My co-worker has a feral cat

Hello, 

So, my co-worker has a ferral cat that lives outside his house.  He welcomed the cat so it would keep mice away..and other small animals, so he started feeding her.   Now, he is getting 2 dogs.  I told him, at the very least, he needs to get her fixed.  He is willing to get her fixed, but doesn't know what to do with her afterwards.  He is wondering if he should give her to me, and I keep it outside my house and hopefully, eventually, it will come inside my house.  I'm not sure how this would work.  If let it outside my house,  I can see it will just run....

Is this something that I should do?  Just writing about it, makes me feel this is not the right scenerio. 

Maybe we should give it to the human society? after we get her fixed?  But, she will end up being put to sleep if they can't find a home..

BUT the question is, what is worse, leaving the cat out there in the wild or taking the chance of putting it to sleep. 

Does anyone know anyone in Maryland that takes ferral cats in? 

Torn said:

 
Maybe we should give it to the human society? after we get her fixed?  But, she will end up being put to sleep if they can't find a home..

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She does manage outside.  And having been fixed (if and when you or your friend do it) she will manage even better.

So, my own answer to you your question:  I personally do see it as a great sin (religiously speaking) to  euthanize a healthy animal who quite well manages on its own.  A sin heavily burdening your immortal soul.

That said not as Advisor on TCS, but as the person Stefan Z.

Abandoning her to a shelter is NO option, unless you know for sure they are specialists on fostering ferales, and are ready for her.  She is also apparently a good hunter, so this is another option instead of fostering into home kitty.   If they do have good barn places... Some shelters are good at finding such places.

My definitve advice is you do a new thinking round, and one of you continue to help her after the spaying.

Either she is at the old place - the friend makes sure she gets pal with the dogs.   Dogs will accept her, when they understand she is under their masters protection, and belongs to the pack so to speak.

Or, you manage to take her.  Is it possible you will  want to foster and keep her as your inside only kitty?   My tip is, you fetch her from the vet after the surgery, take home to you.

So she sees you are helping her when she is sick and needs help.   And its  you release her from the carrier into the nice foster room...

Try also to give her food at your friends place if possible.  Otherwise he can take something belonging to you, a sweety t-shirt, so she recognized your smell with him her protector, and food....

If not,  have her in a cage a couple of weeks at your place, before you even try to let her out, so she get to know THIS is the place gets food and protection, and help from friendly you.

Your friend will probably stop giving her food the last 24-36 hours before the surgery.  This will perhaps help somewhat help her to abandon the thoughts to return to her old territory...

Something like that.   

Exactly how you will do it, depends on the exact circumstances.  Such things are often played by the ear.  If you know what too look after, its easier.

Good luck!

Thank you for taking on this task.

A lot really depends on how friendly the cat is. She does not sound truly feral but more of a stray. Feral cats have never been socialized to humans, so they usually hide.

So if she is willing to come inside, then Stefan's advice about bringing her in after spaying is good. If she isn't willing to come inside, then you may need to keep her as an outside cat. That means confining her until she learns your place is her new territory. That can take a few weeks. You will need a shed or covered pen for that.

She may also learn to get along with the new dogs but if she's outside, chances are she'll just be frightened when she first meets them and run away.

You have a lot of thinking to do. Please think about it and make a solid plan, so whatever you decide can be accomplished.