A tale of two kitties - help!

I live on a college campus, and there's been a stray cat coming by for six months that I've been feeding. She's got a bit of her left ear missing, so I think she's been spayed. I've been calling her Luci. She's willing to tolerate me so long as I keep a closed door between us while she eats.

Yesterday a second cat came by and I thought it was Luci until I realized his ear wasn't missing the tip. He's much more friendly - he walked into my apartment and was eating out of my hand. I would've let him back out except that he's not neutered, which the vet confirmed when I got him over to scan for a chip. So now I'm trying to find a low cost neuter clinic in my area, and I'll probably get shots for him while I'm at it.

The thing is, now he's sitting at the window meowing, and Luci is sitting on the other side of the glass. She usually takes off as soon as she's done eating, but she's been here four hours now making the let-me-in-the-house face, even though she freaked out big time last time I got her inside. I don't know if either of them is sick. I've never had a cat before, but I've already gotten food and a litter box. What do I do now?

Now, they are both homeless, and used to it.  Probably they are also friends, as she wants in when she sees him inside.  So, if there is any contagion on any of them, the deed is already done.

And you HAD already admitted him, so its nothing peculiar to admit her too.

If you so wish, Im sure its entirely OK to admit her inside her too.   And use him as your ambassadeur to foster her...

If he is a home boy gone astray, or friendly semiferal, we dont know as now.  Its not unusual  semiferal toms arent shy to humans, even friendly, especielly if they get advantages from this...   Although such toms may beat up your residents, so beware.   HERE, he is probably friendly with her...

So, go forward with your plans and your quest.

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

ps.  Observe, they may have fleas.  So defleasing and deworming, and perhaps keeping in your bathroom till they are defleased, is wise.

I dont know what dewormers you have at hand, be careful though, some dewormers sold OTC are not good.

Ask...

They may have been colony mates or dumped together and she got trapped and spayed and he didn't.    She may be wary from being trapped or had some (stupid) human hurt her, so she's cautious.  She may very well be feral and in heat.  (The tipped ear may be a tear or wound).  The only way you will know for sure is to take her to the vet and have him shave her belly to check for a scar.

In any case, if you are willing to try again, let her in and see what happens.  We have a former feral who we seldom see but who is madly in love with one of our cats.  He learned how to exist inside without too much contact with us humans in order to be with his love.  We can pet him occassionally but it is rare that he approaches us (unless he's hungry!  )

How would you suggest getting her to come in? I opened the door this morning and M, the male, got out. Luckily he came back a few hours ago and I managed to get him back indoors, but she's still skittish and won't have anything to do with me unless it's to swipe at my hand while I'm putting out food.

They were making noise all night and I didn't manage to sleep until 4am. Any ideas for what to do?

Oh, then you may need to trap her.  Can you borrow a humane trap - if there's a rescue near you, you can ask them.

Otherwise, you might try feeding her in a crate or carrier.  When she gets used to going in, you can close the door and bring her in or to the vet.  Are you planning to try to keep her inside?  It would be easier if she had her own space ( a spare room or the bathroom will work).  At least until she is used to the idea of being inside. 

I'd like to keep her inside, but right now the priority is getting M fixed and keeping them reasonably quiet until I can get that done. I don't have any spare rooms I could keep Luci in once I brought her in because my apartment has one bedroom and one bathroom, which are in regular use.

If no room is available, a crate is fine.  She'll need to be confined anyway after she is fixed and will need her own litter box and bed.  It sounds cramped but it is better than being outside on her own.  Honestly, almost anything you do for her is better than what she has now.