Hello fellow cat lovers!

I have been a feral cat caregiver in Portland, Oregon since 2008.  There are about 15 regulars in my colony and another 8-10 that visit throughout the month (even though they were born in my colony).  Only 2 females and 3 males haven't been fixed only because they won't go near the traps.  The girls are young so hopefully I can get them before Spring.

I have really fallen in love with these cats.  All are wild and most just tolerate my presence but 5 out of the 15 have adopted me.  There is one 8 month old female (Sasha) who will now let me pick her up and cuddle her and this is the one I want to bring in and adopt as a house pet.  This is how I found this site.

I know I'm going to enjoy spending time here!  I love talking to other cat lovers and I would especially love to chat with other feral caregivers!

Hello and Welcome . So glad you found TCS and I guarantee you will love it here. I also found TCS one year ago because I was looking for support and feedback on my feral cat's too. Sasha sounds just precious. It is truly rewarding to see a completely feral cat turn around and trust it's caretaker enough so to be brought in for a much safer life indoors. Sasha (great name ) will probably LOVE to be inside with you full time. I trapped a feral kitten last year, she was six months old and within two days was allowing pets and was purring. From day one, she decided that this was the life for her. They are not all that easy, of course, but some are and just naturally want to trust a human :heart3:. Hope to hear lots of updates on your feral cat's . AND for caring for feral cat's who need us so desperately.

I just love this!!!  I have so many amazing stories to tell as I am sure others do too!  I will be sharing some photos also.  Can't wait!  Thank you Feralvr for replying!

All of my cats have been with me since birth with the exception of 1.  His name is Sam and he came to the colony in Sept of this year.  I believe he was originally out of a litter in the area from 2009.  He is the spitting image of his dad who I called "Papa".   There were two gray females I believe were his sisters.  Sam has a tipped ear, a sign that he was neutered at the FCCO, Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, the organization I am connected with.  I could also tell that he had been cared for by a family.  He wasn't scared of me but he didn't want me to touch him.  It has just been in the last few weeks (Dec-Jan 11) that he has allowed me to pet him and now he can't get enough.  He tried to come in my house which says he must have been living with someone.  I think they moved away and abandoned him which is how he found me.  I promised him I would love on him everyday and he's mama's "big boy" now!   Most everyone has accepted him as if he was their older brother.  A few of the nearly 2 yo girls growl a little when he come near and he gives them a soft cuff with his paw but nothing more serious ever comes of it.

It is so true that most of the cat's in the surrounding feral colonies are all related in some way. Most of my feral's are long-haired black and brown tabbies. Some short hair black as well. Sam sound's just wonderful - he possibly had human contact as a youngster and was abandoned and reverted back. Who really knows. I have had feral cat's that just WANT that human bond and a different life and then there are the feral cat's that will never, ever socialize and prefer the life they lead outdoors. I have found that cat's, feral or not, have so many unique and diversified personality traits, it just blows my mind. They are just like people

You have your hand's full of cat's it seems... I have heard of the FCC in Oregon. My cousin lives in Portland and is a cat lover too. :heart3: Wonderful organization. :bigthumb: