I could use some input on bringing a feral into my home

[Contrary1]

I have been feeding "Scarlet" for about 10 years. She is a beautiful dark colored tortie. In all that time, I have only touched her once. I managed to trap her, get her spayed and vaccinated, and then released her...probably about 8 years ago.

Lately, she spends most of her time on or under my deck. Yesterday, I was able to get within a couple feet of her, and she wasn't even aware I was there. That worries me.

I would very much like to trap her again, and give her an indoor home for the rest of her life. Of course, I would get her to a vet to check for any signs of disease. The problem is that I already have 6 indoor kitties, 4 of which I suspect are her offspring. (Rescued from under a neighbor's deck 11 years ago.)

She is really slowing down. Winter will be here soon...should I attempt this, or would it be kinder to just let her be?

What do you think? (Other than that I am crazy.) :)

[emilyg]

1. I had one like that. After

years of feeding her by my door - just yanked her in one day. There was a lot of hissing for a few days. My other cats got used to her - she slowly relaxed and finished her long life (18 years) being an outdoor/indoor kitty with me.

[Dover]

2. I have an older cat that was feral, somewhat more tame than yours,

who also is a dark tortie. She is not very comfortable inside, but I make sure to bring her in on the worst weather days or when sick and keep her in my office by herself with her own litter box and food. That way it's not as stressful. Prolonged stress is the main thing to avoid, which can do more harm than cold weather. That's also helped to break down her resistance to touch, being in my presence and getting lots of one-on-one attention.

I've also taken her in to the vet for various ailments over the years. She currently has the company of two young kitties I've taken in who stay on the porch with her (although the kitties are equally comfortable in the house and have had a lot of handling).
To my surprise she seems to be responding very well to their companionship.

You can always try it for a week and see if she is able to get acclimated. Do it gradually, think it through beforehand and...patience.
Otherwise you might prepare a good 'winterized' outdoor space for her that is protected from the elements with a possible heating pad and/or ceramic heat lamp. But it sounds like a visit to the vet is the first step. Good luck with her.

[glinda]

3. Advice

You must bring her in. I would suggest a live trap or to entice her into your garage or something. I would then isolate her totally from any other of your pets in case she is a carrier of feline leukemia. Then take her right away to the vet and get her tested for that. It is not too expensive and well cheaper than having sick pets, if not diagnosed. Then I would get her her shots. Bring her home, isolate her in another room where the other animals can smell her under the door or see her. It will all be fine as long you can bring her in and take care of her. We have a feral that now loves to be combed and sleeps with us. I wish you much luck with getting her taken care of.

[japple]

4. I've had success with integrating a stray (not feral) cat into

my household by isolating them after they've been checked out by the vet. I took an old aluminum window screen and propped it in the doorway of the room where the newbie was quarrantined during the day. At night, I closed the door. My other cats were curious, but really didn't pay too much attention to the new kitty. It took less than a week for them to accept the newcomer, and I think part of it was that they were jealous of the time I spent in the isolation room. After the new kitty came out into the household, there were still moments of growling and hissing, but no real problems.

If Scarlet is extra shy, you might try letting her hang out in in a cat carrier or kitty condo if you can't isolate her in a room by herself, and then put her in the bathroom with a litterbox at night.

Good luck in your efforts. You'll be doing a good thing to bring this dear girl in from the cold.

[hamsterjill]

5. Inside - quiet place

I've had experience with bringing several ferals indoors, with differing results. I completely and totally support the idea of having cats inside a home or an enclosure rather than roaming freely, and particularly with this girl's age (anything beyond eight is considered "senior", although cats can live much, much longer), I highly support your determination to bring her indoors.

I would suggest (as you've indicated), trapping her and taking her immediately to the vet in the trap. Many times, veterinarians have a much easier time dealing with a true feral if the cat is in the trap. Many vet's office have a "comb" type of instrument that they can slip into the opening of the trap, confining the cat to a small area of the trap, thus facilitating giving injections, etc.

Blood will need to be drawn for the Elisa test for Felv/FIV (and some nowadays have a heartworm component). Sometimes, it is necessary that the vet sedate the cat for this to take place.

Once she's been given a clean bill of health by your vet, I would advise setting up a taming cage in a room that is in an area that is quiet, etc. The cage should be large enough for her to move about, but small enough to make her feel "safe". We generally use the medium sized dog crates, and put in a pet taxi (or other item) to give the feral a spot to "hide". We use "bird cups" for food and water, and she'll need a litter box, of course. Give her a few days to allow her to get settled, and then start spending some time near the cage. You can simply sit and read if you like, listen to music, etc. Offer her enticing things to eat. Once you sense she is comfortable enough for you to approach her, I highly recommend a "back scratcher". The back scratcher will allow you to give her some attention, and allow you to maintain a distance in case she happens to strike. Don't be discouraged if she does. This is all new and different for her, and she may need a lot of time to adjust.

I've had ferals tame within a matter of weeks, and I've had some that simply never got comfortable with human interaction. Those that did not, however, can still adjust to living inside where they will be much safer and comfortable.

I wish you the very best of luck in this endeavor, and I thank you kindly for thinking of her well-being, and for your willingness to take steps to give her a better life.

[Contrary1]

6. Update on Scarlet

I have fashioned a shelter right outside the door, using a large plastic tote. I placed an old carpeted cat house in the tote, and packed it with straw for warmth. She spends a lot of time in it. Part of this is due to a new male coming around. I suspect he has been dumped. He looks to be in good shape, but seems very hungry. I'm glad Scarlet is no longer available. :)

She has become a bit more receptive to my attempts. She doesn't run so far away at feeding time, and "talks" to me when she is ready to eat.

I will try to trap her in the next few days. She is smart, so I may have to withhold food for a couple days to get it done. I have a couple cages I can put together to make a roomy place for her to hang out.

Now, I need some advice as to what to do with the dissenting husband. ;-)

Thanks for all the input and tips.

[tosh]

7. Me too - I'm there too!!

I don't think you're crazy at all!!:7

I have ONE feral cat left of a family of four. Her name is Snow Kitty and she will be 10 in late Feb.

One difference is that, amazingly, she started to cautiously rub my legs at feeding time around a year and a half ago. I can now pet her a little, but only under the precisely right circumstances, and even then with some hissing, LOL.

She lives within a two block range of our downtown (small town) business, and we live 4 blocks away.

My hesitation is my beloved 17-year-old Marley, already so thin and frail. I never thought these two would adapt to one another because they are both so much alike - very female, glamour-priss, Feline-American-Princess types.

I can't advise you because I can't advise myself!!

I don't want Snow Kitty to live her senior years on the street and I don't want Marley to be stressed out during her final months.

What to do, what to do??

Scarlet must be, what, 12 or 13?

Your decision seems much more difficult than mine as Snow Kitty is a bit younger and I live in a very mild climate.

I hope you'll post what you decide and how it goes.