NEED OPINIONS - Let Blacky out or Force in house

Let back out or force inside I have had a feral/stray on my enclosed breezeway for 3 months now, I cannot pet her or get close but she does stay out for a minute when I go out to feed her. Now that the nice weather is here she is looking out the windows and I feel bad that I took her freedom away. All she does is hide under the couch most of the day and comes out when it starts to get dark. I'd like some opinions PLEASE. Should I let her go out or drug her and take her inside and keep her in a room to get to know her better. She is a TNR cat. I have 2 other cats who I would like to let back out on the breezeway but cannot because of her. Has anyone ever let a feral out after trapping them and cared for them if they came back. Thank you so much

Thank you for caring for this kitty!

We have a former feral who ended up permanently in our spare room.  She does not get along with our other cats and until about six months ago, did not allow us to pet her.  She's been inside for seven years!  In spite of that, I feel that she had a much better life than any she would have had outside.  She has recently discovered she love sbeing brushed.

Please do not feel badly that you took this cat's "freedom away."  Cats need a lot less freedom than we think.  They need a safe and secure home and a responsible owner above all else.

So, in or out?  That really depends on whether you are able to allow her her own room, possibly for the rest of her life.  Not saying that that will happen but if she does not introduce well to your two other cats, it might.

She may not have as hard a time adjusting to a completely inside home as she has already been inside for three months.  From your description of her life, BTW, she sounds like a regular kitty enjoying the high life.  She can sleep all day and be up at night, which is normal for cats.  She has food and litter provided and a caring human who worries about her.  What else could a kitty want?

I think it depends on how feral she is and how safe area is outside.  I personally let out my ferals and have had great results taming them.  One got kicked out of neuter clinic few hours early took him home and he was so alert I let him out later in evening.  He is now tame and tame to ALL he meets. And decent at Petco shot clinic. I personally would not drug a feral to tame. You need to think of your current cats long term-are you willing to have 3 cats and do introductions to some extent if she was to stay?  If she is stressed and they pick up on it that can cause other issues with how they get along-if they are currently on good terms that could be a long term issue.

How much time do you spend with her?  If she is just left alone for the majority of the day/night she will not socialize.  The ferals I have worked with, need lots of time and patience.  I would often just sit for long periods of time, talking up a storm to them.  I would always sit on the floor so not to loom over them.  Have you offered yummy baby food to try and lure her out from hiding?  Gerber stage 2 chicken or turkey (water and chicken/turkey are the only ingredients).  There are some wonderful videos on taming feral kittens that also work for taming older ferals as well.  The videos are in a series of 3 and start with a rescue of the kittens.  Keep watching.  He will show how he uses baby food as well as some taming techniques.  http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo

Does she have access to any toys especially catnip toys?  Does she have a scratcher or cat tree to sit up and watch the outside? 

Taming and socializing a feral is alot of work.  Once the feral, is ok with you then you need to think about introducing all of the cats.  It is a lengthy process.  There are lots of techniques to try.  Also she would need to see a vet before being in contact with your other cats.  Even though she has been neutered, she would need shots, worming and a clean bill of health. 

I don't think it's necessary to drug her to get her inside your house.  If you really want to bring her inside, get a medium sized dog carrier and start feeding her in it.  You can gradually move the move farther and farther back.  You can also tie a string to the door and sit aways from the carrier.  Once she is inside, you can pull the string which will close the door.  If you do bring her inside, make sure the room is entirely cat proof.  The first place she would try to go is under a bed or behind a dress or bookcase.  Putting the bed up or placing it directly on the floor is preferred.  Also block off behind dressers or book cases or other furniture.  Do have a litter box, food, water, toys, cozy bed and possibly a cat tree or place to look out a window.  Feliway plug ins work well as does Composure feline treats or Composure liquid Max.  You actually could use the composure right now. 

Realize that if you let her out, you will be faced with this same dilemma next winter when it is cold.  If she goes outside, she will need a place with adequate winter shelter.

Lots to think about and I am hoping the best for Blacky.

If she's not demanding to go out then don't worry about it.

There's no guarantee you'll be able to catch her even if she were drugged (and even drugged, a panicked cat can scratch and bite if you picked it up), and if she somehow got outside your enclosure, she would be vulnerable among predators because she'd be drugged and unable to defend herself. I can't imagine any vet would prescribe sedatives for her--there are risks associated with these drugs and they should be used only during vet visits so the vet can do the examination and vaccinate, and monitor the kitty in case she had a bad reaction to the drug. Feliway is safe and a good choice to calm a kitty short-term, but even that will not calm a panicked cat.

If she isn't yowling, climbing the walls, clawing at the windows, and trying escape, then she must be content to be inside. All of my cats, including the ones I raised as kittens indoors, enjoy sitting in the windows and looking outside. This does not mean they would be better off living outside.

I don't know if you used a humane trap to get her TNR'd or not. Most cats will not go into a trap a second time, so if you do let her go, you may never be able to get her inside again. I know this is a difficult decision for you to make, especially when it's summer and the weather is mild. Maybe you need to give it a little more time.

Hi Shawdows Rescue,

It has been awhile since I last wrote.  I think I value your opinion the most.  Blacky has been on the breezeway for about 4 months now.  She/he hides under the couch (I have two out there) every time I go out.  Sometimes she stays out a little bit for treats and then hides again.  I have a cat tree that she sits on by the window but most of the day she is under the bed.  To be honest, I don't stay out there for any length of time because she won't come out from under the couch.  I have successfully blocked off one of the couches and half the other side.  I plan on blocking it off completely so she can't hide anymore and then sitting out there trying to socialize her.  At night she sleeps on top of one of the couches that I have a heated mat on but have unplugged it now because it is warmer. 

My vet said she could give me a tranqulizer to give her in her food and then come and do an exam at my house if she can get to her to put her to sleep for it.  After I block the other couch off and sit out there for a while I am hoping she will come around a little bit.  I am even feeding her the BEST food I give me own two cats.  She has toys as well and plays with them.  I would keep her out on the porch but my two cats love it out there so much I feel bad they can't go out there anymore.  I could put Blacky in the dining room if all goes well with the vet and she is healthy. 

What do you think of that plan?  Of course, I don't know if I can even socialize her.  I don't know if she is happier outside than where she is now.  She keeps looking out the windows; but of course most cats do as do mine.  Please help me decide what to do.  I almost want to let her out and try to be friends with her while the good weather is here.  I just don't know what to do anymore.  Please help.

Thanks

I don't think I really have anything new to offer you.  I presented some info above, but if you are not spending time with her, she will not socialize.  The first step, is just sitting and getting her used to you.  Sit down on the floor and read aloud to her.  Tell her about your day.  When you come to visit, place a few special treats a few feet away from you.  I used to take cooked plain chicken and cut it into tiny bite sized pieces.  I would toss a piece very very close to the cat.  Once the cat got a taste, I would toss another until the cat was out and coming closer.  You may not be ready for this step yet as you first need to spend lots of time out there with her.  She knows she feed her and care for her, but she needs to know that you are truly not an evil human.  I would start by visiting her numerous times each day.  Start with short 5 minute visits.  Bring something yummy and talk softly with her.  She may not come out for the treats in your presence but she will associate you with something good.  Have you tried the Gerber stage 2 chicken or turkey that was recommended?  Did you watch any of the videos?  If she does well with the short visits, up your time.  I would say you need to visit her 4x a day or more.  Make sure you sit on the floor at her level so you are not looming over her. 

What an awesome vet that will come and do an exam at your home.  I just worry about sedating her without the vet present.  Did you try feeding her in a medium sized carrier instead?  This worked very well for the feral I brought into my house last year.  It took him 3 weeks to eat in the very back, but I was then able to get him to the vet. 

I truly hope you can socialize Blackey, but she will need lots and lots and lots of help along the way.  It is not a  process that will work it self out on its own.  Dedication is required if you want her to live inside your home.  It seems she is content in her space.  I am sure your other cats would like the breeze way back, but that may not happen right away.

If you do bring her inside, do you have a spare room for her that would be completely cat proofed?  She will try to hide under beds, dressers, behind book cases.  I almost completely emptied the room I put my feral in.  Also she may be there for awhile.  You would want her somewhat social with her before she interacts with your cats.  Also are there other humans living in the house that she will need to adjust to?  My feral was in the spare room for 2 1/2 months before meeting my other cat and dog.  He has been inside exactly one year now.  Just this past month, he decided he no longer wanted to be shut in his room at night.  I never in a million years thought I would be without a spare room for a year. 

I am happy to help and answer any questions I can.

If she is a TNR cat and has already been vaccinated for rabies, and if she seems miserable being enclosed, then you might consider lettting her out. You can continue to feed her daily and allow her to socialize with you (or not) on her terms, and re-visit the question of getting her into your home in the winter or if there's a compelling reason to do so, such as illness or injury.

I'm not understanding the need to tranquilize her or to have a mobile vet visit if she's not ill or injured.  Maybe I am missing a part of the story about why a sedative is necessary at this point? Are you wanting to have her tested for FelV and HIV before bringing her into the house? If so, is there a way you can get her into a trap or carrier and to a vet's office? They can sedate her there and do the blood work and full exam in the safety of the office.

If your goal is to socialize her, then, as Shadow has said, this will require a consistent time commitment from you. You will need to sit and talk to her and try to get her to eat close to you. When I first socialized my outdoor feral to not run from me and to allow me to sit close by, it took sitting still like a statue 8 feet from his food bowl for 20 minutes for a few weeks until he finally decided to take the risk and tip-toe up to the porch. Then I moved 4 feet away. Now I cat sit right next to him, and also approach him, and he won't run away. He still won't allow me to pet him, but I can apply Frontline on him and get close enough to remove a burr from his fur if necessary. It also helps if you name her and call her name frequently, especially when you feed her. I have a special song for each one of my cats that I made up, and they all know their song and their names (even the outdoor feral). This may all sound silly, but it's how you make a cat feel at ease and learn to trust you. They are like very small children that way!

I know the decision about whether to keep a feral inside or allow it back out is a difficult one, but only you can make it because you know this cat's nature better than anyone. In the case of the 3 ferals I trapped and took inside, 2 remained inside and adjusted well, and the 3rd I let back out because it's his nature to be outdoors and if I'd forced him to remain indoors, he would have been stressed and miserable. So there really is no one right answer. Go with your gut.

Thanks Shadow.  I blocked off the other couch now and she can't hide anymore.  I have been going out for brief periods of time giving her treats about 3 or 4 times a day.  I will try the baby food also.  I can get about 3 feet from her before she swipes at me.  She is crying  a lot now because she wants to go out but not acting crazy and she sits on the cat tree to look out the window a lot.  .  My heart aches but I know she will have a better life with me, I think.  I will increase the time I spend out there.  I just don't want to stress her out too much.  This is so hard.  Do you think she will be afraid if I turn the TV on to watch so I won't get bored?  Thanks for all your help and suggestions.  I really appreciate it. 

I think turning the TV on is a good idea, actually. You can leave it on so she gets used to human voices; turn the volume down low. Spending time with her is the best way to get her used to being an inside kitty. She'll get the idea eventually. You'll be able to tell when she does.

Also the tv will help you be in a very relaxed frame of mind.  If your going out of room leave something like QVC or a shopping channel where it is a pretty set pace of just them talking and no dogs/screaming.  And be careful of laughing to hard.  I was holding a 6 month old and made that mistake.

She's crying because she's lonely. I think she will come around once she's socialized! Good luck!!

Poor thing. I agree with the above posts...

I don't think so.  I think it is because she wants to go out.  Today she pushed one of the blocks I had to block the couch and is now under the couch AGAIN.  I am on the fence about letting her out again.  I honestly don't know if I have the patience and the time to devote to staying out there 3-4 times a day.  I miss sitting out there and watching TV with my other two cats and they miss it too.  It is a long rode and I don't know which way to go.  AND, is she happier outside? 

Hi Ondine,  Please see my reply to the person that wrote she was crying because she is lonely.  Am I selfish for thinking like that?

feline03 said:

 
I don't think so.  I think it is because she wants to go out.  Today she pushed one of the blocks I had to block the couch and is now under the couch AGAIN.  I am on the fence about letting her out again.  I honestly don't know if I have the patience and the time to devote to staying out there 3-4 times a day.  I miss sitting out there and watching TV with my other two cats and they miss it too.  It is a long rode and I don't know which way to go.  AND, is she happier outside? 

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If you cannot be devoted to socializing her then the progress will be slow to non existent.  Yet, please think how you will feel if she runs off and you never see her again.  Also what will happen when it is winter and very cold again and you are worried sick about her. 

If you don't have the patience or desire to socialize her now on your porch, how would be it different if you brought her inside?  She will not magically socialize herself. 

I am sure she wants out, but who knows what will happen to her if you let her out? 

She is hiding under the couch because she is scared and it is her safe place.  She has been on your porch for quite awhile and she hasn't had much contact with you. 

She may be happier if you let her out, but remember she may run off and never return.  She will probably never be the sweet little lap kitty, but she could have a better life inside with a roof over her head, food and water each day.  Yet, it takes lots and lots of work to socialize her, get her used to a home as well as your other cats. 

I hope the best for both you and Blacky.

It would be easier for me to have her in the house than on the porch because I and my cats miss going out there.  I understand she is scared and that is why she is going under the couch.  I have thought about her not coming back if I let her out and I think that is worse than working with her.  The other thing is she has to get along with my other two cats as I am not willing to compromise their happiness in the least.  She probably won't ever be a lap cats, but you never know.  My gut feeling is is that by the way she has acted to date, she is not a viscous cat and at one point may have belonged to someone and they abandoned her.  She is TNR'd but I really would like to have my vet check her out also. 

Also, if I do get her into my house eventually, I do not think that keeping a cat in one room for the rest of her life, if that is the only option, is any kind of life for any cat.  I even heard that on My cat from hell series.  I need ot think about this a lot more before I let her out; to tell you the truth, I don't think I have the heart to do that so I'm kinda stuc now. 

If you do not have what it takes letting her out is not the end of the world.  If your not working with her as often as you know you could then you are prolonging her being so unhappy.  Even if you work with her hard as you can it may take a long long time to come around.  Then introductions would be needed to your other cats.  That can also take some time.  Not every cat will dart and never return.  Yes it happens.  

I may not have described it well, but our cat with her own room gets daily time with both my husband and me. The computer is in her room, so she probably sees us more than the other cats! we tried to integrate her but she would not have it, so we figure she's living life on her own terms. All the other cats, except her twin brother, don't even bother with her anymore. He visits once in awhile but not for long. (she's a tortoiseshell and definitely has an attitude). :lol3: