How old is too old ?

How old is too old to bring in a feral cat ?

I have a 3 year old boy that is still outside. He comes around to eat, but doesn't really stay in the area.

Should I bring him in, or just keep feeding and giving shelter ?

Thanks

I think it depends on how feral he really is. If you have a garage outside, you could see if you could get him to start using the cat box outside, because that would be a GREAT sign he may have a good time inside.

It depends on your time, patience, if you have other rescuers to foster, and so on...

It can be done and chances for succeeing are good also at 3 years, even older. And very good chances if you are used to this work. But it will take lotsa of time patience etc. Half a year at least. It may take years too.
Some dont get pets, but they at least get half tame and manage to live indoors...
Unless he is already halfway tame being friendly withyou, or dumped home cat, it gets usually quicker.
Another quick window is if he is severely sick or wounded - and you help him. These cases can go astonisinghly quickly....a few weeks.

If he is managing well outside and or if you dont have the time and patience - it is of course entirely feasible to see he is neutered and let him be outside...Like you plan to. Very much OK!


Good luck!

There is a long time rescuer member of TCS that doesn't recommend bringing them after three years if they're truly feral. Her experience is that it's difficult for them to adjust and in the end harder on them than just neutering them and caring for them outside.

That said - it can be very difficult to tell if they're actually feral or strays that act feral - those kitties would adjust to being inside, having known love before.

The best plan is to have him neutered - and I like the garage idea, if you have one and it's safe for a kitty. Give you a feel for how things might go if he's got safe hidey places, sun, and you are able to spend some time in there, just letting him get used to you.

Personally I have dealt with feral kittens who were rescued at 6 weeks and never quite came around (but lots who did obviously) and my own feral who was 3-4 when we rescued her, who is a little princess now. Its really hard to tell when they are outside how feral they are and how untrusting they are/ will be. It depends a lot what you expect from them if you bring them inside.

If you are happy to have a cat that lives there but isn't a pet, it will generally work - but 95% of the time, the adults are not going to like being held, picked up etc once socialised

Personally, I'd have him neutered then release him after he's recovered (unless he seems to want to stay at that point). He'll probably start hanging around the house more, and eventually he may show some interest in being indoor. At that point he might transition well to being an indoor cat. I've noticed with older strays/ferals that it has to be HIS idea, if you try to force it on him he won't cooperate.