Should we take feral cat with us when we move?

alisdawn

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Hi there. I am new to this forum and am looking for some advice.

i have a 2.5 year old little boy and two indoor Persian kitties.

I am been taking care of a feral cat (feeding her) for about 8 years.

She waits in the morning to be fed. hangs out in our yard every day and sleeps i believe in a shed in the year of an abandon house.

I am thrilled she makes it through every winter between the cold, the snow and other animals.

We may be moving to CT from NY - there will be alot more land and different setting.

I would like to bring her but i dont want her to get lost outside if we do since it will be a different setting.

She is very sweet but after 8 years still will not let me touch her.

Our first step would be the bring her to the vet to get check out.

Any suggestions?

I am scared if we leave her behind she will be lonely (although our neighbors) will prob feed her.

Thank you

Alissa
 

p3 and the king

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Well, you can do a Trap/Neuter/Release and take her to the vet anyway just to have a check up, vaccinations and spay if you can.  Find a humane trap and put food in it.  I would do this anyway.  As for the moving, I am not sure it is a good idea?  She will probably will panic and run away and most likely end up lost or run over or whatever.  I would talk to your neighbors and explain your concerns for her first.  See if they are willing to take over for you before making a decision about this.  If they say "no" then maybe make plans to take her with you and keep her in a garage or basement for awhile... Slowly let her get used to the smells and get over her panic.... At least a few weeks.  And all you can do is hope for the best when you finally let her out of confinement. 
 

uncommonsensesc

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I'd go ahead and get her to the vet for spaying and a check-up (shots, etc.). I'd also build (or buy) her an insulated shelter and place it close to where she usually sleeps so maybe she'll start using the shelter. All that being said, I'd definitely take her with you. Taking care of a cat, even if it's only feeding, is a responsibility and I just don't trust neighbors to take it seriously and keep doing it. You've been doing it for 8 years so she's come to depend on you feeding her and being there for her. You can take the shelter with you and if it has her smell on it, she'll probably use it. She really needs a good shelter - I'm amazed that she makes it in those harsh winters! I've got a stray and 5 babies that, even though we're in the South, I'm working on either buying a good shelter or building one. Here's a link to a web site that gives good information on feral cat care: http://indyferal.org/index.php?page=shelters

Here's a link to a NYC site:  http://www.nycferalcat.org/CatWinterShelterPurchase.pdf

Feral Villa has a really nice shelter at a very reasonable price that I'll probably order for mine:

http://www.feralvilla.com/

You're her angel for taking care of her - my Momma Kitty and her babies have just wrapped me around their soft little paws (and I have an inside love kitty too). I know you've got your hands full with your little boy and your other 2 four-legged friends so I'm really impressed with you worrying about your outside kitty. You are teaching your son such valuable lessons about compassion for innocent animals.
 

feralvr

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Welcome!!! Are you sure it is a female? I am surprised she has not had kittens in those eight years. I agree with P3 and Uncommon above that she needs to be seen by a vet and spayed. I just wonder IF she is already spayed since she never has had a litter of kittens that you know of, anyway.

It is very risky to relocate a feral cat if you don't have a way to confine them in a proper outdoor enclosure or kennel set up with a couple of shelters inside the enclosure. They really must be confined for a month to get used to the smells and sights of the new territory. This is the only way. Otherwise, she will take off, get lost, and might not survive. If you cannot keep her confined that way, then she is better off living in her own territory without you there. Can you find someone in the area to take over the feeding and sheltering? A cat loving neighbor? I know this is far and few between, though. I am going to have the same problem soon. We are looking to move and I will for sure take Willow with us. My most regular feral, but extremely distant even after two years. The other's are not so regular and I know they will survive just fine after I go. Willow - no. I have absolutely no neighbor's who would be willing to feed. Maybe you could find someone to take over her care :dk: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

jimmylegs

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I moved with a 'yard cat' a few years ago. She was there when I moved in, I assume she was once a pet because she had been spayed. This cat was relatively tame but resolutely wanted to live inside. Any attempts to convert her to living inside were met with annoyance and depression on her part. So when we moved we brought her along. We did make her live inside for a few months so she would get used to the new place, she spent most of her time in the cellar. Eventually she went outside and has been there for the past 6 years and is doing great (she must be at least 13 years old at this point). 

So it can be done, but if your cat is very feral you will need to handle it as a feral relocation. you'll have to trap her (I'd get her vetted while you have her contained), then when you move she will need to be kept in a large cage outside for a couple of weeks so she learns this is her new home. I've done this a few times and it usually works well. Definitely get an outside shelter as others have suggested so she will be safe when it gets cold out. once she adjust she will probably be fine with the new set up. good luck!
 

merstockgto

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We took in a true feral cat in July 2011 that roamed our neighborhood. We had our home up for sale and did not want to leave her behind as she would wait to be fed in the morning and evening. Found out she was pregnant in June and we trapped her and took her to our vet where we aborted her pregnancy and had her fixed and chipped. I see you have been feeding this kitty for 8 years so she knows you. We traveled with us from Fl. to Nevada and she traveled so well. She does not want us touching her but she does not growl or hiss and is not agressive at all and is okay with our 4 other felines. She now has the run of the house and is very content being an indoor kitty as she has all the comforts of home and a very loving kitty owner. If you have the patience and understanding it is possible for you to do what we did. It all depends on the cat. Sox as we call her is a very sweet cat and runs around with her tail up in the air and meows to us and comes calling when it is time for her wet food in the evening.
 
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