I posted my indoor former ferals on another thread and as promised here are a few photos of my outdoor ferals.
Eight years ago, when we first trapped the originally colony I have. We built a shelter on the side of my back yard. It is not enclosed, so cats can come and go and not feel trapped. But, we have a large swimming pool for a litter box in there, several bowls that are always full of kibble, 2 stainless steal water bowls, and four houses we bought from Indy feral. The cats love it, and have lived in there since we built it. If they are not in the shelter they are normally in my back yard, in the planter, under or on the patio swing. They all get wet food as a treat on my patio every evening. That is my bonding time (if you can call it that) with them.
This is Mikah. She is litter-mate to Mama Cat and Delilah whom I have inside. Around 12 years old or so. We tnr'd her 8 yrs ago. She came up to me for the very first time four months ago for petting. She still isn't totally trusting, but as long as I don't make any fast sudden movements she will approach me and allow petting. A big step for her.
This is Prudence, the daughter of Mama Cat, and she is 8 yrs old. Born feral, and tnr'd 8 yrs ago. Still unapproachable, but will stay get as close as a foot to me while feeding.
This is Buttons, 8 yrs. old and tnr'd 8 yrs ago. Born feral. Unfortunately his mother died with a few other ferals when someone in the neighborhood was poisoning them
The real exciting thing is, just in the past 2 seeks, he approaches me while I am petting Mikah, and he will let me pet him too. But only If Mikah is around. Very very rewarding after 8 yrs.
This is Cloud. 8 yrs old, and tnr's 8 yrs ago. Born feral. She is Mikah's daughter. She is very very feral and skittish. After 8 yrs, she is just now comfortable enough to stay in the yard while we are out there and not staying inside the shelter. Her photo got published in the 2007 Indy Feral Calender.
This is Storm. He was not part of my original colony, but has since been accepted. He has been around for many years, coming and going while my Oscar (inside feral) use to be outside. I imagine he is up there is age too, right along with Oscar. We just tnr'd him in 2009 and he is a big part of the colony. Very feral, but calm quiet boy. He never leaves the yard, and is often sleeping on the patio swing with the others, or playing with leafs and twigs in the yard. I am positive he is most likely Mac's (inside kitty) daddy.
This is Karl. Same story as Storm. We trapped him and Storm the same morning, and ever since has remained a part of my colony. He is unapproachable, and if I get any closer then 5 feet he will warn me with a big hiss. Never leaves the yard either, and often times we will find him and Storm sleeping right next to eachother. These 2 use to get in some nasty tom cat fights before tnr, now, they are well adjusted members of the colony.
This is Charlie, he has NOT been tnr'd yet. He just showed up a few months ago, and still working on trapping him. He isn't consistent with staying here, but ofcourse without being neutered that happens, and I am sure that will change once we get him trapped.
Hope you enjoyed getting to know my cats. I feel all animals are special, but I feel ferals have the horror stories, and they all have a story to tell. Some stories I know, some I don't, but my heart belongs to them all.
Eight years ago, when we first trapped the originally colony I have. We built a shelter on the side of my back yard. It is not enclosed, so cats can come and go and not feel trapped. But, we have a large swimming pool for a litter box in there, several bowls that are always full of kibble, 2 stainless steal water bowls, and four houses we bought from Indy feral. The cats love it, and have lived in there since we built it. If they are not in the shelter they are normally in my back yard, in the planter, under or on the patio swing. They all get wet food as a treat on my patio every evening. That is my bonding time (if you can call it that) with them.
This is Mikah. She is litter-mate to Mama Cat and Delilah whom I have inside. Around 12 years old or so. We tnr'd her 8 yrs ago. She came up to me for the very first time four months ago for petting. She still isn't totally trusting, but as long as I don't make any fast sudden movements she will approach me and allow petting. A big step for her.
This is Prudence, the daughter of Mama Cat, and she is 8 yrs old. Born feral, and tnr'd 8 yrs ago. Still unapproachable, but will stay get as close as a foot to me while feeding.
This is Buttons, 8 yrs. old and tnr'd 8 yrs ago. Born feral. Unfortunately his mother died with a few other ferals when someone in the neighborhood was poisoning them
This is Cloud. 8 yrs old, and tnr's 8 yrs ago. Born feral. She is Mikah's daughter. She is very very feral and skittish. After 8 yrs, she is just now comfortable enough to stay in the yard while we are out there and not staying inside the shelter. Her photo got published in the 2007 Indy Feral Calender.
This is Storm. He was not part of my original colony, but has since been accepted. He has been around for many years, coming and going while my Oscar (inside feral) use to be outside. I imagine he is up there is age too, right along with Oscar. We just tnr'd him in 2009 and he is a big part of the colony. Very feral, but calm quiet boy. He never leaves the yard, and is often sleeping on the patio swing with the others, or playing with leafs and twigs in the yard. I am positive he is most likely Mac's (inside kitty) daddy.
This is Karl. Same story as Storm. We trapped him and Storm the same morning, and ever since has remained a part of my colony. He is unapproachable, and if I get any closer then 5 feet he will warn me with a big hiss. Never leaves the yard either, and often times we will find him and Storm sleeping right next to eachother. These 2 use to get in some nasty tom cat fights before tnr, now, they are well adjusted members of the colony.
This is Charlie, he has NOT been tnr'd yet. He just showed up a few months ago, and still working on trapping him. He isn't consistent with staying here, but ofcourse without being neutered that happens, and I am sure that will change once we get him trapped.
Hope you enjoyed getting to know my cats. I feel all animals are special, but I feel ferals have the horror stories, and they all have a story to tell. Some stories I know, some I don't, but my heart belongs to them all.
