The New Ginger Finally Comes In

For many weeks now, the PatioCat Surveillance Team (primarily consisting of Vincent, Mr Zurik and Ginger) had been on patrol outside the house, keeping two new young cats at bay.

This is how Neuter-and-Return works.  Your neutered cats are definitely still territorial, so they will prevent other cats from coming into their territory.  Just as Bunny and Cow prevented new cats from coming onto our road in our previous neighbourhood for 6 years, now, the Patiocat Surveillance Team is doing the same in this neighbourhood.

But then again, it all depends on how effective the surveillance and border patrol are.

We thought it had been quite effective, actually, as these two cats had been trying for weeks to enter. Some nights, we’d hear war cries and sometimes we would see one of the PatioCats chasing another cat away.

This morning, I went for a walk in the park and both young cats came to see me at the park. I was rather surprised when both cats approached me, and now on hindsight, I do wonder if they were asking for permission to join the PatioCats. I said hello to both cats and Mr Zurik quickly came to my side to ensure the two young cats kept their distance. I managed to see that the young grey tabby is a female while the young ginger is a male.

As soon as I came back towards our gate, the tabby was already in front of our gate (wow, they sure work fast, don’t they?), but Rosie gave chase and the tabby ran away to another house.

Then later, from inside the house, I spotted the young ginger….right there, at the patio!

Brave boy….he had managed to walk right in.

Now, where were all the PatioCats?

I quickly went out with the intention of offering him some food. I don’t think he has been neutered, judging from what I could see, so maybe I could gain his trust and get him neutered.

Before I could even open the grill, Vincent was already there…

The little ginger cat hid under the vegetable pots.

Vincent approached.

Followed closely by Ginger.

I was a little worried about about the little cat, in case he got attacked by Vincent, so I quickly poured out some kibbles to distract Vincent and Ginger. However, both were undeterred by the food offerings.

“What?? You think some food can distract us from our carrying out our duty?”, I could almost hear Vincent say.

I should have known better, Vincent is a soldier above all else. The call of duty comes first and foremost for him.

I then offered our guest some kibbles, but he moved off from the vegetable pots, very slowly, walked past Vincent and Ginger and hid under the table. I placed the bowl of kibbles near him there but I guess he was too scared to eat.

By then, Mr Zurik had already come to offer his assistance.

The little ginger cat decided it was too unsafe to stay now that he was clearly outnumbered, so he slowly walked towards the gate.

I must say I’m quite proud of our PatioCat Surveillance Team – they behaved civilly and no fighting ensued.

Of course, no self-respecting cat would allow another to enter his territory without going through the proper protocols. There are cat-rules to follow (which only cats will understand). I have to respect that.

So, while Vincent, Zurik and Ginger kept watch, Daffodil and Heidi helped themselves to the kibbles.

Tabs and Indy watched from inside.

Indy: “Tsk, tsk, tsk…let ME do the job.”

Will the little ginger cat come back?

We’ll call him Chester for now. Maybe we’ll see him again…

Of course we cannot afford to have another cat join the patio – six is quite enough to handle. And I think we have a peaceful feline equilibrium right now (with Mr Zurik still occasionally creating problems like before), but if Chester does come back, I’ll like to get him neutered.

Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2015/10/11/the-new-ginger-finally-co..

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AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

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