Recently, we’ve been facing an unexpected situation at Dreamers Writing Farm: a growing number of stray cats have started appearing on the property. While we can’t be sure where they’re coming from, it seems that some might have been abandoned here. We’ve been doing our best to care for them, and the experience has been both challenging and heartwarming.

The first stray cat we caught was an elderly male—sick, hurt, and clearly in need of care. Even though he was in rough shape, you could tell he must have been a beautiful cat in his prime. He was gentle and immediately sought out human company, leading us to believe that he had once been someone’s pet.

After a visit to our vet, we made the difficult decision to put him down, as he was too ill and too far gone to recover. It was a hard choice, but the kindest one to make.

Since then, we’ve spotted several more stray cats, including an adult with striking Bengal-like markings. This particular cat seems slightly longer than average and has been seen near a couple of kittens. One of the kittens is a shadow tabby—now living with my daughter and her boyfriend—and she’s a sleek, dark-furred female.

There’s another kitten around 2 months old that I suspect may be related, a mix between a calico and grey tabby, and I’ve seen the Bengal-marked cat standing protectively in front of it, possibly indicating that it’s the mother of these kittens. An older kitten I caught is also female, and although closer to 8 months old, it looks exactly like the younger kitten I saw with the Bengal-marked cat, adding to my suspicion that this little family has been surviving together out there.

We’ve also briefly caught an orange-and-white feral cat that had patches of grey-tabby markings, but it escaped quickly. It’s clearly more wild than the others, but we’re hoping to catch it again so we can offer some care and stability.

Fortunately, our local vet has stepped in to help through their feral cat fixing program. Dreamers has been covering the remaining vetting fees for these cats, ensuring that they get the medical attention they need. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, but we’re doing everything we can to find safety and care for these animals.

If you’re visiting Dreamers Writing Farm, you may see some of these cats around. We want you to know that we’re actively working to help them and provide safe solutions. Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this ongoing situation.

*By Kat McNichol, Owner, Dreamers Writing Farm, published in September 28, 2024.