Cat hanging around...

Hey all! For a while I have been seeing a small black and white cat in the area. I presumed she belonged to someone at first. About a week ago I realized that she's been ripping up our trash bags and digging in them. She's a good hunter, killed both a bird and a squirrel in the same day. Before a couple days ago, she's been skittish and won't let me near her, but when I sat still long enough, she came up. She's actually a real lovebug, so she's obviously used to humans. I gave her some food which she ate right up. I fed her some food the next day as well. Since feeding her, I haven't noticed her digging in our trash. Do you think she could have possibly been surviving off of trash and birds/squirrels? All yesterday she sat at our door, and trying to get in whenever I opened it. So far I have not seen her today. I would feel bad if feeding her was keeping her away from her owners. Any suggestions?

A picture for all of you...

I apologize for the image quality, but she's very active and kept wanting to investigate the camera.
She's about a year old, or less, I believe. I was able to get a look at her teeth, and they look very healthy.

Oh she's a beauty! If she has a home, it's unlikely she'd be digging in the trash. Hunting maybe, but not trash-diving.

You can try taping a note to a breakaway collar saying "Is this cat owned? Please call XXX-XXXX so I know not to rescue her" or something like that. Of course, the breakaway collars usually break away on kitties that don't have homes. But it's worth a shot.

The way we do things, we'd take her in, then put up posters and notifications at vets, shelters, craigslist, etc., and take her in for an exam and scan for a microchip/look for a tattoo, etc. See if she's spayed/neutered (if "she's" a neutered he).... get her FeLV/FIV snap test done, that kind of thing. (Assuming you have a room where s(he) can be confined).

!!!!!

She is just a doll :love:. Look at this whiskers. I bet she is homeless and needs your help. I would start feeding and get her to trust you so you can bring her in to a rescue. What a darling kitty. I hope you can find her a home. Let us know if we can help

I know Feralvr, I love her whiskers! :heart3:

I haven't seen her around for a few days. When I see her I do feed her, so I may continue that and provide some warm spots if it gets colder. Maybe I should ask the neighbors if she's their cat? I see her hanging around a few different yards, but I really can't tell if she has a home. I will update and let you know if anything happens!

Oh definitely ask around! I'd also be making plans to get her spayed (or find out if she is already). :nod:

VIBES for the two of you!

I think that is a good idea, too, checking with some of the neighbor's first. One of my neighbor's let's her cat run loose all the time. She (the cat, not the neighbor ) even comes over and will eat some food out of my feral feeding station She also runs off and is frightened of anyone. So if I didn't know this was my neighbor's cat, then I might be trapping this kitty thinking she is feral hno:. Checking with all neighbor's would be a good start. I would also start leaving food out on a regular schedule in case you do need to trap this kitty and get her to a rescue or foster network. Thanks, for caring about this very cute kitty :love: VIBES VIBES VIBES

Today I saw her eating someone's garbage out in the snow. It was really a sad sight. I gave her some cat food, and after that gave her some of the leftovers. She actually ate pork n' beans and bread, which really leads me to believe no one is feeding her! I feel so bad that I'm not able to let her in- it's so cold outside, and I was layered up in my winter clothes. It seems like the coldest 18 degrees I've felt! Anyway, she was shivering her little butt off. I let her in on the landing so that she would get a little warm, but had to put her back out. I feel so cruel! I made a little place for her where she can have shelter from the snow and some old clothes. Does anyone know how to make a warm outdoor enclosure? I just don't want this girl to freeze. (I'm positive she is a girl- her two "holes" are very close together, and the second one is definitely a slit.)

I would let her in, but I have no place to keep her separate from Wessie, and I have no idea how much a FIV test would even cost. Let me know if you guys have any ideas on how to keep her warm.

catbehaviors said:

Today I saw her eating someone's garbage out in the snow. It was really a sad sight.

I gave her some cat food, and after that gave her some of the leftovers. She actually ate pork n' beans and bread, which really leads me to believe no one is feeding her! I feel so bad that I'm not able to let her in- it's so cold outside, and I was layered up in my winter clothes. It seems like the coldest 18 degrees I've felt! Anyway, she was shivering her little butt off.

I let her in on the landing so that she would get a little warm, but had to put her back out. I feel so cruel! I made a little place for her where she can have shelter from the snow and some old clothes. Does anyone know how to make a warm outdoor enclosure? I just don't want this girl to freeze. (I'm positive she is a girl- her two "holes" are very close together, and the second one is definitely a slit.)
I would let her in, but I have no place to keep her separate from Wessie, and I have no idea how much a FIV test would even cost. Let me know if you guys have any ideas on how to keep her warm.

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I am guessing she is nobody's pet as she is dumpster-diving and eating from the trash. Many of the stray cats do this where I live. If it weren't for the dumpsters, they would have no food. If it's any help at all, I have never seen a cat die of cold (others may have though).

Our 5 cats were all strays except for one who was born in our backyard. The 3 males do not come inside. My husband does his utmost to keep them warm during the winter. They have a crawl space under our sun porch and they all have cozy boxes there with loads of old blankets, etc. Apart from the crawl space, they all have boxes full of hay to keep them warm. If you can give her enough calories, this will help her to keep warm. She does have a fur coat to protect her. But if she doesn't get enough calories, she will use whatever calories she has to keep warm rather than keeping her at a healthy weight. If you can at least feed her, that would be

Others here are going to tell you to try to get her fixed. Otherwise she'll have kittens and, if you befriend her, she will eventually bring those kittens to your house too. All our cats are fixed. After food, getting the cat fixed must be your next step.