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Cats Came in Basement During Hurricane!

post #1 of 19
9/13/11 at 6:07am
Thread Starter 
During Hurricane Irene, 6 feral cats came into my basement. Of course, they were soaked, starving and frightened. I gave all warmth, food and attention. Over the weeks that followed, 3 wonderful cats decided to stay and I love them dearly. The others decided to go back out. Does anyone think, as I do, that possibly the 3 who stayed had been abandoned house cats and were happy for a permanent home.
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post #2 of 19
9/13/11 at 6:37am
Yes, I think they were. Usually if cats are truly feral they'd never enjoy being indoors or even choose to stay somewhere in close quarters with people. Chances are the ones that decided to stay were either originally pets or both their parents were. I'm glad that you were able to provide some shelter for them during that awful storm. I bet they were thankful!

When I lived at home, my dad found a kitten behind his work under a pallette. Both of its parents were feral. My dad said he always saw the same female and male cat around so he's 99% they were its parents. And bother parents hated people and were obviously feral. Anyways he brought they little guy home because he saw it's mother dead along side the road. We named the kitten Ghibli and he's still living with my parents. Even though he was raised from a bottle fed kitten to a full adult cat of 4 years, he is still a wild cat. He loves us but you can tell in his whole way of acting, he's still partially feral.
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post #3 of 19
9/13/11 at 6:52am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMBCat View Post
Yes, I think they were. Usually if cats are truly feral they'd never enjoy being indoors or even choose to stay somewhere in close quarters with people. Chances are the ones that decided to stay were either originally pets or both their parents were. I'm glad that you were able to provide some shelter for them during that awful storm. I bet they were thankful!

When I lived at home, my dad found a kitten behind his work under a pallette. Both of its parents were feral. My dad said he always saw the same female and male cat around so he's 99% they were its parents. And bother parents hated people and were obviously feral. Anyways he brought they little guy home because he saw it's mother dead along side the road. We named the kitten Ghibli and he's still living with my parents. Even though he was raised from a bottle fed kitten to a full adult cat of 4 years, he is still a wild cat. He loves us but you can tell in his whole way of acting, he's still partially feral.
Thanks and that's a great story about Ghibli. I guess they do retain feral instincts.
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post #4 of 19
9/13/11 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMBCat View Post
Yes, I think they were. Usually if cats are truly feral they'd never enjoy being indoors or even choose to stay somewhere in close quarters with people. Chances are the ones that decided to stay were either originally pets or both their parents were. I'm glad that you were able to provide some shelter for them during that awful storm. I bet they were thankful!

When I lived at home, my dad found a kitten behind his work under a pallette. Both of its parents were feral. My dad said he always saw the same female and male cat around so he's 99% they were its parents. And bother parents hated people and were obviously feral. Anyways he brought they little guy home because he saw it's mother dead along side the road. We named the kitten Ghibli and he's still living with my parents. Even though he was raised from a bottle fed kitten to a full adult cat of 4 years, he is still a wild cat. He loves us but you can tell in his whole way of acting, he's still partially feral.
There is also some science to back up this, thanks to long work of Russian scientists, it is amazing how genes affect behaviour and how genes are affected too, it is complicated process, but there really is such thing as genetic memory which can change surprisingly quickly too.

Here is the story, it is good read and helps understand how nature works:
https://johnwade.ca/attachments/arti...xfarmstudy.pdf

Also one thing is that we can't say if feral is or is not going to be tameable, without knowing more from parents and grandparents, thus it is always worth to try and see how it is.

I'm sure that fully wild beasts do appreciate help when in need, they may lack skills to show it, but they hardly ever are stupid and they do understand a lot of things.
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post #5 of 19
9/13/11 at 11:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JTbo View Post
There is also some science to back up this, thanks to long work of Russian scientists, it is amazing how genes affect behaviour and how genes are affected too, it is complicated process, but there really is such thing as genetic memory which can change surprisingly quickly too.

Here is the story, it is good read and helps understand how nature works:
https://johnwade.ca/attachments/arti...xfarmstudy.pdf

Also one thing is that we can't say if feral is or is not going to be tameable, without knowing more from parents and grandparents, thus it is always worth to try and see how it is.

I'm sure that fully wild beasts do appreciate help when in need, they may lack skills to show it, but they hardly ever are stupid and they do understand a lot of things.
The 3 feral cats who left after a few days were very appreciative and they definitely understand that I was helping them. They still come by and I feed them in the backyard Thanks for the info you provided.
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post #6 of 19
9/13/11 at 1:09pm
AWW thanks for helping those feral cats survive Irene. Feral cats are no different than our house pet cats in that they ALL have varying personalities and levels of tolerance. Some feral cats can be tamed and become loving pets within a few weeks time or even less. Some take much longer but will eventually bond deeply with you and only you. And, some will never appreciate being touched or getting too close to you but can live very happily in the comforts of an indoor only home. Gosh, I know of some tame-born kitties that hate being touched. You just never know until you begin the socialization process with these cats. Much luck with that!!! You might have three very lovely house cats
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post #7 of 19
9/13/11 at 1:20pm
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Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
AWW thanks for helping those feral cats survive Irene. Feral cats are no different than our house pet cats in that they ALL have varying personalities and levels of tolerance. Some feral cats can be tamed and become loving pets within a few weeks time or even less. Some take much longer but will eventually bond deeply with you and only you. And, some will never appreciate being touched or getting too close to you but can live very happily in the comforts of an indoor only home. Gosh, I know of some tame-born kitties that hate being touched. You just never know until you begin the socialization process with these cats. Much luck with that!!! You might have three very lovely house cats
Thank you. I have 3 girls named Irene (appropriate), Ginger and Samantha. Each is adjusting in her own way but all are happy with me , which makes me happy My 3 who chose to return outside are also a joy because they show up regularly for food and I can still be "mommie".
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post #8 of 19
9/13/11 at 1:29pm
AWWWWW Irene (of course, ), Ginger and Samantha!!!!! Those are three lucky girls to have "washed" into your basement for cover from the storm. You sound like you really love those cats. Hard not too, right . And for the three that choose outside, they are also lucky to have found a caretaker such as yourself. Although, now you probably will have to get them all sterilized!!!!!!!! That is another whole process. We love pictures if you can get them of the girls
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post #9 of 19
9/13/11 at 3:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
AWWWWW Irene (of course, ), Ginger and Samantha!!!!! Those are three lucky girls to have "washed" into your basement for cover from the storm. You sound like you really love those cats. Hard not too, right . And for the three that choose outside, they are also lucky to have found a caretaker such as yourself. Although, now you probably will have to get them all sterilized!!!!!!!! That is another whole process. We love pictures if you can get them of the girls
We have a TNR program for the feral cats. I'll arrange for that. My 3 indoor girls have been checked by my vet and I will have them neutered within a few weeks. Yes, I really do love them. If I had a lot of money, I would buy property to house animals for the rest of their lives. It breaks my heart to see the ferals, of which there are many, survive the harsh winters and hot summers. Not too many people care about them and that's a disgrace.
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post #10 of 19
9/13/11 at 4:42pm
Well, you are in good company here on this forum!!!! I think we all feel that way, about having TONS of money and how we would help ferals. I would do the same. Perfect that you already have a TNR group to help you with the cats.
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post #11 of 19
9/13/11 at 5:31pm
Oh what a wonderfully sweet story! Literally shelter from the storm!

That's GREAT there's a TNR program there. Gary and I are the "TNR program" here.

for you and these babies on this journey together now!

And yes, no one would complain about pictures.

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post #12 of 19
9/13/11 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by felinemama View Post
We have a TNR program for the feral cats. I'll arrange for that. My 3 indoor girls have been checked by my vet and I will have them neutered within a few weeks. Yes, I really do love them. If I had a lot of money, I would buy property to house animals for the rest of their lives. It breaks my heart to see the ferals, of which there are many, survive the harsh winters and hot summers. Not too many people care about them and that's a disgrace.
This is awesome, thank you for taking on the responsibility!! You are right, not many care... that's why it's so great when these kitties find someone that does!!
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post #13 of 19
9/14/11 at 5:08am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to everyone for your support
TNR is a great program.
It's very, very sad that we live in a world where not many care about the ferals. In fact, I have a lot of neighbors who complain about myself and 2 others who feed them. I can't repeat what I tell them
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post #14 of 19
9/14/11 at 4:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by felinemama View Post
Thanks to everyone for your support
TNR is a great program.
It's very, very sad that we live in a world where not many care about the ferals. In fact, I have a lot of neighbors who complain about myself and 2 others who feed them. I can't repeat what I tell them
Oh you don't have to use foul language with the neighbors . This is what I say to them: If I didn't TNR all of these feral cats then our neighborhood will be filled with kittens this last Spring and then more and more cats after them. I think I should be getting a big thank you!! In fact, I have a great idea for you to show your thanks to me for curbing the feral cat population in our neighborhood - You can donate to the cause and help me with the costs of trapping and sterilizing all of these cats (all the while I am thinking and some other things I can't say either ). They usually just walk away quickly when you start talking about how much this all costs to keep our yards free of more and more feral cats.
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post #15 of 19
9/15/11 at 9:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
Oh you don't have to use foul language with the neighbors . This is what I say to them: If I didn't TNR all of these feral cats then our neighborhood will be filled with kittens this last Spring and then more and more cats after them. I think I should be getting a big thank you!! In fact, I have a great idea for you to show your thanks to me for curbing the feral cat population in our neighborhood - You can donate to the cause and help me with the costs of trapping and sterilizing all of these cats (all the while I am thinking and some other things I can't say either ). They usually just walk away quickly when you start talking about how much this all costs to keep our yards free of more and more feral cats.
Hi. No , I never use foul language. I just get very upset and angry because some neighbors have no heart. The poor ferals go thru all sorts of weather and the least we can do is help feed them. Unfortunately, it often falls upon deaf ears.
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post #16 of 19
9/15/11 at 8:11pm
I know you didn't mean you use foul language . But as you, inside I feel angry too. Have the same issue with one of my neighbors. They have finally given up harassing me for what I do. I think now that I explained the whole process to them and asked for donations, they just ignore me now. Just as well
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post #17 of 19
9/16/11 at 4:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
I know you didn't mean you use foul language . But as you, inside I feel angry too. Have the same issue with one of my neighbors. They have finally given up harassing me for what I do. I think now that I explained the whole process to them and asked for donations, they just ignore me now. Just as well
One neighbor, in particular, is very difficult. I will follow your advice and explain about TNR. I doubt it will give her any compassion, but it may just make her think more about these beautiful cats
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post #18 of 19
9/16/11 at 11:10am
I really think it will help, even if you get the old ..... they might not understand why we do what we do, but they will hear you and might think about it later and come to some understanding of the whole process of TNR .
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post #19 of 19
9/16/11 at 11:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
I really think it will help, even if you get the old ..... they might not understand why we do what we do, but they will hear you and might think about it later and come to some understanding of the whole process of TNR .
That is my hope. Some of the neighbors don't approve but say nothing. This particular one goes out of her way to complain.
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