Taming feral cats

[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.

[jessmarimba]

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.

[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?

[smilingcat]

If you catch them, place the cat and the cage in a safe dimly lit place. You don't want them exposed to the elements nor to wild critters: skunks, racoons, opposums, coyote... None of them are going to be nice to a young cat.