Question about friendly "feral"

After feeding for several months, I needed to trap a female and  a couple other feral cats for their own safety. Someone in their neighborhood was doing them harm. I got two young cats, and had them neutered/spayed, vaccinated, tested for FIV and Feline leukemia. Then I brought them home because I could NOT put them back where they were (plus I had to let them recuperate from the alterations). I thought at first I would keep them out in a sheltered enclosure outside through the winter, and then hopefully they'd stay nearby when I let them free. But I decided to keep them where they are, in my basement, where they have lots of warmth and places to explore safely. The pen seems just cruel, even with the shelters I have provided.Yet keeping them in a basement does as well. What do you do with feral cats that you cannot return??? On top of this, the female does not seem feral - she is very friendly - she greets me right away, meows, rubs up on me and wants to be petted. The little male is more skittish, but does come out to see me when I go down to feed, play and visit. I think the Missy would like to join me upstairs, but I have three little dogs who are cat-curious (but not unfriendly).How do I do that?  Little Junior would be lonesome without her, so bringing her up with the family seems cruel for him. I just don't know what to do. I think she may be adoptable eventually. He is fearful. He is 5-6months, she is a little older. It is about to get VERY COLD as I live in upstate New York. I am "just learning" - have done some TNR but this R is just not possible...this is my first time keeping what I thought were feral cats. The other strays have all come around and been adopted out. I would appreciate any advice on what to do with each of these cats. Thank you so much. This is my first post, as I just joined this site. 

Hi Mcatberry,
Thank you for rescuing them. At least now for the time being they are safe from that someone in the neighborhood that's doing harm to them.
Since you have them in basement, why not just keep them till winter is over if you have the means. And after that they might be more social and more easily adoptable. Otherwise try can be in/out door cats but of course indoor would be best for them.
Over in my country, shelters are usually full and cats are being fostered out till someone adopts them or the fosters themselves don't mind keeping all of them. But ferals might not fit in well in shelters. If you can have them in your basement, that's great news.
Would suggest you keep them through winter and get them socialized.

It is possible to introduce cats to dogs as long as the dogs are well trained.  The cats need to feel safe around the cats and know that you have control to stop the dogs from chasing or harming them. 

Here is an article with some tips on introducing

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-dogs

Thank you so much for working with these kitties.  The female is certainly a stray and even the male since he is coming out so soon may have had some human contact.  Here is an article with some great tips that may help with socialization.

http://bestfriends.org/resources/socializing-cats-how-socialize-very-shy-or-fearful-cat

I would definitely keep them inside and work on their socilization skills as well as getting them used to the dogs.  It is very possible to have dogs and cats coexist.  Just be sure the cats always have a safe place to escape the dogs.  This would mean tall places such as cat perches, cat trees or cat condos.

You certainly saved these kitties lives.  Thank you for all you have done.

Thank you! I am going to keep them inside then, and try to socialize them. Husband has fallen for them too. Just felt like keeping outdoor cats inside might be considered cruel. My dogs are not very well behaved so I'll have to take that very slowly and do what the article says. I also have my own senior Siamese who stays mainly on the third floor, but I don't want to stress him out. He likes to have me to himself!! So he doesn't need to meet the two little ones.

Great to hear that you'll be keeping them. I don't think that keeping outdoor cats indoors is being cruel. Keeping them outdoors is cruel in the sense that dangers are around them all the while. They might not even survive.

Keep up the good work and hope to see their photos

Here is the little girl, who has decided to come upstairs and be a snuggle cat! Now if I could get the little boy to come around, I will be able to find homes for them both!

MCatberry said:

Thank you! I am going to keep them inside then, and try to socialize them. Husband has fallen for them too. Just felt like keeping outdoor cats inside might be considered cruel. My dogs are not very well behaved so I'll have to take that very slowly and do what the article says. I also have my own senior Siamese who stays mainly on the third floor, but I don't want to stress him out. He likes to have me to himself!! So he doesn't need to meet the two little ones.

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Don't confuse "feral" with stray or abandoned. If the cats are friendly they are not feral. We've had many cats, including our 2 current females, who were brought in from outside & never showed any desire to go back in the cold. They love our basement, but they have the run of the entire house. As you say, be patient, move slowly, and it will all work out. Your photo of the female shows that she is in good condition.

Rule of thumb is a litter box for each cat & one to spare.

That's a lovely girl you've got there [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

Thank you! Yes, she is definitely not feral. Odd, because I have been feeding her daily for over a year, and have seen her hunkered down under a truck, hiding in the bushes, foraging through garbage...etc., and never seen any sign of a home. So I was sure she was going to be scared to death. I am so happy she is stray and not feral. Too bad I had her ear lopped.

And thank you for the advice about the litter pans. I have four! Two for each. 

Great to have a place to turn for advice!

MCatberry said:

Thank you! Yes, she is definitely not feral. Odd, because I have been feeding her daily for over a year, and have seen her hunkered down under a truck, hiding in the bushes, foraging through garbage...etc., and never seen any sign of a home. So I was sure she was going to be scared to death. I am so happy she is stray and not feral. Too bad I had her ear lopped.
And thank you for the advice about the litter pans. I have four! Two for each. 
Great to have a place to turn for advice!

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Doesn't matter about the ear. In fact, God forbid she ever gets out, people will know she is fixed. Looks to me like she was dumped or she ran away from neglect.

Actually I have been feeding all the cats over there for a year and a half. She is only about 6 -7 months old. Our local cat rescue has taken 33 cats out of there and found them homes. She was one of the kittens left out.

Good job Mcatberry! [emoji]128077[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji]