I have a feral cat, Sable is her name.

Hi,

I have a feral cat, I call Sable. She was adopted by a previous renter, I had to have, but then when he left, he left here. I am forced to keep Sable out on my screened in porch, but she loves it. She can chat with any stray that comes up to the porch and watches the birds that come and look at her, while perched on my railing. She will sit there and chatter with them, like she does with me, when I'm with her. She calls me, (clearly), "Mama."

I have to keep her on the porch, because she will destroy my house, inside. I'm having a challenge with her ruining my fabric screens on the porch and have to figure out how to stop her from doing so. She doesn't like to be picked up, without biting and scratching and causing all kinds of noise. So, I can't do so, when I want her to come into the porch, from the outside. I fear, if I leave her outside, too long, the local hawks will have her for dinner, as she isn't a very big girl. I will not abandon her, like she was and my two dogs and I were, by an ex-fiancé, who used my home, my truck and my money to build a successful business, then ran away with a customer, a richer, younger woman. So, even though Sable can be a handful at times, I am dedicated to keeping her, as long as I can. She gets good food, a nice kitty box and has her own, big dog igloo, my ex got from his mom's neighbor. She sleeps in the igloo and hides from the storms and wind in it. I have lots of towels and a kitty cushion in it, to keep her snug in the winter months.

I can't afford to take her to a vet and am concerned about some discharge from her bottom. One reason, I am low income and can barely afford to care for all of us and my ex-husband, who was abandoned, by our daughter, to be left living on the streets. He is going blind and has nothing to his name, but a bed and a few clothes. I am trying to get him on disability, to help me with the expenses of living. Maybe then, I can get help for my animals. But, for now, am doing the best I can to keep them feeling loved, healthy and happy.

Well, that's enough about my feral kitty. I'm afraid I will never be able to bring her into my house, but she is happy and safe, not roaming the streets like so many abandoned animals. I do donate, a dollar or so, to the local shelters and all the animal organizations to save the animals, find them homes and also to the wildlife organizations too. I believe we can all learn from GOD's little creatures, big and small.

My favorite saying is, "With us they share their heritage, nature's vast domain, but we, not they, must keep from harm, the earth, the wind, the rain!" This is so true and thanks to all who are trying their best to help these wonderful creatures!

Hi Sable Lover, Maybe some of the TNR people here could offer some tips on dealing with a feral.

Yes the discharge sounds like something that needs to be looked at.  Is she pregnant?  Many states have grant programs for spay/neuter and vaccinate.  Some are free.  Animal Compasion Network comes to mind.

Try giving her some cardboard boxes to play in on the porch.  An old rug tacked to a board could be a scratch pad for her.  Even towels to play in and hide in.

I have seen ferals turn into loving pets.  It takes time, patience, and love.  Try not to worry when she is outside.  Sounds like she has plenty of fight in her to discourage a pesky old hawk.

Hang in there, and God bless you for caring so much. 

Hello CCCDLX!

Thanks for your reply! It's nice hearing from you and so soon, too!

I will check out the name you mentioned and would like to tell you how many, different toys I have for her, lol!

Her favorite is a tennis ball. She loves to put it in her tummy, as she lies on her side and kick it with her hind feet. plus, I have a scratching post, I keep putting new, rough rope on. She likes that and tears it apart, but I don't mind that. I have a toy, that is great for kitty's, it is a large, round saucer, (for lack of a better description), and it has a gutter within it and in the gutter, there's a ping pong type ball. She loves chasing that ball around and around with her front paw. I also make stuffed toys, filled with cat nip for her. Yes, a card board box is a great idea, I have to look around and see if I can find one, somewhere. I seem to always be in need of card board boxes, especially to pack up and donate all the left over computer stuff my ex so graciously left all over my house. I know kitty likes paper bags too, not the plastic ones, however. she likes rolled up paper too, for she thinks, as it unrolls itself, it is alive. I also hung stuff from my porch swing for her to bat around. Plus, there's always the string with something attached to it, I pull around, on the floor, while sitting on my porch with her.

Sometimes, she sneaks into my house and goes by my two dogs, lying on their blankets and will roll around, teasing them. They just sit there and watch her, remembering the one time they tried to come onto the porch and she really went after them. But, now they all are curious about them. I bet if I can get my dogs to ever get on the porch, one of them would be a great playmate for her.

Yes, I believe you are right, I have to see a vet. Unfortunately, the local help, including "Four Paws," I found on the Internet, can't help me. The Humane Society claims they don't have enough money to help me. So, I just have to figure out how to save to take her and then, since she's terrified of things, people and cars, I have to figure out how to get her to the vets. I contacted the local shelter, where she was adopted from, by email, but haven't heard from them yet. I will keep trying.

Thanks again for your reply. I do appreciate hearing from anyone who posts a reply.

Take care and God Bless....