Yard cats

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horseydebbie

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Are you thinking of adopting a yard cat?
We have just given a home to two feral cats from SNIPS (Society for Neutering Islington's pussies) They are either feral street cats or come from hoarders. What really impressed me was they came with holding cages, loads of food, cat beds, and were delivered from London. Both are 8 months old fully vaccinated and neutered, and came free. (We will give a donation) Although one has become tame within 2 weeks I think it will take a lot longer for the other one. All they ask is that you keep them in the cage for 2 weeks
If you looking for a cat please consider SNIPS
 
I had two rescue feral cats 18 years ago and they were brilliant hunters that lived in my feed room until two years ago when they both decided they were moving into the house. Lost one last year but the other, who had never been house trained, now lives in the house, sleeps on our bed every night and only goes out if it is dry abd warm. He is completely clean in the house and has become a really cuddly cat. So much for my unhandled, wild cat.
 
My two came from Kathyscatrescue in Cheshire, and came with a hen house! It was ideal though because they could retreat into the house/nest box and I could close the hatch while I replaced food and water and cleaned litter trays. They stayed in it for almost two months, their choice. They have been here 15 months are relaxed around me but not handleable, but they have caught mice, rats, moles and baby rabbits.
Because there was food available (once they were let out) an opportunist local stray moved in so now I have three!
 
Same here! We started with two from Thames Valley Cat Rescue, but sadly lost a couple over the years, so we've had a total of four from them (currently two again). Plus we've had a recent latecomer who just moved in. That one is so friendly, he was probably a pet, but the owners didn't keep microchip info updated, so he's staying. The feral ones can be petted and touched, but try and confine/hold one (e.g. to get a tick off), and be prepared for carnage!

Do any of you have good tips on how to keep them wormed? I've had little luck trying to hide wormer in their food (not really that interested, plenty of rabbits, rats and mice to be had!), and all the really effective spot-ons are prescription only. I don't see the point in traumatising them only to get a spot-on prescription! But our best hunter who probably needs it most just won't eat the laced food!
 
Such great stories. Wormer question reminded me of my mum, who used to put our cat in a duffle bag with just his head sticking out! It did work, but could be a problem getting feral cat in a duffle bag!
 
For worming butter and marmite on tablets was the only thing that worked for me, but you have to spend ages watching to see who has eaten it, and did the tablet make it all the way down... Sometimes I did resort to old bath towels and pounce on them, make a kitty burrito and force it down. Not fun.

My ex-yard cat also moved into the house in her old age. She quickly went from not keen on humans to following us around and batting us if we're not stroking her enough!
 
supsup said:
Do any of you have good tips on how to keep them wormed? I've had little luck trying to hide wormer in their food (not really that interested, plenty of rabbits, rats and mice to be had!), and all the really effective spot-ons are prescription only. I don't see the point in traumatising them only to get a spot-on prescription! But our best hunter who probably needs it most just won't eat the laced food!
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Easypill Cat putty - they find it irresistible. I have wormed mine twice with it and also my house cat who is equally as difficult. On ebay or I got my first lot from my vets
 
I just hope they don't end up in the wrong hands there are some sick people about especially free they'd probably even pay to satisfy their needs.

Sound great other than that
 
The only thing Id always want to point out to people is that you still have to feed and vaccinate the cats etc. My mum used to do a lot of rehoming for the CPL and so many farmers etc. would think they could just adopt some cats and then forget about them as they could leave in the sheds and eat mice all day. Cats will likely still need fed! And a warm place to sleep especially in winter, they'll need vaccinated, wormed, treated for fleas if they catch rabbits etc. Great thing to do though!
 
I find my stable cats eat more than my house cat I assume its because they are hunting all night so use up more energy. They love their feed time and it keeps them wanting to stay around the stables because that's where they are fed.
 
I have had two feral cats for 10 years (they came from Stratford when all the old buildings were demolished to make way for the Olympic village) They are fed twice daily and I have once managed to worm them with pour on type wormer. Vaccinate? Not a chance!! they were done before they came but I think you might die trying that!!
 
we used to have 4 feral cats and same as sporthorse,they were vaccinated and neutered before we got them and we couldnt have wormed them as although we could just about stroke 2 of them we couldnt have picked them up. 1 of the cats got killed on the road and the other 3 lived to 14 so we didnt do too badly with them..
 
I had a stable cat from SNIP too, I still have their cage which they've not collected for 3 years or so, in spite of several reminders!
No chance of vaccinating her, can't get near at all!
 
Just a quick update on our 2 SNIP cats. Kept in the cage for 2 weeks. When released both ran away. Within 3 days one came out and seems to be getting more friendly However I was getting concerned about the other one as no sign of him. Spotted him yesterday for the first time since release, in an outbuilding. It will take a lot of time to befriend him, but I will be patient.
 
horseydebbie said:
Just a quick update on our 2 SNIP cats. Kept in the cage for 2 weeks. When released both ran away. Within 3 days one came out and seems to be getting more friendly However I was getting concerned about the other one as no sign of him. Spotted him yesterday for the first time since release, in an outbuilding. It will take a lot of time to befriend him, but I will be patient.
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Feed them at the same time every day with wet food - that was the key to mine relating to me. They hung around for the feed time and despite being worried about me being there to begin with are now more than happy to have me right by their food bowls. Kibble is too general and too available whenever you aren't around.
 
The one is always around for breakfast & supper
However other one I think comes out when dark. I suspect he may be deaf, pure white with blue eyes not a problem for us as we are not near road, but could be why very shy
 
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