what can i do?

I understand i have another post - but this is important and i want to make sure it is seen....

This other tom cat attacked this really sweet small cat that is JUST now attempting to make his way into the colony. 2 other cats went up to him and brushed against him - even the other once aggressive tom. I then watched this tom slowly walk up to the smaller cat hoping he got a clue from the others to be nice and when he hunched his back... i yelled then he attack. This sweet cat ran off and didnt come back. I hate this.

Should I get involved - try to stop these attacks - cause i was wondering if im sending the wrong vibes making him attack... (i dont know)

As stated i am going to attempt to trap him to see if he is neutered. If he IS - then I have a problem here - if not - do I just wait this out until I can get him in the clinic?

This smaller cat IS fixed by the way. This colony separated awhile ago - so he was living elsewhere and is just now coming back around.
thanks...

First things, first. In a situation like that you shouting can be interpreted by a cat as a "war call" so to speak. Some cats will cry out as they attack. In this case it probably help trigger the attack or make it worse.
The easiest way to head these situations off is to shoo the cats away from each other the moment one of them starts to display any aggressive body language.

You can certainly try breaking them up if you're out there. But you have a life to live too and can't play cat bouncer 24/7.
Trap the tom. He may still try to protect his colony but hopefully he'll settle down. Do this before he gets too used to attacking the little cat on sight.

I can understand why it bothers you that the sweet, little cat is being picked on, but it's pretty common for existing cats in a colony to react this way to newcomers. Happens frequently in my feral colony. There's one neutered male, in particular, who lets new cats know in no uncertain terms that it's his territory. If a newcomer sticks around, they work things out among themselves eventually.

I agree your shouting is probably aggravating the attacks. Since cats react to our stress levels, making a lot of noise is likely to accelerate the fighting, not diminish it. I wouldn't advise trying to break them up yourself. Not a good idea, especially with ferals or strays, when cats are acting aggressively. You could end up getting scratched or bitten yourself.

Your best bet is to trap the tom cat to be sure he's neutered. That will go a long way toward stopping aggression.

Sayed all this (I agree), to answer one of your questions:
If you CAN work on them behaving decently to each other.

Yes, you can as you yourself saw and witness, for example this tom nr 1.

Although he was aggressive and mean - you were kind and friendly to him - and get an acolyte in him: he got friendly to you, and in fact friendly against the other cats too.

Possibly the same is going to be with tom nr 2 - he is a harder nut, but he did started rubbing on you? So possibly the process is starting out here too.

Shouting in a tense situation may trigger aggressions. He can even think YOU did wanted him to attack... A dog would reason so.
Try to talk soothingly in all such situations... It is a much better bet. This works quite well with cats who essentially are pals. Taking ONE example; when my boys are blowing up against each other - the way to disarm their battle readiness is to talk friendly and soothingly to them... Never fails.
I suspect it works only if you are seen by them as a positive and important person to them - but it may work. Try if you wish and have the energy.


Good luck!

Thanks.. thats great advice.

I did TRY to be calm in fact I even gave them a soothing "good boys". BUT once i saw his back hunch... I couldnt help it. Now i know i have to.

of course this smaller cat wasnt around today....