As an avid writer and reader, I am grateful to have found Helium and an outlet for what I hope is great writing. Over the last eight years I have been a feral cat colony caretaker. Over that time span I have successfully trapped, altered, and released (TNR) somewhere in the area of over thirty cats.
When I began my college career in 2003, I initially planned on acquiring a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology so that I could be better equipped to help animals. After the first two years I realized how far this path was from my true love; getting my hands dirty in the community by helping feral cats and strays. I believed that working in a veterinary hospital at that time would not bring me closer to the animals that were living in back alleys and residential areas of my community. So after a lengthy decision process, I transferred to a community college and quickly earned my Associates Degree.
While I still plan to obtain my Bachelors Degree, my passion right now is to end pet overpopulation. To accomplish this goal, I have been working tirelessly to trap and alter as many ferals as I can and educate the community of these animals plight.
I currently manage two feral colonies; one that is indoor and the other is outdoors. The indoor colony consists of ten cats ranging in age from three to approximately ten years old. With four females and six males I have come across my share of feline behavioral issues and problems. From urine marking, to aggression, from losing cats to Feline Aids as well as dealing with a stray that has chronic feline stomatitis, which can be very painful. My outdoor colony consists of anywhere from 10 to 25 cats as some move from location to location depending on the season.
With the cats I have encountered over these last eight years cats I have seen firsthand what the dangers of the outdoors can pose to cats. From infected bite wounds, aggression, parasite infestation, upper respiratory infection, Feline Aids, Feline Leukemia, as well as an inside look at the complicated and intricate social hierarchy of our feline friends.
My love of animals, and passion for feral cats has always come through in my writing. I also have a passion for creative writing and my weakness for all things written by James Patterson has made my creative writing linger in the area of suspense and mystery. My goal in my writing is to produce informative yet entertaining articles, I hope I have accomplished this, and I hope you enjoy reading them.
My passion is ...
Feral Cats
I know too much about ...
Feral Cats
My parents always told me ...
Never depend soley on a man
My childhood ambition ...
To be a veterinarian and a bestselling author
My favorite memory ...
Singing "Unforgetable" with my brother at his engagement party.
Why I write ...
To relieve stress, to improve my writing.
What I am reading/watching/listening to ...
"Stalker" by Faye Kellerman
My first job ...
In a discount department store.
My best moment ...
Singing "Unforgetable" with my brother at his engagement party.
My inspiration ...
My mother
I have worked with stray and feral cats for the last eight years, and in that time I have seen more than my share of catfights. I have successfully trapped, altered, and either released, adopted myself or adopted out in upwards of thirty cats. In my home I have two cats that were born under my porch to a feral mother and in my basement I have ten cats, one of which is the kittens mother. All of these cats are spayed or neutered and are usually quite happy with their surroundings. However almost on a daily basis there is some sort or "disagreement" between two or more of the cats. Though my...
More..Nicole Cook
Member since: June 2008
Articles Written: 58