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I just want to figure out if these cats are stray or feral

post #1 of 12
4/1/10 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 
Cat is a really beat up looking tabby with missing patches of fur i see it drinking from pools and looks like its in bad shape. WHen it sees me catch it staring at it from the window it usually runs away. It seems to always be around in my yard or around my house during the day? Is there anyway to find out if this cat is a stray or feral?
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post #2 of 12
4/1/10 at 11:53am
Its hard to tell, it could just be a scared stray or it could be feral.

Try feeding it for a few days and see if you can get closer, generally I never see my ferals during the day so when I see a cat in daylight, its a stray
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post #3 of 12
4/1/10 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by icklemiss21 View Post
Its hard to tell, it could just be a scared stray or it could be feral.

Try feeding it for a few days and see if you can get closer, generally I never see my ferals during the day so when I see a cat in daylight, its a stray
Dont feed if you arent planning for an continuation.
But I gather you are planning something? - especially if it IS a stray?


If the cat is in bad shape, it is very probable a stray.

A feral surviving into fully grown up is probably a successfull survivor - thus - wouldnt be in visibly bad shape (or being old now).

If you can and want to help it - please do so.

Good luck!
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post #4 of 12
4/1/10 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
i saw it walking down the side walk today i n daylight would a feral ever do that>? I have food but i am out of the country right now in a family owned home till the summer (sacramento ca) so i am not sure what to do.

I told someone at a shelter and they said the city has a million stray/feral cats "good luck"
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post #5 of 12
4/1/10 at 3:53pm
Thread Starter 
ok i put food out for the cat but when i looked it was half eaten so fast by this monster tom cat that is also around 24/7 spraying everything he sees? I think he must be someones pet since he looks so strong and healthy and is out during the day all the time? He rubs himself on cars and i have found him sitting in everyones yard on this street.
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post #6 of 12
4/1/10 at 5:01pm
The feral cats in my neighborhood do come out during the day quite a bit. They just avoid humans so if a person is nearby they will usually leave.
One feral cat actually took up sleeping on a chair on my back porch, feet from the back door.
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post #7 of 12
4/1/10 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
the food is vanishing so fast do u guys think peoples pets are eating it all from my yard? I know its not coons or possems or dogs
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post #8 of 12
4/1/10 at 11:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chausiefan View Post
I think he must be someones pet since he looks so strong and healthy
Successfull ferals do often looks healthy and strong, rather thick.

Or if you want, being rather thick "in good flesh" helps them to be successfull...


This tom may very well be really the feral one of them two.
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post #9 of 12
4/1/10 at 11:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chausiefan View Post
so i am not sure what to do.

I told someone at a shelter and they said the city has a million stray/feral cats "good luck"

I understand you ARE thinking on doing something?

There are surely several possibilities.

As the towns shelter apparently isnt enough, you could perhaps try to start some help group.

Best is TNR combined with rescue/foster/adoption for those you believe are easier to foster and adopt. Ie kittens, the apparently strays/dumped, and friendly semiferals.

Practically all CAN be fostered, but sometimes it takes too long time and effort. So in practice, pick in the easiest and TNR the rest, as long you can and afford.


If you arent good on talking people over, you can work on some of it alone.
It does take some effort and money, but you ARE apparently thinking on it!

Perhaps by neutering this tom (take him in a humane trap, the Havahart), and release him after it.
(Begin perhaps with some Found messages in your neighbourhood, if he DOES have an owner. If yes, try to talk over this owner to neuter him)


And taking in the stray and foster in.... If he is a stray, it shoulnt be too difficult. IF he is a feral after all, it is still fully possible. Especielly as he apparently isnt very successfull.
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post #10 of 12
4/2/10 at 8:41pm
Thread Starter 
ok thanks the cat that i wanted to attract never came to eat the food but the big orange tom has been comming by daily>? He saw me through the window where i put the food he ran away stopped and looked at me and came back and started eating i got up and went towards the window and he ran off. I sat back down and 10 mins later he appeared again this time he just takes gulps of food looks up at me then back down.


Its night and the light is on in my house can he see me really clear? when should i try to open the door and approach him?
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post #11 of 12
4/2/10 at 8:44pm
Thread Starter 
he seems really comfortable eating in front of me now? but there is a window that is seperating us and no screen so its a glass window i assume he cant smell me or anything?


i would not mind trying to eventually bring him in nuter him and take care of him till he finds a perm home or until i could eventually place him? He eats so much!

there is a TNR in my area they work with feral cats for a really cheap rate maybe they could help me out?
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post #12 of 12
4/3/10 at 12:56am
About toms. Do you have your own cats?

There is of course always the question of quarantine the first time. Both the skin parasites like fleas you dont want around your house, and also other possible diseases. So even if dont have any animals and dont need to think much about diseases, you want at least one week quarantene till all the fleas are gone. Keep them in a room where it is easy to clean. Many rescuers use simply their bathroom.

Next step is the fostering, where own cats can help. BUT.

About toms.

Shy cats, so even SHY toms/ex toms are usually no big problem. They are submissive to residents and eager to be pleasant to them.

But these "not so shy", territorial, dominant toms CAN be a big problem. They are often suprising easy to get along with people. But not so with your cats...

Common is they do beat up the residents... Violently and without mercy.

So if you are without cats, fostering a non shy, feral tom may be much easier then you think. I know of several examples.

IF you have own cats, you must neuter him, and let it go AT LEAST one month, preferably three, before you even think to begin let him meeting your residents. And as the first out to try, try with your most docile female.
A territorial, dominant toms has lotsa of hormones builded up in him. And also he is by the long alone years used to be dominant. All this takes more than the usual month to evaporate.


But as said, shy, non territorial, non dominant toms are much easier for meeting residents. Neuter, let hem be in the quarantene the usual 2-3 weeks, after it you can prob let him meet your residents.
Fostering into contact with people takes much longer of course.


IF there is an TNR-group at your area, they can surely help you. There are also low costs clinics who dont charge much, especielly for helping the homeless.
Other forum participants are good at knowing such contacts. lets hope someone of them reads you post.
Otherwise you can try to phone around and ask..


Good luck!
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