Feral Kitties of Kaua'i

"Makana and Buddie" © Schar 2009

Feral cats are the 'wild' offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. They are elusive and generally do not trust humans.

On Kaua'i there are thousands of feral cats. They congregate in various bushes and under trees around beach parks, hidden from most people who drive, walk or ride by.

There are many people who bring food and water to many of the colonies around this island. I tend to a colony of about 20-30 cats around the Salt Pond Park. I have been bringing food, water and love for many years. There are about four of us who care for this colony, taking shifts and making sure that these cats are fed, loved, given medical attention when necessary and neutered if needed.

This painting "Makana and Buddie" is one of my most recent watercolors that I dedicate to two of my most favorite kittie buddies. Makana is the golden one and he was around for about five years. He could not be captured to be neutered as he was so fearful of humans. Every now and then he would trust me enough to come in for a petting or a rub. He would get injured and go off to heal. Many times I would not see him for 3-4 weeks at a time and just about the time I thought he had finally gone off to die, Makana would show up, very skinny and hungry.

Makana has been gone now for over two months and this time it would be a miracle if he were to show up again. Makana in Hawaiian means the gift. Indeed he was a gift for me as I learned much about faith and hope because of him.

Buddie is one of the oldest fellas in this colony. He is very friendly and always there at feeding time but seems more interested in getting love from my strokes to his fur and my cooing voice of assurance.

I will be offering small 5" x 7" prints of this painting with all proceeds to go into a fund for these kitties food and care. If interested please leave your contact info in a comment and I will send along an announcement when the prints will be available at my Etsy shop.