Not sure if stray or feral, but still want to slowly give it love!

Me & my mom have been feeding a homeless kitty for a couple of months now. She (I assume) has seem to really have taken to my mom since she feeds her everyday at a certain time. She'd come up to the car & just meow at us after we fed her. I always tell my mom she was telling us her story. She's scared easily, runs & hides until she sees you walk away. (When we feed her, she'll hide behind a pine tree, not even feet away). Borrowed a live trap from a work related guy, & it only took an hour for her to slowly go inside. Our hearts broke, with me crying at how terrorified & freaked out she was. Caught her last night, about 8pm. I've never seen a cat hit a cage so hard. I've never felt so heartbroken, as this was my first time rescuing a homeless cat. Brought her up with locking up our two other kitties first. Let her out in the batnroom(bad idea, everything was just so frantic at the time), she climbed the walls, and I admit it was scary. But I got down on her level, she meowed and was visibly trembling. I slowly petted her from behind twice before she meowed. It was a non threatening meow, more of a "I am scared" meow. So I stopped, as I didn't want to frighten her more.
I've read up on most of what to do, but I was so worried about her that I forgot what to do. She sat in our sink for a while, with me sitting on the floor as she slowly looked over at me. I wanted her to know I'm not a threat. We opened the door at last, my mom calmed her down but she still ran into my room under my bed. We left food and water for her with a litterbox. She won't come out of hiding, but we are leaving her by herself for 24 hours so she knows it's a safe place for her.
We've named her Lily, and she's beautiful. She's so sweet. Hasn't attacked us (hoping she doesn't, but I understand if she did), and seems to be calm.
It's morning now, I've checked on her a couple of times as I am a constant worrier. I love my cats, I even love her.
I know it's going to take a lot of patience & understanding for her to trust us. But I've got a lot of love to give.
We plan on getting her to a vet ASAP! We'd never endanger her to any diseases she might have & let it progress. (Hope that made sense.)
This is our first time, a little inexperienced but we are doing our best. The vet trip might be a little difficult. But we are willing to try. Wish us luck![emoji]10084[/emoji]️

Welcome to the forums and thank you for rescuing Lily.  First off, you need to keep her separated from your other cats.  You don't know what illnesses she has that she can pass onto them.  I would try to get her back into the bathroom and keep her there until she has been to the vet.  You will want her to have a physical exam, shots, deworming and of course to get her spayed.  She sounds like a stray cat who may have reverted to feral tendencies from being on her own for awhile.  If you can get her into a cat carrier to go to the vet, you can cover it with a light sheet or towel to help calm her down. 

Once she is vetted and has a clean bill of health you can start cat to cat introductions.  Here is a nice guide to help the process http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

Take it slowly with Lily and she will adjust beautifully.  Just take one step at a time with the first step being a trip to the vet. 

Thank you for welcoming me, & your advice. Greatly appreciated. My mom is convinced that she is a stray, just for the fact that she didn't attack us and calmed down with us talking to her. We separated the cats before we brought her into the house. We keep the door closed, that way all cats are safe & she feels comfortable. I'm not sure how to get her back into a cage, considering the live trap traumatized her. But I will try regardless. My mother already dewormed her last week at work, she's going to deworm her again this week. We've already given her a dosage for a flea treatment just in case. Even scrubbed down the bathroom with bleach after she was in there just to be safe. But we are going to make sure she gets shots, fixed & everything else so we know she's okay. We are already attached to her, she's such a sweetheart. Just scared. But with time & patience, I know she'll come around.
I'm thinking she's a stray too, she was probably abandoned sometime in January I assume. Didn't start seeing her until Feb. Thanks for the guide as well. [emoji]128154[/emoji]
Above is the picture of Lily. [emoji]128156[/emoji]

If you keep her in a small place, getting her into a carrier shouldn't be too hard.  You might need to wear gloves to prevent her scratching you.  You can also use a thick towel to put on top of her and then lower her into a carrier that is standing with the opening pointing up.  Just lower her down into the carrier and close the door.  You also could start to feed her in a carrier so she is used to it.  I have also heard of people luring them in with a laser pointer and/or catnip.  Call a vet and see if you can schedule an appointment where shots, physical and spay can all be done at once so you don't have to bring her back again.  Maybe she is already spayed.  I hope you can keep her inside so that she doesn't get out and find herself pregnant.  There is also a chance that she is pregnant so a vet visit is a must.  It is mating season. 

A few suggestions for socializing her:  Sit on the ground at her level so you aren't looming.  Talk in a soft voice and reassure her that she is safe and that you will take care of her.  When you come in to visit, bring her a yummy treat.  You can also leave her a treat when you exit.  This will allow her to associate you with good things.  Visit her frequently for short periods.  If she seems nervous, you can play soft music for her, use a feliway plug in or try composure calming feline treats.  Make sure she has a soft bed, litter box and fresh food and water.  If she is having problems using a litter box, you can try Dr. Elsey's Litter Attract to mix in with her litter or try adding some dirt from outside since she may be accustomed to going outside.  Yet, since she is most likely a stray she may know all about the litter box!  One last trick is to try Gerber's chicken or turkey Stage 2 baby food.  Make sure it only contains chicken or turkey and water, with no added spices.  This can be offered as a special socializing treat.  You can give her a small amount in a dish and progress to her eating it off a spoon and licking it off your fingers.  Cat go crazy for it.  Yet, only use it for socializing not as a meal replacement. 

Her picture is beautiful!!  Just be careful about the razor on the counter!

ShadowsRescue isn't kidding about the baby food. Just make sure you buy the right one. My feral kitten loves the stage 2 chicken and gravy. I found it at Target. I bought two other chicken ones she has no interest in. I really think the jar of baby food has been the biggest help In taming our kitten.

That's why it's known as "Kitty Crack"!!!

ShadowsRescue said:

If you keep her in a small place, getting her into a carrier shouldn't be too hard.  You might need to wear gloves to prevent her scratching you.  You can also use a thick towel to put on top of her and then lower her into a carrier that is standing with the opening pointing up.  Just lower her down into the carrier and close the door.  You also could start to feed her in a carrier so she is used to it.  I have also heard of people luring them in with a laser pointer and/or catnip.  Call a vet and see if you can schedule an appointment where shots, physical and spay can all be done at once so you don't have to bring her back again.  Maybe she is already spayed.  I hope you can keep her inside so that she doesn't get out and find herself pregnant.  There is also a chance that she is pregnant so a vet visit is a must.  It is mating season. 

A few suggestions for socializing her:  Sit on the ground at her level so you aren't looming.  Talk in a soft voice and reassure her that she is safe and that you will take care of her.  When you come in to visit, bring her a yummy treat.  You can also leave her a treat when you exit.  This will allow her to associate you with good things.  Visit her frequently for short periods.  If she seems nervous, you can play soft music for her, use a feliway plug in or try composure calming feline treats.  Make sure she has a soft bed, litter box and fresh food and water.  If she is having problems using a litter box, you can try Dr. Elsey's Litter Attract to mix in with her litter or try adding some dirt from outside since she may be accustomed to going outside.  Yet, since she is most likely a stray she may know all about the litter box!  One last trick is to try Gerber's chicken or turkey Stage 2 baby food.  Make sure it only contains chicken or turkey and water, with no added spices.  This can be offered as a special socializing treat.  You can give her a small amount in a dish and progress to her eating it off a spoon and licking it off your fingers.  Cat go crazy for it.  Yet, only use it for socializing not as a meal replacement. 

Her picture is beautiful!!  Just be careful about the razor on the counter!

Click to expand...

I've researched how to handle her--I appreciate the advice though. Only that is a a bummer as of right now is my sister & I are camping out in the living room so she can be by herself in our bedroom. We live in a two bedroom apartment, I think it'd be easier in a house. But nonetheless, we called the vet & we were told that we should've just left her in the wild, that she would've been fine on her own..I guess some people don't understand people that have a big love for cats. Also that we have to be able to handle her on our own before he will see her. His price for fixing her is $200-300 & we can't afford that much all at once right now. So my mom is gonna call around for a more reasonable price. We have considered that she could be pregnant, so we do want to make sure she gets in. She won't come out & eat at all, we know she's gotta be hungry because she ate a lot at our work like it was her last meal. So we are gonna try coaxing her out by treats, getting on her level & talking to her in a calm voice to get her to trust us. I'm hoping for the best, I know it's gonna take time!
And thank you both, never thought of baby food! It's cheap too, so I'll definitely look into that!
We've gotten down on her level a few times, she isn't crying or scurrying farther under my bed. She just watches.
Any advice on if you think or when it'll be safe for us to sleep in there? I don't think she'd attack us, but she needs her own space as of right now. I'm thinking once we socialize & tame her, she'll be just fine with us around! Again, thank you!! Glad I stumbled upon this website through an article, it's been really helpful.

Where in Michigan are you Lindsay? I live near Detroit and there is an organization call All About Animals in Warren. They will spay or neuter for $40. If you live in some areas they are actually doing it for free now.

http://www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org

They have a mobile unit that I have seen go out further, like Auburn Hills. If transportation is an issue PM me. I could help you out. I am in Roseville. The full kitten stuff including a microchip is running us $95 dollars, including the spay.

Call a few rescues if you are near another metro area. I found out about All About Animals because my dog was spayed there and I contacted them about her tattoo when she went missing. Sometimes it is hard to find these places.

If you take their TNR class they do ferals for $25.

I sent you a PM and tried to post a rescue near me, in the Detroit area that does low cost spay neuter. It is called All About Animals in Warren, MI. Not sure where in MI you are, but I know a lot of people who use them. Depending on where you live they have some cities where they are doing free spay and nesters. Otherwise it is $40. My full bill for shots/spay/chip is $95.

Good luck.

Datagrrl said:

I sent you a PM and tried to post a rescue near me, in the Detroit area that does low cost spay neuter. It is called All About Animals in Warren, MI. Not sure where in MI you are, but I know a lot of people who use them. Depending on where you live they have some cities where they are doing free spay and nesters. Otherwise it is $40. My full bill for shots/spay/chip is $95.

Good luck.

Click to expand...

Thank you! I did receive your message, just responded. I look on their website, it was actually a place a co worker said he took his cat to, he just didn't have the information at hand. $95 is a really good deal..considering what our personal vet wanted.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me! [emoji]128519[/emoji]

Datagrrl said:

I sent you a PM and tried to post a rescue near me, in the Detroit area that does low cost spay neuter. It is called All About Animals in Warren, MI. Not sure where in MI you are, but I know a lot of people who use them. Depending on where you live they have some cities where they are doing free spay and nesters. Otherwise it is $40. My full bill for shots/spay/chip is $95.

Good luck.

Click to expand...

I was going to post the same option.  Look for low cost spay and neuter clinics.  They will do a spay for around $50 and then they will do shots for a nominal fee as well. 

My regular vet will charge over $200 for spay/neuter and shots.  Low cost clinics are also familiar with ferals and strays.  Yet, if you cannot handle the cat, most require it to be in a humane trap.  I have taken 4 ferals to be neutered and all had to be in a trap, yet I didn't need an appointment.  Call around and check out your options.

Yeah, that's what our personal vet said. We should've kept her in the trap, but we felt so bad because she was absolutely terrified. Lily ended up scratching her nose from bouncing herself inside the cage. I'm just worried how we can get her into another cage, we bought a dog size one with a bed & it's big enough for her to roam in but she's still under the bed. I've been playing with her, she seems to be enticed by the cat wand & the talking mouse toy we have. She peed on my sisters artwork under the bed, so I am working on potty training her with the dirt & leaves where we found her. We are using newspaper under the two beds. She's now eating, she comes out more when we are sleeping & when the light is off. She doesn't seem frightened anymore. But we want to be able to handle her and tame her before going to the vet as all vets need to be able to handle the cat. Found one in Salem, MI that deals with feral & strays. So we are going to call. I'm gonna try to coax her out to take her to the vet. I wanna make sure she's okay. Do you guys think it'll be okay to move the mattresses to get to her without scaring her too much? Or should I wait until she trusts me more and is tamed?

Datagrrl said:

Where in Michigan are you Lindsay? I live near Detroit and there is an organization call All About Animals in Warren. They will spay or neuter for $40. If you live in some areas they are actually doing it for free now.

http://www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org

They have a mobile unit that I have seen go out further, like Auburn Hills. If transportation is an issue PM me. I could help you out. I am in Roseville. The full kitten stuff including a microchip is running us $95 dollars, including the spay.

Call a few rescues if you are near another metro area. I found out about All About Animals because my dog was spayed there and I contacted them about her tattoo when she went missing. Sometimes it is hard to find these places.

If you take their TNR class they do ferals for $25.

Click to expand...

I live on the west side of Michigan, in Wixom. Transportation isn't an issue for us right now, as my mom would be driving. But thanks for the offer to help out, it means a lot. I'm just stressed & worried about her. We need to get her to the vet like now, but we handled it wrong, I can admit that. I just couldn't leave her in a live trap for days like that. My heart broke when we first captured her, she was panting with her tongue sticking out from being so scared. She has calmed down a lot, but I haven't been up when she's come out from under the bed. I have started reading to her from a series of books I have, & when I look at her, she's listening to me. Seems to help her. I also play calming music everyday for her & even leave the tv on at a low volume. I play on my laptop in there as well. I'm doing all I can for her, want to potty train her. She has a flea dosage we did on her the night we caught her, has been de-wormed once, but the vet is a big deal. I just know it can take her a long time before she comes out of hiding or near me to where I could see her fully. I don't want to throw a towel on her & scare her more into another cage. Would that ruin my progress with her thus far? I worry so much. I don't want her hurting herself in another cage. I wish we would have caught her earlier in the day, then took her straight to a vet the next day--but no one is perfect.
I'm able to slowly reach my arm towards or in front of her without her backing up. She just watches. She listens a lot, it's cute.
I think it'll take the three of us to get her into a cage to the vet, not sure. I've heard once you captured a cat, that it's even harder to put them into another cage like situation. I've been doing a lot of research for her, I'm getting attached to her already. I will try figuring out the cage situation this week so she can get vet care if she needs it. I want to give her a bath, but not until she's able to be handled.
Thanks for the advice, and we want to keep her. Do you guys think there's a rescue place that would help us get her to the vet and let us take her home once she's fixed & had shots?

Oh, and that wasn't a razor on the counter! It was my toothbrush & toothpaste. I shouldn't have left my toothbrush out, but I threw it away after just in case she has anything. I did respond again, but it didn't go through.

Update on Lily! Me & my mom left for work last night. We work all night. So anyway, we stop at meijers to get some natural unscented clay litter to mix in with the dirt we took from work where we used to feed her at--since it has her scent. Anyway, we got home & I went into my bedroom & guess what?! She used to litterbox all on her own!!! I'm so so proud & a very ecstatic momma kitty!! I think what really helped her was me moving the box towards the edge of the bed and she watched me do it. She's making so much progress!! Just gotta go the vet & then hopefully she'll be out and about. She also buried her stuff, so she must be used to regular litter. [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

Great updates and progress with Lily.  I would call the place you are planning to take her for the spay and talk with them.  Explain your situation.  Most vets won't require Lily to be tamed.  They can just sedate her for the exam when they are doing the neuter.  I have done 5 TNR cats and each one I drop off in the morning and bring home later that day to recover.  You might want to take the bed off the bed frame so the mattress and box spring are on the ground.  This will keep her out from under the bed.  To get her to the vet, you can start feeding her in the cage/carrier and get her used to it.  Start with the food just outside of the carrier and each day move it back a bit until it's in the back.  On the day or evening before the vet visit, keep her in the carrier.  You can place a sheet or towel over the carrier to calm her.  I would get her to the vet asap and not wait until she is tamed.  She may tame easier once her hormones are in check.

You did the best thing you could do at the time, don't beat yourself up. Good luck with her.

I hate to post this, but one piece of her poop had this in it. The rest was clean. I found NO evidence of tapeworm or round worm. So could be a different type? I've searched google for anything similar to this but nothing. & thank you, I'm trying my best for sure! & she's going to vet regardless if she's tame, her health would be at risk otherwise. So thank you for the advice, it's really helped!

Not surprising she has worms.  She will need a good vet prescribed dewormer.  Have them administer it for you as it usually only comes in pill form.  They also could give you some revolution flea, tick and worm controller.  Make sure you either wear gloves when scooping the litter or wash your hands really well.  I would suggest cleaning the box multiple times each day.

This is the first time she used it, but I scooped it really good. After I examined the poop, I used Lysol disinfectant wipes & washed my hands really well. So this definitely is a worm then? I'm not surprised either. Now she's hiding somewhere & I can't find her! We leave the door & closet closed, so she's gotta be somewhere. Time for me to bring in her cage & bait her that way. She needs to go in this week, it can't wait. Sorry if I've been a pest at all about this, you guys have had the best advice! I will update you once again when she's gone to the vet