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lore39

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Can an adult stray/feral be happy going from a indoor/outdoor cat to a indoor only cat? Any ideas on making the transition easier? We have rescued outdoor cats before & moved them inside but they've always been kittens, not adults.
 

StefanZ

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The transition into pure indoor  is easier for a homeless, than for a inside/outside home cat.

A home cats who is used to be outside, for him it is pure pleasure.  If he is hungry, he goes home.  If he is scared, he runs home. If he is freezing, he can always go home, etc...   So the transition may be difficult yes.  The key is usually to make sure he has extra lotsa to do inside.

A ex homeless knows well the outside may be horrible and scary, and dangerous for real.  Very often they never make a try to run outside, even if they are allowed..

Also, look.  Most fostering homes do have them as pure inside.   And mostly, they dont have any big problems...

Of course, in the few cases there ARE big problems, them climbing walls and being really desperate, and such freedom fighters are usually released back outside...
 
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lore39

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He was homeless. He was a stray that showed up @ my dad's job. After he tamed down & became friendly he was allowed to hang out in the office during business hours. It's only been 3 days but so far he's taking the inside thing calmly. We wonder if he used to be a indoor cat before since he looks to have been fixed plus he took right to the litter box.
 

shadowsrescue

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Last spring I brought a stray turned feral into my home.  He was approximately 3 years old and had been living on his own outside for about 1 1/2 years.  He had turned feral during this time period.  He found his way to me in Dec 2012 and became a regular at my feeding station with my other ferals.  At first I could never catch a glimpse of him.  I had wireless outdoor cameras positioned so I could see him, but as far as seeing him in person, it rarely happened.  My other ferals were friendly with me and this cat must have listened and watched my interactions.  One day after feeding him for 5 months, he walked right on the deck and sat near me.  Within a few days, he wanted me to pet him.  I knew then that he had once belonged to someone.  I had trapped him and neutered him a few months previous.  He became very territorial on my deck with my other ferals.  He wanted me all to himself.  I searched high and low for a rescue organization to help him, but it was kitten season and I was out of luck.  The only way to save him was to bring him inside my house and make him an indoor only cat.  It was not easy and we had many ups and downs.  I had another indoor only cat as well as a dog so I also had to do introductions.  It was a very slow process.  Yet, he is the sweetest most affectionate cat and we all love him to pieces.  He is well behaved and loves to cuddle.  I never let him outside and he shows very little interest in going outside. 

To make the transition easier, get a feliway diffuser and some Composure feline treats.  Keep him separated from your other cats and don't do introductions until he has seen a vet.  Allow him to be calm and get used to being inside before doing any introductions.  Follow the guidelines for cat to cat introductions in the other thread.
 
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lore39

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Shadow...that's why we suspect he might have been indoor cat turned stray then feral. In a just a month or so he was not running from people, wanting petted, etc. He is such a sweet cat. I hope with patience & time he gets comfortable & happy with us.
 
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