Making nice with an adult feral cat?

basonthebuffalo

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So, I'm new here, I suppose I should do a little backstory on my particular feline inquiry:

I recently purchased a farm of my own (moved from my parent's farm, to a house for a few years, and now I missed farming so I got one of my own).
And my barn has come with a self-installed addition of one big, fat, white, (as far as I know) feral barn tom. 

He won't let me anywhere near him but he marked on my work jacket that I left behind the other day, so I'm going to assume he hasn't been neutered...or had any medical attention whatsoever.

and for me that just won't do, he's lovely to look at and he does a fabulous job of keeping mice and rats at bay (which is great, I wouldn't want them taking bites out of my new bottle calves). I think he deserves a little more care for all of his hard work. The difficult part is, I know nothing about cats, I've never had a cat...I don't think I've ever even touched one. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make friends with him? He's fullgrown and really skittish of me being around, but he hasn't up and flown the coop so I figure this barn is home for him. Is there a way to catch him that doesn't involve scaring him to death and making him hate me forever? Is it even possible to tame a feral cat that isn't a kitten anymore? I'd really love to get him in for a round of shots and a vet check, I'd like him to be a part of our new little family.

Suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated~!

*~Bason~*
 

StefanZ

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Wow, what an exciting project you do have here!

It is yes to all your questions. Although you must take it stepwise.

Find a vet who is cooperative. You will work with young cattle? so you do surely have a contact with a vet? Ask him.  Is he coming out to your place? He is perhaps willing to do the neuter surgery at your place??  Some stable owners do so, with their horse vets.

IF you anytime must try to catch him yourself, dont do it with hands and trying to keep - almost impossible and higly bloody work. Use a thick towel and try to wrap up him like a burrito.  Or even lay it over his head like a sack...

Neutering is the first to do.  You use a so called human trap, the brand Havahart is the most common.

You take him to the vet in it if you want...  So essentially, you dont need to touch him the first period.

The socializing?  With time it will come by itself, if you are often there, talking friendly or singing softly,

and also bringing in some food...   Probably slowly but it will come with time.

One little point.  So for the moment he is essentially a working cat. A hard working one.

Do you h ave possibility to get a discount for him from your income tax?

I mean, if you do buy a bottle of rodent poison Tomcat (yes there is such a brand) - you will get a discount.   So if you you do have an alive tomcat doing the work, you should also be possible to get some.   I did asked the Swedish authority. They were reluctant, but admittet it was possible,  If I wrote a letter and explained...

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!
 
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basonthebuffalo

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Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely talk to my vet and see if he'll do a neuter and round of shots (and some frontline!) on the big boy for me right at the barn,

if not I'll be trying my hand at setting one of those traps. 

I've started leaving him a pan of food and water in hopes that it would at least encourage him to stick around, I'll start bringing him treats too.

I've got to be back down there in the morning for the babies' early morning bottle, I'll see if I can get some pictures of him while I'm at it. 

He needs a name too. 

I'll just keep updating how he's doing on here I guess,

Thanks so much again~!
 

feralvr

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Welcome to the site!!! :D and thank you for taking an interest in this fellow! First thing, as Stefan already mentioned, is getting him to the vet and neutered. Using a trap is the way to go and the safe way for the cat and for you. Trying your hand at socializing is definitely something you could do if you have the time and the patience. IF it doesn't work out - the indoor life for him, you can release him back on your farm and care for him that way. :nod: I am certain he is quite relieved to have you there now feeding him. Here is an article that will offer some suggestions to you about socializing http://www.catnipchronicles.com/may2012/laurie.htm Please keep us posted on your progress! :vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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basonthebuffalo

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Update of sorts:

I haven't seen him since I posted, I really hope he hasn't taken off somewhere,

The food in the trap hasn't been touched,

maybe I'm just getting too impatient, I'll continue to wait for a while and see if he comes back.
 

feralvr

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Not surprising to hear that he has disappeared. This is VERY common with stray/feral cats. I am sure that this cat has a large territory and other places that he typically roams. I do think he will be back and hopefully soon so you can get him trapped and neutered. :cross: Keep trying, that is all you can do!! :nod: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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