Feral in captivity for 2 months

kbeilman

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I trapped a cat from a small colony at my job to spay. It took 2 months to secure an appointment as the first one was cancelled by the clinic. She has been living in my outdoor cottage with fenced in outdoor area getting fed and having a warm bed. She sadly is alone and not friendly. I am ready to put her back in her colony11 miles away that I leave food for but am worried she won't be accepted back and she has gotten used to being the only one at the food bowl. Should I put her back or see if she stays here and let her out where she can continue using the cottage? I am so torn.
 

Gunther4ever

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I trapped a cat from a small colony at my job to spay. It took 2 months to secure an appointment as the first one was cancelled by the clinic. She has been living in my outdoor cottage with fenced in outdoor area getting fed and having a warm bed. She sadly is alone and not friendly. I am ready to put her back in her colony11 miles away that I leave food for but am worried she won't be accepted back and she has gotten used to being the only one at the food bowl. Should I put her back or see if she stays here and let her out where she can continue using the cottage? I am so torn.
She's alone and not spayed so no worries about an unplanned pregnancy, the appt. will come and possibly after that find her a pal that has been neutered. Don't be torn go with your intial instinct to protect her, feed her and house her. You are doing the right thing.
 

tabbytom

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I trapped a cat from a small colony at my job to spay. It took 2 months to secure an appointment as the first one was cancelled by the clinic. She has been living in my outdoor cottage with fenced in outdoor area getting fed and having a warm bed. She sadly is alone and not friendly. I am ready to put her back in her colony11 miles away that I leave food for but am worried she won't be accepted back and she has gotten used to being the only one at the food bowl. Should I put her back or see if she stays here and let her out where she can continue using the cottage? I am so torn.
:hellosmiley: and welcome to TCS!

I agree with Gunther4ever Gunther4ever , please keep her in. It is not easy to trap her and you may never trap her again if you let her go back out. What you are doing is right.

As with rescuing ferals, much patience is needed. Since there's no need to fight for food, she'll learn that food comes form you and she'll always have food.

It just take some time before she trust you completely. In the meanwhile, continue to be with her and leave your clean un-wash non perfume scented garments with her. This will help her get used to your scents so that she'll feel more confidence when you bring food and clean her litterbox.

Don't be discouraged but feel free to ask questions. Do keep us posted.
 
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kbeilman

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She was spayed yesterday. Just don't like she is alone and introducing a new cat correctly in the living arrangements in the cottage would be a challenge. She is calico . I am thinking male companion? I usually have no problem releasing as I have done TNR but they usually are only passing thru for a few days. Never had I had to hold one for 2 months! I'm such a sucker for these felines!
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi and welcome to TCS. I, too, would be torn. There stands a chance she won't be well received by her 'old' colony. But, if she were to leave it, would she come back to you or go elsewhere? If the latter, you will never have a way of knowing what happened to her. A life of isolation in your outdoor cottage can be either a bad or good thing.

There is a member on this site who has a cat she 'trapped' at least 3 years ago and he has lived in isolation and has never taken to his caretaker, still hiding from them after all this time. He has a great space to live in, eats well, and uses toys and beds they bring to him, but will not let them close to him. Is he happy? Who knows. So, it can be 'OK', I guess. But, not what I personally would want for any cat. I don't think the member tries anymore to socialize with him. Maybe he would have never come around had they brought him into their house, but I do think he might have stood a greater chance of doing so.

Are there any rescues/fosters around that might be interested in taking on this cat in the hopes of socializing her? It would be nice if you could do that yourself, but I am sure her living in your outside cottage would make such an endeavor much harder and longer, if possible. I have no doubt you have your reasons for why you can't bring her into your home and work with her...The process would still not be easy, of course. Bringing in a companion is dicey too - and, what would you do if they did not get along?

I am not really suggesting what you should do but, rather, pretty much just thinking out loud.
 

fionasmom

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Years ago, before I knew more about feral colonies and their social hierarchy, I did release a cat into a colony who was perceived as new and she was chased off, never to be seen again. I always hoped that someone someplace might have given her some food or helped her. I even advertised for her and got no responses.

I would definitely keep working with this cat as she knows you better than you might think and is certainly comfortable in the nice home you set up for her.

Some cats are not as lonesome as we think as they are solitary animals for the most part.
 

tabbytom

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She was spayed yesterday. Just don't like she is alone and introducing a new cat correctly in the living arrangements in the cottage would be a challenge. She is calico . I am thinking male companion? I usually have no problem releasing as I have done TNR but they usually are only passing thru for a few days. Never had I had to hold one for 2 months! I'm such a sucker for these felines!
Give her time to acclimate and also gain your trust and it's too early of getting her a companion as she has has to adjust to the new companion where she has not totally adjusted to the new environment which will stress her out.

Many cats do well as a single cat. My boy is a rescue too and he is happy being a one cat in the house.
 

di and bob

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I would let her out after she fully recovers from her spay. After two months I sadly doubt the colony would take her back. after two or three months with you I would bet she woudl ahng around for food and that bed. Maybe in a few months you could introduce a young male neutered kitten and see how that goes. One from the colony would be ideal, AFTER all the vet smells from the neutering are gone, at least a few days. My cats were still smelling the vet on their brother 4 days later, and hissing!
 
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