It's Once Again Safe for the Chipmunks to Come Out

My neighbour called me yesterday, and asked if I'd seen the stray cat hanging around. Apparently, our stray has been killing many of the chipmunks -- in a most tortuous, play with them before eating kind of way. This made me jump off the fence that I'd been straddling. I had to take the cat into the OSPCA.

An officer dropped off a live trap in the afternoon with instructions to trap it between the hours of 8:00 and 4:00 when the centre was open. The cat visited us around 4:30 yesterday afternoon -- too late to take it in. This morning, I baited the trap and set it out where I'd previously fed the stray. He (I'm not exactly sure if it is a he or a she) came at 8:00 a.m. Despite the enticing aroma of food, he didn't fall for the trap. Instead, he rubbed up against me, letting me pat him. This was good news regarding his "adoptability" -- friendly, affectionate, but may have some trust issues considering what happened next.

I ran downstairs, grabbed my own cat's carrier and put food in it. He may have been wary of the metal trap, but he walked right into the plastic carrier. He meowed, loudly and piteously, for the entire 20 minute ride to the OSPCA. But now he's safe -- he'll be checked over, given a flea treatment, then put up for adoption. Of course, I cried after dropping him off. I want only the best for him, but I also want the local wildlife to be given a better chance at survival. I'll try to follow his progress, and give you updates.

Thanks to all for your advice!

Stray in the Neighborhood

I'm in a bit of a dilemma, and wondered what your thoughts might be. We've had a stray hanging about the street for the past month or two. She'll come close, run around me, crying in a loud, baby-like meow. Eventually, she'll make her way back to the forest across the street where I believe she lives. I fed her for the the first time yesterday, hoping to gain her trust so I can trap her -- winter is coming, and I'm not sure our stray will survive the elements.

That's my dilemma -- should I live-trap this cat, then take it to the OSPCA? I phoned them yesterday, and they will check for a microchip, see to her health, then put her up for adoption -- if she's adoptable. If not, then she may be euthanized, and I couldn't have that on my conscience. Now, the cat did let my daughter pat it the other day after she'd sat for 20 minutes, giving the cat time to get up the nerve to come close. That's hopeful, isn't it?

I don't have a picture of her, but here's one of the elusive bunny who visited my yard during the summer. Actually, she's so elusive, she's even hard to find in the photo, so you might want to click to enlarge:

Hotel Cats

The Hyatt Regency in Monterey is home to two stray cats (sorry, don't recall their names). I saw them on the first day of our stay, so asked the doorman about them. The cats have been around for about 15 years, and are close companions.




This orange guy was one of the scruffiest cats I'd ever seen, but he was well-fed and friendly. I was told the housekeepers feed the animals, and just as we were packing the car to leave, I spotted the cat house and bowls tucked away in a corner of the parking lot.




You know me, I'm a sucker for these kinds of random acts of kindness, and think it's wonderful that the Hyatt has adopted these two strays. Perhaps hotels that provide for animals should be given some kind of "seal of approval" by SPCA. I'd be more inclined to stay at their establishment. Wouldn't you?

California Wildlife

While vacationing in California, I was always on the lookout for wildlife (click on photos to enlarge):


17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, winds through a lush forest and along a rocky coastline. How wonderful it must be to live here. We stopped at Bird Rock, home to sea lions and ... well, lots and lots of birds.



A sign along 17 Mile Drive advises visitors not to feed the animals, but this squirrel looks like he does all right.



In Muir Woods, a deer ventured close to the trail for a drink. Like a pack of hungry paparazzi, tourists snapped at the bit of fur visible through the leaves.



Sea lions or seals? I'm not sure, but these guys in San Francisco are a noisy, comic bunch.



Question: We wondered why is the rock along the coast is white? Is it bird poop? I'm not quite sure what that speck is in the middle of the photo -- a bee, a helicopter, Superman?