Keeping the goats safe is a tough job. In the past we've had wonderful Komondors, Doberman Pinschers, and protective German Shepherds who loved the goats. Most recently here in Deatsville we had Polar, the Escaping Great Pyrenees. Failing to contain him on our small farm, we shipped him off to a farm with plenty of room to roam and some Pyrenees buddies. With no guard dog, the felines decided to take up the job themselves. They are a fierce looking crew and are feared by all the neighborhood dogs and predators.
came to the farm by way of South University's underground parking area in downtown Montgomery as a very small kitten in 2002. He had an umbical hernia as big as a baseball and more fleas than ten feral cats. After an operation to remove the hernia and his male parts, as well as multiple flea treatments, he became "Mama Bill". He sleeps with all of the newborn baby goats and grooms them like he's their mother. Bill is the alpha male at the farm and is very protective and territorial of his goats and his property.
is a refuge from Hurricane Katrina. Our vet was overloaded with Katrina cats and Cleopatra said she wanted to come live at the farm. Although she is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, she is one of the most beautiful cats we've ever seen and a real sweetie.
and his brother Elvis were born at our next door neighbors right after the barn fire. They were a great diversion for a traumatized Bill The Cat and we thought they would be a nice addition to the Guard Cats. Ed is lean and mean and as you can see from his picture, very fierce.
Elvis has the biggest paws of any cat we've sever seen and is still growing. Like his namesake, he is one handsome fellow!
is the one of the most loving cats (to humans) we've ever known, but don't let her fool you. She is one fierce kitty and wouldn't hesitate to scratch the eyes out of any cat or dog that gets in her way.
Maggie came to the farm because she couldn't hit the litter box at her previous home. This former housecat has adjusted extremely well to farm life and is a competent hunter. Her territory extends far beyond the farm and we have to share her with all the neighbors.
Prentice was Anna's choice to be the apprentice to her very old favorite cat, Sweet Pea. Prentice is the queen of the house and rules with her sharp claws. A little neurotic, she gets by with a little daily dose of mood elevator. (Seriously - it works.)
Sushi White Snake is on her second tour of duty at Imani Farm after the good home Anna found her fell on hard times. This white beauty doesn't get along with the other cats and is relegated to the back bedroom. She is a surveillance expert and assists in guard duties by watching the back yard from a window perch.
is another cat who couldn't hit the litter box and came to live on the farm. Her pretty little Siamese toes had never touched the nasty earth until she came to Imani Farm in 2001. She disappeared for 3 days and then came down from the loft of the old barn like she owned the place. At almost 17 years old, she is in remarkable health. Don't tell her she's an old lady!
