnip smells! It's a sign that you're a trustworthy, lovable person :smile:

CATS KNOW!

[EstimatedProphet]

30. It must be all that catnip I rub myself in then!

Or, it's the ribs I have smoking ion the porch...

[juslikagrzly]

31. Yup,

could be that. Seriously, I do believe cats know a good person when they meet one! Dogs are somewhat good at it, but mostly just want those ribs.

[EstimatedProphet]

37. They have gotten a lot more friendly

Last night I went outside, and several of them were hanging around still. I stood in one spot and made no sudden motions, and after maybe a minute the gray one (a Russian blue I think) came over, along with the kitten, and started rubbing me. The kitten flopped over on its back and started rolling around, like kittens do.
I have apparently gotten accepted by the congregation; I just don't know what my standing is yet. I might just be their version of the A/V guy.