Very Friendly Feral/Stray - Question

The parking lot where I leave my car in the morning at the train station has a good sized colony of feral cats.  I used to live around the block a few years ago, so I'm rather familiar with them, their routines, etc.  

I never was able to get anywhere near them, they certainly seemed quite feral to me.  I've tried to find out if anyone is doing a TNR program on them, but no luck to date.  I do have to say I've never seen a single kitten (although many of them look quite similar to each other), they all look rather healthy and well fed (there are several restaurants nearby so I kind of assume that the dumpster may be a good source of nutrition for them).  The colony also seems to be rather cooperative with each other, from what I can tell - I have never seen any signs of aggressiveness between the cats to date.

Anyway since I moved and bought a home about a mile away, I've been driving to the train and when I arrive there in the morning it seems it's a time of day they are rather active, especially when the weather is good.  Lately, there is one particular group of them - 4 or 5, that has been a bit more "friendly" when they see me - not running away, and showing some interest in me.  

One in particular, a lovely gray one with a white patch on her face, has been brave enough to walk up to me and allow me to pet her.  I nearly fainted the first time.  She will wind herself around my legs, and even sit next to me.  She now will come over to me, if I call to her gently. This leads me to think she may not be feral in fact, but, perhaps a stray that has taken up with the colony over time.  

Since she got so close, I noticed she has been TNR.  I was relieved to see that and it gave me some hope that others have been as well.

Anyway - I've told my BF about her, and showed him photos of her.  I'm fairly smitten and would love to figure out how to give her a forever home.  However, our middle aged cat, that we adopted from a good friend about 2 years ago (11 years old), has shown signs of being less than pleased around other cats that show up in our backyard - getting incredibly defensive to the point of throwing himself up against the glass patio door, scratching wildly at it.  I know he had lived with dogs before, but, not cats.  I'm concerned about bringing another kitty home and upsetting what is truly a really well behaved and well adjusted cat (honestly, he's like the model cat - we're very lucky in that regard - he has none of the bad habits a lot of people have with theirs, he's incredibly polite to live with lol).  Well, other than his obvious need to guard the house from other cats that is!

So - should I just give the idea up?  It isn't like this other cat is in any dire trouble or anything - I just see her (?) as being potentially a good pet, one that gets along with other cats (I've seen her interact with the other colony members and it's obvious she "plays well with others") and one that seems like she didn't need to be out on the street unnecessarily and could use a good home.  

Any and all suggestions/comments are welcomed.  I'm not going to jump into anything here, it's just something I'm semi-considering, and I also have to take my BF's desires into account - he's already said he isn't sure it's a good idea for reasons stated above and also, we have a rather small sized home and finding room for one more litter box is not going to be so easy.  I want to weight everything from every angle before I approach him for "real" about trying to take her, if that turns out to be what I decide to do.

Anyway, here's some pix of her - cause you know, you have to see her



She's the gray one on the right.  


And one more from today - I love the one she's with too, but he's not as friendly lol. 

I think it is worth a try!  Adopted homeless cats are usually submissive to resident. They are also used to the whole game of social interaction, so they understand the situation - and copy.

Many rescuers do witness adopted ex homeless are often / usually (exceptions occur) easier to get along with home cats, than bough home cats.

Here, you yourself did saw she was one of the most cat sociale, in a colony where there are no hostilities.

So, I think you could try yes. Should, as you ARE seriously considerating.  Do of course vet check up, some quarantine, some proper introduction - but the chances are heavily on your side.

IF it after all doesnt works out, you do have two possiblilites:

Find her some another adopter - you being her guarantier and speaking for her.

OR, return her to the colony.  She is used with it, so it will be no great harm.

The colony?  No visible kittens, and no visible hostilities, all living nicely and friendly to each other?

My guess they are all neutered. They do also have some good caretaker, but who dont do much noise of herself.  Perhaps personnel in the restaurants?  Who do it perhaps as a part of keeping rats and mices from the area.

Good luck!

Thanks for your input Stefan.

I did see a woman the other day, get out of her car, and several of the cats seemed to run over to her when she opened the door.  I wondered if perhaps, she is feeding them, and they knew her?  Unfortunately, I was running for the train and didn't have time to walk over to talk to her but if I see her again, I am going to do so.  

If I do decide to try homing her, I will build her confidence slowly by bringing her food for a while, etc.  I would like to see how much she trusts me first before trying to get her in the car.  And of course, I would bring her to the vet to have her looked over.  I would not want to bring any diseases/pests to our resident kitty.

sivyaleah said:

Thanks for your input Stefan.

If I do decide to try homing her, I will build her confidence slowly by bringing her food for a while, etc.  I would like to see how much she trusts me first before trying to get her in the car.

Click to expand...

The most common with shy cats - ferales or long term strays, they are taken in a human trap.  Or if not so very shy, you rig up a carrier as a sorts of trap. Giving them food / treats in there, and closing...

One here may be possible  you wrap in her in a thick towel. Wrapped in, she gets submissive. Etc.

Here you must be two - one holding wrapped up, one driwing.  Or let her in i that carrier you have.

A very mild method, used also for homecats who hate nail clipping...

So carrier with food / treats in, as the safe alternative. Wrapping up as the quicker alternative.

Never ever run after them catching "catch as catch can" and taking by violence.  They will fight violently if you try to hold them.  They may fight anyway at the self moment of catching... So beware, have thick clothes and gloves on. Preferably also glasses or even protective googles.

(The dangers dont always become reality. I know a wonderful story when the rescuer, having just one chance, took it, and as she had no carrier with her, held that homeless cat on her belly under her clothes. They rode Underground through the whole city of Stockholm...  But the forewarned is also the protected by God Himself)

And please, better not to let her be loose in the car... If nothing else, the risk is very big she freaks out when you drive on....  Nay, see you do have her in a carrier before the transportation begins.

Good is to take her to the vet immediately. After. the vet is clear and done, he pack her up into the carrier again.

Back home you let her loose in her quarantine-home room.  And voilá!  You are her hero, you did her loose into this nice room.   

You open the carrier door, and she comes out when she is ready and wants.

Good luck!

Thanks again!

Much of that I already knew (like, I would never put a cat in the car without a cage, that would be so unsafe for all of us!  And, potentially the cat may damage the car by eliminating from fear, you know?) but some was new information so I thank you. 

We're in the process of cleaning up our spare bedroom just by coincidence, it was being used as a storage space for the past year.  Once this is done and is cleared out, it would be the only place we could possibly safely contain another cat temporarily.  So, we would have to wait no matter what for this to be done.  

We have a very good vet, close by.  I would call before to make sure that we would be able to come in without an appointment to have her checked out.  They are a private office, not one of those "big box" places (like at Pet Smart) so I think it wouldn't be a problem.

Oh I am talking way too much about this  My BF is going to be one surprised guy if I tell him in a week or so that this cat is coming to live with us lol.

Just a BIG thank you for caring and I do think taking this kitty in would be great for you and her alike. She sounds way to sweet to live a life outdoors and she probably would make a very loving family cat. As Stefanz said above, the carrier is the best and safest way to transport this kitty. I would start feeding her in the crate, if you can, with the door propped open. This way on the day you want to take her home, or better yet, take her directly to the vet first, all you have to do is shut the crate door once she is inside eating. Who knows... maybe she will be very happy and willing to go inside of the crate :cross: Keep us posted!!!