ANY EXPERIENCED FERAL RESCUE HAPPY ENDINGS?

tabbytom

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Hello hopeformyferal, welcome to TCS :wavey:

To start off, socializing feral cats can take months to a couple of years. And it depends also on how old the cats are and what kind of community they are in and also how they were treated and how they react to the public.
It takes a lot of patience, time and resource to tame a feral cat.
You did not mention what situation the feral cat is in like age, condition of cats etc. If you share more details, it'll make it easier for people here to help you.
 
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hopeformyferal

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Thanks for the advice, I have been feeding her for over a year. She would wait on my car each morning as I arrived for work. She had several litters of kittens until I was able to trap her the day after Christmas, I think she is about two years old. At work I was able to sit close to her while she ate but she always took off fast after she was done eating. I could not leave her there because it was too dangerous due to traffic and soon to be dangerous cold temps, She is so afraid inside and my heart breaks for her.
 

theyremine

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I guess it depends what you consider a happy ending.   I received my first pair of foster ferals (brother and sister)  when they were about 7 months old.   They were supposed to be TNRed but were too sick to be returned (lung worm and extreme herpes).   The male was extremely aggressive.  Long story short,  they were foster failures. Three and a half years later the male comes running when called to cuddle on the loveseat and the female loves kitty massages.  However, they are bonded only to me.

My 2nd set of ferals (one male, 3 females)   were trapped at 8-9 weeks old.   One pair was adopted out in a month and the other pair took longer (3 months) but only because of their coat color.   Today,  I keep in touch with their "parents"  and enjoy regular updates and pictures.

Now I have a pair of ferals (not related) who have become bonded in foster care.  The male is well socialized but the female is still quite skiddish.  Either one would be heart broken without the other.   I've had them for 10 months and I got them when they were 6 months old.  Although I love them to pieces,  I still hope to find them forever homes.   

The happy ending... tonight while the snow is falling, the wind is blowing, and the temperature is below freezing,  8 well loved cats are sleeping comfortably.
 

tabbytom

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Ok, but what do you meant by you were able to trap her? Did you manage to house her and also you mentioned that after her meal, she took off. I don't really get you on this.
So it's already a year that you have connection with her and she is ok with you sitting close to her while having her meal. Did you have any chance to pet her? While eating or maybe before her meal?
One thing is that she needs to be spayed. If not, she'll be contributing more unwanted kittens. And cats go through a lot during pregnancy. You must have her spayed. Are you willing to do it?
Also when you mentioned feral rescue endings, does it mean that you are willing to bring her home and to house her? Any change of environment for her is stressful and it takes a longer time for her to get use to the new place and suroundings and people. It's best that she is well bonded with you and trust you and make sure your house has a safe room for her while you are at work and your house have to be cat safe.
We are happy that you have concern over this cat but we do hope it work out well too.
 
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hopeformyferal

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I LOVE THAT THEY ARE SAFE AND LOVED INSIDE!
 

theyremine

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I guess I was writing when you posted last.   It will take time and  patience but I believe you can be successful.  Being calm, kind, and gentle are most important.    It's understandable that she is scared to death right now, but she is safe and now the socialization can began.   She does need vetting ASAP.

The many experienced people on this site have given me valuable advice;  I'm sure they'll do the same for you if you are specific with your questions.

Good luck!
 
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hopeformyferal

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I fed her at work by the river bank. She took off as soon as she was done and never let me get closer than 4 feet. I trapped her and took her to the vet to be spayed, shots and dewormed, I had her feline leukemia tested. I read every thing I could to prepare her for a great life as a house cat. I have 5 very sweet cats that would be just as afraid of her as she would them. I could not leave her at my work because it was too dangerous, She was almost run over a few times that I know of and its going to be below zero soon, I have her in a room isolated. I bought her many blanket, toys, beds, everything a cat would want. But she is so scared and sad, She shakes and hides in the corner with her face pressed into the wall. Its just enough to break your heart. Everything I read says to go in with food, do not make eye contact, talk on phone so she gets used to your voice etc... I am doing all of that and it's only been two days, I just wish she would be happy fast!
 

theyremine

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Sounds like you're doing everything right !  My ferals like something to hide in.   An overturned box with a "door" cut out works but my ferals like the armarkat bed  (http://www.armarkat.com/armarkat-cat-bed-c11hbw-mh/).   It allows them to feel secure but you can still see/touch them.    Jet seems to have the best prices (about $22).    I also think having it raised off the floor helps so you aren't lurking over them.

I keep my ferals separated for a long time from the other cats.  First, you need to bond to her.

You are off to great start.
 
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hopeformyferal

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I will get the for her!!! I appreciate you more than you will ever know!!! I am so worried about her!!!!
 

ondine

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You are doing things right. Keep up the good fight for this baby.   She's a lucky kitty to have found someone who cares about her.

Two days is absolutely  no time at all to a feral.  Think about it - even though she was in an unsafe situation it was familiar to her.  She got fed and had apparently found a place to sleep safely.  Now, within a couple of days, she's seen the vet and been placed inside a strange room, filled with new sights, sounds and smells.  From her point of view, the next thing could really be  dangerous!

So, spend time with her every day.  Move slowly, speak softly and keep her routine the same as possible.  She may never be a lap cat but she will learn to be comfortable inside.  You've done such a wonderful thing for her.  Blessings on you!
 

tabbytom

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You need time and patience and love. Approach her slowly while in the room. Stay a few feet away from her and let her gain confidence in you as she is in a new environment. Have water and litter box in the room for her but do not put them close to each other. Let her associate you with food. She can miss a meal or two and when she's hungry, she'll eat. As long as pundon't present yourself as a threat to her. You really have to let her gain confidence in you and late slowly introduce the rest of your cats to her.
It's ok to have eye contact but just don't stare at her. Slow blink your eyes and see if she response by her eyes. If not just turn your head away while doing a slow blink. This will give her more confidence as it shows that she is the dominant cat. Don't present your palm to her, that'll scare her more but instead clench your fist and present slowly to her and let her smell your hand and slowly proceed from there.
Make sure she has enough warmth and keep noise down.
Do keep us updated. Thank you for saving her :clap:
 

bigbadbass

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hopeformyferal-

I'm currently working on domesticating a beautiful black 12 year old male feral, he's still outside...been feeding for 2 months, he enters my house

(door MUST remain open) , sometimes sleeps in a heated house on my deck....very independent, wily and protective (obviously why he's still alive

after being feral for 12 years)  

Very sad, lost his mommy (his best bud) last year....so he's now a loner. She taught him well....VERY smart and instinctive. I'm feeding him in a crate,

slowly moving the food dish further inside.....I plan to finally trap and vet him in approx 7 days. (I must wonder who is teaching who sometimes!) 

I'm new to dealing with a feral...though I've made certain advances...I knew this was going to require long term commitment, patience and effort....

as Tabby Tom posted and others here have advised me ....full integration may take YEARS.  I'm willing to give him my best efforts, investing time,

effort, funds...whatever it takes.

My thread is "meet Buggy", basing my strategy on great advise I've received here. Proceeding slowly but surely...step by step. Patience the key..

I'll be following your progress here (and learning as well) and wish you and kitty well!  
 

bigbadbass

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Wanted to highlight (and publicly thank them yet again) ...the advise and insights of members Ondine and Tabby Tom has been invaluable! 
 

tabbytom

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Wanted to highlight (and publicly thank them yet again) ...the advise and insights of members Ondine and Tabby Tom has been invaluable! 
You are most welcomed [emoji]128521[/emoji] We are just caring for the welfare of the cats :D
Advisor Ondine is the one with more valuable insights to all this.
 
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hopeformyferal

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Thank you so much for your extremely encouraging and kind advice! I deeply appreciate you! My heart is bigger than most people that I know and I ALWAYS do the right thing, This was the right thing to do, About 10 years ago  I found a cat (Andy) while searching for my cat( Brandy) that my husband lost, (VERY LONG STORY)...but his reply to how long did you have this door open was that it was not long, Anyway, it took me 9 weeks and a $500 reward to get her back, She is laying on my lap at this very moment. Andy was living under a house with countless other cats. A wonderful woman that I am lucky enough to call my friend, has a no kill shelter, The two of us got all of these cats taken care of just like I did this last one I took in. However, Andy was too sick so I took him, It took him 5 years to sit in my lap. Brandy does not like that, ha ha, Since that time I rescued a cat that was thrown out a car window, He was only one pound and had a broken leg, The other was put in a coke box on route 7 with her siblings and was the only survivor. And the last was taken from my friend from a kill shelter right before he was to be killed. I HATE that there are MONSTERS in this world!!!! Thank you again for your time!!!!!
 
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hopeformyferal

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Thank you for that GREAT advice! I truly appreciate you! I have all the time it takes, God willing, He answered my prayers and knows that saving her was all I wanted for Christmas, Thank you so much again!
 

shadowsrescue

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The first feral I brought inside took exactly one year to acclimate and longer to get fully socialized with my other indoor cat.  It was a long process, but so so worth it.

I just brought another one inside on the 26th.  He is much calmer and most likely more stray like.  

It is all a process.  It takes lots of time and patience.
 
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