New to caring for a stray/feral and second-guessing myself and need some encouragement and support

He wasn't out there this morning, but the neighbor's two were.  This kind of worries me a little  He's not an aggressive cat and I don't think he is much of a fighter, as I said he little nuggets look pretty flat but big like he was neutered as an adult. He also doesn't spray, I've noticed.

I've updated on Orville a lot but not Henryetta and her life in the house. She is a joy!  I could not have asked for a better cat to introduce me to actual outdoor rescues and Chaucer was the best when it came to welcoming her. He's a very social, playful, active, friendly cat.  I was so concerned about her and Chaucer getting along with their little tiffs and now realize that they have always gotten along but were establishing boundaries when she moved in. I guess now I could consider them a bonded pair. He is still the alpha, but she holds her own, swatting him or doing the little "air-fights" as he walks by. He grooms her a lot and then does the male cat wrestle thing with her but she takes a lot longer to run off now. They eat off the same plate together at the same time and love to play together. I've seen her try to groom him, but he is less receptive to this than she is to his grooming which can on for over five minutes with his "arm" around her shoulders. He still does battle for the rights to my lap and they will both lie on me if I'm on the sofa lying down or something, but he will eventually force her off, particularly if she is there first. I think they love each other though.  Chaucer wanted a playmate and Henryetta just wanted a home and love, so it's been a good fit.

Orville did return later that afternoon. 

Chaucer said:

Orville did return later that afternoon. 

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First - lovely update on Henryetta above. Makes my heart sing.... :lol3: Sounds like a match made in heaven. :9: So cute together, Chaucer and Henryetta.

LOADS of vibes for Orville's return. argh - always such a worry caring for these outdoor kitties. We just have NO control in their day to day safety and security.

Thanks again for all the support. I hope this lengthy thread will help others who are trying to take care of a feral or semi-feral.

This morning, Orville ate a piece of cold roast chicken about 4 inches from me - I'd been tossing pieces closer and closer to me.  I was unable to get him to take one from my hand, though. He backed up. I can put the dry food near me but he will walk around, tail waving in the air now, and meowing, until I back up a couple of feet or move to sit on the bottom step. I am close enough to observe him and that big cut on his leg has healed but he has a pretty good scar. I don't think it is from another cat and hoping it was not from an encounter with a raccoon.  He loves to roll around on the carport or in the dirt under a shrub nearby, and he loves roast chicken.

Something WONDERFUL!!

This morning, I fed Orville and the two neighbor's cats, as usual, but after the latter leave I usually give Orville a little treat - today was left over salmon croquette and a spoon of wet cat food that Chaucer and Henryetta left behind.

While I was sitting out there with him after he had eaten the salmon, he suddenly lay down not far from me, rolling around and KNEADING the air!  When I went in, I got my breakfast and sat on a bench just behind the sliding screen door. Both Henryetta and Chaucer were with me. Imagine my surprised when Chaucer went to the screen and Orville trotted right up to him!  They touched noses and there was no hostility at all. Chaucer, of course, stretched up the screen door, getting his claw stuck naturally, and Orville just sat there looking at him. They both eventually laid down on the steps, although Orville was on the bottom of the two steps. Orville was blinking at Henryetta and me, too. I am so hopeful that I can get him to trust me enough so I can get him to the vet. He is not neutered. I have had a good view of his "nuggets" and they are full now. He's got some scarring on his back and that big new scar on his front leg. If he doesn't have FIV or FeLv, I may have to consider bringing him in some, but I really don't want another permanent indoor cat so perhaps I can fix him a home on the carport and he can come in when the weather is bad, or it's too cold. He acts fairly young, so I wonder if he was one of Henryetta's litters at some point.

I meant to write that Orville was on the bottom of two steps outside the door and Chaucer was lying by the screen door inside.  I wanted to add that Orville was rolling and kneading near me while I was talking to him outside.

And something else!!!!  He came trotting up and was a short distance away so I put out my hand, palm down and he sniffed my fingers this morning, granted it was for half-a-second and it was only one finger but..... 

The other two cats were not on the carport with him so I guess he felt comfortable.  I really hope I can get him in a carrier and take him to the vet soon, preferably when it's cooler so that I can bring him back sedated and put him in my storage room where I had Henreytta and the kittens. The room needs to be re-organized and the rather expensive things need to be stored in the house then, but it's the best place for him to get used to me and to Chaucer and Henryettta. I hope he doesn't have FIV or FeLv, which would mean I couldn't keep him with mine. I still don't want three cats in the house  - my allergies, which include cats and dogs and for which I took shots from the age of 15-32- couldn't handle three cats. 

 

Orville this morning. I'm kind of embarrassed to ask this but I have wondered on here for a while and couldn't decide- neutered or not?  As you can see he is pretty comfortable with me.

Chaucer said:

Something WONDERFUL!!
Imagine my surprised when Chaucer went to the screen and Orville trotted right up to him!  They touched noses and there was no hostility at all.

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WOW WOW!!! Many things wonderful in these updates!!! Sounds to me that Orville is fitting right in and certainly Chaucer has readily accepted him. SEEEE - this all takes SOOOO much time. And, really, this is how indoor introductions should be played out as well. Many, many weeks of the cats just initially accepting that another is around, and allowing them to approach each other from behind a protected and secure barrier. Hence, your screen door. AWESOME !!

Chaucer said:

And something else!!!!  He came trotting up and was a short distance away so I put out my hand, palm down and he sniffed my fingers this morning, granted it was for half-a-second and it was only one finger but..... 

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And another WONDERFUL thing. He sniffed your FINGER !!! Hey - a second is HUGE according to them - For us - it seems so small, but for them, it is a giant stride forward in the "I trust you" department. :high5:

Chaucer said:

Orville 3.jpg

• chaucer
• Aug 8, 2015

 
Orville this morning. I'm kind of embarrassed to ask this but I have wondered on here for a while and couldn't decide- neutered or not?  As you can see he is pretty comfortable with me.

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Don't be SHY !!! not with US. Post away nugget pictures. :lol3: First off... .... that he is allowing you to photograph him while he is all splayed out that way. TRUST conquered !! I am not able to zoom in on the picture though I did enlarge it a bit and I think I see some nuggets there. IF you took this on your phone - a smart phone - you might be able to edit the picture to zoom in and get a better look!

Oh, he has nuggets (tan with a long black mark on the side of each, making them look like there is a long black oval in between them, which my be why it is difficult to tell about them), they just look flatter than most Tom's, but perhaps that's the angle because sometimes they look rounder than others, but of course if he is out "catting around...." He's had injuries and has some scars. 

I tried extending my finger a few minutes after he sniffed and he actually touched his nose to my finger before jumping back.  This morning, however, he didn't sniff at my fingers.  I know, baby steps.  He has been rolling in front of me for several weeks nows, and I can see him working his feet in the air as he does so, which to me, means that he may be purring. He's also a talker and blinker when I talk to him. 

Henryetta was quicker at transitioning to me, less than two months, but she had human contact across the street until the people who may have been feeding her moved away.  Orville may have had human contact at some point, but it's been so long that he reverted, or else he may be truly feral.

Although they touched noses through the screen, Chaucer does lie on the other side of the door with his ears flattened if Orville gets close to the door, Henryetta doesn't do anything but look at him. 

As always, thank you for the continued reading of this topic and support. The topic is long, but I hope it is helping those who are new to rescuing ferals and strays, and pregnant ones, too. 

Here's something that might have been rather foolish, but I tried it. 

This morning, I took Chaucer outside and after holding him in my lap for a few minutes decided to see what would happen if I set him down. Still holding onto him - and I never let him go- I set him on the carport. Orville was under the car looking at us and then he trotted out from under the car up to Chaucer, friendly as could be, got really close and then backed off and went back to his spot under the car. Chaucer wasn't bothered by Orville approaching him. Neither cat hissed No flattened ears or twitching tails. Now, I realize this could have turned out differently with other cats, but Chaucer has an extremely friendly, social personality with both cats and people. I've observed Orville with other cats and he seems to have the same type of personality as far as cats go. His attitude is more of a "shrug" when the two spayed females hiss and rebuff his friendly approach.  Orville and Chaucer are not strangers and I've taken Chaucer outside before, holding him, so Orville, Chaucer and Henryetta most likely recognize the scents.

Continuing on:  

Yesterday I tried to touch Orville. I barely touched the tip of his ear and he jumped about a foot straight up and backwards!  Today when I fed him, I touched his ear and was able to feel the velvety softness. He jumped a little but not as much. Also, when I went out to feed him, he hurried up to me and almost rubbed against my legs. It was like he wanted to but was still unsure. I think he wants to be loved. 

Chaucer said:

Continuing on:  

Yesterday I tried to touch Orville. I barely touched the tip of his ear and he jumped about a foot straight up and backwards!  Today when I fed him, I touched his ear and was able to feel the velvety softness. He jumped a little but not as much. Also, when I went out to feed him, he hurried up to me and almost rubbed against my legs. It was like he wanted to but was still unsure. I think he wants to be loved. 

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First - on your earlier post. I have done things such as that too. :lol3: AND, then later thinking ... "OMG - that could have gone really, REALLY bad!!" :lol3: I think Chaucer is so acclimated to seeing the outdoor kitties over this past year OR years, that he is quite accustomed BUT more importantly, I do think he is very social and easy going kitty. What a love, Chaucer. :heart3: :rub:

ON touching Orville's ear. It was probably like an electric shock at first but the second day and the third day and so forth should prove that he is slowly wanting YOU to be his one and only. He sees you with Chaucer also and see's how loving you are with him so that has a direct effect on his brain in the trust department. :nod: AWWWWWW - I love this "love" story in the making. Keep up the great strides and progress with Orville. I love your updates.

Touched Orville's tail today. He jumped like crazy. Currently, he is out there playing with one of those little rattling balls. He's moved his two pink mice under the Forsythia bush where he likes to sit. I'm thinking of putting a box under it for him.

Chaucer said:

Touched Orville's tail today. He jumped like crazy. Currently, he is out there playing with one of those little rattling balls. He's moved his two pink mice under the Forsythia bush where he likes to sit. I'm thinking of putting a box under it for him.

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OMG - I just noticed your new Avatar.... :lol3: It has me cracking up. Henryetta poking Chaucer and him looking at her.... "YES - what can I do for you, Queen Henryetta???!!!" too cute.

I have also used (I know - the carrier thing again :lol3 small carriers for outdoor beds and hidey places. I take the doors off of them and make them a cozy little den. They are easy to clean, etc. BUT surely a box would be great too under that bush. So cute that he is playing with toys too. AND :high5: A tail touching!!!!!!!! :bigthumb:

Feralvr said:

OMG - I just noticed your new Avatar....

It has me cracking up. Henryetta poking Chaucer and him looking at her.... "YES - what can I do for you, Queen Henryetta???!!!"

too cute.

I have also used (I know - the carrier thing again

) small carriers for outdoor beds and hidey places. I take the doors off of them and make them a cozy little den. They are easy to clean, etc. BUT surely a box would be great too under that bush.

So cute that he is playing with toys too. AND

A tail touching!!!!!!!!

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I'm sure your cats do the same things.   

Chaucer, my dapper cheeky cat, pounced on her right after that. He loves to play and I think he'd be quite the ladies' man if he wasn't neutered.  Henryetta is kind of retiring and I think she got bullied a bit by the other cats for some reason since she backs off when she sees a cat near the back door. Chaucer stretches up to reach the door candle or lies flat with his ears forward and tail switching.  What a pair!

I was very fortunate to find two cats who were easy-going for the most part for my first rescue of a neighborhood stray/feral  (and a pregnant one at that!) and then do an introduction to my house cat. I could not have done this without your  support and help, and the help and support of those on the Catsite.  Chaucer just wanted a friend; Henryetta just wanted a home and to be loved.  Now they each have what they wanted.

Orville's a good-natured cat, too. I don't know how he and Chaucer would get on if they lived in the same house, both being males though. 

Chaucer said:

I was very fortunate to find two cats who were easy-going for the most part for my first rescue of a neighborhood stray/feral  (and a pregnant one at that!) and then do an introduction to my house cat. I could not have done this without your  support and help, and the help and support of those on the Catsite.  Chaucer just wanted a friend; Henryetta just wanted a home and to be loved.  Now they each have what they wanted.

Orville's a good-natured cat, too. I don't know how he and Chaucer would get on if they lived in the same house, both being males though. 

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I think most times - "positive thinking" - that these intros do and can go fairly smoothly if done super, super slowly. Of course, it is also the cat's innate personalities and temperaments that weigh in on how long that process needs to be drawn out. But overall, I have found that most intros - with feral kitties - goes rather smoothly. They are so happy to be finally loved, fed and safe that they are quite flexible in getting on with other resident cats already in the house. I am really glad and happy, though, to see how bonded and cute Henryetta and Chaucer are together. Your boy, Chaucer, is really an easy going natured type of cat and I am quite fond of that little guy now. He is quite social, for sure !!! :heart2: Actually - in my experience - two neutered male cat's get along quite well and have heard stories of females really wanting to be the only queen. But - again, this is generalizing and stereotyping which is not always correct and finite!

I took Chaucer out  to see Orville again and they touched noses and I think Orville sniffed Chaucer's ear. Anyway, Orville laid down and rolled in front of Chaucer and then got up and came back to see him. Chaucer reached out (to play) and Orville lashed out with a paw, of course missing Chaucer, and then laid down again and rolled. Chaucer was quivering, with excitement or fear I don't know, so I took him in. It was probably excitement. There was no aggression on either one's part it seemed, particularly from body language. No growling or hissing either.

Feralvr said:

I think most times - "positive thinking" - that these intros do and can go fairly smoothly if done super, super slowly. Of course, it is also the cat's innate personalities and temperaments that weigh in on how long that process needs to be drawn out. But overall, I have found that most intros - with feral kitties - goes rather smoothly. They are so happy to be finally loved, fed and safe that they are quite flexible in getting on with other resident cats already in the house. I am really glad and happy, though, to see how bonded and cute Henryetta and Chaucer are together. Your boy, Chaucer, is really an easy going natured type of cat and I am quite fond of that little guy now. He is quite social, for sure !!!

Actually - in my experience - two neutered male cat's get along quite well and have heard stories of females really wanting to be the only queen. But - again, this is generalizing and stereotyping which is not always correct and finite!

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Were your cats ferals at first?  I find it amazing that you have had six cats at one time living together.

My friends have two spayed females, one is Henryetta's kitten Miss Honeychurch, and while Miss H wants to be friends with Agnes, Mrs. A still is a little standoffish, but she is over 8 years old and Miss H is a little over a year and loves to play. Hey, she was raised playing with a bunch of kittens and then with Chaucer who is the ultimate playmate!

Chaucer said:

Were your cats ferals at first?  I find it amazing that you have had six cats at one time living together.

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My three little "P's" were feral born kittens at the barn where I boarded my horse five years ago. I was able to socialize the whole litter but it took much time for a couple of them. If they don't human handling quite young then they follow their mother's lead so it took some convincing and it was my pleasure and joy, really. I found homes, good homes with contracts, for all but the three I took home. I fell in love with all three of them and kept them. I had recently lost a cat from heart failure before their arrival very suddenly. So I only had Pipsqueak at the time. The three P's are still quite frightened of strangers except for Perkins. When there is food involved, he is and can be your best friend. I call him PIGins as a nickname for Perkins. The two "W's" that came in a little later were not feral but abused kittens whom I fostered. They have never left. :lol3: I have five now - Pipsqueak passed this last January. Actually, the five get along quite well without their leader, Pipsqueak, and I was surprised. Pip ruled the roost around here and I thought since his untimely death that all "H" would break loose without his authority. I try to keep them happy with lots of playtime, toys, cat trees, grooming's, treats, good food and attention. It is a round the clock job!!!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. Not surprised that Orville may have lashed out at Chaucer getting too close and comfortable. Remember - he most likely has those "nuggets" and that will drive him to be a bit more aggressive and overly reactive in most situations! I think Chaucer is a Champ and such a sweet and social kitty. He is so open hearted !!!!!!!!! :heart3:

Feralvr said:

My three little "P's" were feral born kittens at the barn where I boarded my horse five years ago. I was able to socialize the whole litter but it took much time for a couple of them. If they don't human handling quite young then they follow their mother's lead so it took some convincing and it was my pleasure and joy, really. I found homes, good homes with contracts, for all but the three I took home. I fell in love with all three of them and kept them. I had recently lost a cat from heart failure before their arrival very suddenly. So I only had Pipsqueak at the time. The three P's are still quite frightened of strangers except for Perkins. When there is food involved, he is and can be your best friend. I call him PIGins as a nickname for Perkins. The two "W's" that came in a little later were not feral but abused kittens whom I fostered. They have never left.

I have five now - Pipsqueak passed this last January. Actually, the five get along quite well without their leader, Pipsqueak, and I was surprised. Pip ruled the roost around here and I thought since his untimely death that all "H" would break loose without his authority. I try to keep them happy with lots of playtime, toys, cat trees, grooming's, treats, good food and attention. It is a round the clock job!!!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. Not surprised that Orville may have lashed out at Chaucer getting too close and comfortable. Remember - he most likely has those "nuggets" and that will drive him to be a bit more aggressive and overly reactive in most situations! I think Chaucer is a Champ and such a sweet and social kitty. He is so open hearted !!!!!!!!!

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I remember about Pipsqueak. It was so sad. Losing a pet is losing a family member. I still have Sophie's ashes in the pretty cedar box. I've put her in the glass-front secretary desk with other treasured items. You are wonderful to take in these cats!  

Henryetta is very frightened of people, but she is my little Piggy. She always has to see what I'm eating and wants a small piece - this includes pastry crust of all types especially (no chocolate of course as that would be really bad). 

Orville does have nuggets. They looked "full" recently; the other times they've looked flat."Catting around" perhaps before the visit with me?  This morning he swiped a piece of roast chicken from my fingers for the first time.  I'm glad he didn't swipe me because I sometimes react badly to cat scratches (very puffy and red for a day or so). I end up not only having to put antibiotic cream on them but I have been known to take a Benadryl as well  He would not have had shots either so that would be a matter of concern.