[Magdalen] Rodent Patrol News

[Jay Weigel]

Life is normal again, sort of. I have cats. Or, to put it another way, we
now have our own division of the Broadway Rodent Patrol. Our new officers,
Winnie and Vicky, were brought to me today from the Barn Cat program of the
RHSPCA. They will live in a "habitation crate" which is 4' x 4' x 4' and is
installed under our deck, with proper accoutrements of hide box, litter
box, and food and water dishes. I added a few homey touches such as a tarp
over the top, a mat on the floor, and some toys. They will stay in the
crate for 4-5 weeks, getting used to the area and me and being fed on a
regular schedule, etc. Then I will open the door, the shelter will come and
get the crate and hide box, and they will (hopefully) stay on the property
and possibly even be semi-social. They are basically to be working cats and
earn their keep by keeping the rodent population down.

Both of these ladies seem to have been rescued from somewhat dire
situations. Officer Winnie is a tortoiseshell with rather nice markings and
a wonky left eye which was likely injured in some mishap in her stray days.
She and I became acquainted on my work days in the stray jail. She wasn't
freaky even then and she ventured out of the hide box once today. I have
hopes that she will warm up to us. Officer Vicky is, well, shy. She's a
lanky brown tabby whose intake photo shows a lass somewhat the worse for
wear, and she didn't come out of her hide box on my work days, but Winnie
bonded with her in the Barn Cat room, so I said I'd take them both. Perhaps
she, too, will be happy with consistent feeding and attention from one
person. Spousal unit doesn't want anything to do with the project, so
they're my babies.