Working on taming a feral, quick advice needed...

Hi all - Kelley here and I'm brand new to this forum but looking forward to reading all that I can.  However, I have a quick question as I'm about to bring one of my ferals into my home, but need some advice before I do.

Quick background - I'd been feeding two ferals, likely siblings, for a couple of years. Some angel had done a TNR with several ferals in the area and these two were some of the lucky recipients. One of them (I call her kitty kitty - didn't want to get heartbroken and name her), warmed up to me over the course of about a year. She's gotten to the point where she lets me pick her up for short amounts of time, hold her on my lap, etc. 

Last Sept., two new ferals bullied out the two residents from the shelter I'd provided (sits right next to my house in my yard) and took up home ownership. The two resident cats bolted. One I haven't seen since (she was always very skittish of me, but I loved her), the other, she has come back often - always on the alert for the bullies (whom I do feed and talk sweet to even though they are bullies). She comes in my mud room and lately now, has been staying for longer and longer stretches, very reluctant to leave. The weather has been cool still, but it's about to get ugly (I live in Nebraska).

Yesterday, I made the decision that I want her to have a home with me and my dogs (she doesn't mind the dogs, neither do the bullies - go figure!). I opened the door and encouraged her inside. She was very, very nervous and decided she wasn't ready to come in and went back to her bed in the mud room. That's alright, I don't want to push her. I intend to get a cage/kennel today and do things a step at a time. She's not afraid of me, but living in a house with strange new sounds will likely freak her out. I thought she was ready to just walk right in like she owned the place, but got a reality check very quickly. Slow and steady will win the race.

My dilemma - I am going on an extended vacation in May. I'll be gone three weeks. My sister is coming here to take care of my house and my dogs. She will be bringing her "never have seen a cat" dogs with her.  I'm sure we'll be able to keep her safe and secure in a room that I will denote as being off limits for her dogs while I am gone.  BUT, weather that holds up when I'm not there or they get in the room, or kitty decides she's scared and tries to bolt out of the room, or any of a number of scenarios - has me worried.

When I think about putting off bringing her indoors until I return, I cringe because soon we will be having lots of thunderstorms and I hate the thought of her being out there. As I said, she's reluctant as it is, to leave the mud room now. The last couple of times, I have picked her up and carried her out to a safe part of the yard so the bullies don't see her as she's leaving, she doesn't want to go.  She has now been in the mud room for 48 hours straight. I'm sure she's bored silly, but I've left the door open a few times to see if she wants to leave to stretch her legs and she makes no move to do so (the bullies haven't been around during those times). 

So, I do think she's ready to come inside. But with less than 1-1/2 months before I go on vacation, do I do all this work making her comfortable only to have to leave for a short time after she's made progress?

Sorry this is so long, I didn't know what to leave out to get the best possible advice.  I'm sure somewhere on this site, there are situations close to mine, but I only just found you guys (thank goodness you're here! and Thank you so much!). I will be reading intently while at home, I promise!

Kelley

I love that she is ready to move indoors . . . and that you are welcoming of her. Is it possible to beg, borrow or buy a multi-level cage for while you are gone? That way she would be safe, but have some space for moving around.

One caution - speaking from a very recent, very painful experience. I had brought a semi-feral girl in after spaying/vetting and she was doing well in my den. Late at night, though, she managed to push the screen out of the window and was gone. This was last Thursday night and I've not seen her since. So - be very careful about containing your girl when you're not there. I wish now I had left her in the dog cage a bit longer (I wish I had done a lot of things differently now - like opening the window only from the top, etc) but I'm new at all this feral stuff, too.

Good luck and bless your heart for helping this girl.

Hopefully you will be able to TNR the two bullies, too, so they can't make more babies.

catmom5

I too congratulate you and love that you are bringing this stray into your home to live happily ever after with you.  However, I would wait until you'll be home and have no extended trips planned so that you can monitor her and get her used to you and adjusted to indoor life.  I know this is hard.  But, she'll be OK in the thunderstorms.  She'll find shelter.  It would stress her out more to have someone new, and new dogs that don't know cats... You gone AND she's trapped in this strange place... Too much to handle.  It would be a very stressed and possibly traumatized kitty by the time you got home and you might not be able to fix that damage. 

The biggest thing I would worry about is her thinking you've gone and the bullies chasing her off for good on your trip.  Could you possibly send her to a kennel during your trip?  She could get used to indoor life in a safe less stressful way AND she would be safe and there for you waiting when you returned.  I would think about that first before the option of bringing her into your home while you are gone and have a stranger there with strange animals. 

Hope it all works out for you and Kitty Kitty!!

Please do not put a feral cat in a boarding facility for three weeks. If you have a safe room in your home, that is the best option. All your sister has to do is take care of her needs. If she's willing, she could spend time in there with her, just sitting in the room, reading, folding laundry, whatever... just letting her get used to "people" doing her no harm inside.

But you're not leaving until May. That gives you at least 6 weeks (or more, depending upon when you're leaving) before you go. That's plenty of time for her to make her safe room "hers," and to be comfortable enough while someone else scoops her litter and makes sure she has food and water. :nod:

I know we think they're suffering in a "small" space - but they need it to feel comfortable.

I just wrote an article on socializing ferals. It's here: http://catcentric.org/behavior-and-psychology/socializing-a-feral-cat-its-all-about-trust/

Basically, apart from everything in the article... just spend as much time as you can in the room, not paying attention to her, and spend as much of that time as possible down on the floor. You two already have a relationship, and there's a tentative trust building. Allow a little time for a set-back because you'll be forcing her into a new territory, and that will be scary for her (at first). But IMO, I really think bringing her inside as quickly as possible is the best idea here.

BTW - are the bullies TNR'd?

Please ask any and all questions, and please keep us posted! Vibes for you and kitty! :rub:

Hi all and thanks so much for the replies. After posting this morning, I got in touch with a local gal (who, ironically, works for the same place I do). We had a very long conversation and she has fostered several ferals as well as owns a few herself. She said basically the same things you did LDG. There is plenty of time and better to bring her in now and give her a chane to acclimate and trust her safe zone.

So, I took off work early, cleaned out the floor of the closet in my computer room, made the whole room cat safe keeping in mind she could react any number of ways, so removed all breakables, covered the computer monitor, etc. then went out to the mud room, opened the door to the outside to see if she still felt the same way about leaving - she showed no interest in going. So, first I moved her bed inside and into the closet, then moved the food and water, then the litter box. Opened the door one more time, she looked outside then up at me and stayed put. So, I picked her up, spoke softly as I walked with her in the house and set her down in her new room. I sat down on the floor as she walked around. Scared and vocal at first, but she was rubbing up on me and getting petted and scratched, all the while purring.

So, a huge sigh of relief. I just checked on her after two hours and she was sleeping on the computer desk. She didn't appear frightened. I'm sure there will be hurdles, but for ight now, it's been a smashing success!

Thanks so much or the support, I appreciate it very much. Will continue to read these forums, and keep you posted.

BTW - yes, the two bullies are fixed. Not sure why they didn't want to merge with the two before them. But now it doesn't matter. I can continue to feed and shelter them (outside), and Kitty Kitty (thinking about calling her Skittles) will always be safe and secure inside! Win-win all around.

Thanks again.

Welcome to the site!!!!! Thank you for caring for feral cat's. There is such a need for people like you in this world. I wish it were so easy to get "most" feral kitties inside like that. BUT look how much time you spent getting her to trust you outside first. That was so very helpful. NOW her socialization will be so much quicker now that the "trust" part is already solidified!!! :bigthumb: Wonderful job!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sure that your sister can just put her dogs in another room - completely confined BEFORE she attempts to go into the "safe" kitty room. That way her dog's won't be pushing behind her as she tries to get into the "foster" room to care for your new feral girl. I think this will be just fine. Keep us posted

Excellent article by Laurie :bigthumb: Packed with very useful and helpful steps to help this transition go smoothly. It can be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. LOVE LOVE the name Skittles :heart3: :happy3: I think Kitty-Kitty will love it too

Oh and Oh that is WONDERFUL! This girl is really ready to be inside! :lol3: Sounds very much like you shouldn't have many problems, really. :heart2: ( :cross: and knock wood! :lol3: ).

So do you have other indoor-only kitties? Seems to me at this point you need to start thinking about a vet visit, and maybe after a few weeks of "quarantine" to ensure no URI or something develops - preparing for introductions! :lol3: She may be out and about by the time you leave for vacation!

Awwwww..... I'm so excited for you two on this new journey together! :rub:

I happen to disagree.  I believe that having a stranger in your home for 3 weeks WITH strange dogs that are not used to cats is a bigger issue.  But, if you think you can pull it off... Go for it.  I wish you the best.  But I don't see this being very happy for Kitty Kitty.  I would either wait or make sure that she has her own room where your sister goes in as little as possible and the dogs do not go in at all.  But that is just me. 

I only suggested the kennel because I know how hard it is to leave them outside.  I would not take a feral there but it sounds to me like she is a stray and not a feral.  However, that is just my opinion. 

I wish you the best of luck!!!!  I hope it works but I think that she will either be backtracked or traumatized if you leave for a month shortly after her coming in. Maybe before you leave, to help her out, you can get some feliway or the calming collar.  That way, she won't be as stressed (possibly) if she hears and smells the strange dogs and your sister?  It could help her.  I really do hope this works but I too learned this lesson the hard way when I didn't wait until after an extended trip when I brought in a stray.  She took off because she was so upset and frantic.  I never saw her again.  Just please make sure to be on the side of caution and do what is best for kitty kitty....

Hi Kelley, great job on getting her inside. If you are able to pick her up and carry her, you are making great progress. I agree it is best to keep her inside now, you just never know what they can encounter outside and you would feel terrible if you missed the opportunity that you have.

You just need her to know she is safe, she will be fine. If you have to keep her confined while your sister is there, at least you will know she is safe and you will have peace of mind.

P3 and The King said:

I would either wait or make sure that she has her own room where your sister goes in as little as possible and the dogs do not go in at all. 

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Yes, Skittles has her own safe room.

Hi all - things are continuing to go well. Skittles (I'm not 100% on this yet, but we'll see ) is just as sweet as she can be.  At night, she's been waking us up every couple of hours - seems she's lonely and wants some company. I've indulged her each time, but I think this is a practice I will have to discontinue. While nighttime may be her primetime, I need my sleep.

There is one issue that may be a deal breaker and it pains me to even think about it, but I'm torn.

This cat has an odor about her that I'm really having trouble getting past.  I had to wash her bedding last night as the smell was gawdawful. Now, a towel she's been laying on reeks just as bad.  When I smell her, I don't notice anything out of the ordinary. I haven't smelled her hiney area to see if it's impacted anal glands (can you tell I've been doing some reading? lol) or what not, but I can't think of anything else it could be. I know I have to get her in to the vet for a complete check up (that's a thought that is stressing me out a little bit), but if it is anal glands and it's going to be a continuing problem, I'm not sure how I'll handle it. If it not the glands and it's just her unique feral scent, ugh.  I didn't enter into this ownership lightly, but the odor....

She has a beautiful temperment, and she's affectionate as heck, if not for this smell, she is ideal. 

What do y'all think?

It could be impacted anal glands..... which is easily treatable. I would take her to the vet soon. I am pretty certain that is the problem according to what you are describing.

Glad that things are going so well. She will be just fine when you are gone. Just make sure your sister keeps her confined to her safe room the whole time you are gone. Do not worry about the strange dogs either. As long as you instruct your sister to put the dogs away before she slips into the safe room, all will be just fine. Or better yet, have her put the dogs outside before she goes to care for Skittles. The dogs must not be allowed to be with your sister when she goes to Skittles room. You did the right thing by getting this cat indoors before your long trip. She will be safer inside then out for sure. Good luck at the vet and let us know what happens

khomaha said:

So, I picked her up,

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  Ohmygosh!   Ha.  PP unbelievable, if it only was so easy for most ferals!!  Great job!

It does indeed sound like this kitty has had a previous home, she is amazing!  Laying up on your desk and rubbing and purring, she loves you SO much.  You completely saved her from a mean life outside.  It makes me mad to think someone abandoned her or she got lost or ran away.  Poor kitty.  You have given her life again!

You were obviously so excited to bring her inside, I could tell by your quick eagerness to clean out your office and bring Skittles in!  She's lovin it!

I am so glad that you did not leave her outside while you were gone.  I agree with Feral and LDG to bring her in, absolutely.  I am sure your sister is responsible and won't let the pups near her.

I hope you are able to get her to the vet soon.  I could be way off but it is possible that Skittles might have a UTI or bladder infection, sometimes this infection can built up in the kidneys and cause an unusual skin odour.  Is it possible she is spraying on stuff?  Even spayed kitties can spray and it is foul.

...oh yeah....  have you considered what to do with her sibling it h/she returns?  You might be mama cat to 2 ferals soon!  ha

Please keep us posted!!

Every last cat in my house came inside from a feral colony that lived around the house I lived in prior to my current residence. I agree with the others that suggest you keep her inside while you are gone. I had a horrible experience one time when I left for a 2 week vacation and had our vet tech come out each day to feed the colony. She told me that she saw some of the cats the first day of her visit, then most disappeared on the second day. When we got home, 7 cats were gone.

Our neighbor had a couple of dogs that I used to see hunting in the neighborhood. They didn't come on our property because we also had dogs that, while inside dogs, marked the perimeter of the property so that other dogs didn't come by. When we were gone and our dogs boarded, the neighbor's dogs most likely came over and hunted the cats.

The other reason why I suggest you keep her inside is because of the new bullies. I witnessed new cats attempting to move into our colony (we were a good source for food), but the core colony protected their territory very well. Newbies might be able to sneak a meal or 2, but they never remained long enough for me to trap them. Your girl is the outcast in your colony and the bullies will run her off eventually. If you aren't home to protect her, she will most likely be gone when you get back from vacation.

I do have 1 suggestion to you. See if your sister will come over a couple times before you leave on your vacation so that Skittles can get to know her at least a little bit. If she hides the entire time, that's expected and OK. Have your sister talk to her and provide her food. Feral cats usually take to their caregiver and no one else, but they can come around to some extent to others.

Oh, and the smell? Feral cats don't have unique body aromas. If it is a wicked nasty odor, I also suspect that she is having a leaky anal gland issue. There's few things that smell as awful as anal gland secretion. Almost as bad as skunk.

You guys are all so sweet! Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Vet appt is set for Tuesday, so will have to suffer through until then. Luckily the weather is nice enough that I can crack a window (not enough that she can get out thanks to the tip from Catmom5!), so that's something anyway.

Not much sleep last night. While I tried to ignore her howls, by 3:45 a.m. I had to give in. Gosh I hope this is a only a short phase!

My sister will be coming from out of state, but will be here for a couple of days before I leave so she'll definitely get indoctrinated.:nod: she's an animal lover too, so I have every confidence all will go well.

Thanks again all, will keep you posted.

Warning about the window crack...  My cat was able to push the window up when I had it opened just a crack, luckily I had lattice over it....  but don't use that either, cause my cat then got his head stuck in it.  Maybe put a stick in to jam it?

Cheers!

RE:  possible anal gland issue

I'd look at her diet.  I always look at the diet when a health issue shows up.

I did a search on Google "cat anal gland diet", and came up with some ideas.

Some say feeding raw is good, some say less fat, and some say more fiber - there's even a link that will instruct you on how to express the glands.



I don't know if this link will work for you, but will try - the results of my Google Search:  

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=cat+anal+gland+diet&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

What does her poop LOOK like?  Hard, soft?  Poop needs to be the right consistency for a cat to naturally express their anal glands.

In so far as opening the window:  do you have a metal cake/cookie rack?  I use that as an extra barrier between Ritz, the screen, and the great, bad, death drop, outdoors.  (My window slides horizontally, not vertically, but I think it would work for both.)

Hi all - just an update. All is still going very well.  The really foul odor seems to have abated for now, for which I am extremely grateful.  Will still have the vet exam her glands though, as I'd hate for that smell to return.

@Ritz - I guess it's normal. I'm using the clumping litter, so a bit hard to tell.  I only have the window cracked at the top.  When I give her full run of the house, will look for more cake racks - that's a good idea. I love having the windows open, so I'll do everything I can to satisfy her as well as my sense of security. lol @ your death drop comment. Hope that was just a visual and not a proven fact.   @Gloria - my feral cat friend recommended giving her a little bit of canned pumpkin - she says cats really like that, so I'm going to get some for her. 

An update on her name - I've decided on "Gabby" - she just doesn't look like a Skittles to me and with all the chatter I get from her, Gabby just seems so perfect, so that's what we're going with.  It's nice to have a proper name for her.

The last couple of days she's decided she likes tight spaces - all still above the floor, but she is currently residing back in the deep part of a book shelf. She's very open to petting, so it's not like she's become scared or anything. Since I'm not reacting to her nightly howl fests, maybe she's a little pouty.  I've been leaving the light on in the room after 8 p.m. She may not know if it's morning or night, but I wanted to put an end to her calling out due to lonliness. She's probably bored silly. I've tried playing with her and that holds her attention for about 3 minutes then she loses interest. She spends a lot of time looking out the window that looks out into a bush alive with bird activity. That's kitty cat TV for ya - no better reality show than that! lol

Will give you an update when we return from the vet on Tuesday.  Hope y'all are having weather as nice as mine (Omaha, NE). Absolutely gorgeous out there.

Oh my yes! Bird activity is a HUGE attention-grabber for kitties. So are squirrels. We bought Droll Yankees bird feeders that use suction cups to stick on the windows (they're more expensive than others, but they stay stuck LOL). Keep those feeders full, and she'll be "hunting" birds and squirrels all day!