We just got a dusting but a chance for an inch or so tonight. Temp around freezing. Gypsy safe and warm.
The total trust of a former stray warms my heart.
You and me both! It's the most rewarding and gratifying feeling of all.The total trust of a former stray warms my heart.
I've not had any experience with socializing any stray except Gypsy and we all kinda worked things out together but it sure seems to me that your girl, after spending all those years outside alone, is glad to be inside warm safe with a full tummy and folks who care about her. She isn't oblivious to that window being open. If she wanted out she would let you know. If she is too scared to go out, she has a reason. I think that by leaving the window open occasionally you are letting her know she isn't being forced to stay which may make her want to stay even more. Definitely let her know you are happy she is there and you want her to stay. If she is sleeping and going potty with you in the room she definitely trusts you and may have chosen you as her furever human as Gypsy chose us. I wouldn't leave the window open all night and I'd shorten the time you do leave it open. You know in your heart that the best (and safest) thing for her is to be a full time indoor cat. Do you have other cats? I suggest not checking other advice on the internet and stick here on TCS (especially here) where lots of great advice will be offered by N NY cat man , Whenallhellbreakslose , tarasgirl06 , Mamanyt1953 and other experienced folks. Jcatbird is still flu fighting but I know she is happy you came on her thread for words of wisdom and reassurance. Hang in there, don't be discouraged, remember your girl has been without a human to count on for a long time (if ever). I wonder if she was afraid to use the shelters outside or just decided she wants the good life inside. Keep her warm and give her some cozy places to lounge up off the floor.I've been clicking through this thread and was wondering if JCatbird or anyone had advice on an older (at least 10 years old) spayed female feral that I have inside? Is there hope for socializing her? This post gave me some hope: https://thecatsite.com/threads/my-feral-and-rescued-cats.365435/page-783#post-5548912
We've been her for around 10 years, and she was an adult when we started feeding her. She would let us get to within a foot or two of her when feeding, but was always SUPER wary and we never attempted to pet her.
We caught her on Friday and had a vet see her for what turned out to be a nasty ear infection. I've been thinking for years that I'd like to try moving her inside or see if she could be an indoor/outdoor kitty. It's really cold here in the winter and she won't use any shelters I put out for her.
At any rate, she's been in a spare bedroom since Friday. As with all things, the internet is full of wildly conflicting advice. I fluctuate between thinking I can surely socialize her and feeling like a monster for keeping her cooped up in a room.
She will eat, sleep and use the bathroom in my presence, but has no interest in approaching me or interacting with me. I'm of course following advice on socializing her slowly.
I'm wondering if this means anything, or if this is just anthropomorphizing: since Friday, we've left a window in her room open wide enough for her to get out, for about an hour each day. It's really cold out and probably drafty on the floor where she's been hanging out, so I close it after that. The first few times, I opened a window over a desk at the opposite side of the small room she's in--today, I opened the window next to the bed, on the same wall she's been hiding against (she has also sometimes been up on the nightstand looking out this window when I come in). She didn't leave any of these times, obviously, or I wouldn't be asking this question! I have a camera in the room, and she did not go up to the window to investigate.
So, my question is--does this mean she's too oblivious or scared to investigate? Or that she doesn't want to leave? I realize that no one here can truly answer that question, but I'm somewhat desperate for advice on the right thing to do for her. She's a super wily, savvy cat--I can't imagine she wouldn't smell the fresh air and at least check it out to see if it offered an escape. A complicating factor is that on a couple of other occasions I cracked the window or kept the screen down so she couldn't escape those times if she wanted to.
I guess the way to find out for certain would be to leave the window open all night, but aside from the safety implications and the cold, I really don't want her to leave!
So sweet. Thanks friend.Checking in on you too.
LOL, my cats have different personalities.Oh my! I just saw your post about the itching! Maybe it is just some kind of seasonal allergy? I wonder if Graham knew and came to discuss it with you. Such a smart kitty! Cats do these things. We may be their guardians but they are ours. Feel better!
I did laugh at your description of Graham being nose to nose. Lol
C Clocat : Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on bringing your girl inside. And thanks feeding her all these years.I've been clicking through this thread and was wondering if JCatbird or anyone had advice on an older (at least 10 years old) spayed female feral that I have inside? Is there hope for socializing her?
Yes! Definitely pictures, we love pictures. What is her name?C Clocat : First off, welcome to TCS, and to this thread, and also, thank you for taking in your girl. The fact that she hasn't tried to escape, even given the opportunity, would make me think that you can dispense with leaving a window open- she's happy right where she is. Whether she will ever become a cuddle or lap cat is another question. Some are or will be, while others never will; only time will tell for sure. All you can do is let her decide, at her own pace, and in her own good time. As for the indoor/outdoor part, I would advise against it, as there are too many bad things that can happen out there. None of ours have been outside since we took them off the streets, and all have adapted nicely. The last one, an adult spayed female, walked in the door and never looked back. That was almost four years ago.
So, just keep on doing what you have been doing, have patience, and don't try to rush things. Best of luck to you.
Oh; and pictures, please- we love to see them, if you have any.
Thank you! She is very adorable.HLA is absolutely gorgeous! I can't be much help regarding ferals but I know a beautiful cat when I see one and she's stunning.
Awws, beautiful one! Thank you for sharing. She looks like my Bourbon.Thank you, dustydiamond1, rubysmama and NY cat man! So as not to hijack Jcatbird's thread, I'm going to start my own. Below is a pic of her from when she was at the vet on Friday. This is silly, but for all these years we've called her "HLA," which stands for "Hank Lookalike," as she looks very similar to a late great cat of ours. View attachment 436395
Sad sweet face.Awws, beautiful one! Thank you for sharing. She looks like my Bourbon.
This morning I also took one from outside today. Don't know where the mama is but this little one may not survive outside as it is so timid, never pushing its way to grab food when I feed the colony. It just sits and waits until all the food is gone.
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Can you save some food for him/her til the after rest have eaten? Such a pretty kitty. I'm definitely just suggesting and not criticizing because I know how wonderful, tenderhearted and caring you are.Awws, beautiful one! Thank you for sharing. She looks like my Bourbon.
This morning I also took one from outside today. Don't know where the mama is but this little one may not survive outside as it is so timid, never pushing its way to grab food when I feed the colony. It just sits and waits until all the food is gone.
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