Doing the right thing? (8yo+ semi-feral)

[TreehouseCat]

I feel like I made a crazy/desperate move by bringing a semi-feral cat into my home and I’m trying to figure out if I’m making the right decision and what my next moves should be?

The story-

I’ve been feeding this cat, Mama, for 7yrs, ever since she brought a kitten to our yard. I did TNR with her and in all those years since she’s never once gotten close to me. Last fall my parents moved away and sold that house, I was very fortunate that our neighbors were willing to take over feeding her and even said I could come on their property to feed her myself. I’m not good at trusting others and I hate putting “burden” onto others that may not take the responsibility as seriously as I do, so despite their offer to feed her I’ve been driving every morning and evening to feed her myself. I got her on a solid routine and while she doesn’t always show up for every meal she’s been especially consistent over the summer with how hot it’s been. There’s been times she’s been so excited to see me/food that she starts walking across the street towards me, hissing, to get my attention! But always keeps her distance and always hisses at me.

But a series of recent events had me unsettled: To start on Thursday my neighbor had two dead trees in the front yard removed, they died this summer so I knew it was coming, but one of the trees was how Mama got up and down the 6ft wall easier. She can be very skittish about any change, so I was surprised she actually showed up for dinner that evening. She didn’t show up Friday morning, but did show for dinner. She didn’t show up again on Sat morning, odd but not a big deal. I started home when I ran across a neighbor walking their dog and rolled down my window to catch up for a bit. They asked me if I was still seeing Mama around and said they were worried because a few weeks ago they spotted a cat that had been eaten by a coyote at the other entrance of the subdivision. We’d seen them nearby before, coming out of a nearby park or crossing a main road, but never in the subdivision itself. This stuck in my head all day. That evening she didn’t show up for dinner. Sunday morning she wasn’t there and dinner was left uneaten. Feeling unnerved by all this I decided to walk the neighborhood and see if I could see her. I walked the street that wraps around to the houses on the backside and my heart sank, straight ahead there was a coyote. Seeing me it started walking in the other direction, I followed it, and saw it had already gotten to a cat on that street. A friendly cat that occasionally showed up when I fed Mama that I called “Tiga” due to its flat, tiger-like nose. I was so angry and sad that I chased it all the way out of the neighborhood and down the main road till it disappeared from view.

This was too sad and too close for comfort! I was hoping Mama was ok, that maybe she sensed something was going on so was hiding. But all I could think was that coyote will be back, the tree she used to get up and down the wall was gone, and if anything happened to her while she was waiting for me I’m not sure I’d know how to forgive myself, not when there was something I could do. So I prepared, I made space at my place, loaded up a trap I bought in case of an emergency, and headed out in the evening. She showed up for dinner (thank goodness she was ok), I trapped her and brought her back to my place.

I currently have her in a spare bedroom in a 44in circular fabric/mesh playpen, litter box, food, water, and a propped open carrier as a place to hide (with the benefit of being able to close the door to move her if needed). I have a blanket covering half of the playpen to help make her feel hidden. The opening of the trap fit the playpen flap tightly with no gap, so I left her alone over night and she moved to the carrier so I was able to remove the trap this morning.

My concerns -

Now that the adrenaline and immediate fear have subsided and the weight of the task ahead is settling on me, I’m starting to question if I’m doing what’s best for her. Or am I just appeasing my own sense of fear and worry? I’m saving her from the potential of physical harm certainly, but her hissing and growling as I was carrying her in the trap made me wonder if I’m doing harm in thinking I can get her to adapt to indoor life? She didn’t eat dinner, and now that I’m home from work I see she hasn’t eaten breakfast either… at what point should I be worried and what can I do? Is there a sign/signal that this isn’t going to work out and I should return her?

My plan was to leave her alone, with the door to the room closed, only entering for breakfast and dinner, for the first week or so. Just to let her settle and adapt to the noises of the house (A/C, dishwasher, washer/dryer etc). Then I’d start sitting in the room for longer and longer periods of time to slowly work with her.

I also have three other cats, two of which I’m still working on introductions with each other (that’s been a slow and difficult process in itself). One of them is probably feeling displaced now, since I'm not letting her back into "her" room. I’m not in a permanent living situation, and may need to move next spring. So I’m feeling like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew… but then I picture what became of “Tiga” and I just don’t think I can take coming across her in the same way...

 

[tabbytom]

I currently have her in a spare bedroom in a 44in circular fabric/mesh playpen, litter box, food, water, and a propped open carrier as a place to hide (with the benefit of being able to close the door to move her if needed). I have a blanket covering half of the playpen to help make her feel hidden. The opening of the trap fit the playpen flap tightly with no gap, so I left her alone over night and she moved to the carrier so I was able to remove the trap this morning.

My concerns -

Now that the adrenaline and immediate fear have subsided and the weight of the task ahead is settling on me, I’m starting to question if I’m doing what’s best for her. Or am I just appeasing my own sense of fear and worry? I’m saving her from the potential of physical harm certainly, but her hissing and growling as I was carrying her in the trap made me wonder if I’m doing harm in thinking I can get her to adapt to indoor life? She didn’t eat dinner, and now that I’m home from work I see she hasn’t eaten breakfast either… at what point should I be worried and what can I do? Is there a sign/signal that this isn’t going to work out and I should return her?

My plan was to leave her alone, with the door to the room closed, only entering for breakfast and dinner, for the first week or so. Just to let her settle and adapt to the noises of the house (A/C, dishwasher, washer/dryer etc). Then I’d start sitting in the room for longer and longer periods of time to slowly work with her.

I also have three other cats, two of which I’m still working on introductions with each other (that’s been a slow and difficult process in itself). One of them is probably feeling displaced now, since I'm not letting her back into "her" room. I’m not in a permanent living situation, and may need to move next spring. So I’m feeling like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew… but then I picture what became of “Tiga” and I just don’t think I can take coming across her in the same way...

for taking Mama in.

Yes, you did the right thing. You took her off the streets so that she could live a normal life.

Let her get accustom being indoors. Yes, she may stave off food for a while as she's in a new environment. Love and time will heal her.
Spend more time with her till she feels no threat around you and slowly introduce the rest of the gang to her.

Most important thing is that she must have the trust in you. Whether you are moving soon or later, the trust must not be betrayed. Take one step at a time.

Do keep us posted.

 

[Kflowers]

Please tell the neighbors who were also feeding her that you have her. They are no doubt worried.

We had a feral for years. She lived inside since we had to move when we found her. She became attached to one of the other cats. She never was pettable, she never wanted to be touched, but she did like to sit in the same room with us. The first couple of years we had to visit her in her room. It would take 20 minutes for two people to catch her whenever we moved. BUT she never actually bit or scratched anyone. I couldn't say the same for the 'tame' cats. It was just her way with the carrier. She seemed quite happy with her safe indoor life, even if it wasn't what humans define as the way for a cat to be. It was the way she was happy being.

All cats live their own definition of joy. Release your guilt. You've taken her from a life of fear to a life of safety. When survival is the prize, being a little bored isn't much of a price to pay. Think about it in terms of yourself. In the end isn't a not all that exciting a life a good thing?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I echo all of the above, and am so glad you took her, as you likely have saved her life. Sometimes, it is best not to try to tame a long time feral, but I personally don't think you had much of a choice given what may have happened to her.

She may not eat right away, so don't be too shocked by that. But, try to give her some enticing human food (canned tuna in water, deli turkey meat and/or chicken, salmon, etc.) to see if that might help jumpstart her into getting back to eating. That would be in addition to the food that you are currently leaving for her. Maybe when you set out these human foods, it could be at other times, just to add some more mini-visits with her. The more she hears your voice, it should help to get her used to you and to understand that she has you around to take care of her. And, you could try tapping on the door and calling to her each time you are going to enter just so she knows you are coming in - kind of as a courtesy to her and to reduce the startle factor.

If you find out she doesn't willingly use the litter box, get another one and put soil/leaves/etc. in it - anything that would be similar to what she was using outside to see if that helps get her adjusted to the idea of a litter box in general. Leave the regular litter box in her room too. Window coverings in the room where she is at should be left open so if she would take a notion not to hide, she could sit in the windows to look out to help with boredom that may set in. Just make sure the windows are securely closed. Cat trees or perches should also be placed in that room for her to use. Set out towels or blankets in areas you think she might spend time, as those can be placed on the trees/perches so they have her scent on them. Once she is coming out a bit, be sure to be very cautious when you open and close the door, so as to prevent her from trying to dart out. Or course you will need to start out that way, to keep your other cats trying to dart in!

As far as your other 'newer' cat, was she already spending at least some time out of her 'safe' zone? That may help if she was. Anything that 'belonged' to her that was in her safe zone, I hope you removed before your newest member arrived and placed those elsewhere that is a bit secluded, if possible, and let her know where they are. Her scent on them should also help her comfort level.

You are likely dealing with a long haul, especially with two separate cat issues at the same time, but you did the right thing, and you surely sound like you are up to the challenge!!

Keep us posted!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Almost every feral (and I'm going against current thinking, here) can become a house cat with enough time and patience, so while you've bitten off a BIG mouthful, it can be "chewable." While she is still confined, do spend time in the room with her, preferably sitting on the floor, or as low as you can get. Either talk softly to her, or read aloud to her. Try to avoid eye contact, at least early on, as it can seem like a challenge to a cat. Once she is more at ease with your presence, we can start to work on more advanced socialization. Be prepared to work with HER timeline, though. She has to be the director, here. What you have done for her so far is just right.

 

[Kwik]

Hi there
Nice to meet you-Firstly I'd also ( in agreement with all others before me,like to say" Yes- you've done what is best for her".... you know the avg lifespan of a feral is but 2yrs,add a human providing food and it will extend that,vaccinations etc extends more but each moment outside always poses the undeniable fact that it might be their last- it's not a life imo,it's survival existence.....

Many people will insist " they ard happy out there"... Happy? Living in fear,hiding from the world because everything is a potential threat,having to protect territory,provisional resources ect?They've never had the opportunity to be what they actually are,a domestic animal-so they are in a feral state ..... that not what they are,it's a conditioned behavior

Having said all that,behavior can be modified and re- conditioned - so,I agree almostc100% with Mamanyt1953 as she says " almost every feral" can be a housecat- I believe,with every ounce of my being ANY feral can be- with the exclusion of underlying physical conditions ( such as neurological for one)

Now taking in a stray or semi feral is less tricky than a real feral.... ferals require containment if you hope to have a relationship like you do with your other cats- if you are pleased with a cat that simply lives in your house and you are happy knowing they are safe,fed and having all essentials then will that cat have a good life- well,again not much modification to recondition behavior has happened-so it can take years n years or never come around to his/her potential of being a content family member.... you've successfully transitioned them to living indoors and theyll eventually establish territory and you'll co- habitate peacefully..... for me,that doesn't work

I know many many people who took in true ferals and for years they can't pet them!They give the cat too many options -of course he's going to hide,of course he's going to avoid and of course he's going to behave as he always has- take away his options and then you can see behavior modifying

You are right to contain though being in a separate room does take alot of time that you will have to spend in there and spend away from your resident cats- it's no easy task

It's a good start..... you must really watch that she's drinking even more so than eating right now- did you provide water for her outside,did she drink from a bowl? If not then be sure to have a big enough,low sided dish that her whiskers don't touch the sides so she'll drink- they can dehydrate very quickly- ferals drink from puddles,creeks,spickets so make sure she's drinking.... I've seen quite a few emergency scenarios because a feral wouldn't drink from a bowl- fountains attract them easily

Litter box,use dirt for now- go outside and put a couple of inches of whatever is outside( I'm in Florida so there's dirt,sand etc)....put box in one corner,food in another,water in yet another .....this is just a beginning

If yous like I'd love to know more about your living arrangement because you mentioned you'll be movkng- we can probably come up with a nice plan to be the least stressful with msybe a better containment to house her for awhile and to move from where you are now to where you'll be

 

[TreehouseCat]

Thank you all for the reassurance and encouraging words!! They really mean a lot to me! And sorry for the silence, when it rains it pours and this has been one busy week.

Once she finally ate, used the litter box (some diarrhea, but I assume mostly from nerves?), and I got some much needed sleep my anxiety over this decision subsided greatly. I know that this will be a long road for us and there may be times I’ll doubt myself but right now I’m feeling optimistic.

K Kflowers – Regarding the neighbors, the timing was just right that as I was carrying Mama back to my car they had come outside to say goodbye to their guests. A little awkward timing, but I was able to convey my worry to them then and there and even received an encouraging text from them the other night. And thank you so much for the “release your guilt”, I needed that more than I thought.

FeebysOwner – Thank you for the tips! My newer cat Ardis was already very comfortable in the living room prior, her scent is all over the couch and cat tree I’m sure. I think she’s mostly pouty about the disruption to her routine of going in there at night. But she seems to be adjusting fairly well.

Kwik – Thank you for the heads-up about the hydration! I was so focused on the food and potty aspects I didn’t think about that as much. I’ve been freshening her water though not paying too much attention to the difference in levels. I had been providing a water bowl where I was feeding her outside, but I’m not sure how much she drank from it. Ever since summer started though I have been adding and mixing water to her wet food (I started doing this with my other cats too).

Ideally I would at least like to be able to touch her and pick her up if needed, if for no other reason than being able to get her in carrier easier and not having to resort to trapping her every time. But I’m keeping an open mind and am ok with meeting her wherever she lands. I do wonder how long containment would be necessary though? I’d feel bad having her in the playpen for too long, but there are too many nooks and crannies for her to hide. One thing I don’t want is for her to constantly be in fear and hiding from me. So far she’s yet to come out of the carrier when I’m in the room, though I’ve not spent much time in there yet, still letting her adapt to the sounds of the place and getting used to the routine of the house. My next days off I plan to start sitting in the room with her for longer periods of time. I’m thinking once I get her to a point of not constantly hiding from me, then I can try moving the playpen to the living room so she can adapt to the sounds being louder, and more of the presence of me and the other cats. Though… I’m not sure how long that timeline is realistically.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I’m thinking once I get her to a point of not constantly hiding from me, then I can try moving the playpen to the living room so she can adapt to the sounds being louder, and more of the presence of me and the other cats. Though… I’m not sure how long that timeline is realistically.

I guess we didn't share with you the TCS articles on getting a cat adjusted to their new home, or the introduction process. So, I have included links below to them.

Gear your plans around the tips and introduction steps as indicated in the articles. Please do NOT move her to any locations with other cats around in the confinement of that playpen. That can be very intimidating for any cat much less one of her background and age. By the time she is ready to be around the other cats, she won't need a playpen. This whole process will likely take a very long time.

If she is still being confined to that playpen, you really need to consider doing something to cat proof that room so she can have more space in her safe zone. That really is very crucial to part of getting her to adapt.
Handling Feral Cats - TheCatSite
How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home - TheCatSite
How To Successfully Introduce Cats [The Ultimate Guide] - TheCatSite

 

[Kwik]

Thank you all for the reassurance and encouraging words!! They really mean a lot to me! And sorry for the silence, when it rains it pours and this has been one busy week.

Once she finally ate, used the litter box (some diarrhea, but I assume mostly from nerves?), and I got some much needed sleep my anxiety over this decision subsided greatly. I know that this will be a long road for us and there may be times I’ll doubt myself but right now I’m feeling optimistic.

K Kflowers – Regarding the neighbors, the timing was just right that as I was carrying Mama back to my car they had come outside to say goodbye to their guests. A little awkward timing, but I was able to convey my worry to them then and there and even received an encouraging text from them the other night. And thank you so much for the “release your guilt”, I needed that more than I thought.

FeebysOwner – Thank you for the tips! My newer cat Ardis was already very comfortable in the living room prior, her scent is all over the couch and cat tree I’m sure. I think she’s mostly pouty about the disruption to her routine of going in there at night. But she seems to be adjusting fairly well.

Kwik – Thank you for the heads-up about the hydration! I was so focused on the food and potty aspects I didn’t think about that as much. I’ve been freshening her water though not paying too much attention to the difference in levels. I had been providing a water bowl where I was feeding her outside, but I’m not sure how much she drank from it. Ever since summer started though I have been adding and mixing water to her wet food (I started doing this with my other cats too).

Ideally I would at least like to be able to touch her and pick her up if needed, if for no other reason than being able to get her in carrier easier and not having to resort to trapping her every time. But I’m keeping an open mind and am ok with meeting her wherever she lands. I do wonder how long containment would be necessary though? I’d feel bad having her in the playpen for too long, but there are too many nooks and crannies for her to hide. One thing I don’t want is for her to constantly be in fear and hiding from me. So far she’s yet to come out of the carrier when I’m in the room, though I’ve not spent much time in there yet, still letting her adapt to the sounds of the place and getting used to the routine of the house. My next days off I plan to start sitting in the room with her for longer periods of time. I’m thinking once I get her to a point of not constantly hiding from me, then I can try moving the playpen to the living room so she can adapt to the sounds being louder, and more of the presence of me and the other cats. Though… I’m not sure how long that timeline is realistically.

Typical timeline for a cat to establish an unfamiliar place as their territory is 30 days-when reloacting ferals that's the minimum we use for containment at the new location- of they tend to take off searching for their old territory
When transitioning to indoors you still should wait at least 30 days before releasing from containment to " extend" this newly claimed territory(access to one room).... Understand that can take between 30 to 90 days to well establish that one room as tye territory-meanwhile you'd be scent swapping with the residents etc- depending on everyone's personalities might be time for 'sight next" -how many cats do you have?

I'd not recommend moving the playpen out of the safe room - especially becsuse you have another move planned..... if that's how you want to go about it then you need a large enclosure,one with vertical space and thst you can have the bottom and one half covered ..... and be able to supervise full time..... very frightening for a cat( feral) who has not established territory to be in the midst of activity and established residents..... I did it that way,with an enclosure in the living room but I'd been working with the cat outside for a year,it's what I do professionally and I'm retired so I'm working with them 24/7..... my advice is keep the new kitty in the separated room for now

 

[TreehouseCat]

@ FeebysOwner: Thank you for the links! And you’re completely right that “By the time she is ready to be around the other cats, she won't need a playpen.” that makes total sense, I feel like my brain was trying to skip steps without thinking it all the way through. Especially with two of my cats still hissing at each other through a baby gate I don’t need to add her to the mix and increase stress for everyone.

@ Kwik: Thank you for the information and insight! I have three other cats: Siggy, was the kitten she brought to our yard 7 years ago, he became indoors-only at 4mths so they haven’t interacted since. He’s very sweet natured, but skittish, and is fine with the other cats. Brother, we speculate may be related to Mama (hence why we called her “Brother cat” before realizing “he” was a she) we ended up feeding her around the same time as Mama and so they knew each other for many years but it always seemed like they tolerated each other more than actually got along. They haven’t seen each other in almost two years, when Brother needed an ear amputated due to skin cancer and became an indoor cat. The third is Ardis, who was an outdoor cat I befriended around my workplace and brought inside when she became displaced.

With all three I was able to work with them and pet them outside, and get them to a point I could pick them up to put them in a carrier to bring them inside. Both Brother and Ardis have very bossy personalities. I suspect much of this behavior is because they were outdoor cats who had to defend their territory. They both still sometimes hiss and chase at Siggy when he’s just walking by, so I’ve been slow on introducing them to each other.And I admit I became a little too complacent in the routine of swapping the two girls from their rooms to “scent/site swap” that I haven’t challenged them much beyond brief “sight swapping”. I realize getting all four to at least tolerate each other may be a long road in itself.

A question I have regarding Mama: should I work on getting her to a vet soon or wait until she’s not as afraid of humans? She’s already going through a stressful transition, I’m worried about stressing her out even more. At the same time I’m worried any progress I make on getting her to trust me will be set back if I take her later in this process.

 

[Kwik]

@ FeebysOwner: Thank you for the links! And you’re completely right that “By the time she is ready to be around the other cats, she won't need a playpen.” that makes total sense, I feel like my brain was trying to skip steps without thinking it all the way through. Especially with two of my cats still hissing at each other through a baby gate I don’t need to add her to the mix and increase stress for everyone.

@ Kwik: Thank you for the information and insight! I have three other cats: Siggy, was the kitten she brought to our yard 7 years ago, he became indoors-only at 4mths so they haven’t interacted since. He’s very sweet natured, but skittish, and is fine with the other cats. Brother, we speculate may be related to Mama (hence why we called her “Brother cat” before realizing “he” was a she) we ended up feeding her around the same time as Mama and so they knew each other for many years but it always seemed like they tolerated each other more than actually got along. They haven’t seen each other in almost two years, when Brother needed an ear amputated due to skin cancer and became an indoor cat. The third is Ardis, who was an outdoor cat I befriended around my workplace and brought inside when she became displaced.

With all three I was able to work with them and pet them outside, and get them to a point I could pick them up to put them in a carrier to bring them inside. Both Brother and Ardis have very bossy personalities. I suspect much of this behavior is because they were outdoor cats who had to defend their territory. They both still sometimes hiss and chase at Siggy when he’s just walking by, so I’ve been slow on introducing them to each other.And I admit I became a little too complacent in the routine of swapping the two girls from their rooms to “scent/site swap” that I haven’t challenged them much beyond brief “sight swapping”. I realize getting all four to at least tolerate each other may be a long road in itself.

A question I have regarding Mama: should I work on getting her to a vet soon or wait until she’s not as afraid of humans? She’s already going through a stressful transition, I’m worried about stressing her out even more. At the same time I’m worried any progress I make on getting her to trust me will be set back if I take her later in this process.

Imo it's always health FIRST..... you know we all hate having the little darlings stressed out BUT get it done n overwith now and hopefully Mama won't need to see the Vet for a very long time afterwards....I understand how you feel but it's for her good and the good of your residents as well

 

[kittychick]

Even though you've gotten great advice - had to jump in bc we just almost lost one of our TNR'd "semi-ferals" (after 12 years it's hard to say they're feral - esp with me/hubby) to a coyote attack - - - and we live in the suburbs - far from what I'd call country. But here everyone's building in their natural habitat, and so they're migrating to more populated areas.

So I couldn't agree more that you did the right thing in bringing her in. 100%+. Our coyote-attacked girl (almost had her tail degloved and had major wounds in her rear legs and paws that surgeon found coyote teeth in!) is doing well adjusting to being inside - - - and she's 13. But it does take time, compassion and patience - - and it sounds like you've got tons and tons of compassion. I agree with keeping her separate - completely - for now and definitely not utilizing the playpen. It sounds so good - - but often they just ramp up the fear - especially since the cat feels open on all sides in a "strange place." The biggest key is spending lots of quiet time with her in "her room." I've socialized tons - both from our own TNRs to ones that come into the shelter I volunteer for that need major socialization - and for me it's always come down to time. I lay on the floor in the room where I have them and do everything I can to help them desensitize. I read things aloud softly alot - from email to snail mail to books I'm reading. Where we socialize is in a very large guest room - - so I either leave the tv or radio on at a low volume. I use channels/stations that have alot of talking (not yelling!) bc it helps do 2 things - cover up any other house noises that are still scary, and help them get used to human voices. I always let them know before I come into their room too - I start singing as I approach the door (each cat gets their special signature dopy song) so they're never surprised by my entrance. I also never enter without something yummy (like Churu squeeze-ups or Gerber chicken baby food, otherwise known as "kitty crack"). And I offer them off an extendable spoon like this linked one - let's me start from a distance and get closer as they get more comfortable. Extendable spoon

Best advice - - - definitely use this forum - - - so many people here (us included) have been through what you're going through and can not only advise, but provide great shoulders when you feel overwhelmed. You got this!

 

[kittychick]

I hope you know how well you’re doing & how spot on your instincts are (only thing some of us have that you might not is years of experience with many, many feral/semi-feral/TNR/etc kitties) - and your general “accepting them for the kitties they are.” Very few people are able to do that!!!! Did want to add that I missed something in your posts when I gave my original answer — that you’re keeping her in the playpen full time in the room.

First - I know we all have different experiences & give suggestions that reflect our own experiences/beliefs/successes/failures. What I do has worked for me with dozens & dozens & dozens. As far as initial confinement — I actually do confine initially in our “socialization room.” I start every cat w/socialization issues (& every kitten- even social ones) in an extra-large wire dog crate (Great Dane size). Inside I put a litterbox, food, water, & a cat carrier with a bed inside & the door wired open, plus a box on top of the carrier so they can be a tad more exposed as they get more comfortable. And I initially cover the top & 3 sides of the crate with a blanket that I leave open at the front, gradually pulling the blanket back bit by bit until just the back 1/3 of the crate is covered on all sides. I try to get a bit of “buy in” (like getting them to eat off the telescoping spoon all the way near me) before opening the crate & giving them the whole room. I usually block 1/2 the room off w/plywood sheets - but our socialization/foster/guest room is 22 x 14, so it’s really big.

Before I let anyone out, I go nuts blocking off EVERY possible “hidey hole.” I get down on hands & knees to see from a kitty’s eye view (remember - if whiskers fit - they fit!). We use books, boxes, suitcases, anything to block off under the bed (sometimes we take the bedframe out & put the mattress on the floor), under ANY furniture, closet doors they can pull open (like bi-fold doors), behind the tv, etc. I DO leave the crate w/its open cat carrier inside, as it often becomes their “safe space.” Bonus — when the safe space is the carrier, it’s easy to close the door of it when you need to make the vet trip!!!!!

Whether they’re in the crate or loose in the room, I also do lots of stroking with a telescoping back scratcher. This can REALLY help w/bonding.

I vacillate & judge case by case whether getting them to the vet is best early in the process or a bit later. Again - we all have varying experiences which color our actions - so I don’t feel there’s a right or wrong. If I see no immediate health issues & the cat is particularly fractious, I sometimes hold off a bit (but I have access to some meds & can deworm & treat for fleas w/o going to vet). But if you see possible health issues, don’t wait. And don’t let your other kitties near your “new” one till it’s tested for FeLV & vetted.

And yes - keep track of hydration closrly. Lots of things that help: add extra water to any soft food provided, try flavored cat water supplements, try things like very watered down Churu, kitty “liquid food toppers” like gravies, or watered down “kitty crack,” But always provide plain water too. If I’m worried - I mark the water bowl’s water line every day so I’m not guessing what’s gone.

Hope a little of that’s useful! And THANK YOU for caring enough to take the kitty in - that alone is 1 in a million! But also for coming hear & getting advice — you’re gonna do GREAT!

 

[TreehouseCat]

kittychick – Oh my goodness! Your girl is so lucky she survived that encounter! I can’t imagine the ordeal she went through. She’s also lucky you were aware and got her medical attention when you did! How long has she been inside now? Hearing that she’s adjusting well at her age is certainly encouraging. On the coyotes, one of my neighbors speculates that with the dry summers we’ve been seeing more bunnies in the area feeding on the sprinkler-fed grasses of the suburbs. With them comes their predators. I know they’re only following their nature to survive, but when it’s a cat (or any animal) we’ve made a connection with it’s hard not to feel it on a personal level. Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement! It means a lot!

I did end up taking Mama to the vet yesterday (I did let them know prior that she was semi-feral and has never been handled before), and it didn’t go as I was hoping. She was hissing and swiping so they decided sedation would be needed to do a physical exam (I pretty much expected this). Because they couldn’t get an accurate weight they were conservative with the dosage, coupled with her high anxiety she was still too reactive to be able to do the exam and take blood. They got her weight and a vaccine in her, and she managed to scratch the tech. They sent me home with gabapentin in order to try again on Tuesday. They’re hoping that with an accurate weight/dosage and somewhat decreased anxiety that the sedation will be more effective. I was really hoping this would be a one-and-done affair, at least for awhile. The meds really threw her for a loop, she’s mostly been in a daze since, just sitting and staring, and not eating much at all (I have a camera set-up to watch her). I’ve noticed she’s not drinking from the water bowl much, so I’ve really been relying on her eating her watered down wet food. I’ll try watered down Churus as well to see if that entices her. Any signs of dehydration I should look out for?

Certainly until the vet visits are done I don’t want to expanded her space too much (I need the carrier to be her only hiding option if I’m ever to get her back in it). I did buy a 62” play pen to give her more room than what she has now – I figure slowly expanding out vs starting too big then needing to go smaller (whether for safety or more vet visits) would be best. I am a little worried she’ll need on going medical attention, her nose and left eye have had on and off redness for sometime. With her nose particularly looking raw at times. Part of me is worried it could be some stage of skin cancer (since that’s what Brother had on her ear). But hopefully a successful exam will tell me more about what we’re dealing with and what, if anything at this stage in her socialization, can be done about it.

 

[kittychick]

Sorry it's taken me a bit to answer - been a little crazy - hope you and Mama are hanging in there! Mama's a beautiful girl!

Sookie was really horribly attacked (her tail was almost what they call "degloved" - meaning her tail was almost pulled off - we could see bone - and when they went to repair that surgically, they found big puncture wounds on her back legs and paws, several of which still had coyote teeth in the wounds! ). So we're thrilled she's even alive - and has really adjusted beyond our wildest dreams. Not that she has a choice, since letting her back out is a likely death sentence due to her, well, chonkiness and arthritis. Those mean that she can't climb and would be a sitting duck for anything (man or beast!) that would want to do her harm. She's been fully indoors since early June, and the first week she was on alot of pain meds and anti-anxiety meds. So we were definitely worried that she wouldn't do as well once she was off of meds. But with the exception of a few tries to head out the door (once while her cone was still on - which was almost amusing!), she's settled in well, considering she's now about. We really kept her stress level as low as we could - esp for the first month. We still only run the vacuum when she heads to our finished basement so it doesn't scare her (eventually we'd like to vacuum more often!). Luckily she's continuing to relax and adjust - yesterday she actually jumped (well, pulled her chunky self up) onto the couch as we were whooping and hollering over a baseball game - - - she curled up next to me! Definitely a first we were THRILLED to see! We're looking forward to her continuing to relax and explore (her already-inside sister Flick is less thrilled - - but they're finally able to be just feet away from each other without Flick smacking her!).

Were you able to get Mama to the vet with the gabapentin on board (I know you said Thursday, so maybe you haven't been yet)? And as far as the vet visit - if it makes you feel better (in a weird way) - our sweet, completely social kitty we "foster failed" when she was a teeny kitten (we lost her 2 years ago at 17) bit a tech so badly we had to pay a chunk bc she hadn't been vaccinated (rabies or otherwise) in some time as she never went outside and HATED the vet! So don't feel like you're the only one who's brought in a cat that gets super upset! We give Gaba to lots of ours - in the present and the past - and even ones we've fostered that were poorly socialized that we were working with. Give her the Gaba in plenty of time before the visit - - - cats can react so differently timing-wise. Flick's only 6 lbs and it takes her almost 2 hours before we see any relaxation, Sookie (at 14 lbs!) takes less time. But Flick gets so wound up that the "fight or flight" response by her causes her to basically override alot of the med. I generally give 2 hours ahead if possible - but your vet can help you with the best window of time, as they've at least seen her once and they'll want her as calm as possible.

Don't panic at her being a little out of it afterwards for awhile. I've had kitties who are pretty "back to normal" within an hour of getting back home, but we've had a few that are really zoned out for hours afterward. Just know the more panicked they are - the more their brain can push through it. I do try to remind myself it's that ability to push through the med is the kind of thing that kept/keeps them alive outside. We had one semi-feral kitty that face planted into the couch for hours after the vet visit - I had to keep checking he was still breathing!

As far as hydration - - there are some signs and a few ways to check (altho a few may not work for Mama yet since you probably can't do them yet). Watch her eyes - they shouldn't suddenly look sunken. If you're able to touch her (but I doubt it at this point, right?) you can touch her gums - they should feel slick, and if instead they're tacky and dry, she's dehydrated. Also if you're able to touch her - you can do the "tent test" - which involves pulling the skin between her shoulder blades up - if it snaps right back, she's hydrated, if it slowly sinks back down, she's likely hydrated. If you haven't been to the vet yet today - talk the him/her and ask them to check and what they'd recommend you can try with her as she adjusts. Definitely give her options. I've had good luck with the stuff I mentioned - watering down Churus (or the equivalent), adding water to soft food till it's almost soupy, adding unseasoned broth to her food, and offering some of the kitty "soups/gravies." We've yet to have any kitty turn down all of them - - sometimes it just takes trial and error to see what she responds to.

If you're uncomfortable giving her the full room yet (which I get - it hasn't been very long!), I'm glad you got her a bigger space to stay in. Hopefully her nose is from pushing against the wires of the playpen. One of our other foster fails we had for years was very abused as a kitten, and he never did do well (bc of the abuse) being confined - right up until we lost him last year to FIP. He'd ram his face into the carrier door wires and on several occasions split his nose open. So she could be pushing to get out when you're not in there. Yes, cancer and other things can cause that - but hopefully the vet can help you determine that. And I'll have my fingers crossed that it's not cancer!

Let me know how you and Mama are doing - - I'll answer as much as possible! And hang in there - I have every bit of faith that you're the one who's going to give Mama a safer, happier life!

(and attached 2 pics of Sookie - - one with her cone on, watching tv with my hubby, and one where she's all healed, waiting in the kitchen in the hopes food falls from the sky!)

 

[Meowmee]

I feel like I made a crazy/desperate move by bringing a semi-feral cat into my home and I’m trying to figure out if I’m making the right decision and what my next moves should be?

The story-

I’ve been feeding this cat, Mama, for 7yrs, ever since she brought a kitten to our yard. I did TNR with her and in all those years since she’s never once gotten close to me. Last fall my parents moved away and sold that house, I was very fortunate that our neighbors were willing to take over feeding her and even said I could come on their property to feed her myself. I’m not good at trusting others and I hate putting “burden” onto others that may not take the responsibility as seriously as I do, so despite their offer to feed her I’ve been driving every morning and evening to feed her myself. I got her on a solid routine and while she doesn’t always show up for every meal she’s been especially consistent over the summer with how hot it’s been. There’s been times she’s been so excited to see me/food that she starts walking across the street towards me, hissing, to get my attention! But always keeps her distance and always hisses at me.

But a series of recent events had me unsettled: To start on Thursday my neighbor had two dead trees in the front yard removed, they died this summer so I knew it was coming, but one of the trees was how Mama got up and down the 6ft wall easier. She can be very skittish about any change, so I was surprised she actually showed up for dinner that evening. She didn’t show up Friday morning, but did show for dinner. She didn’t show up again on Sat morning, odd but not a big deal. I started home when I ran across a neighbor walking their dog and rolled down my window to catch up for a bit. They asked me if I was still seeing Mama around and said they were worried because a few weeks ago they spotted a cat that had been eaten by a coyote at the other entrance of the subdivision. We’d seen them nearby before, coming out of a nearby park or crossing a main road, but never in the subdivision itself. This stuck in my head all day. That evening she didn’t show up for dinner. Sunday morning she wasn’t there and dinner was left uneaten. Feeling unnerved by all this I decided to walk the neighborhood and see if I could see her. I walked the street that wraps around to the houses on the backside and my heart sank, straight ahead there was a coyote. Seeing me it started walking in the other direction, I followed it, and saw it had already gotten to a cat on that street. A friendly cat that occasionally showed up when I fed Mama that I called “Tiga” due to its flat, tiger-like nose. I was so angry and sad that I chased it all the way out of the neighborhood and down the main road till it disappeared from view.

This was too sad and too close for comfort! I was hoping Mama was ok, that maybe she sensed something was going on so was hiding. But all I could think was that coyote will be back, the tree she used to get up and down the wall was gone, and if anything happened to her while she was waiting for me I’m not sure I’d know how to forgive myself, not when there was something I could do. So I prepared, I made space at my place, loaded up a trap I bought in case of an emergency, and headed out in the evening. She showed up for dinner (thank goodness she was ok), I trapped her and brought her back to my place.

I currently have her in a spare bedroom in a 44in circular fabric/mesh playpen, litter box, food, water, and a propped open carrier as a place to hide (with the benefit of being able to close the door to move her if needed). I have a blanket covering half of the playpen to help make her feel hidden. The opening of the trap fit the playpen flap tightly with no gap, so I left her alone over night and she moved to the carrier so I was able to remove the trap this morning.

My concerns -

Now that the adrenaline and immediate fear have subsided and the weight of the task ahead is settling on me, I’m starting to question if I’m doing what’s best for her. Or am I just appeasing my own sense of fear and worry? I’m saving her from the potential of physical harm certainly, but her hissing and growling as I was carrying her in the trap made me wonder if I’m doing harm in thinking I can get her to adapt to indoor life? She didn’t eat dinner, and now that I’m home from work I see she hasn’t eaten breakfast either… at what point should I be worried and what can I do? Is there a sign/signal that this isn’t going to work out and I should return her?

My plan was to leave her alone, with the door to the room closed, only entering for breakfast and dinner, for the first week or so. Just to let her settle and adapt to the noises of the house (A/C, dishwasher, washer/dryer etc). Then I’d start sitting in the room for longer and longer periods of time to slowly work with her.

I also have three other cats, two of which I’m still working on introductions with each other (that’s been a slow and difficult process in itself). One of them is probably feeling displaced now, since I'm not letting her back into "her" room. I’m not in a permanent living situation, and may need to move next spring. So I’m feeling like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew… but then I picture what became of “Tiga” and I just don’t think I can take coming across her in the same way...

I haven’t read all this so I hope it’s going well with her. Taming an untouchable, semi feral or feral cat can take a long time. And they may never be touchable.

I have taken many cats in over the years. And I had two in recent times who were not touchable. I had cared for them for almost 10 years outside. When they come inside first, they go into the drop and they stay there until they get there medical needs met. the other cats can come in and see them eventually and they can get their stuff out of the way.

With Fred and cinnamon they did not come in at the same time but they were best friends outside. They both ended up in the master bedroom and I would open the door after the initial phase supervising my other cats. They all knew each other to some degree because Merlin and Zena had been outside and knew them, and Quinn knew all of them through the door when I fed them, etc.

Anyway long story short, it was not easy because they never became touchable so the hardest thing is to get them for medical care because I have to re-trap them inside. But they were happy inside and they mostly got along well with my other cats although Fred was always running away so they didn’t really bond completely until Fred died from cancer last December. And then Merlin died from negligence last March. Merlin was a little more territorial with them and Quinn thought Fred was weird because he was always running away.

Cinnamon is still here with my other two guys now and they can come out and do whatever he wants. He comes downstairs and hangs out but he will always run away if I get too close to him. He does interact with me. He’ll squeeze his eyes at me, he meows at me for food and stuff like that, but I don’t think he will ever get over the fear built in and become touchable cat. And that’s OK.

The only thing that worries me is I can’t trap him inside to get him back to the dvm. But I’m assuming if something serious is wrong he’ll be weaker and somehow I’ll get him into a carrier etc.

Anyway, the techniques I have nearly always used when they first come inside whether they were touchable or not is they go in the drop trap and that way if they’re frightened, aggressive, etc. it helps them to calm down. This is a very old technique for taming Feral Cats…it has worked for a lot of people. I think you’re already passed that stage so just keep doing whatever you’re doing and see what happens. Over time she may become touchable you never know each cat is different.

For cats who were obviously socialized, I just brought them inside and then isolated them most of the time. I will never forget with Wizard, I trapped him by accident when I brought him inside to my studio he was in the trap and I let him out. He was squirt of yelling at me and trying to pretend he was a tough guy. But I just put my hand out to him and he came over and was such a sweetie.Lol. By the next night, he crawled up right next to me and was spooning with me and he did that every night of his life. I had put down a futon in the studio so I could sleep with him.

Another point I want to make is that Xena my fluffy guy who also came in in the past three years and who was quite scared and aggressive, fear aggression at first, became the go-between between Fred and cinnamon and Merlin and Quinn. A go between Cat is a wonderful thing to have because they help calm down the cat who is not touchable and they can make him see that people are good etc. so one of your other cats may end up doing that and help you in this process.