- Joined
- Mar 10, 2024
- Messages
- 3
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Hi all- I recently trapped a cat on the farm where I work. I saw him over the course of a couple of months and fell in love. He was being chased by the resident farm cats. I remember looking for him and not seeing him then one morning on the drive to work I said out loud “ little guy if you want me to find you, you need to show yourself, otherwise I’ll let you be” Not ten seconds later I saw him on the side of the road. We are now three months later. I’ve gotten him neutered etc. The only spot I have to put him in is my one bathroom, which I know isn’t ideal. His spot is behind the water heater which is unfortunately just open and in a corner so not much I can do to block it off. It took a few weeks but he finally started coming out to eat in front of me. I have a cat tree in there annd put some of my smelly clothes which he seems to like. And he will now eat out of my hand (reluctantly) and I found a wand toy he likes so he will play with me. I see all of his amazing progress, but he scratches at the window a lot and is pretty anxious when I’m in there with him and we aren’t playing or he isn’t eating. He pees on anything new I put in there and I tried letting him out at night but he peed on my couch and chair. I’m not that mad, I know that’s anxious territorial behavior. Ive read the alley cats website on the spectrum of socialization. I think I’ve done a great job socializing him, not sure he’s a great candidate for being domesticated. I’m thinking about barn cat options and one minute I feel grounded about that choice and the next moment I feel like I’m abandoning him. One of the technicians at my vet commented that some cats never learn to stop peeing on things and that keeps running through my head. I’ve worked so hard to make my home a safe place for myself and I don’t have the resources to keep buying new furniture. I’m not sure what I’m looking for here but it’s hard doing this alone! All my friends say it takes time, just ignore him he will come around but none of them have tried domesticating a feral cat haha. I kept trying to decide if he’s a soul kitty or a barn kitty and I’m thinking he’s both! I just don’t have a barn for him.