Hi. I'm new here. I'm hoping someone can help me.
Two weeks ago, I found a cat lounging on my doorstep, seeming calm and content. No collar or tags. She's adorable. I don't know where she came from or why she picked my front porch for a relaxing moment.
A side note: I've lived in my current house for 9 years now and this is the first cat to visit me. I don't have experience with cats - strays or ferals. Nor do I know how to identify one.
I started feeding her the next day, when I noticed she was always staying near my house. At first, she watched me cautiously, while hiding in my bushes. But she made eye contact and gave me a quiet meow. When she saw the food on the front porch, she came out and gobbled it up. Then she went back to her hiding spot and watched me. I spoke softly to her and admired her from afar.
Fast forward to today. She comes to me for 3 meals a day, she naps on my front porch with me, she greets me every morning with the sweetest meows, her tail high in the air. She rubs herself on my porch chair. I sit beside her on the ground while she eats and I talk to her. I haven't attempted to touch her and she hasn't touched me yet either. I want her to trust me and I want to help, if she needs my help. But could she be someone's pet? No other cats are coming around, just her.
I call her a "she" because she looks female with a small head and small paws, and I've seen nipples on her belly when she is lying down. I also think she may be pregnant. Her belly is round and low.
Please take a look at my photos and tell me if you agree. I could be totally wrong.
I'm so out of my element, I don't know what to do. Should I make a shelter for her? (I'm in Canada, so the cold weather will eventually come). I don't want to scare or stress her.
Thanks for your advice.
Two weeks ago, I found a cat lounging on my doorstep, seeming calm and content. No collar or tags. She's adorable. I don't know where she came from or why she picked my front porch for a relaxing moment.
A side note: I've lived in my current house for 9 years now and this is the first cat to visit me. I don't have experience with cats - strays or ferals. Nor do I know how to identify one.
I started feeding her the next day, when I noticed she was always staying near my house. At first, she watched me cautiously, while hiding in my bushes. But she made eye contact and gave me a quiet meow. When she saw the food on the front porch, she came out and gobbled it up. Then she went back to her hiding spot and watched me. I spoke softly to her and admired her from afar.
Fast forward to today. She comes to me for 3 meals a day, she naps on my front porch with me, she greets me every morning with the sweetest meows, her tail high in the air. She rubs herself on my porch chair. I sit beside her on the ground while she eats and I talk to her. I haven't attempted to touch her and she hasn't touched me yet either. I want her to trust me and I want to help, if she needs my help. But could she be someone's pet? No other cats are coming around, just her.
I call her a "she" because she looks female with a small head and small paws, and I've seen nipples on her belly when she is lying down. I also think she may be pregnant. Her belly is round and low.
Please take a look at my photos and tell me if you agree. I could be totally wrong.
I'm so out of my element, I don't know what to do. Should I make a shelter for her? (I'm in Canada, so the cold weather will eventually come). I don't want to scare or stress her.
Thanks for your advice.