Taming Feral Cats

So I was always under the impression, as are many others, that cats cannot be tamed past a certain age. While I am sure this may be true for some cats, I am seriously starting to doubt this as a general rule.

I fed two kittens that were born under my shed. I could never touch them but fed them consistently. Once both became pregnant/mothers they started being more friendly towards me (they are spayed now). Peanut will come when called, brush up against me, sit on my lap, roll over to show me her belly and exhibits all the behaviors of a stray but I know she is not. She is 1 and a half. Her sister is definitely coming around as well. I can pet her and she rolls over and shows me her belly, purrs, cries for me at the door etc. I

Another kitten I feed was born under the shed next door. She is about 5 months old (also spayed, as is her mother who I believe to be

truly "feral" but you never know I guess! ) and would run every time I got near her though she does cry at me when hungry. I thought

for sure that she would remain feral. I've taken no steps in trying to tame her except I feed her every day at the same time. I have noticed that she is feeling a little more comfortable with me and doesn't run away as much. Well yesterday when she eating, I made a move to pet her and she let me. And she started purring.

Is this like a care-giver type of love that is often talked about with ferals? I am just astonished. All the things I've read about ferals and I have three cats in my back yard that are by definition feral but they are not acting that way. I've done nothing over the top extraordinary to try and tame them either. I've read articles about taming older ferals and its supposedly a lot of work, if not impossible and they are considered a "lost cause" How did these cats become "tame"  so easily? I'm not saying that some of them would be good candidates for house cats yet but I know they could be.  I feel like a freaking cat whisperer though. Is this just a natural progression of what happens when you feed feral cats? Has anyone else experienced something like this?

I believe that they have come to trust you with all of their heart and soul.  You have never pressured them or done anything to make you untrustworthy. 

Taming ferals and even semi ferals is dependent on so many factors.  Some cats will never come around.  From my experience I have noted that once one of the cats becomes more tame and allows pets, the other cats witness this and want some of the love. 

Thank you so much for caring for these sweet cats.  You are truly their angel!

That's what its like with my two girls. They're two now, and while only Kira lets me pet her, Luna has become very friendly. She is a very anxious cat. High energy, playful, but skittish. She has shown her belly a few times.

Kira let me start petting her earlier in the summer. She begs for attention now.

They've been fed by multiple humans since they were kittens. I've spent an hour a day in the garage with them, letting them groom and sleep out of the brutal cold. So they have had mostly positive experiences with people.

But my mom cared for a couple of OLD feral toms (10 plus years) who came by for food. She was the only one who could touch them. After a few years, the came in the house to take shelter from bad storms.

Each cat sets their pace. Its VERY different trying to socialize outdoors, as opposed to catching then trying to socialize a feral indoors. Outdoors, they decide their boundaries.

Congratulations on winning such deep trust and affection. They clearly wish to express their thanks. It feels so heartwarming.

And it reinforces my belief they all would prefer to be pets, if they had the choice. I hope to change things around here so the girls can come in as pets. I know they'd always have quirks, but they would enjoy being further pampered and protected. Someday... :-)

Aww thanks guys! These cats bring me so much joy (in addition to my four babies inside). Its extra work and brings me extra worry but has overall been a very rewarding experience for me.

What you both say makes so much sense. Thanks for responding. I agree that seeing other cats react positively to me has allowed the others to see that I'm not a threat. And excellent point on it being easier to tame a cat in their own environment, own their own terms, at their own pace. That makes a lot of sense to me.

I hope to one day bring these two in as well but we will have to see. Pepper still needs some work I think and I do believe Peanut is ready but I feel bad separating them. I wish it didnt get so cold here but we will work on building a shelter for my gals outside.

And yes! This has shown me to never discount a cat based on initial behavior.They all can have a chance. I have to say though, none of these cats ever showed what I think of as the "classic" feral behavior such as arched back and hissing. They were just skittish.

I would advise strongly against seperating them. We tried to keep Kira inside for a blizzard last winter, and couldn't get Luna in too. She was desperately miserable. Wouldn't eat or rest much. She kept crying for her sister. When the worst passed, we let her out and she came back 10 min later with her sister.

She since has encouraged her sister to come inside at every oppurtunity. This winter will likely be a bit different. Lol They enjoy every chance they get to escape bad weather. The shelters help a lot. The roughneck ones are popular around here. They will cuddle for warmth. :-)

How cute! (but frustrating for you)Do Kira and Luna snuggle? Peanut and Pepper do not but they hang out together and play and sit near each other. They do get into some sibling fights but nothing major. Just some swatting as one passes by the other. Lol

I love the visual I have of Kira trying to coax Luna inside. Do you have any kind of heating pad for them in the winter time? I used to love snow but since taking care of these guys I now hate it! As do they.

Here is a picture of my two boys snuggled together in their winter shelter.  I started 4 years ago with a rubbermaid container and straw.  My first feral, Shadow did not like the straw and then the raccoons moved in.  The following winter, I purchased a Logitech Shed in a Box and placed it on my deck.  I was unable to close the front flap all the way, but it kept them dry.  I used outdoor approved heat pad that year.  The next year I bought small tents for them that had heat pads in the bottom.  This past winter was so brutal I did not know what to do.  I had decide early in the fall to place a plywood board down on the base and cover it with astroturf to keep the wind from blowing up.  My wonderful DH and DS made a heated cat house ( you can see it on the left side of the picture with the 2 cats inside).  It has a Hound Heater in it.  It is the best investment.  We started with a reptile light bulb surrounded by an old paint can with holes punched in it for heat, but I worried about it burning out or catching fire.  The Hound Heater is approved for outside use and used in dog/cat houses outside.  I also made clear small rubbermaid beds that are insulated.  They are super easy to make, very warm and also have a heat pad on the bottom.  My two preferred this set up when it wasn't terribly cold outside.  You can see the rubbermaid containers  next to the heated house.  I can show you better pictures of both.  This picture was taken from a wireless surveillance camera on my deck. 

How awesome that you created all that for them! I love how they are snuggled. My fear is that racoons will move in as well.

They don't seem to bother the cats but they do eat their leftover food at night so I've been trying to remember to put it away as

I would prefer not to have racoons on my deck (though they are cute).

My husband doesn't want anything heated on the deck though I do plan to get a heated water bowl at the very least.

I know he will come around though, as he has for everything else cat related lately  .  I have been looking into the Snuggle

Safe. I'm willing to make an investment but I think they are little expensive considering I possibly will need 4 of them

(or 2 if I bring Peanut and Pepper inside). Any experience with these?

I like the the sound of the Hound Heater. I want to do more research on that. I would love to see more pictures of your

set up as well. This is my first year protecting them from the cold because it's the first year I have been able to get near

them. Last year they would go into my neighbors dilapidated shed, it looks sturdy but has holes in the sides and I swear

there is a perfect little opening for them though I know my neighbor didn't make it for them. He never uses his shed so I felt ok

with them there but this year they live on my deck and I would prefer for them to stay there if I can help it. For their protection

and also because it will make things easier on me for feeding/watering/petting.

I started with the Snuggle safe discs.  They were so much cheaper 4 years ago.  They do work well, but last winter with the terrible bitter cold, they would not have stayed warm for long.  I actually used mine last winter to place under the wet food bowls to keep them from freezing immediately.  I live in Ohio and it was brutal last winter.  The heat pads I use are outdoor approved so as long as you have an outdoor outlet they work.  I even hook mine up to extension cords.  I also use a heated water bowl.  If you check out walmart they have a variety of heated water bowls at great prices right now http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=heated pet bowl

As far as the raccoons, you must pick up the food at night or you will be in for trouble.  The raccoons will never leave.  In the dead of winter I don't worry so much about it as the raccoons aren't around as much, but I still have to watch closely.  Once they realize the food source has been removed, they generally leave.  The first winter I used the rubbermaid containers, raccoons moved in and never left.  I had no idea until I went out one morning to check to see if my feral was inside and there was a large raccoon.  I had to remove them.  They moved inside them because I was placing cat treats inside to lure my feral.  Mistake learned!!

You can check out Amazon for great prices on outdoor heat pads.  I have this one and this onehttp://smile.amazon.com/Lectro-Soft-Heated-Outdoor-Bed-Medium/dp/B000ICKBCW/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1412103030&sr=8-32&keywords=outdoor+heat+pads.  I purchased a brand called Milliard and received it, but once I read the directions inside it could only be used to 30 degrees.  I had to return it.  This is also a great option as it comes with a heat pad
Here is a picture of the setup during daylight.  The heated house is on the left, rubbermaids next to it and space underneath.  I had 3 ferals last winter so this gave them plenty of space. 

Oh, I don't know if this would work for you, but to get the girls used to coming in, I'd start propping the door open, and putting food doen right inside. After a short time (a few days of this), they wanted to explore.

Now that most bugs are dying off is a good time to try it. I also have a garage seperate and in back of the house. Before they'd come close, I'd sit in there with them and read.

A few ideas that came to mind are putting catnip in the shelters. (All the ferals here adore it) And if you want to bring them in, remember they've never seen cat litter before. They usually use dirt. So try to do a mix with a lot of dirt to prevent accidents. Lol

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. I plan to get one of the heating pads you recommended next week. I heard that they can get sold out in the colder months and

it will be here before you know it. I just had a friend call me to talk about planning a Christmas party!

I wished my deck was covered too.  I have an awning that we use in the summer, but it cannot hold the weight of snow so we have to take it down in the winter.  That is why I have the Shelter Logic Shed in a box.  It looks like a tent, but it's stronger and made of tarp like material.  We bolt it down to the deck and place bricks on 3 sides to keep it from blowing too much.  Last year I added a weather treated board on the bottom with astroturf on top to keep the wind from blowing up.  Unfortunately they cats will not tolerate me closing the front flap.  I am able to get it down to only about 3 feet, but they freak if they are shut in.  This will be the fourth winter with the shed in a box.  It was the best $100 I spent.  We take it down each year in early May and it will go back up again later this month. 

Do order your heating pad soon as they will sell out.  I am setting mine out this weekend as it is to be in the mid 30's for a few nights.  UGHHHH.  Here is a picture of Shadow (on the left) and Stellar in their feeding stations one day last winter. 

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Oh my god. They are so cute! Thanks for sharing. I've showed my husband pics of your set up to help us get a better idea on what to do.

Are those FeralVillas or did you make those?

I live in PA but I don't think it is supposed to get that cold here next week. Maybe in the 40's. God, I remember last winter when I was

actually RELIEVED when it would get above freezing for them outside. 30 degrees felt like a blessing. Not looking forward to this

winter at all.

They are not feralvillas, but we got the plans from their site 5 years ago.  My DH is very handy and has made so many items for the cats.  He did build a feralvilla, but my cats have never ever liked it for sleeping.  It wasn't tall enough inside and they felt very cramped.  We altered it 2 years ago and added an exit as well as a small window, but still no luck.  The first year I had it, I was positive something was using it, but never saw my feral near it.  One morning I went out to see if there was any evidence of a visitor and I lost it when I saw a big fat raccoon inside.  I have no idea how it fit into the little opening, but it did.  Later that day, I decided to just put it away.  The darn raccoon was still inside.  We had to knock the feralvilla on its side to get him out.  During the winter, I use the feral villa up on a table and place dry food inside on bitter cold nights.  The raccoons aren't around then and the cats can keep eating if needed. 

I felt the same way last winter.  I have a picture of my two lounging on the deck on a chair pad when it was in the 20's but bright sunshine.  They acted as though it was a balmy spring day! 

I have another stray/feral that has been hanging around for the past month.  I believe he is more stray, but he is so skittish.  My two ferals do no like him and hiss and spit at him.  He is so hungry so of course I feed him.  Now I worry about him for when it gets cold.  I was just in the basement searching in the crawl space for some of my old rubbermaids.  I will place a few around and see if I have any luck. 

For Shadow and Stellar I have their Sterlite containers out for tonight and tomorrow.  I call them their "Magic Boxes"!! 

My husband is building a wooden shelter for the cats as we speak. What are your opinions on a cat flap or door? If not, what size should we make the entrance hole? I read 6" x 6" but I'm so worried I will make it too big or too small. I also have seen some with windows so the cat can see out. Remember it will be placed out on my deck with no covering so I want to make sure it stays dry.

I purchased the gallon heated water bowl from Walmart today and I will buy the heating pads on Wednesday when I get paid.

Thanks for all your help and advice. I so hope the cats use it!

I have done 5x5, 6x6 and 7x7 inch square openings.  I think I prefer around 6 inches.  The 7 was too big and the 5 a big small.  One thing to remember is that most ferals/stray will need an exit and an entrance so they can quickly escape if needed.  I never used a flap as I was worried they wouldn't use it, but if you can train them it would be great to keep some of the cold out.  The heated shelter we have started with an exit and entrance, but they never used the exit so I was able cover it back up. 

Another tip is to not sit the shelter directly on the deck where it can get wet.  It's best to prop it up on bricks.  This will help to keep the base dry and prevent it from rotting.  I painted all of the feeding stations and shelters with outdoor weatherproof paint.  I did 2 coats.  I still keep them all elevated.  You can see in the picture I previously posted that the two feeding stations are elevated by bricks. 

Your kitties will be very lucky!!

Excellent! I am so happy to be able to make them comfortable this winter. My husband is building the shelter slightly elevated, it will have legs. I was considering an entrance and exit but now I will definitely do that and cover the exit up if it is not used like you said.

I'm thinking I will eventually have him build a feeding station and another house but one thing at a time. There are 4 cats out there, I want to make sure they all have adequate accommodations, not just the ones who are most friendly.

I will post pics when everything is all set up and ready. Thanks again for your help! Love this site and I'm happy to be part of the community.

Before we had feeding stations, I just used rubbermaid containers.  Here is a link to Google images and some ideas that are relatively inexpensive.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fer...e1sQSyvIGABg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=671

Can't wait to see pictures of the setup and your crew!!

That's actually a great idea as I already have a Rubbermaid container that I purchased to keep them out of the rain. One uses it on occasion but I don't think they like it as it only has one entrance and its black so they can't see what is approaching them when inside. I could certainly modify that and save my husband from yet another cat related project. Lol

I have one more question: will cats share a shelter if there is enough space? I'm worried I wont have enough shelters for 4 cats. I walked out this morning and the calico was using the Rubbermaid box. They all have taken a major liking to our deck and Peanut and Pepper try to chase the other two off so not sure if they would share.