Feral cats-don't know what to do

You all have been very helpful and I'm still new at this and so confused on what I need to do! Smokey is our main feral, he is scared of us but always came out right after we fed him and when we walked away. We made this house for him and he had no problems going inside to eat. Now there are 2 ferals l, one of them smokey gets along with, the other one attacked smokey twice that I know of. Blackie, the one who attacks is always looking over our house and looks a evil. This morning I went to the little house to put food out for smokey and I saw him behind our fence which was his original home before all our snow so I snapped pics, so excited to see him. I put his fav food out but he came out and walked around his house but wouldn't go inside then few minutes later he came back walked around his house didn't go inside and then just left. So he didon't eat yet this morning and I saw him near the fence twice and talked to him and he starred at me and Blackie the one who attacks him is near by now l. I don't know where smokey is and he has to be hungry! Why would he be scared now ti go inside the house that for months. Ben eating in it? Do we bring him inside and make him an indoor pet ? How do we know if he is happier outside and won't be happy inside? He looks lonely and sad and i know smileys hungrry but ran off

dana17 said:

You all have been very helpful and I'm still new at this and so confused on what I need to do! Smokey is our main feral, he is scared of us but always came out right after we fed him and when we walked away. We made this house for him and he had no problems going inside to eat. Now there are 2 ferals l, one of them smokey gets along with, the other one attacked smokey twice that I know of. Blackie, the one who attacks is always looking over our house and looks a evil. This morning I went to the little house to put food out for smokey and I saw him behind our fence which was his original home before all our snow so I snapped pics, so excited to see him. I put his fav food out but he came out and walked around his house but wouldn't go inside then few minutes later he came back walked around his house didn't go inside and then just left. So he didon't eat yet this morning and I saw him near the fence twice and talked to him and he starred at me and Blackie the one who attacks him is near by now l. I don't know where smokey is and he has to be hungry! Why would he be scared now ti go inside the house that for months. Ben eating in it? Do we bring him inside and make him an indoor pet ? How do we know if he is happier outside and won't be happy inside? He looks lonely and sad and i know smileys hungrry but ran off

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Is this possible for you to do so?   If so, NOW is a good moment, when he is scared and chased by Blackie.  NOW you will come as rescuers saving him from hunger and an unpleasant situation outside.  This will make your task much easier.

Do you think Blackie is unneutered?  Neutering will probably help to curb his territorial demands.

I know some spayed / neutered may still defend their core territory even quite aggresively, but but but. There is not the same ferociousness behind it.

So, I propose you plan will be: spay / neuter Blackie if he isnt.

Trap Smokey, take him to vet for check up etc, and bring him home for fostering...

Possibly vice versa queue.

Smokey is a lovely cat.  As Stephan says, its do-able.  But you must be prepared for a lot of work and a lot of two steps forward, one step back.  Get him to the vet first and assess his health and personality.

If you decide to bring him in, prepare a room for him - as little furniture as possible and cat-proofed.  (no access to the attic or basement/crawl space, windows secure, etc).  Give him alone time for a bit, feeding and scooping on schedule.  Once he's used to being inside, spend a little more time with him every day.

And get Blackie fixed, at the least.  He'll be much better off and a lot calmer.

Good luck!

smokey is getting attacked by blackie because of the food/shelter. I too have been feeding a feral and she too was getting attacked cause the other cats want her food. Determined to feed this cat and prevent cat fights I decided to start feeding her inside. At first she was very skittish and I would leave door open and propped so it wont move and place the food in the doorway. After afew weeks move it in. Move it in further. Now you can see if the cat is compatible with your home. But as soon as you have its trust you should have him see the vet. As already mentioned if you plan to keep him indoors make a cat room and make sure he has a place to hide and feel safe. I have read that feral cats might not take to a litter box but will accept dirt as litter cause they already bury there waste in dirt.

good luck