Finally, after almost 2 years - all the "outside cats" are now inside.
That's a total of 8 cats inside the house.
It's been a very gradual process because the mommy and her kittens were feral. Gray, the daddy, was a stray/lost, and for some reason, decided I was THE One.
(He follows me around like a puppy dog, and wants to be with me wherever I am.)
As the others watched Gray with me - they would start to trust me more. Gray's son began allowing me to stroke him if I was also stroking Gray, or brushing Gray - his son (Jr.) wanted to be brushed, but was still too afraid to really give in and let me stoke him more.
Last week, Jr was attacked by another tom cat, and fortunately he came inside the house to try and recover. He wasn't recovering on his own, so I, somehow, was able to get him into a carrier - and off to the Vet.
With a 107 temp, boy! was I glad he came inside instead of hiding someplace outside! After his vet treatment, I knew he wasn't going outside anymore.
Gray had been suffering with a cold, he was no longer allowed outside (diagnosed with FIV, his son, Jr., now inside. Mommy (Gigi) and daughter would come inside to eat - and one night they came in, I closed the door and ended their freedom to the out-of-doors.
It's now been a week, the crying is pitiful !!! Especially the little girl (Pippy) who has the most piercing cry of all.
Sometimes I wonder if we'll make it. We've had so many phases of transition, and learning curves to overcome - and, I know there is yet more we'll be learning.
But, I am hoping that the sad faces will subside - just hope it's soon! The crying is very difficult to listen to knowing they'd have a lot more fun outside.
The next issue may be getting the mommy to the vet - she'll be a real wild cat I'm almost sure - I'm trying to wait for more socialization to take place, but, I heard her sneeze tonight, perhaps catching Gray's cold, ugh!
If you have advice about keeping 8 cats inside please let the advice flow!
We have one rescue diagnosed with FeFV - he is confined in a "guest/storage" room, our First Three are confined in our bedroom, hall area, and the Gray Family in our family room/laundry areas. When I change their room assignments (except for Buddy), I sanitize the floors, and walls, etc. before I let the First Three into an area that has been inhabited by the Gray Family - hoping to cut down on any health issues until I get the rest of the Gray Family tested.
Whew!
This is Gigi and her daughter, Pippy - in June 2010 - I was letting them come inside as part of preparation to having them inside full time.
Gigi is the one with the orange in her color scheme
That's a total of 8 cats inside the house.
It's been a very gradual process because the mommy and her kittens were feral. Gray, the daddy, was a stray/lost, and for some reason, decided I was THE One.
As the others watched Gray with me - they would start to trust me more. Gray's son began allowing me to stroke him if I was also stroking Gray, or brushing Gray - his son (Jr.) wanted to be brushed, but was still too afraid to really give in and let me stoke him more.
Last week, Jr was attacked by another tom cat, and fortunately he came inside the house to try and recover. He wasn't recovering on his own, so I, somehow, was able to get him into a carrier - and off to the Vet.
With a 107 temp, boy! was I glad he came inside instead of hiding someplace outside! After his vet treatment, I knew he wasn't going outside anymore.
Gray had been suffering with a cold, he was no longer allowed outside (diagnosed with FIV, his son, Jr., now inside. Mommy (Gigi) and daughter would come inside to eat - and one night they came in, I closed the door and ended their freedom to the out-of-doors.
It's now been a week, the crying is pitiful !!! Especially the little girl (Pippy) who has the most piercing cry of all.
Sometimes I wonder if we'll make it. We've had so many phases of transition, and learning curves to overcome - and, I know there is yet more we'll be learning.
But, I am hoping that the sad faces will subside - just hope it's soon! The crying is very difficult to listen to knowing they'd have a lot more fun outside.
The next issue may be getting the mommy to the vet - she'll be a real wild cat I'm almost sure - I'm trying to wait for more socialization to take place, but, I heard her sneeze tonight, perhaps catching Gray's cold, ugh!
If you have advice about keeping 8 cats inside please let the advice flow!
We have one rescue diagnosed with FeFV - he is confined in a "guest/storage" room, our First Three are confined in our bedroom, hall area, and the Gray Family in our family room/laundry areas. When I change their room assignments (except for Buddy), I sanitize the floors, and walls, etc. before I let the First Three into an area that has been inhabited by the Gray Family - hoping to cut down on any health issues until I get the rest of the Gray Family tested.
Whew!
This is Gigi and her daughter, Pippy - in June 2010 - I was letting them come inside as part of preparation to having them inside full time.
Gigi is the one with the orange in her color scheme