Caboodle Ranch

Well, we picked up Mama and the babies today. The surgery cost us a lot less than we expected. It was only $600. This is quite cheap compared to what it was supposed to be. I noticed from the bill that they also charged us a lot less than usual for many of the procedures that were done. Everybody is resting in the kennel for the night.

Over the past couple of days, I've been looking for information on domesticating feral cats. There's a lot for feral kittens, but not cats. One of the websites I came across had an article about a place called Caboodle Ranch. It's located in Florida. Now, what makes this place unique is that it is NOT an adoption center. Once a cat is there, it stays there. That is it's forever home.

The ranch is currently 8 acres. It started out as five. The guy started the place so that he'd have a safe place for his cat and her six kittens. It very quickly grew. It is now home to 660 felines. All of which are spayed/neutered, get their annual shots, and get monthly flea treatments. It costs him $3500 per week in cat food alone! It was built specifically around cats.

There are a ton of cat sized buildings all over, even a Wal Mart and a city hall. It also has light posts, at the perfect height for cats. He's built trails everywhere, cat ponds, dens, planted more trees for climbing, and it's all fenced in. The only cages exist in the intake area, and in the medical facility. The cats have full run of the facility. His own little "house" is a shed, and it's much smaller than the indoor quarters that the cats have for themselves.

This man has dedicated himself and his life to the care and rescue of cats.

Honey and I want for Little Mama to stay with us desperately. She is such a strong creature, and has had such a difficult time in her life. If she refuses to stay though, and stay inside, then this will be her new home in a couple of months. We've already talked to the guy that owns the place, and she's got a spot just for her. The waiting list doesn't exist for Little Mama.

In the end, all that I want for her is to lead a very happy life in her own little paradise. Whether that's here or if it's there doesn't matter, as long as she is happy and healthy. I feel such a strong connection to her, as though we were meant to have her here. Maybe she feels a connection too, and will want to stay here.

Anyway, you guys are probably tired of hearing about a cat of all things! A CAT! I don't like cats. Little Mama isn't just a cat though. And Caboodle Ranch isn't just another animal shelter.