HELP!! Feral Cat Questions

Hi everybody. I'm new to the site. Great place!!! And I'm in desperate need of some expert feral cat advice. I've been feeding a feral for the last couple of months. Long story short: She's gone from being terrified of me to living on my (unheated)back porch, and has turned into a real lovebug (just waits for my "visits"). I always leave the door to outside cracked a bit, so she can come and go as she pleases. Problem: the other day, I noticed that there was a pile of poop on her bedding (where she always sleeps), as well as in the corner of the porch, right next to her food bowl!! I was shocked. I thought animals never pooped where they slept and ate!? Do you think it was another neighborhood cat who came in and "marked" her territory?

Second question: I set up a litterbox for her, with Everclean Unscented litter (I read on a feral cat site to always use unscented litter). Problem: she's never used it. Any suggestions on how to litter-box train her?

Third question: She's scheduled for a vetting next Tuesday and then, hopefully, will be moving to her new, forever home with one human and another feline. She seems to be really interested in other animals--walked right up to my dog and touched his nose, very interested in meeting my cat (a former feral, but who is terrified of other cats), so I'm hoping she'll settle in once she gets used to the new place. Anything my friend and I should know to introduce her to her new home with as less stress as possible?

Sorry for the long-winded entry. Just want to be sure I do everything right as rain. Any advice from you experts out there would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks very much.

Hi, peasandcues. Welcome to TCS. I'm sorry I can't help with your questions, but there are plenty of people on the site who can. Sounds like you're doing well with the feral, and I hope the transition goes smoothly.

Put a little local dirt in the box, usually that gives them the idea. It is however, unnatural, for a kitty to go in the same place every day, if they have theopportunity to go out to poop.. so if she's outdoors (sory if I don't understand?) she simply wont.

Edit: Okay, and for introductions, hissy has an article.. her way really works!
http://www.thecatsite.com/content/view/11/26/

Hi, welcome to TCS! So glad you joined us! Thank you for helping these sweet babies! Hopefully the articles I sent you on introducing your babies will be helpful for you. I would also recommend a Feliway diffuser for your home. Our feral experts will be along shortly, and they will definately have excellent advice for you! I would be so happy to help you in any way as you explore the site, please just click on my user name and send me Private Message!

Hi peas-

Please don't use local dirt- (bugs are in dirt) instead, use organic potting soil. Make sure she has two boxes. Stray cats and ferals do not pee and poop in the same place, it makes them a target for predators, and although you know she isn't going to be preyed upon, she doesn't know this.

Make sure that she has her food and water well away from her litter pans - but she has access to the outside right? So she is probably doing her business there instead of inside. That is more natural for them. The pile of poop was more than likely the stress of captivity- make sure you use a good enzyme cleaner to remove the odor and the stain-

Thank you so much for the advice. I've read your article that Stephanie sent me, and forwarded it to my friend, who will be adopting our little feral. I do have one more question: will this kitty need to have two litter boxes forever? Or will she begin, over time, to pee and poop in the same one? Thank you again.

Thanks! I read the article, which I think will be really, really helpful for my friend.

It really is a good idea to have two litter boxes per cat. It is unnatural to ask them to pee and poop in the same place and especially for strays and ferals it can lead to litter pan issues over time.