Need advice on half-feral cats

kitty krazy

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There is a male, somewhat-feral cat who passes through my yard. I believe he is inbreed but you wouldn't know that by looking at him. Below is a picture of him. BTW I named him Rascel.
So he's been coming around for about six months. I recently started feeding him scrapes when I see him. Rascel is different from most strays who would flee at the sight of a human and never come back, instead he sits at the edge of the woods and watches me. For the last week I have been able to get a couple yards away from him without him becoming tense. Two different times I had food he started walking towards be but both times my chickens scared him.

When I fed him today I could tell he was calm cuz he was only a few feet away from me and he laid down and closed his eyes. Something else happened! I heard newborn kittens crying in the woods! Rascal looks like he's a male so I'm thinking he is the father.

If anyone has any tips on taming Rascel or what I should do if I find the kittens I would really appreciate it!!! I love this little guy!!! :rbheart:
 

ritz

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Welcome to The Cat Site. Rascel looks beautiful, lovely cat.
Um, how do you know Rascel is a male? I have TNRd 35 cats; I can't tell you how many times I swore "Becky" was female only to have to rename her "Buckley" after neutering.
I don't have a lot of personal experience with this situation, although I have been around a lot of cats, but here are my thoughts.
Honestly, I think the most immediate action you need to take is to determine if in fact there are any kittens. Males can't nurse, so unless there is a female cat around, the kittens may be in danger of starving. It is unusual for a father to stick around; occasionally they may help with the care, but not much more. Try to find out where the kittens are; see if Rascel will let you follow her back, presumbly to where her kittens are. Carry some smelly food with you as a bribe. You need to see/guess how old they are and if they look healthy. Keep on providing Her a lot of food: she needs a lot of calories when nursing. If they look okay, then leave them there; let who ever is nursing them, continue nursing.
Eventually you will need to get her spayed. Opinions differ whether you can do it while the kittens are still nursing or need to wait until after they are weaned. The problem with the latter is she will no doubt become pregnant almost immediately.
Meanwhile keep on feeding her, get closer to her, simply sit down and watch her eat (and, her kittens if applicable).
Finally (while you are just sitting with her :) ) you can read some of these articles and thread.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
 
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kitty krazy

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Thank you. My neighbor began to feed stray/ferel cats. She "said" he was a male but I'm not sure cuz he won't get close to her, even though she feeds him. I will try to find out when I see him again.
 

StefanZ

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That said, it is not unheard of  family groups, where the male is living with the mom, and helping with protection and even care.

Yeah, we had even seen cases when the  tom was sole or at least, the main caretaker.

So the advice stands, be sure how it is with kittens, and plan thereafter.

In a little longer perspective Rascal is a good candidate for fostering, if such is your wish and possibility.

If not, be sure you TNR him / her.

I will try to read your post again tomorrow, and perhaps will write some more.

Good luck!
 
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kitty krazy

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I wish I could adopt but I can't :( But I will continue to feed him. He knows me well enough to sit outside until I come out with food :lol3:
 

StefanZ

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I reread Ritz excellent post, just to agree.   :)

So what you do, is essentially on what you are able and prepared to do.

But IF there are kittens, there may also be some rescue group, who is willing to come out and help you with them and caretaking of them?

Its not sure you must do all work yourself.  But you "must" try and read off the situation, for them to be able to come and help out.

Good luck!

ps.  Why do you think she he Rascel is somewhat inbreed?
 
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kitty krazy

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My neighbor feeds a ferel colony and she said its a he. Which is where because I said he was white with gray patches and recently found out that there's to other cats that would fit that description. I'm not sure where the kittens are and am afraid to scare them.
 
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