Taming feral cats

[Biciclista]

wow, they sound like a little family, that's actually kind of neat.
I understood what you were saying, a few seconds isn't such a long time.

[indysteel]

wow, they sound like a little family, that's actually kind of neat.
I understood what you were saying, a few seconds isn't such a long time.

Yep; a slightly crazy family, but family all the same. The Mom and her kitten (Taco and Callie) have taken to climbing onto our neighbors' roofs for their afternoon naps. So far, they seem to be getting up and down just fine, but it makes me nervous. We really lucked out in that our neighbors are all animal people who don't seem the least bit bothered by the cats. One of them is going to feed them while we're out of town.

We're now trying to decide what kind of shelter to use this winter. There's a local carpenter who builds them for a reasonable fee. We might do that or rig our own.

[jessmarimba]

"Mine" live under a truck top in the neighbors yard. I think they have a pretty nice little nest under there. I've let them in my garage when the temps dropped to -30 though.

[indysteel]

"Mine" live under a truck top in the neighbors yard. I think they have a pretty nice little nest under there. I've let them in my garage when the temps dropped to -30 though.

That's funny; ours hang out under one of those, too, but it's a two doors down from us. I'd like to give them something closer to our house that's insulated and protected from other critters. My guess is that if we buy/build something and they don't end up using it, we'll be able to give it away to somebody else tending ferals. I'm sure there's some sort of demand for such things.

[jessmarimba]

Ok, the siamese is back. Definitely not afraid of people. I think it would walk right in the house. However, it's either not fixed, it wasn't fixed very well, or siamese end up with a weird little skin lump when they're fixed. Or maybe I've always had hairier cats. I don't have time to run to a vet now - should I take this one in and isolate? (and pray for my house while I'm gone?)

[jessmarimba]

Thought about it & decided he might be someone's collarless indoor-outdoor cat, so I didn't do anything yet. I'll keep an eye out and see if he's around in the evenings as well.

[Brandi]

We stole 2 traps from a man down the street years ago who was trapping neighborhood cat's that came on his property and took them to the pound! He trapped this one ladies cat that we rescued from the pound and he shot another neighbors cat with a pellet gun and shattered his shoulder. So one windy night my husband and I dressed in black and went and got the traps. He had crab in them! Gave one trap to a rescue shelter and kept one for ourselves in case we ever needed to trap a cat to fix them.
He got his traps from the spca. I asked if he was legally aloud to do this and was told yes. Terrible! But when we found out where he got the traps we figured if they went missing and he had to pay for them he would stop trapping. And he did. This man needs to live out in the country and not in a suburban neighborhood. Thank god he is waaaaay down the street from me. I would have to move!

[CyborgQueen]

Yep; a slightly crazy family, but family all the same. The Mom and her kitten (Taco and Callie) have taken to climbing onto our neighbors' roofs for their afternoon naps. So far, they seem to be getting up and down just fine, but it makes me nervous. We really lucked out in that our neighbors are all animal people who don't seem the least bit bothered by the cats. One of them is going to feed them while we're out of town.

We're now trying to decide what kind of shelter to use this winter. There's a local carpenter who builds them for a reasonable fee. We might do that or rig our own.

Shelter - If you're getting it built, I would make it something similar to a chicken coop. where the floor of the shelter is raised by about 2 feet off ground (in case of snow), Instead of a open door, put a dog flap in there to prevent wind getting in there...Put old blankets in there, and your feral will be happy. You can put food/water bowl in there.

Here's a link that I just found.....good pictures for ideas!! GOOGLE IMAGES (ugh...I just noticed a pic of a dead kitty...I apologize for that!!)

Here's a good link for Winter shelters: http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_FERAL_CAT_WINTER_SHELTER


As for water - obviously, replace it daily. If it freezes, don't worry about it, they can live without water for a day. Ferals are probably going to eat snow anyways. It would be better if you use a dome shape water bowl. Easier to get the ice out.


My mom's feral cat mostly lives in a small shed protected by the winter winds/snow. However, she has a old dog igloo with hay (replaced every quarter) on a pallet (gives a few inches of clearance from snow). She's still around after 5 years (she got spayed after delivering a litter...which one of them is owned by mom). She lives in NJ, so she gets a lot of winter storms.

Good luck!!

[Biciclista]

Brandi, unfortunately, if that man can't trap, he's probably going to shoot more cats. I'd rather he trapped them and took them to the pound, it is much more humane!! But the SOB is trapping and shooting at other people's pets???! argh!!!

[indysteel]

Thanks, Cyborgqueen. I've looked at that link before for some ideas. It's just a matter of picking one or two and running with it.

[CyborgQueen]

Thanks, Cyborgqueen. I've looked at that link before for some ideas. It's just a matter of picking one or two and running with it.

Personally - if your town gets a lot of snow, I would get something that's like chicken coop style. The housing is raised about 2 feet off the ground with a ramp leading into the house. Add a doggie door instead of leaving it open (help prevent winter winds getting in there).

Have fun!

[indysteel]

Jess, what became of your Siamese? Do you still think it's just an indoor/outdoor kitty?

Our adult male is doing really well after being neutered last week. He spent 24 hours inside our basement healing a bit more. He's back outside now and he's been hanging around quite a bit. In fact, sometimes it's hard to get him away from our door so that we can come and go. He likes to sit and watch us as we work outside. The other two cats are also doing well. They've started to stay closer to "home," too. They're there to greet me when I come out with food. The kitten still keeps his distance, but he at least doesn't run off the second I come into sight. They're all on the thin side, but otherwise look healthy. Our neighbors have all taken to them as well, which is a real help. DH and I will be on vacation soon, but we've enlisted their help to care for them in our absence. They, along with our regular pet sitter, should be able to stay up on the various feedings.