Trouble bringing feral cat into my house because he belongs to a large colony

[mareschultz]

Sadly, he hasn’t returned to being friendly. Yesterday he didn’t even show up. Today he came but didn’t jump up on the windowsill to look for me as he always has. I didn’t think he would come but saw him standing on the stairs. I brought out the special food I save for him which he ate. I got in a few pets then he walked off but came back. I played with him using the crunchy dead leaves. He pounced on my hand then rolled over on his belly, latching on to my arm, and kicked with his little feet while I rubbed his belly. The entire time, he never purred. I am kind of heartbroken. I guess I’ll let my hopes to bring him in go.

 

[mareschultz]

I do understand,I cannot keep up with DrAppts myself and am also a cancer patient,I sympathize- it's not easy

It's my pleasure to talk with you,anytime...... you've got a pal

Thank you. . I made another post. I explained there that unfortunately, Dusty seems to have changed. Yesterday he didn’t show up. Today he came but didn’t look in the window. I just happened to notice him on the front steps. He played a bit and I petted him a few times. No rubs, no purrs. I am pretty heartbroken. I guess he has just reverted to being completely feral. I love him but he is more committed to his colony.

 

[tabbytom]

Sadly, he hasn’t returned to being friendly. Yesterday he didn’t even show up. Today he came but didn’t jump up on the windowsill to look for me as he always has. I didn’t think he would come but saw him standing on the stairs. I brought out the special food I save for him which he ate. I got in a few pets then he walked off but came back. I played with him using the crunchy dead leaves. He pounced on my hand then rolled over on his belly, latching on to my arm, and kicked with his little feet while I rubbed his belly. The entire time, he never purred. I am kind of heartbroken. I guess I’ll let my hopes to bring him in go.

Don’t give up. He knows you and he trust you. Let him be at the moment. It could be just the way he behaves. Keep having close contact with him, they may be aloof at times.

 

[Kwik]

Sadly, he hasn’t returned to being friendly. Yesterday he didn’t even show up. Today he came but didn’t jump up on the windowsill to look for me as he always has. I didn’t think he would come but saw him standing on the stairs. I brought out the special food I save for him which he ate. I got in a few pets then he walked off but came back. I played with him using the crunchy dead leaves. He pounced on my hand then rolled over on his belly, latching on to my arm, and kicked with his little feet while I rubbed his belly. The entire time, he never purred. I am kind of heartbroken. I guess I’ll let my hopes to bring him in go.

It's entirely up to you what you do but if you keep him inside he will adapt and he will come to you for companionship.... giving cats options to do as thry always do they will never choose to do anything differently- were the ones with reason,logic and intellect and we do know what is best for them

You're giving up on something you haven't even started- I don't even thjnk Dusty is a true feral,he is a cat though and cats desire familiarity,he's not had a chance to make the house his home to establish it as his territory- as long as that door to his territory remains open he will always remain as he is.....the choice is yours

 

[mareschultz]

Don’t give up. He knows you and he trust you. Let him be at the moment. It could be just the way he behaves. Keep having close contact with him, they may be aloof at times.

I will try. He’s worth it to me. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Cat McCannon]

Dusty isn’t feral at all. Feral cats can’t stand the presence of humans.

How old is Dusty? If he’s intact, that could explain his growing aloofness. He may be running the neighborhood chow line. I’d bring him inside and get him to a vet.

 

[mareschultz]

It's entirely up to you what you do but if you keep him inside he will adapt and he will come to you for companionship.... giving cats options to do as thry always do they will never choose to do anything differently- were the ones with reason,logic and intellect and we do know what is best for them

You're giving up on something you haven't even started- I don't even thjnk Dusty is a true feral,he is a cat though and cats desire familiarity,he's not had a chance to make the house his home to establish it as his territory- as long as that door to his territory remains open he will always remain as he is.....the choice is yours

You’re right. Even though he was born into a feral colony, he is special. Unlike all the others, he chose to come to me for affection. When I see him I always tell him I love him. I know animals understand. There have been a few other ferals from this colony that befriended my neighbors. A few were neutered and adopted. I don’t think I really can give up on him because in my heart, he already belongs to me.

 

[mareschultz]

Dusty isn’t feral at all. Feral cats can’t stand the presence of humans.

How old is Dusty? If he’s intact, that could explain his growing aloofness. He may be running the neighborhood chow line. I’d bring him inside and get him to a vet.

He really is feral by birth but for some reason, he is different than most of his siblings. My neighbors have had contact with a few like him but that is only a few out of a large colony. The other cats run away or skirt me like the plague. Dusty has not been fixed. I found a vet that will neuter him and give him his shots and I really want to do that. Right now I am in a lot of pain and can’t really walk but I am continuing to maintain our relationship - at least I can sit on the porch when he comes and feed him, talk to him, play with him and pet him as much as he allows.

 

[mareschultz]

He really is feral by birth but for some reason, he is different than most of his siblings. My neighbors have had contact with a few like him but that is only a few out of a large colony. The other cats run away or skirt me like the plague. Dusty has not been fixed. I found a vet that will neuter him and give him his shots and I really want to do that. Right now I am in a lot of pain and can’t really walk but I am continuing to maintain our relationship - at least I can sit on the porch when he comes and feed him, talk to him, play with him and pet him as much as he allows.

Dusty isn’t feral at all. Feral cats can’t stand the presence of humans.

How old is Dusty? If he’s intact, that could explain his growing aloofness. He may be running the neighborhood chow line. I’d bring him inside and get him to a vet.

He is probably around three months old. Is he full grown at that age? He is fairly small but all the ferals seem small.