What shall I do?

Ok here's the story. There were 3 stray cats just running around my yard, (I have a huge backyard). However, 2 of them just disappeared and there is only one cat left. He/She is still roaming my backyard. Recently, I purchased some cat food, put it in a bowl, and sat it on my patio. I turned out the lights to the kitchen and watched as the cat slowly crept towards my patio, scoping out the place, and starting eating the food. So as it was eating, I opened the door leading to the patio to see if it would run and it did. He went by my garage and just laid there for about 5 minutes. My question is, how do I get it to stop running?

Constant feeding him!! Give him/her food every day.It will get to where it expects the food.
Eventually he/she will get comfortable and feel "safe" with you.Let the cat make the first move though.I put food out for our strays and slowly place it closer to me after a few days.I jsut sit there and watch the cat............NEVER go ot the cat.And eventually they get used to me and then I can just sit and watch them.Once in awhile, they will even come to me for petting.Not in your lap petting,just kind of pet the back and top of the head kind of thing.
PATIENCE is the key as well as food!!
Good luck!

Frst of all, I would say, turn the light to the kitchen OFF, turn the light outside ON, but sit with the door open and ever day/minute/any period of time, get a little closer! Then, stoke him, pet him, you know! Then, maybe he can love you and you can take uhim in and love him forever! I try not to let him miss his old buddies too much!

Put the food up somwhere so Skunks and Racoons don't get into it. Skunks don't climb so a patio table would be a perfect place to put the food dish. You have to be patient the kitty will come around.

Try to feed twice a day morning and night, and do a here kitty kitty when you put the food out. Sit far enough away from it so he will eat it, and follow all the above advice.

I agree with everyones advice. Especially "call kitty" when you bring the food out. Then it knows the sound of your voice and you bring goodies!!! Good Luck!

Sounds like you're dealing with a feral or semi-feral or very scared stray kitty. Trust can be earned with these special cats by following the above advice.

I'll move this to Caring for Strays and Ferals for you.

Originally Posted by TuRbO

Ok here's the story. There were 3 stray cats just running around my yard, (I have a huge backyard). However, 2 of them just disappeared and there is only one cat left. He/She is still roaming my backyard. Recently, I purchased some cat food, put it in a bowl, and sat it on my patio. I turned out the lights to the kitchen and watched as the cat slowly crept towards my patio, scoping out the place, and starting eating the food. So as it was eating, I opened the door leading to the patio to see if it would run and it did. He went by my garage and just laid there for about 5 minutes. My question is, how do I get it to stop running?

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Welcome turbo..it does sound like you are either dealing with a very scared stray or a feral cat. In either situation...you are best to set your expectations low to begin with and allow the cat to make the decision as to whether to approach you or not. First however....it is really important that you not leave a bowl of food outside to attract other critters to your yard...the best thing to do is to feed it at regular times...dawn/dusk are best and remove the bowl after the feral has eaten. Second, since you do not know whether this cat has been spayed/neutered or not...it will be very important that if you are planning to continue to feed this cat, that you also take the time to borrow a humane trap and trap this cat so it can be taken to the vet for spaying/neutering and appropriate shots. A vet that is familiar with feral cats will know how to work with one...which is why it is important to use a humane trap. The potential issue that you will encounter if you do not provide spaying/neutering in addition to feeding is that this cat could come spring...decide to present you with a litter of kittens or could bring more intact cats to your yard. It is also best for this cat's health to be spayed/neutered.

For starters, I would read up on this site:

http://www.alleycat.org/

about TNR which is a humane method of dealing with feral cats.

Katie

Thanks for all of your advice everyone! But here's an update, the cat returned to my porch again along with his friend, I sat the food in the middle of my porch, crouched down about 6 feet away from the dish, and they started eating it. I just sat there and watched as they devoured the food like it was nothing. When they were done feasting, one cat just sat down and stared at me while the other came about
2.5 feet away from me and starting to roll around. I did not want to try and touch it since I might frighten the poor thing. So I waited until it went a little farther away from me, then I went back inside. But they know my voice now, I don't want to touch them at the wrong time!