Feral Cats

[ASTRAEA]

@LaDolceVita - Yes, indoor-only Stubby is on top (he has a shortish tail), next is Kinky, who has a short, kinked tail, and last is my big boy Blackie, who has a long tail with a kink at the end.

[LaDolceVita]

@ASTRAEA  They look fat & sassy, or if not sassy exactly, look very relaxed!  The top one, is Stubby I believe?

[ASTRAEA]

@terrylynnmarvin  - Does Dana go out at all?

It's interesting getting a new post to this discussion, since I previously posted back in 2017! Since then, 2 of my 3 ferals live inside part-time, and 1 is inside full-time due to injuries. All 3 of them have full run of the house, and feel safe sleeping wherever they want. Only the indoor cat uses the litterbox consistently, one of the others might in an emergency, but the 3rd doesn't want to. That means that 2 of them go outside for the bathroom, and because they like being outside. They all spend nights inside. Compare with photos from 2017!

[terrylynnmarvin]

                                        Monday, February 24, 2019--11:15 pm CST

I have a feral cat that I domesticated. She's a 7 year old Calico cat that  I've had since she  was  a kitten, I love her very much and she loves me very much. My cat's name  is Dana.

                                           Terry   Mmarvin (Dallas, Texas, USA)

[nyadrn]

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@NJSmirk wrote:

Our home backs up to a "Reclaimation Creek" that naturally hosts a variety of wildlife. We do have ferrel cats and at one time there was quite an overpopulation. But we did put out food and simply constructed shelters. It took a while but with the help of just a couple neighbors and the SPCA  sponsering a "catch and release" we were finally able to get the population under control. It was too heartbreaking seeing so many kittens being born and being attacked by other animals or dieing of Cat diseases. So we knew we had to take action.

There was one kitty that stood out amoung the crowd. She seemed   determined to have a better life and was not going to let any of the others stop her . She was tuff . We observed her watching us.  Little by little she would come closer and one day my Husband was able to give her a little petting..She started following him around the yard since he is always outside tinkering around. Soon he was calling her the helper cat. Whatever he was working on , she wanted to be there observing He always talked to her and she seemed to like that. Three years went by until she decided she was going to have a look around the "inside" of the house. She would run in and then get edgy and want out right away. Each time she would stay in a little longer and explore a little further. 

We named her "Rockie" and she is now a regular house Cat and  So sweet and cuddly. Rockie still spends most of her time outside, but in the evening she likes to come in a is facinated with the TV ! 

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@NJSmirk  Awwwwww 😀

[NJSmirk]

Our home backs up to a "Reclaimation Creek" that naturally hosts a variety of wildlife. We do have ferrel cats and at one time there was quite an overpopulation. But we did put out food and simply constructed shelters. It took a while but with the help of just a couple neighbors and the SPCA  sponsering a "catch and release" we were finally able to get the population under control. It was too heartbreaking seeing so many kittens being born and being attacked by other animals or dieing of Cat diseases. So we knew we had to take action.

There was one kitty that stood out amoung the crowd. She seemed   determined to have a better life and was not going to let any of the others stop her . She was tuff . We observed her watching us.  Little by little she would come closer and one day my Husband was able to give her a little petting..She started following him around the yard since he is always outside tinkering around. Soon he was calling her the helper cat. Whatever he was working on , she wanted to be there observing He always talked to her and she seemed to like that. Three years went by until she decided she was going to have a look around the "inside" of the house. She would run in and then get edgy and want out right away. Each time she would stay in a little longer and explore a little further. 

We named her "Rockie" and she is now a regular house Cat and  So sweet and cuddly. Rockie still spends most of her time outside, but in the evening she likes to come in and she is facinated with the TV ! 

[ASTRAEA]

@LaDolceVita - One of my recent visits to PetSmart, I checked out the cats up for adoption .. they were all monsters, having to weigh > 20 lbs each. The 3 I have eat like elephants (do elephants eat a lot?), but are still quite petite .. bet none of them weighs more than 8 lbs!

[LaDolceVita]

@ASTRAEAWell, I do believe you have acquired some cats!!  What will you do? 

Coming down the drive way this AM I walked into screeching & screaming.  Ellie Mae had the new red guy running through the woods.  She s tiny  but looks pretty big because of all her hair.  We were able to treat the new guy for fleas but he needs neutering.  They have a mobile service but I simply do not have the time!!

[ASTRAEA]

@LaDolceVita - These are my three:

Although one's a tiger & the other 2 are almost pure black, I think they're related based on them all having some version of a unique, short kinked tale. They're all very pretty cats. The tiger has become very affectionate, running into the house as soon as I open the door. The more dominant black one isn't afraid of me, but only last night let me actually start petting him. The other black one is still afraid & runs away if I just come out on the deck.

[LaDolceVita]

@ASTRAEAYes, we do have a group which spays & neuters feral cats if they can be trapped.  I get cats moving in all the time.  Sometimes they do not want to stay because of the dogs.  Sometimes they stay, to the dismay of our half feral Ellie Mae.  She is old and I dont like to see her upset.  I keep cat food out  on the porch and there is lots of places to stay between the house & outbuildings.  I will not let one stay w/o getting it neutered.

We have a lovely new male, he is not feral, he is quite friendly and attractive.  Working on finding a rescue group for him.  He is making my life miserable as all the dogs bark when he prances around.