Feral cat questions!

SEL

SEL

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 February 2016
Messages
15,534
Location
Buckinghamshire
Visit site
Last Friday I picked up 2 feral females (1 about 18 months & the other this year's kitten). Neutered but couldn't be released back where they came from as it wasn't safe. Properly feral - i was relieved I wasn't the one getting them into travel baskets!

We have a big secure run in a stable with a large column scratching post with a hiding place at the bottom.

I'm guessing the older of the 2 cats is hiding tightly in there because I haven't seen a whisker since Friday. Litter trays being used, food eaten but apart from a brief glimpse of the baby I have invisible cats.

My gut feeling is to leave well alone and assume ok rather than frighten them. My OH has been persuaded to get out his trail camera just so I can assure myself there are still 2 cats - but can those of you who have had very feral ferals before give me some words of advice please?! I'm planning on leaving in the run until around Xmas at which point I think they'll bolt.
 
We took on 2 feral cats 5 years ago this xmas; a torty mum who was approx 18 months old and her male kitten, aged approx 6 months. The kitten came round fairly quickly as he was playful and inquisitive but mum took months before we even saw her in daylight hours. She lived in a box in our utility and gradually over the months became more confident to venture out, accept a fuss and sit with us. 5 years on she now sleeps on my bed and is the biggest fusspot going :)
 
Kirstd33 said:
We took on 2 feral cats 5 years ago this xmas; a torty mum who was approx 18 months old and her male kitten, aged approx 6 months. The kitten came round fairly quickly as he was playful and inquisitive but mum took months before we even saw her in daylight hours. She lived in a box in our utility and gradually over the months became more confident to venture out, accept a fuss and sit with us. 5 years on she now sleeps on my bed and is the biggest fusspot going :)
Click to expand...

Wow, that's good! There's a feral that lives round my husband's barn, she comes & goes (eg, there's a plant place next door and we think someone working there had been feeding her because we didn't see her for ages, that person must have left because she started hanging round OH again seeming very hungry so we had to start buying cat food again) she will only get within a couple of metres of him, I've had robin friends that are more tame than this cat, they'll take food out of my hand!

That said my friend had a couple at her yard, the boss of the two eventually would sit on her lap, the other started doing the same after the boss cat was run over so I suppose it depends on the cat.
 
We had 2 feral females dropped off. I kept them in the tack room and like you only ever saw a dirty litter tray and food go. I did worry they had got out at one point as i just never saw them. They slowly started to pop their heads out but would vanish they minute they saw me. They are now out and about, and we do see them but its totally on there terms. The smallest has become good friends with our semi feral ginger, so we see more of her. Its quite sweet, he calls her when ive put the food out. Shes just started to sit about a metre away from me now. But any sudden movements and she shoots off. The other one tends to hang around the garden, we can go for days without seeing her.
 
Thanks everyone. After Benny the failed feral last year (took him home, soppiest lump imaginable) and much missed Missy (adopted me and spent 13 years running my house) I was a bit worried the new girls were both hiding so completely.

Tbh even if they disappear when allowed out we fall over rabbits here and its safer than where they came from - unofficial rubbish dump and trucks which ran over any cat which couldn't get out of the way.

My big Appy was sniffing the air the other day so she knows they're there. She adores cats (the ferals at one yard used to sleep on her rug rack) but she has zero appreciation of the size difference. Her nose is bigger than a cat and they rarely appreciate it up close!!
 
Hmmm trail cam only picked up the kitten today (she's calico so obvious) and not the ginger ninja. I'll try again tomorrow & leave it overnight but I'm wondering if she managed to escape somehow. I think it's secure but perhaps not!
 
If food is going they are still there. I did the same and it was maybe 2 weeks before I actually saw one. Let them out after 6 weeks and they vanished for 24 hours then we saw a little face peeking out the bushes at food time. Feed them the same time every day and don't let them out too soon, they will be fine.

Our mouse problem was fixed within days!
 
We have CCTV and I do try and watch them on that . It shows the black one really well , but our ginger one is really difficult to see . He looks like a ghost as you can only see a vague outline . Hopefully that’s what’s happening with yours ?
 
Lady Jane said:
If food is going they are still there. I did the same and it was maybe 2 weeks before I actually saw one. Let them out after 6 weeks and they vanished for 24 hours then we saw a little face peeking out the bushes at food time. Feed them the same time every day and don't let them out too soon, they will be fine.

Our mouse problem was fixed within days!
Click to expand...
I'm hoping the little one isn't eating everything, because its a lot if it's all her!
The trail cam picked her up popping in and out of the tower and also climbing the sides of the run. I'm a bit paranoid the bigger one found a weak spot & got out but can't see anything obvious. Hopefully the little one is just more prepared to explore the run in daylight.

OH brought the camera home tonight but I think tomorrow I'll leave it on and keep fingers crossed nighttime brings out both of them.

Calico kitten is very cute 😍
 
Asha said:
We have CCTV and I do try and watch them on that . It shows the black one really well , but our ginger one is really difficult to see . He looks like a ghost as you can only see a vague outline . Hopefully that’s what’s happening with yours ?
Click to expand...
Hmmm I've just re watched but think it's just the one I can see. Try again tomorrow!
 
Keep the faith. They will be very shy and protecting themselves for a good while.
Just when you think it will never happen, they will come and sit on your lap.
 
Bugger - definitely down to 1 cat. I spotted slide marks in the dust on the stable window so went over the run closely and I think I can see where she broke out. Must have taken a real effort though as its at the top. So I climbed in and had a look in the cubby hole and just the kitten as I suspected.

Not entirely sure if I should tell the rescue that she's done a bunk. Haven't seen any sign of her on the yard so hopefully she'll be self sufficient
 
It’s amazing what they can get through :(
I’d keep putting food down. The escapee may well stay around. A few we found homes for had a similar sounding set up and escaped fairly quickly somehow! They are still there though on the yard.
 
I'd get some ring cameras, and pop some food out somewhere in the open where she feels she won't be trapped. That's how I keep tabs on Mittens, the very feral cat who arrived in our yard.

I'd probably make more of an effort to socialise the kitten unless you want a total feral. If something happens to Mittens and she needs vet treatment, I don't know what we will do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SEL
So good news is the trail camera has picked up mummy cat coming onto the yard for her bowl of biscuits. The first 2 nights I left down the cheap co-op ones I had for a random feral earlier this year and she scoffed the lot. Last night she ate the GoCat ones and left the Co-op so I think she's less hungry and more fussy. She knows where her kitten is and has looked around the yard so I think she's hiding out next door. There's a large collection of junk / sheds etc so feral cat paradise really.

I told the rescue and they just shrugged it off. Apparently a couple they caught bolted past the staff at the cattery so they aren't expecting anyone to make soppy house cats out of them.

Kitten is hiding and not talking to me so I've bought catnip toys and trying to plan a bit of kitten taming. She's very, very pretty but a bit sad on her own.

I did ask Benny (the non feral rescue who didn't make it as yard cat) if he fancied a girlfriend but I think he's a 1 cat house really. He's a wimp.(more cushion than cat)
 
  • Love
Reactions: tda
As long as there’s food available they will be fine. My ‘not mine’ feral kittens are apparently now 5 years old, well according to FB photos. They are very demanding yard cats and would be inside given half a chance. One is always around, her sister appears from time to time. They are fully aware of the set up here, as long as there’s a round bale to sleep on they’re round the stables. Not sure if they visit the cows next door but they know various cars, people etc. and make themselves very comfortable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top