Relocating Feral Cats

I've been taking care of a colony for two years. There were seven cats originally and all were TNR'd with shots etc.. by  myself and another person. At the end of last summer we were told to stop feeding them by the property owner. The owner trapped and disposed of (killed) four cats while trapping raccoons. Another was hit by a car around Thanksgiving. I was able to continue feeding them somewhat discreetly. The business where they live is an amusement center which is expanding so I really need to move the cats asap. The two remaining cats are not from the same family and are not really friendly with each other. Just looking for advice from anybody who has actually relocated a feral cat or colony. I do have a safer location for them however I know they likely may try to return to their former home. I am aware that relocation is a last resort and usually not advised.Thanks

It takes about 4 wks for ferals to acclimate to a new environment and think of it as "home." The cats will have to be crated for the entire 4 wk period. Make sure you setup crates in/under a shelter so the cats are out of the elements; but, can still take in sights/sounds/smells. They will need a litter box, bedding and food/water in the crate with them.

Will you or someone else be able to check on them daily?

Check out Ally Cat Allies's website for more info.

Basically relocated is as a last resort for a couple of major reasons.

For one, if they are not properly acclimated they will travel in an attempt to find their former "home".

Secondly, feral/homeless cats are literally everywhere, and unneutered males do NOT take kindly for newcomers on their turf.

It is very hard to know what cats the new cats will be up against or what they will have to face.

It is extremely helpful to know that new spot well enough that they won't get there and be run off by bullies, etc.

Acclimation must be a minimum of 4 weeks, even longer if it is possible, to be sure. It is a mental/emotional transition for them, a process they go through in stages of acclimation, so never rush this.

As far as the 2 not getting along so good now? That will change, as soon as they get to the strange and scary new place, the only thing familiar to them is each other, and it will be quite welcome to them.

Agreed that I would definitely relocate the 2 together. They will definitely need the ally/companion.

I am sad to report the two remaining cats appear to have now been removed by the business owners. I am really mad at myself for not relocating them as I had planned. I came so close on several occasions however did not get it done in a timely enough manner. This will be a painful lesson about putting things like this off.

Sorry to hear this.  You are correct, though.  When we see a situation like this, we must be prepared to move quickly.

Perhaps you can use the information you've developed so far to put a plan in place.  Hopefully, you never have to use it but it would be great to have it in place.

One of the cats showed up 2 days ago. She had been gone for 34 days. The other has not returned and she's been gone almost 4 weeks. I am going to take the cat and move her into my home. I am able to handle her and can usually pick her up without a struggle however this is a big move for both her and me. I have built this relationship with her over a three year period so I will attempt this first. If it does not work out I can at least re-locate her to a safer environment.