need advice

we have loads of ferals around here. I was involved in a TNR a while back but the group disappeared (the volunteers not the cats).

Recently there has been a beautiful long hair that comes around. I used to see her on top of the car. I don't see her 'personally' I'd see her on my cameras.

After awhile I bumped into her. I went to the car and she was on it. So i approached slowly, and she was doing this silent meow. but not shaky at all.

turns out she's a sweetheart. She lets me pet her, and after that day she RUNS to see me when I go outside. there is NO WAY this is a feral cat. this is a stray that someone abandoned.

But here's the problem. She's got very long hair. and it's SO hot here. 104 with 80% humidity is awful. Often times I find her under the car panting heavily. She's got so much fur and it desperately needs to be brushed.

When i pet her piles of hair come off.

so here's my dilemma, I can't take her in. i have no more room. my two cats would poop little biscuits and die of heart attacks anyway.

I know she's spayed because there's a TNR clip on her ear. but I am worried about her being too hot, and more importantly, as friendly as she is that's dangerous for a stray cat.

Would you let her go, or would you contact a rescue group?

I would contact a rescue group. You COULD take her and get her a "lion cut," which would help her with the heat, and it should be grown out by the time it gets cold.

I agree. I'd either take her for a lion cut, or I'd work to find a rescue group or foster network that has room to take her. She's obviously a stray, not a feral, and if someone's out there to foster her so she can find a furrever home, she sounds like a kitty that needs and deserves it.

Just adding my agreement with the above !!! I think she deserves a better chance at finding a home. She sounds very, very sweet and I hope you can find a rescue/foster situation for her

I called them today. No answer but I left a message. this is a pretty small operation here. They're the ones that so kindly picked up Tinker's babies. One of which had an underdeveloped rib cage and the lady nursed her to heal and get big and strong.

I intend on donating some time to their thrift shop or cat shelter when I catch up on work. Their shelter is AWESOME. they have twin beds all over the place that are made like a real bed, but both ends. so there are pillows and turned down sheets/blankets on every one. There are hamocks, cat trees and all sorts of stuff for them to play on, plus some great hiding spots for shy ones. it's really a great place. Sometimes I go there just to pet the cats they keep. They don't cage them at all. you have to use hand sanditizer to go in, etc.

So i am looking forward to getting this precious cat in a safe environment. In the meantime I put two bowls out site. one with treats and one with cat food. then a big one with water.

they're all empty every morning. usually I see her come around and go pet her. She actually likes being petted while eating. which is REALLY strange

Well, that organization sounds very compassionate, caring and willing to help people in their community with strays if they came and picked up Tinker's babies . Most likely they will return your call and offer assistance to this poor little soul . She does sound very, very loving. It is not that unusual to be able to pet while eating. I actually was able to start to socialize a feral at a barn once by petting with a finger (after weeks of feeding and he was starting to trust me). I would put the food down and crouch by the bowl until he walked up to eat and while he was eating, I would sneak in a pet. After a couple of weeks of that I was able to PET . Sometimes the hunger takes over and all they think about is eating. He was easily trapped at that point . Sending tons of vibes that you can find her some help

i think she's pretty dang hungry. I've been feeding her 2 or 3 cans of cat food per day and a couple little piles of treats. Figure she can at least be burping and farting till i can get her rescued..

here's a bad pic of her. she's wet because it was raining and you can't see her beautiful mane.

getting frustrated now. the rescue group hasn't called

Tell me this little girl doesn't need a thorough brushing!

there's NO WAY she'd sit still for me to brush her good either. I tried.

AWWWWW She is a pretty girl!! That is a ton of hair. She really needs a grooming !! Continued that the rescue calls today