I need some help

A little background first. 2 or 3 months ago, we started seeing footprints in the snow but the cats weren't showing themselves. After a few weeks, we did spy one and then another. We started putting food out for them. They would show up late evenings and overnight, sometimes together and sometimes not. About 3 weeks ago, we were able to pet the one, but the other would run if you just looked at it. The first one has progressed to the point where we are getting him acclimated to the house and our other 4 cats.

Here is the problem. We trapped the second one last night in the Havahart. We have a small kennel set up in our garage and got the cat transfered into it. My husband was going to try to rearrange things in the cage today to make it easier to service the litterbox and the cat charged him. Luckily, it didn't get him.

I need suggestions about how we can get this cat to calm down enough to take care of it. I was assuming that the two of them were kind of together, but maybe they just hooked up later.

Is the cat just scared and acting out because of that?

Thank you in advance for any ideas you can give us.

at the risk of getting "jumped on" over saying this, I think you should contact a professional rescue group that has experience dealing with ferals. A true feral can cause damage to you, even causing hospitalization.
I'm glad the one cat came around, but some things are best left to the professionals.

Originally Posted by blueheart

at the risk of getting "jumped on" over saying this, I think you should contact a professional rescue group that has experience dealing with ferals. A true feral can cause damage to you, even causing hospitalization.
I'm glad the one cat came around, but some things are best left to the professionals.

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B**llS***


Take it from me kerry Your heart is in the right place,You do what you can,You don't
need to be a pro to help ferals

I know from experience ANY cat can cause serious injuries when your not prepared.
Wether they might be a 'domestic' or a 'feral'.
My motto is always be prepared.Always try to wear goggles and gloves when you can

Good on you for trying

Well done.

Prepare your self with a lot of patience. If possible get a little cardboard box with a hole in, big enough for the cat, into the kennel and hopefully he/she will prefer to hide instead of attack. It will probably take a few days before the cat stops having panic attacs when you enter the garage. When you change food and litter it is important not to look at the cat. If possible keep your back or your shoulder to the cat and not your front.
If you think the cats know eachother it might calm the scared one down to have the other one around. Can you keep him in the garage for a while?
Routine is important. Try to feed and change litter at the same time every day and spend some time in the garage just reading loud or sitting there ignoring the cat but being around.

Good luck.

Thanks Malena. I will definitely try some of these things.

Furryferals, I also know that one can get seriously injured by a non-feral. One of my inside cats bit me when he saw another cat outside the window. I know better, now, than to touch him when he is fixated on another animal.

Important question: Are you trying to socialize him or just calm him long enough to get him to a vet for TNR? Not all cats can be socialized to the point of petting.

I've been caring for Ember as part of my colony for 5 yrs at least. She will never come closer to me than 5'. I've trapped her and had her spayed, but she will never be a pet. She's happyest living in my backyard. She gets food and water. She sits and listens when I read aloud to her, but she has never let me pet her.