New feral a threat to our resident feral?

We have an indoor girl that was previously a feral (my buddy now!) Ferals rock!

About a year ago, a male showed up, very similar to our indoor tabby (brother?) -- we've been feeding and sheltering him in our garage, husband made him a nice insulated tub/shelter with staw -- we had trapped & neutered him, he has one completely dark eye, not sure if he has sight in it or not, so his hunting may be hampered. 

Husband named him " Hobo" -- he comes to the sound of the back door being opened for feedings, we don't try to pet him, and that's fine. Our indoor kitty is extremely timid and doesn't do well with other cats, so we won't be trying to tame Hobo,  we'll just feed him and let him be. Husband is quite attached to him. 

In the past few days, a new cat has shown up -- I thought it might be a lost pet, but the more I see it, it's probably a feral also, dubbed "Johanne" for now. Can't tell if it's a male or female, it's not ear tipped. 

We put out a tub shelter and food, (it's been really cold out)  so Johanne is  liking this location and doesn't want to leave, but it seems more aggressive or "forward" than Hobo, and my husband is afraid Johanne might push Hobo out of the area. Husband even suggested I trap Johanne, but there's not much I can with him or her if I do, relocating would put the new feral at risk. 

I haven't seen any actual fighting, but they do a lot of slow motion stand offs with some yowling. While Hobo was eating this morning, Johanne crouched a few feet away, Hobo complained but eventually gave up and moved off some yards away without getting much food, Johanne moved right in and fed. 

I have zero experience with multiple ferals and how they interact, if anyone would care to share and advise, thanks! 

Jan H. 

You're best bet is to trap and release Johanne (along with rabies and vaccines). That should calm down any hormones and make it easier for Johanne to coexist with Hobo. It is similar to having multiple indoor cats that spaying/neutering helps with the hormones and coexisting. Not to mention that if Johanne is a female she would attract more males into the area once in heat and add to your feral population. 

Cats are more traditionally loners and don't need contact with other cats to feel comfortable. However, when you start feeding ferals you will often attract other ferals with the smells of food. The best thing to do is trap and spay/neuter each newcomer and release back into the area. That will keep the population from growing and you will eventually reach a point where all the local ferals are coming to feed and you won't get many newcomers. They will work out a pecking order and decide to coexist or come and go over time. You may want to set up two feeding spots to prevent problems between Hobo and Johanne when it comes to feeding.

You might want to look into feral colony and TNR (trap-neuter-return) groups for more specifics, tips, etc.

It is a great thing you are doing and I wish you all the best. That you already have shelter set up is a great step and I am sure Hobo and Johanne appreciate it. 

I would definitely trap him/her and be sure that he/she is spayed/neutered.  Hormones cause lots of friction.  Once the hormones are out of the body, it is much easier for them to coexist.  They may even learn to be friends.  It does take time for them to get used to each other, but most will learn to live together.  Yet vet care first.  

Thank you for taking care of the new one.  I would not trap the kitty and release elsewhere.  You want to trap and release back to the same area.  Maybe with vet care you will even find the kitty has been microchipped?

Best of luck.  I hope the new one can learn to acclimate.  

One suggestion if they are having issues eating near one another is to provide two separate eating areas.  

Thanks Kieka and ShadowsRescue, good advice. 

I did set up 2 separate dishes of food this morning, both have been well fed. Guess we should provide 2 more permanent shelters, one (for Hobo) is in the un attached garage, nice insulated tub with straw -- the temp shelter for Johanne is simply a tub with straw & hole cut in it and placed outside near the woodpile where he/she has been hanging out. Tho, with Hobo being more placid, Johanne could take over the better shelter in the garage if he/she discovers it. 

I wonder if the newcomer is not spayed/neutered if that's why it seems more forward in it's interactions with Hobo, or just a personality thing? I will go ahead and trap and spay/neuter. . .luckily we have a clinic here in Ohio, (http://www.ohioalleycat.org) that does it for free. Trapping shouldn't be too much of a problem, hopefully Hobo remembers his journey in the trap and will stay out of it! 

thanks again, 

Jan

How awesome to have a clinic that does it for free.  I am in the Columbus area.  We have low cost spay/neuter clinics that accept ferals ( fortunately without an appointment), but nothing that is free.  Occasionally I find vouchers available.  

I am happy that some of our bitter cold weather is leaving for awhile.  My three ferals live on my deck.  We have a tent like shelter that houses their heated houses.  I could never get them to enter my garage.  

Thank you for helping the ferals!

heated houses, pretty good luck for those ferals! thank you all for taking care of God's critters.