Semi-feral: Bring Them Inside Or Not?

[Avery]

Three years ago, a cat had kittens in my backyard. I trapped one of the kittens who came by for food with his mom, socialized him in a few days, and kept him as a sweet inside cat named Palmer. The mama cat was TNR-ed and I named her Ruby. I have been feeding her and providing shelter (heated in the winter) for three years, and I finally can hand-feed her treats and pet her while she is eating them. Progress, but slow.

A year ago, along comes an unneutered male with only one good eye. Checked for an owner around the neighborhood, no one knew him, so I TNR-ed him, named him Lucky, and he also is here for every meal. After about six months, he is letting me pet him, brush him, even pick him up a few feet off the ground so I think he must have been a pet at one time.

Both Ruby and Lucky practically live in my backyard. However, the other day Lucky disappeared until dinner time. Very unusual and I was a nervous wreck. Ruby has killed baby bunnies, which is heart-breaking. They both cross the street and have adventures at night who knows where. While they have a pretty good, relatively safe life outside, I'm finding it hard when I think of all the bad things that could happen. So I would love to bring them inside, even though sometimes I think it is very selfish, more for ME, so I won't worry about them so much.

What do you all think? Should they both just stay outside? IS it selfish to disrupt their lives because I'm a worrier? If I brought them inside, I would want to bring them both because they have become buddies with Ruby the more dominant one. If I tried to catch them together or within a few days of each other, they would have to share one relatively small bedroom for a while -- is that a good idea or not? Maybe one at a time would be better? Any "usual" time that they are kept isolated to give me an idea when to catch the second one? And who goes first?!

Sorry for the long story. I want to do the right thing for these cats, but I can't quite figure out what that would be! I look forward to all ideas and advice! Thank you!

 

[rubysmama]

Hello and welcome to TCS.

Thanks for caring for Ruby and Lucky. And for already socializing and bringing Palmer into your home. My adopted cat's name is Ruby, btw.

I don't have any experience with ferals, but as a fellow worrier, my vote is to bring them both inside permanently. Even though they seem happy outside, there are so many dangers out there.

Do they ever come close enough to your door, that you could entice them inside with food/treats? I see Lucky will let you pick him up? What about Ruby. Since they've both been TNR'd, they may be too smart to be trapped again.

Not sure if you should bring them both in at once, or not. Other members with more experience will likely reply with advice/suggestions. Do be prepared to keep them isolated for a while, and to eventually do a slow introduction between them and Palmer.

Until other members reply, here's some TCS articles that might be helpful.

A Feral Cat Or A Stray Cat? How To Tell The Difference
Handling Feral Cats
The Five Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside

 

[Furballsmom]

So I would love to bring them inside, even though sometimes I think it is very selfish, more for ME, so I won't worry about them so much.

Well, I'm one of the people who would say that this isn't selfish, it's considering the safety if the cats as paramount.
However, can you build a catio? Obtain a big walk-in cage?
If not, I think I'd bring them inside.

is that a good idea or not?

It seems to me like this might not be a bad idea, but there are members who have done this and can speak to it more directly.

 

[Avery]

Thanks so much for the messages and for the votes to bring them in! I know I am leaning that way, but will probably need some help from TCS folks who have done it already. Just reading some of the past posts is encouraging.

Ruby sits right at the back door waiting for food or just looking in. Sometimes her little boy, Palmer, sits there and they are inches apart protected by glass, just looking at each other. It is so cute. If I didn't have inside cats, I would try opening the door and letting them both in, but I want to get them to the vet first to get tested, de-wormed, etc. before I bring them in. My vet seems feral-friendly so I think she will be on board. Lucky can be picked up (and hopefully put in a carrier), but not Ruby.

I am thinking very seriously about building a fairly large catio, but I wouldn't want to confine Lucky and Ruby there. I would still bring them inside, but this would provide more space for everyone. (I now also have a small 14-year old cat, Rosie, who might go to live with a very good friend.) I am Googling like crazy for catio ideas, but still will need someone to build it.

I THINK bringing them in is the right thing to do, but it seems scary and daunting. I wish I had a guarantee that everything will work out and all the cats will live together happily ever after! HAH! If only life was like that!

 

[rubysmama]

Here's a TCS article on Cat Enclosures

And one on How To Make Your Home Bigger (at Least For Your Cats)

 

[Avery]

Wow, rubysmama, you are sending me great articles! Thank you! The cat you have pictured is very sweet. Orange. Is that your Ruby? My Ruby is a tortie!

 

[rubysmama]

Yes, the orange tabby in my profile pic is my Ruby girl.

Hope the articles are helpful. Also, hope members with feral experience will see this thread and post with advice.

Meanwhile, check out some of the other threads on this forum. I don't recall any where someone brought in 2 cats at the same time, but lots who've brought in one.

Also, maybe post an intro on our New Cats on the Block forum.

 

[shadowsrescue]

I recently moved and brought my 3 feral cats with me. I had been caring for them on my deck and back yard for 7 years. I was able to pet them all, but not handle them. I decided that it was time to try and bring them all inside. It has been a process, but they are all doing well. I brought them inside 2 months before I moved to acclimate to inside living.
I have a link in my signature below to my blog where I documented all of the move and progress. The boys moved inside on 12/26/17. You can read about it there.

I definitely vote for giving it a try since you are able to pet them. The hardest part is making sure they have vet care before they are exposed to your other cats. I used a mobile vet. All of my had been TNR'd years ago, but needed updated vaccines as well as FIV/FELV testing.

 

[Norachan]

Thank you for caring so much about these cats.



I think bringing them both in at the same time would work better. They'd have their buddy there to make them feel more secure. You could set up one room as their safe room and keep them both confined to that room until they settle in.

As you've already got them living in your yard that would be very easy to do. I coaxed most of my former feral cats inside by leaving a window open and feeding them just inside the window. They gradually got more and more comfortable with being inside and I was able to close the window.

Don't worry if it doesn't work out straight away. There is always the option of a catio, as others have suggested, or a cat proof fence around the yard to keep them safe. It took me over a year and the help of a heavy snow storm before I was able to convince one of my feral rescues to stay in.



It does sound as if Lucky might have been someone's pet, so he'll probably be happy to have a home again.

 

[jcat]

The advantage to bringing them both inside at the same time is that they'll watch each other interacting with you. Lucky sounds like a stray rather than a feral if he allows so much physical contact. The more Ruby sees that, the more apt she'll be to permit you to touch her in time.

Bringing them inside for safety and socialization, but giving them access to the outdoors via an enclosure sounds ideal.

 

[Avery]

Thank you, jcat and Norachan and shadowsrescue for your helpful comments. I am taking Palmer to the vet this Friday for his annual check-up and I'm going to ask about bringing Ruby and Lucky to her, hopefully fairly close together depending on how well it works out catching them! I'd like to tempt them into a carrier with treats.... hmmm... we'll see.

Shadowsrescue, I started to look at your blog but I'm at work now and had to stop! I'll definitely check it out later at home. But how does it work with a mobile vet? Did you already have your cats inside when the mobile vet arrived? And they just had to corner them in the room? Sedate them??

 

[shadowsrescue]

The mobile vet came to my home about 4 weeks after I had them inside. I had all 3 in a cleared out bedroom. I had a small bathroom next to the bedroom that was going to be used. I did have to put the cats in carriers. Some how I did manage.
The first cat we took into the bathroom was the most stressed and most feral. He had a very hard time and ended up having to be sedated. The other two we wrapped in a towel and the exam was done on the floor in the room. She did manage to look in their mouths and a quick all over exam along with vaccines and FIV and FELV testing. Waiting for the tests to come back was the longest 10 minutes! Fortunately all were quite healthy!

Since moving, I have had to take 2 to the vet. The very feral boy got a UTI. The vet visit was not fun at all. I had not found a new vet yet and just picked up that would work with ferals. It was a hard hard process, but we got through it.

The second feral boy had to go last week. I was able to give him gabapentin and it made him very very woozy. He was woozy enough that I was able to hold him for the very first time! It was super easy to get him into his carrier too. He also did great at the vet. They did not need to sedate him. The only thing with gabapentin is that you would not want to use it if the cats are outside. If they ran away and the sedation started it could really put them at risk for predators and/or cars. You can talk to your vet about it, but have the cats inside first.

 

[Avery]

Shadowsrescue, you have done so well with your three guys! So when you got them in the house in the bedroom, did you have other cats? If so, isn't it a concern that the other cats could "catch" something from the ferals? Or if they are isolated, maybe it is OK?

I have used gabapentin for Rosie who is a small but feisty cat and doesn't allow much of an exam, shots, bloodwork, etc., so I am thinking if I got the cats inside BEFORE a vet exam, I could put gabapentin in their food to get them in a carrier to take to the vet. Or if I can find a mobile vet, that would allow them to do a better exam perhaps.

Honestly, I have the time and the patience for this, but it seems so overwhelming and scary! I will learn more when I read your blog (and I can cut back on the questions!), but have you seen progress since you moved the boys inside in December? Are you glad that you did it?

 

[shadowsrescue]

I have a total of 6 cats!! Three were already inside ( with 2 of the 3 being former ferals as well). So when I brought the other 3 inside, the feral boys were in a bedroom of their own completely isolated from my other cats. I had them at my old house for 2 months before we moved. The cats never saw each other until we moved.

It can be overwhelming and scary, but it has been the best thing. I worried each and every day about the safety of these 3. I had been having a coyote problem in my yard for about 6 months before I brought them inside. It was a constant worry. Not to mention, cars and other cats that roamed the area.

There has been lots and lots of progress. I had been working on introductions between the 6 since late March/early April. The cats had advanced where all 6 were out and about 24/7 except for meal time. The feral boys often chose to stay in their room ( which is a sunroom off the family room with a door to close if needed) during the day, but were out wandering the house at night.

We had some upheaval in the house in July with our dear sweet dog passing away. Then a few weeks later our son left the nest to start the adventures of the real world after graduating college. One of the cats was quite attached to her and he has had a very difficult time adjusting. He decided to take his frustrations out on two of the cats. My son leaving has created upset as well. So we are back to separation for now. Yet when working with feral cats it's often one step forward and 2 steps back.

Yet, I never have regretted bringing them into the house. I have been caring for my first feral (Shadow) for 8 years now. He lived on my property all that time. The other two have been with me for 5 years and 3 years.

As I mentioned before I also brought 2 others into the house (at separate times) 5 years ago and 1.5 years ago. The first one took a solid year to adjust. Inside life was hard, but he is now the absolute sweetest cat. The other boy adapted quicker and he was out of his safe room in 5 months. It just depends on the cats. I have learned to take it slowly.

 

[NY cat man]

Thanks so much for the messages and for the votes to bring them in! I know I am leaning that way, but will probably need some help from TCS folks who have done it already. Just reading some of the past posts is encouraging.

Ruby sits right at the back door waiting for food or just looking in. Sometimes her little boy, Palmer, sits there and they are inches apart protected by glass, just looking at each other. It is so cute. If I didn't have inside cats, I would try opening the door and letting them both in, but I want to get them to the vet first to get tested, de-wormed, etc. before I bring them in. My vet seems feral-friendly so I think she will be on board. Lucky can be picked up (and hopefully put in a carrier), but not Ruby.

I am thinking very seriously about building a fairly large catio, but I wouldn't want to confine Lucky and Ruby there. I would still bring them inside, but this would provide more space for everyone. (I now also have a small 14-year old cat, Rosie, who might go to live with a very good friend.) I am Googling like crazy for catio ideas, but still will need someone to build it.

I THINK bringing them in is the right thing to do, but it seems scary and daunting. I wish I had a guarantee that everything will work out and all the cats will live together happily ever after! HAH! If only life was like that![

Three years ago, a cat had kittens in my backyard. I trapped one of the kittens who came by for food with his mom, socialized him in a few days, and kept him as a sweet inside cat named Palmer. The mama cat was TNR-ed and I named her Ruby. I have been feeding her and providing shelter (heated in the winter) for three years, and I finally can hand-feed her treats and pet her while she is eating them. Progress, but slow.

A year ago, along comes an unneutered male with only one good eye. Checked for an owner around the neighborhood, no one knew him, so I TNR-ed him, named him Lucky, and he also is here for every meal. After about six months, he is letting me pet him, brush him, even pick him up a few feet off the ground so I think he must have been a pet at one time.

Both Ruby and Lucky practically live in my backyard. However, the other day Lucky disappeared until dinner time. Very unusual and I was a nervous wreck. Ruby has killed baby bunnies, which is heart-breaking. They both cross the street and have adventures at night who knows where. While they have a pretty good, relatively safe life outside, I'm finding it hard when I think of all the bad things that could happen. So I would love to bring them inside, even though sometimes I think it is very selfish, more for ME, so I won't worry about them so much.

What do you all think? Should they both just stay outside? IS it selfish to disrupt their lives because I'm a worrier? If I brought them inside, I would want to bring them both because they have become buddies with Ruby the more dominant one. If I tried to catch them together or within a few days of each other, they would have to share one relatively small bedroom for a while -- is that a good idea or not? Maybe one at a time would be better? Any "usual" time that they are kept isolated to give me an idea when to catch the second one? And who goes first?!

Sorry for the long story. I want to do the right thing for these cats, but I can't quite figure out what that would be! I look forward to all ideas and advice! Thank you!

My wife and I have 5 feral cats that we adopted.All are now indoor cats, and all are spayed/neutered. It took time and patience, but all of them came in of their own will. Burdock is now 6, Prance is 5, and Digger, Stretch, and Bashful are 4.

 

[Avery]

NY cat man, thanks for the message! I really like hearing success stories! Do the cats all get along pretty well? When you say "they came in of their own will" does that mean you didn't have to trap them or catch them? Now that I've decided to bring them in, I need to get serious about the best way to make it happen!

 

[rubysmama]

N NY cat man : welcome to TCS. Do consider introducing yourself, and your cats, in our New Cats on the Block forum.

Avery : Here's one of my favourite feral success threads, if you're interested. It's very long, but has a happy ending.

meet Buggy

 

[shadowsrescue]

I had previously trapped and neutered all of my feral boys. They knew the trap well and would not go near it again. I decided to use large carriers. Not cat size, but dog size. I knew there was no way to try to shove them into a regular size cat carrier.
I started opening my sliding door to allow them time inside my house. I had the 3 carriers set up around the house with a cozy soft mat inside sprinkled with catnip and a small dish of stinky cat food. All 3 of them went inside right away. I would just watch and observe. I did this for over 6 weeks before the day it was "Gotcha Day".

 

[Avery]

Shadowsrescue, I have just spent an hour or two reading from your blog. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your stories. I started at the beginning and then jumped to November 2017 through now when you talked about the move and bringing the three feral boys inside. It is inspiring with very down-to-earth information, showing examples of the "one step forward, two steps back" that people talk about with feral cats! I like the idea of using a large carrier. I'm anxious to talk with my vet and get started--as you mention, it might take a while before my own "gotcha day!"

Rubysmama, I am going to logoff and watch a pretty silly TV show now, but I am very interested in reading "meet Buggy" later on tonight or tomorrow!! Thanks for the link. Success stories are great!

 

[NT8]

I have a total of 10 cats and half of them were feral or strays..I found them all easy to integrate into the group as long as the boys were neutered soon after taking them in..until then it was war. After we brought in our ninth we decided no more, our boy Hulk ignored our wishes, strolled in off the street and made himself at home in my husband's chair. At 9 kilos there was no ignoring him. We think he was owned by an elderly person who passed away, extremely overfed but with healthy coat and human friendly. He was by far the hardest to integrate...my others didn't appreciate a massive, fully grown un-neutered male in their midst. It took time, he stayed on the end of our bed at night away from the rest and it took a year in all for us to be happy to leave him alone with the gang...now you'd swear they were all born and raised together! My mum also brought in waifs and strays, her cat Sunny brings them home, the only problem she had was the dog (dog loves cats, cats hate dog!) At the end of the day, it just takes time and patience, they will adapt.