Newbie to feral cats, I need some advice/encouragement please!

kmm808 · Nov 12, 2015

Hello everyone,

In my former job I have been a veterinary technician for 17 years. In that time I think I only dealt with 3 feral cats. Now I am in a cat rescue group and my husband built a cattery because one of the colonies that I feed at a shopping center was directly threatened to be trapped and drowned. So as we built the cattery to fit 12-14 cats, the maintenance workers at this shopping complex seem to be making good on their promise of "getting rid of the cats" Of the original 14 cats 6 months ago, it dwindled to 2 originals and 5 new teenagers. In the past week, 3 of the teenagers went missing but someone dumped 2 kittens.

So this week we have been hurriedly trapping them to put them into the cattery after having the new cats fixed and vaccinated. So I put the first kitty in and it was able to squeeze through the chain link!! I was horrified, but luckily it was still sedated from it's neutering and easily caught. Second cat was a little older, maybe 7 or 8 months and when we let him out he EXPLODED, climbing everywhere, trying to get out, and just terrified!! 3 days later and he is in the same spot but won't let us near him without totally freaking out! He seems miserable!!

Here is my dilemna... Am I doing the right thing trying to keep them safe and giving them a forever home if they will be miserable?

Should I let them be even though they may only live another day before harm comes to them but they will have lived free and happy?

I am so torn, has anyone gone through this? It would hurt so much to have 6-8 purely feral cats living in misery and fear although I was keeping them safe and fed and loved from afar.

Will they ever calm down?

Thanks for any advice. We will be trapping 4 more to get fixed tomorrow and I'll need to decide by then if I should take them in.

Kim

catsknowme · Nov 12, 2015

Hi, Kim! Bravo for being a true cats' hero

I didn't read if you have provided a large cardboard box to serve as a hiding place or not. At any rate, yes, the cats usually take a couple of weeks, at least, to calm down, especially if they are from a line of generations of ferals. Some of them never quite get comfortable in the presence of humans, but even they will be heard in the night, playing with toys and socializing (and, yes, having their usual arguments, the same as they are doing now - I find myself visiting my colonies at odd hours of day or night and am surprised at the various social interactions that are not displayed when avoiding humans is the primary occupation). You could try the calming pheromes in addition to plenty of hiding places.

             As a side note, I have found that it is much easier for people to dump cats than drown them so the occasional straggler may find its way to its original home territory so even after the colony is moved, you should continue to monitor the building site.

             I am so glad that there are good people like your husband and you who are going the extra mile to help kitties in need. I hope that there are others in your lives who can help out with buying supplies and toys. Even homemade "teasers" are very popular but you will need to be present whenever there are toys on strings (I make cheap ones with sticks and the string from large catfood and chicken feed bags plus chicken feathers, old envelopes, etc). I find the realistic "squeaking mice" and balls with bells to be great hits, even with the ferals still living outside.

           If you have a KMart nearby, they have Purina Cat Chow Naturals @ $11.99/ 13 lbs till this Saturday. Also, I find the Kmart ShopYourWay Rewards to give me the best deals/most points. I do the e-receipt and frequently add the points offers. I find that the surprise points are usually enough to buy the catfood plus sometimes the nicer toys.

           Sending mega prayers and vibes out your way

& please keep us updated

Susan

kmm808 · Nov 12, 2015

Thank you for the kind words. It just really freaked me out to see how freaked out they were! I'll just be patient and give them some distance until they realize they are safe. I do have the rest of their lives to get to know them so I won't rush it.

Aloha,

Kim

dandila · Nov 13, 2015

Oh...and a former vet tech to boot! Lucky cats...keep up all the great work helping these guys.

ondine · Nov 13, 2015

Hello and welcome to TCS! And kudos to you and your husband for taking this project on.

Like catsknowme said, it is going to take some time for them to acclimate. For all they know, you mean them harm right now and they need time to learn differently. Hiding places, some vertical spaces and comfy beds will soon help them adjust.

Does the enclosure have a shed or other small building? You can use that as the feeding area, plus you'll need bathroom facilities. We have an enclosure for two cats with an indoor potty with clay litter and an outdoor one with sand, plus a small shed where they sleep. We also have a cedar tree and several outdoor tables and a couple of Tupperware shelters and a doghouse filled with straw. Gives them plenty of options.

Just make sure to set a routine. They will soon be used to their new home.

kmm808 · Nov 15, 2015

Hi Thank you for the words of encouragement! We have put in a 6' cat tree, 4 upside down rubbermaid containers with holes cut in them, tables, and a 4' tall shelf with 8 separate cubbie holes, as well as 6 litterboxes and a cat scratching tree. Although it is only 10x10, it is 8' high and we've put in plants for them to hide behind as well. We are planning to move 6 of them in this week for a total of 8. It looks like there will be enough room. Half are truly feral and 1/2 are dumped somewhat socialized adults but not able to be petted. We're hoping that they get used to it and will eventually expand.

Thanks again for the kind words of encouragement!

ondine · Nov 15, 2015

Wow! Sounds like those kittens have found paradise. If you are introducing any of them to any of the others, take that part slowly. Will help everyone adjust.

Also, be careful of the plants. Some house plants, like dumbcane and lilies, can be toxic to cats.

But again, kudos to you both. We'd love, love, love to see pictures!

ginny · Nov 15, 2015

Kmm808 said:
Hello everyone,

In my former job I have been a veterinary technician for 17 years. In that time I think I only dealt with 3 feral cats. Now I am in a cat rescue group and my husband built a cattery because one of the colonies that I feed at a shopping center was directly threatened to be trapped and drowned. So as we built the cattery to fit 12-14 cats, the maintenance workers at this shopping complex seem to be making good on their promise of "getting rid of the cats" Of the original 14 cats 6 months ago, it dwindled to 2 originals and 5 new teenagers. In the past week, 3 of the teenagers went missing but someone dumped 2 kittens.

So this week we have been hurriedly trapping them to put them into the cattery after having the new cats fixed and vaccinated. So I put the first kitty in and it was able to squeeze through the chain link!! I was horrified, but luckily it was still sedated from it's neutering and easily caught. Second cat was a little older, maybe 7 or 8 months and when we let him out he EXPLODED, climbing everywhere, trying to get out, and just terrified!! 3 days later and he is in the same spot but won't let us near him without totally freaking out! He seems miserable!!

Here is my dilemna... Am I doing the right thing trying to keep them safe and giving them a forever home if they will be miserable?

Should I let them be even though they may only live another day before harm comes to them but they will have lived free and happy?

I am so torn, has anyone gone through this? It would hurt so much to have 6-8 purely feral cats living in misery and fear although I was keeping them safe and fed and loved from afar.

Will they ever calm down?

Thanks for any advice. We will be trapping 4 more to get fixed tomorrow and I'll need to decide by then if I should take them in.

Kim

Hi Kim and thank you for what you are doing for these kitties! I feel the same way about helping them out. It's in their best interest to move them out of harm's way even if they are miserable at first. It makes me angry that the maintenance people have made good on their threat and destroyed as many cats as they have. In my opinion, and more importantly also the state's opinion too, that they have committed a crime and I would look into that avenue more. Destroying cats for just being feral, through no fault of their own, is absolutely detestable and a strong message needs to be sent to the entire community that this will not be tolerated.

The kitties will warm up to you, but it will be in their own sweet time, not ours. Feral cats rightly do not trust humans until humans EARN their trust and that just takes time - lots of it - and consistency.

I've made these suggestions before because it's what worked with my own feral cat group. Don't look them in the eyes! That's a direct threat to them. Glance briefly, or scan, with narrowed eyes and look away. Move slowly and quietly, talk softly, try not to say S sounds which sounds like a hiss and don't expose your teeth. The more non-threatening exposure you have with them the more trust develops. Be prepared though. It'll take a long time. I hope this helps!

Ginny

ginny · Nov 15, 2015

And another thing: Cats love being ignored! For some reason, that really piques their interest, lol.

You could bring a book and sit down near the cage and just completely ignore them while they get used to you being there. Having other kitties there that are not so feral will probably help the really feral ones too. Good luck! And I hope you stay in touch so we can hear how they are doing.

kmm808 · Nov 16, 2015

Thanks Ginny!! Some great advice there! Since this group already lives together, I'm not too worried about introducing them all together. And after 6 days, the first scared feral has ventured off the cat tree to the cubbyhole we made! And he didn't flatten his ears back or move when I passed by the cage. I take that as a great step forward!! He is curious when I pet the non-feral which is in the adjacent kennel. I am using one side for the wild ones and the other side for the less feral ones then eventually open it up as they get used to each other.

As for those maintenance workers... the non-profit no-kill cat rescue group that I volunteer with will be pursuing further action.

All of you are making me feel 110% better that I am doing the right thing. I hate when I hear naysayers tell me "you can't save them all", Well, I am trying my best, one life at a time and it makes me feel great for trying!!

Thanks for everyone's kind words of encouragement and advice!

ondine · Nov 16, 2015

Kmm808 said:
He is curious when I pet the non-feral which is in the adjacent kennel. I am using one side for the wild ones and the other side for the less feral ones then eventually open it up as they get used to each other.

As for those maintenance workers... the non-profit no-kill cat rescue group that I volunteer with will be pursuing further action.

Excellent! Using the tame ones to teach the wilder ones will work wonders.

And excellent! again. Hope those workers get exactly what they deserve!

ginny · Nov 16, 2015

Kmm808 said:
Thanks Ginny!! Some great advice there! Since this group already lives together, I'm not too worried about introducing them all together. And after 6 days, the first scared feral has ventured off the cat tree to the cubbyhole we made! And he didn't flatten his ears back or move when I passed by the cage. I take that as a great step forward!! He is curious when I pet the non-feral which is in the adjacent kennel. I am using one side for the wild ones and the other side for the less feral ones then eventually open it up as they get used to each other.

As for those maintenance workers... the non-profit no-kill cat rescue group that I volunteer with will be pursuing further action.

All of you are making me feel 110% better that I am doing the right thing. I hate when I hear naysayers tell me "you can't save them all", Well, I am trying my best, one life at a time and it makes me feel great for trying!!

Thanks for everyone's kind words of encouragement and advice!

Sounds like you are doing a great job! As for people who say "you can't save them all", tell them "that's no excuse to not try and save some!" How ridiculous, the things people say. I'm very glad to hear that the rescue group is going to pursue further action against these workers.

kmm808 · Dec 22, 2015

Hello everyone!! Thanks for all of the advice and encouragement!! It's been a month and the colony is doing well. I have caught 6 of the 8 members of the colony. One is friendly, one is so-so and the rest are feral. They aren't really that afraid of me anymore and actually come to the door at feeding time! They haven't figured out cat toys yet and I keep finding the toys buried under cat litter. Thanks again and Happy Holidays to ALL!!

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kmm808
Dec 22, 2015

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kmm808
Dec 22, 2015

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kmm808
Dec 22, 2015

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kmm808
Dec 22, 2015

paiger8 · Dec 22, 2015

Fantastic cattery! Well done!! :clap:

There is some beautiful scenery in that last picture! Mind if I ask what part of the world you're from?

zed xyzed · Dec 22, 2015

wow you and you husband are beautiful people for saving these kitties. Thank you for all that you do

ondine · Dec 23, 2015

Wonderful news! Happy holidays to you.

kmm808 · Jan 8, 2016

Thanks everyone!! It's been one month and they are doing great! I have caught 6 of the 8 so far. One is friendly, one is half friendly and the rest are feral but they actually aren't too afraid of me anymore!! I don't think they know what to do with cat toys, I keep finding them buried in the litterbox

Sorry, with the holidays, I haven't been checking my messages!

I am from Kauai, Hawaii

Thanks everyone and Happy Holidays and Happy and Healthy New Year to all of you!!

I am now able to kind of sneakily pet 3 of the 6 cats while they are eating!! Yay!!

ondine · Jan 9, 2016

Oh my, they are in paradise! As time goes on, they will each get mellower. Some day, they may all allow pets. Thanks for the update!

Newbie to feral cats, I need some advice/encouragement please!

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