New stray

sweet sally2

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We had a little stray living in our backyard that we trapped two weeks ago in a humane trap.  We took her to the vet and she got a clean bill of health although she was pregnant.  It was early and the vet suggested we go ahead and have her fixed so we did.  She is now living in our basement, still pretty scared, but I think, eventually, she will be fine. She is only one year old, and I could pet her before the trip to the vet. 
 

StefanZ

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Jolly well done, Sally!  Seems just like from the manual!

Please tell more, send some pictures, AND keep reporting!   :)

I shall ask a mod to make your own tread of your post, hope it is OK?

Welcome to the TCS site and our Forums!

Good luck!   *vibes*
 
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sweet sally2

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Thanks StefanZ.  She is actually our second, we rescued a stray kitten 14 years ago when we lived in Trinidad and Tobago.  He is the sweetest cat I have ever known!  I thought I uploaded her picture, let me try again.
 
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sweet sally2

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Well, I think we took a little step back today. I thought giving Sally access to the entire basement would be nice, but I think the extra space just worried her all over again.  I have left the door only open a crack and, hopefully, she will return to her safe room and her perch.  Bless her little heart!
 

mrblanche

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Yes, it's very common that cats are happier in a small area where they know every inch, until they feel completely comfortable.
 
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sweet sally2

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Thanks! I guess I was rushing her.  So, once I know she is back in her little room, even though it is dusty, I will let her stay there.
 
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sweet sally2

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Little Sally is back on her high perch where she can look down on me and survey her surroundings and look outside, so we are fine.  I did leave her door a little ajar, but will let her decide when she wants to come out.  She does have two litter boxes, one for number 1, one for number 2.  I guess, for now, we are just going to work with that. 

I do have a question:  I have read on these threads about others introducing their ferals to the resident cats pretty early on.  We have a 14 year old neutered male who is, like Sally, a former stray.  Should I at least introduce them?
 
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sweet sally2

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Sally is back under the red wagon.  It is in the quietest part of the basement which makes sense because, sure enough, they are doing major sewer work just outside our house.  I did, ever so briefly, introduce her to her big brother, he hissed, but, as you can see from this photo, he wasn't too upset for very long. 
 

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:clap::clap: Welcome to the site :D :hugs: AWWWWW Sweet Sally is just beautiful :love: AND SO lucky to have found you. Bless your heart :heart3: for what you are doing!!!!! Sally sounds just SO sweet :lovegrin: Best of luck with her :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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sweet sally2

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Well, it is three weeks today that we trapped little Sally and took her to the vet.  I remember waiting for the call, hoping that the vet would tell me she was healthy and when we got it, hooray!  Yesterday, we had a breakthrough due, in part I believe, to StefanZ's advice that I go ahead and start introducing Sally to her big brother (another former feral and very sweet).  She watched me hold him, and pet him and talk to him.  Then, yesterday, she finally let me pet her and I went down about a gazillion times to see her.  She is so loving!  Today, we are going to leave the doors open, remove any possible breakage upstairs (which isn't much we live pretty clutter free) and keep an eye on them.  I just get the sense that these two will do fine.  Last night around midnight, I heard Flaco meowing in the living room but I swear it was more like a "are you alright down there, Sally?" than anything else.  So, we are on our way to a very happy home!
 

feralvr

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GREAT report!!!!! AWWWW I can hear how very happy you are!! That is the best news that she allowed petting too! She is a lucky girl to have found you :hugs: And I am certain in no time that Flaco (great name :)) and Sally will be great friends. I think Flaco does like Sally.... How wonderful for ALL :bigthumb: :clap::clap::clap::clap: Keep us posted :wavey:
 
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sweet sally2

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Well, I have a little problem.  Flaco is totally the "man" and just tried to eat little Sally's breakfast even though he has a full bowl.  He also went downstairs last night and howled, not growled, but still she is a little scared today.  How am I going to make sure she gets her food if he is eating it?
 

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You may need to separate them at feeding time a little longer. He's just trying to show her he is dominant, but not letting her eat isn't the best way. Lol

I'd just separate them at feeding time.
 
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sweet sally2

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That's a great idea.  Of course, that's the only time she will come down from her perch but, all in good time!
 

feralvr

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YEP- separate feeding areas :nod: I have two cat's that eat in my foster room - the two piggies who eat really fast. And the other four eat downstairs. It works out very well. Once you establish where Sally's "spot" will be, she will learn quickly where to go to eat the num-nums :lol3: Good luck :D :clover: :vibes:
 
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sweet sally2

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We have opened up her room, but she seems to be content to just lie up on her perch at the very back of the room.  I can pet her up there and we are even playing.  Do you think she will ever come down and come to see us upstairs?
 

feralvr

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That is totally normal behavior :D!!! Really, it is. When I am socializing a kitty and it comes time to open up the foster room, it can take them many hours or many days for them to venture out of the room. Some will just inch out and then run back. And then the next time, they will come a bit farther. It really is quite a sight to watch :lol3:. So cute to observe their bravery :rub: It just depends on the kitty. Eventually, curiosity will win over and she will let her guard down and start to venture out. She just needs to feel totally safe and secure in her room before she will even attempt to leave the room. Patience :lol3: That is what is needed on your part. Let her do it all on her own. She will :D :nod:
 
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sweet sally2

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That's what I suspected.  Thanks!
 
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sweet sally2

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We are back from a two week business trip and things are ok.  Our dear neighbor took great care of the cats, but she had never dealt with a stray before so she thought Sally was going to attack her from some hidden corner.  I tried to assure her that Sally was more frightened than anything, but she (the neighbor) just didn't seem to feel comfortable spending time with Sally.  So, it is back to square one in terms of petting and such.  She is hissing at me and is scared.  Darn!  On the upside, however, thanks to Stefan's advice, we opened up the house and, sure enough, Flaco is taking on the role of good big brother now.  Last night Sally explored most of the house and spent quite a bit of time gently mewing either at our bedroom door or in our room while Flaco just laid on the bed.  I like to think she was talking to him and/or us.  I hope this means she will start trusting us again.
 
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