Feeding 3 or 4 strays/ferals - need advice

Hi Shadow, My name is Rich I think we have talked before. I am the guy who has the field across from my yard. I have started to feed some stray and probably feral cat's. I am very busy lately feeding probably about 3-4 cats twice a day, I am retired and I love animals. I have a 13 year old pomeranian. His brother died last February. His name was Lucky, and he was 13 years old and had lots of medical problems most of his life. My wife does shelter and animal rescue, and she is a great fund raiser. She has been doing that since she retired back in 2006.I am looking for advice on how to get these cat to hang around some. Not all day, but they come eat and take off, and if they see sign of me they will take off as fast as they can. I have been doing this for about a month and would like to socialize with these cats and maybe in time even pet them. I see them when i hide or peek around the corner, but that is about all i get. Any  thing you could help me with or ideas you have would be great. I was going to buy a shelter cat, but my pom wouldn't get along with the cat to well. I would like to find out how he acts toward cats, but I don't want a fight to start between Buddy and the cat. Hopefully you can give me some ideas and help.

Thanks

Rich Dahl

AKA rungsat69


That is my feeding station and there is a shelter under there also


@ShadowsRescue

Hi Rich,

Thank you for caring for the kitties and doing what you can for them.  They may be feral or also they could be stray cat that has turned feral due to being on its own for awhile.  Both can be very afraid of humans.  The first step in caring for these cats is to be sure they are spayed/neutered.  Since your wife is involved in shelter rescue she should know about TNR.  Possibly she can even borrow a few traps.  The process is quite simple.  It involves humanely trapping the cats, covering the trap with a sheet/towel, taking them to the vet, keeping them in the trap overnight (sometimes longer for females) and then returning them to where you trapped them the next day or two.  The cats can be ear tipped to designate who has been spayed/neutered.  This is a very important first step.  If the cats are not spayed/neutered they will multiply like bunnies before your very eyes.  Many areas have low cost spay/neuter clinics that are used to working with feral cats.  It will be easier to socialize them once the hormone factor is under control. 

As far as socializing the cats, it can be done, but if the cats are truly ferals and adult ferals it is more difficult.  Not impossible, just more difficult.  It also depends on whether the cats have had any human contact.  Take things slowly and build their trust.  When you come to feed them, talk softly and call to the kitties.  Tell them you are bringing them food.  Place the food in their feeding stations and then more a distance away and sit down.  If they approach at first just sit quietly and observe.  Keep your gaze either over the tops of their heads or keep your head down.  Ferals often don't like direct eye contact.  If at first they will not come out when you bring the food you can try bringing something really yummy such as plain cooked chicken or smelly tuna.  You can toss a few pieces in their directions.  Talk softly to them and tell them they are safe.  Tell them you are there to help them and care for them.  This may take weeks for them to get used to you.  Keep your routine the same.  If they approach, do not try to pet them or reach for them.  Allow the cats to trust you.  It took me 6 months to pet the 7 month old feral I worked with.  It was daily workings and slow slow progress.  Also do not bring your dog.  The dog is a long long way away from being with the cats.  Allow them to get used to you first.  When working with ferals, it is often one step forward and 2 steps back.  It requires lots of patience.  Yet it is very rewarding.

Do you know if any of the cats are using the shelter?  It is a very nice set up you have for them.  Do the shelters have an entrance and exit?  I often start by making the cheap rubbermaid houses.  You can stuff them with straw and have a couple of them scattered around.  Sometimes cats do not want to sleep near their food source.  Are you picking up the food each evening?  It is best not to leave food out all night.  It will attract other wildlife which will frighten the cats.  Have you ever thought of setting up a trail camera to catch the cats comings and goings? 

The best advice I can give is to take things slowly.  Get them spayed/neutered and then work on getting them to trust and accept you.  They should recognize you now since it has been a month.  Since they are peeking at you that is good.  Try sitting on the ground ( do not stand as that frightens them).  Also don't allow the dog near them.  That would certainly frighten them.

You are doing such a nice thing for these cats.  Even if you are not able to socialize them, feeding and caring for them is more than anyone else has done for them. 

This is a wonderful thing you are doing!  I second all of Shadows advice.  I would suggest that you don't leave food in or near the shelters, as this may attract raccoons and possums and probably scare the cats off.

In the process of TNR, you should be able to assess how well each of them might be socialized.  Take that process on a one-to-one basis.

Blessing on you for all you are doing for them.