Taming feral cats

[indysteel]

My little orange buddy came running up to me purring this morning, then walked all around and under my legs when I crouched to pet him. He doesn't want pets like my indoor kitties yet but he only cringes when I touch him, then rubs on my legs.

Still debating on the Siamese. He doesn't eat the food. He chases the ferals for kicks. He isn't "one of them" but doesn't seem to have an indoor home either.

If he comes by Sunday morning when I'll be home all day, I'll take him inside and see how it goes...then to vet on Monday.

We have an indoor cat that hates to cuddle or get attention when she's downstairs with our other cat. If we take her upstairs by herself (the cats aren't generally allowed in your bedrooms) she turns into a different cat. She cuddles and rubs and wants lots of pets. I don't get it at all. Let's face it; cats are weird animals. I love them, but I don't pretend to understand them.

Have you talked to any of your neighbors about the Siamese? It seems odd that she just suddenly appeared but doesn't otherwise appear to be a hungry stray.

[jessmarimba]

I'm really not sure on him. My immediate neighbors just moved out (got evicted?) and he showed up about then, but I didn't think they had pets? Maybe she left him knowing I'd care for him, or something.

I don't really know any of the other neighbors very well but those immediately adjacent have seen me picking him up and playing with him on the front porch. I guess if I take him in and he's chipped with a neighborhood address I'll just carry him home and chat with his owners. No harm, no foul, right?

I like the idea of those shelters. It's getting chilly at night here too.

[indysteel]

Hmmm. That cat showed up after someone was evicted. Interesting. Of course, that doesn't explain why she's not eating or seemingly hungry.

You might take a look at the link CyborgQueen posted upthread re: shelters. There are some good suggestions there. We were originally going to build one, but time is getting away from us, so we ordered the FeralVilla instead, although with some cat-nip spiked bedding. It'll be somewhat more expensive than handbuilt, but without the added shipping, it was worth the time savings.

[jessmarimba]

Picked up two traps this morning. They are scheduled for surgery for next Thursday. Here goes nothin!

(They'll also scan Siamese for microchip, so I might try to snag him over the weekend too)

[indysteel]

Picked up two traps this morning. They are scheduled for surgery for next Thursday. Here goes nothin!

(They'll also scan Siamese for microchip, so I might try to snag him over the weekend too)

Good luck! You might leave the traps out for the the next few days. Secure the trap doors, but leave some food in them so that the cats start to get used to going into them. I used canned food with a handful of kitting treats leading into the trap. When you trap them the day of surgery, cover the traps immediately with a sheet or light towel. It will hopefully calm them down to some extent.

I'll say the same thing to you that Mimi was kind enough to say to me: Thanks for making a difference.

[jessmarimba]

Thanks for all of the advice!

The orange guy has gotten so friendly (when he wants something, anyway) - he is still so kittenish and hopefully Thursday is still early enough that he doesn't start spraying. He ran up purring this morning and let me really pet him, loved having the back of his head rubbed. Then he tried to suck on my finger. If all goes well I may let him out in a room in the house and see if he can't be tamed. He's "old" to tame, for a feral, but seems to be quite comfortable around me.

Last thing I need is another cat, but I don't see my living situation changing any time soon.

[jessmarimba]

Today starts the "don't feed 'em til you wanna catch 'em" phase...

Will try and trap one tomorrow night and the orange guy tomorrow or Thursday morning. I feel kind of bad now about the whole thing even though it needs done, but it's awful to think of them in the cages and having NO idea what's happening...

I hope they don't remember that the only person they trust did it to them. Or they don't hold a grudge, anyway.

If I trap one the night before the surgery (or both) is it better to leave them in the cages outside with towels over them? Will they be safe from the other cats, foxes, dogs, etc? Or should I put them in the garage or something?