Taming feral cats

[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.

[Biciclista]

great, thanks for the update

[jessmarimba]

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

I don't know. He's definitely been a pet at one point...he lets me pick him up and carry him around and will happily sit on my lap. He's more docile than either of the cats I have! But he's been around at all hours so I can't tell if he has a real home. And he doesn't look like he's losing any weight despite not eating the food I provide them. I don't know what to do about him. One of these days I'll probably catch him and take him to see if he's chipped (maybe his family moved and he escaped their new house, or something?). I've considered taking him in but I don't want him to spray if he and my cats don't get along.

The orange kitten will eat out of my hand now.

[indysteel]

great, thanks for the update

I just ordered a shelter for them. It's called a FeralVilla and should comfortably house at least two of our ferals. We'll likely build/buy a second one, but we wanted to see if they'd take to one first. For the cost, it was actually a decent way to go. We'd be hard pressed to buy the materials ourselves for much less and we can pick it up, thereby saving shipping. It's gotten cold rather quickly here in Indiana. While I'm sure we have some summer left, I want to have this on hand soon.

Our kitties are getting more and more domesticated by the day. The kitten lets me sit and stare at him now. That's a big step believe it or not. He's a nut.

Now if I could figure out a way to keep the adult male from eating all the canned food.

I sure hope we got the female fixed in time. She was already in heat when we took her in. That was on August 3rd. She's gotten a lot more affectionate recently and doesn't look as thin as she did. Of course, she's also gotten used to us and is eating regular meals, so who knows. We have a vet appointment for our indoor cats on Saturday. I'll talk to the vet then. I don't know if it makes sense to have her checked out to verify whether she's pregnant or just wait and see. I do not want to deal with more cats. If there's a litter, I'll have to get them placed in a home or shelter.