Hi,
We've now had two feral cats for 8 years, so I thought I would share with everyone how they are doing. Lucy is an approximately 9 year old manx, and Ricky, a manx-tabby cross, is her only surviving offspring. We successfully trapped them in Dallas 8 years ago, Lucy first, then Ricky. Outdoor and feral cat mortaility was high in our neighborhood, and these two would frequently and cautiously come to the food bowl we set outside. Based on an impending move to New Mexico, we got them, took them to the vet and had them both spayed and neutered. Lucy was not quite as fearful and skittish as Ricky, which leads us to believe she probably had some home time before hitting the streets. Not Ricky, he was born oon the street. He spent about the first two-three years either in a room or a closet, making his way back and forth as he chose. Lucy bridged the socialization between our other cats/dogs and Ricky. Lucy was approachable, sometimes, but it took coaxing. We would just sit on the bed for awhile, and every now and then she would come up and meow and allow brief petting. Neither would allow being picked up. Ricky didn't meow at all, at least not to us. They were guarded and healthy.
After about three years and two moves, one night Ricky wandered downstairs from his room and hopped up next to the fireplace and laid down near Bosco, our black cat. This was curious as well as joyful, as Bosco, like Ricky, is black (except Ricky has a patch of white under his chin).
Today, Ricky and Lucy move freely and interact with all other animals. Ricky still however, when moving from room-to-room, walks the perimeter. He still doesn't like to be stared at, though he will look at you and hop up on the couch to be petted. I think I heard him meow a couple times, but it was so soft it was barely detectable. Neither will allow being held. When people come to visit, they're nowhere to be found. Lucy, for some reason (help here!) will occasionally pee on our bed, or on places where we sit. Our approach to this is temporary isolation in their room.
So, they are both healthy and comfortable. To anyone who might catch a glimpse of them they might seem like normal house cats....they're not, but they seem pretty well adjusted.
Jeff and Jane
We've now had two feral cats for 8 years, so I thought I would share with everyone how they are doing. Lucy is an approximately 9 year old manx, and Ricky, a manx-tabby cross, is her only surviving offspring. We successfully trapped them in Dallas 8 years ago, Lucy first, then Ricky. Outdoor and feral cat mortaility was high in our neighborhood, and these two would frequently and cautiously come to the food bowl we set outside. Based on an impending move to New Mexico, we got them, took them to the vet and had them both spayed and neutered. Lucy was not quite as fearful and skittish as Ricky, which leads us to believe she probably had some home time before hitting the streets. Not Ricky, he was born oon the street. He spent about the first two-three years either in a room or a closet, making his way back and forth as he chose. Lucy bridged the socialization between our other cats/dogs and Ricky. Lucy was approachable, sometimes, but it took coaxing. We would just sit on the bed for awhile, and every now and then she would come up and meow and allow brief petting. Neither would allow being picked up. Ricky didn't meow at all, at least not to us. They were guarded and healthy.
After about three years and two moves, one night Ricky wandered downstairs from his room and hopped up next to the fireplace and laid down near Bosco, our black cat. This was curious as well as joyful, as Bosco, like Ricky, is black (except Ricky has a patch of white under his chin).
Today, Ricky and Lucy move freely and interact with all other animals. Ricky still however, when moving from room-to-room, walks the perimeter. He still doesn't like to be stared at, though he will look at you and hop up on the couch to be petted. I think I heard him meow a couple times, but it was so soft it was barely detectable. Neither will allow being held. When people come to visit, they're nowhere to be found. Lucy, for some reason (help here!) will occasionally pee on our bed, or on places where we sit. Our approach to this is temporary isolation in their room.
So, they are both healthy and comfortable. To anyone who might catch a glimpse of them they might seem like normal house cats....they're not, but they seem pretty well adjusted.
Jeff and Jane
