If I bring her in, does she ever get to go out and play?

aerides

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I wrote about Boo last week, she's at the vet post-surgery and doing well, and she'll be there for about another week (she had a broken leg and is now healing up after surgery). They've told me know she probably won't even try to talk on it for another week or so, and it's gonna be more like 4-6 weeks before she's "normal".

Ok so I can think about ways to introduce her inside, and keep working on socializing her, etc. She's 11 months, feral, but has "known" me since a kitten and Mama brought her by here to start feeding as soon as she was ready. I can pick her up sometimes (she is not a fan), she's playful with me a little, and will climb on me for treats, so the road to socialization looks promising.

Assuming all that... her Mom and Brother live in my backyard mainly, and are always here for breakfast and dinner and hang out in the evenings. They all love each other, and both of them have been hanging out even more since she's been away, and I think they think I have her in the house (they were all around watching me the day I caught her for the vet). I have french doors along the back - they will see her and she will see them as soon as she's back and out of the one room I'll start her off in. Boo loves chasing lizards, rolling around in the grass, climbing trees, and playing with her family.

My original plan was for her to return to her prior life, but now I'm not so sure since she'll have to stay in with me for a couple of weeks. But after that? Will she bolt the moment I let her out? Or can I safely let her out for "supervised" outdoor time for an hour or so each evening with her fam and then bring her back in for the night?

I don't have any enclosure outside. Any experience letting a feral back out to play after bringing them in?
 

ritz

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I think this is a semi-rare case in which Boo will make a good indoor/outdoor cat.  She may bolt outdoors the first time she is allowed (kind of like a teenage driver who wants to drive 24x7 when he first gets his license), but keep on feeding her regularly, same time, same place, and she'll stick around.

Though I do think it will be up to Boo whether he wants to stay indoors at night.  I'd certainly give him the choice and hope for the best.
 

StefanZ

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I agree with Ritz.  If having her as your outside kitty is no catastrophe for you, try, and whatever it will be, will be OK for you.   :)

Good luck!
 

feralvr

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I am fairly certain that once you offer to let Boo outside again it will be for good on her part and that would only change when/if she decides. Boo would probably prefer to be outdoors with her mother and brother. I think if you want her as an inside kitty and pursue socialization and acclimating her to the indoor life, you can't go wrong. Would be a much safer life for Boo and I have found that either the socialized feral cat is completely content to the indoor life or is completely miserable. You will know and it is great that you have that option. :nod:
 
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