Feral Cats
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
United States
July 25, 2012 10:17pm CST
We have been feeding some stray cats that live somewhere near our house. When we started feeding there was only one cat, then she brought a coupe friends. We managed to trap one male cat and had him neutered, then we released him (TNR).
Now, there are 3 kittens that have been coming to eat, one of the cats had babies!!! We just set up a large humane trap to try and catch the kittens and their mom. When we trap them we will also get them fixed, but we don't want to release them, especially the kittens. We think the kittens can be tamed and then we can find them homes.
Now here's the purpose of my discussion. My mom doesn't believe the mom cat can be tamed because she's an adult. I disagree. I think given the time, any cat (or dog) can learn to trust people. Even if she doesn't become a cuddly lap cat, I think she could grow to live happily in the same (safe) house as a human.
What do you guys think? And does anyone have any tips? Thanks!!!
2 people like this
5 responses
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
26 Jul 12
It's definitely possible to tame some adult animals to put up for adoption. With some it can take more time but there are some that can't be tamed at all. It really depends on the personality of the cat and past experiences.
But this is what happens when you feed one, news gets around quick and you have a whole bunch of them 
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
26 Jul 12
Haha you're right about that!! I think that cat went around and told all her friends about "the house with the free food." "We don't even have to work for it guys!" Haha
I just worry about releasing the mom and keeping the kittens. Wouldn't that make her sad? Or would she get over it? Because since she is feral now, maybe she'd prefer to live feral. The only reason I was worried about releasing her was seperating her from her kittens. What do you think?
I just worry about releasing the mom and keeping the kittens. Wouldn't that make her sad? Or would she get over it? Because since she is feral now, maybe she'd prefer to live feral. The only reason I was worried about releasing her was seperating her from her kittens. What do you think?@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
26 Jul 12
I'm not sure as I don't have exp with seperating kittens from their mums. I think mum would be sad but will get over it and so will the kittens. I think shelters do this anyway and put kittens up for adoption 
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Oh yeah, I didn't think about it being the same situation as what the shelters do. The kittens are weened off their mom now, so I wasn't as worried about them, I just don't want momma to be lonely!! 
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
26 Jul 12
I may have to go with your mom. I've twice had adult feral cats that I've had in the house, and both times it was pretty awful. Now, I've had a lot of feral kittens come in, and while some have become tolerant of crazy 2 legs who hand out the food, the last 3 were born feral and were well set in their ways by the time we go them.
Mandy, Star, Ronnie and Gizmo were or are pretty good with us, Mandy came around to a little bit of petting about 5, Star once in a while let us until she was pretty sick at the end. Ronnie will let us, if she feels she can get away when she wants and Gizmo actually will come to bed and mug me for pets - but ONLY then.
Sparky and Kismet were probably a few days away from being totally feral, and they don't like to be picked up, but they love to be pet.
I know there are ways to "flip" feral kittens, it takes a lot of work, but it can be done. If you bring the mother in, take the kittens from her right away, they will learn her fear.
Good luck.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Jul 12
The large cage that we borrowed doesn't actually have much space behind it. We usually feed the cats in a bowl, and we wanted to try and keep it "normal" so they don't suspect anything! Haha. But the bowl doesn't fit behind the trigger step, so we put the water and food bowls next to each other s the cats had to go behind the food bowl to eat.
But I was thinking about just dropping the wet food right behind the trigger step, not in a bowl or anything. I think they'd rather eat that since it smells better.
Thanks Elic!
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Jul 12
I'm not sure I'd be able to convince my mom to try and tame the mom, but my mom is the one who brought up taming the kittens and finding them homes. The kittens are already weened off their mom, and are eating the cat food we give them, so that's good!
We didn't trap them last night, but I'm hoping tonight we can put the canned food in the cage (smell is more enticing) and we'll get them! I have a 3 day weekend so I could help with them more!
I hope we can tame them! We have coyotes around us and I'd hate to have to release them and worrying about that!
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
26 Jul 12
I think it depends on their personality and what they have been exposed to, eg, abuse.
There is a member who recently spoke about 2 feral cats she has around her place, one is somewhat tamed, but the other is not. I think by capturing them and having them spayed and neutered, is the best thing you can do beside feeding them..
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Jul 12
The one I originally started feeding was little, so I think it was a kitten. So I think momma cat has probably been a feral her whole life. Probably no abuse or anything, just not used to people. But maybe the fact that she has been a feral forever, it'd be best just to get her fixed, and rerelease her. And of course to continue feeding! 
But hopefully the kittens have a chance!
But hopefully the kittens have a chance!1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
26 Jul 12
Hi Lil,
Gee, I wish I could help you out with this question but I don't know too much about feral cats. I do wonder though if mine was a feral baby when they found her.
It's so great that you have them neutered and spayed when you find them.
I would doubt that the Mother cat could be tamed, possibly to some extent like you mentioned, but I don't think it would happen with many of them.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Jul 12
I am thinking she would be happier to remain feral just because she probably has been her whole life. I just worry about her because we have coyotes around here, I'd hate for something to happen to her! But I guess I can't save all the stray cats of the world from natural dangers, can I? Haha
Thanks Kash!
@katie0 (5203)
• Japan
27 Jul 12
Awww, you are such a nice person, thanks for what you are doing! If everyone fed them poor things...
I'm all for adopting adult pets but the cat I was feeding appeared in my roof one day and she was pregnant, it is so cute to see little kittens, so adorable, enjoy!
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Hopefully we can catch the little kittens!! We didn't catch them last night!!!
