Friendly Feral

patiw

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There are 4 feral kittens that reside under my front porch steps. They are just over 4 months. After Mama left them on their own, they have come to recognize my voice when it is time to eat. One kitty, Scooter, is very friendly. She will "talk" to me, I can pick her up and hold her, she will brush up against my hand, sometimes she will purr when I hold her, and she will Knead her paws. The other kitties are much more shy, and I cannot touch any of them. I am seriously thinking about taking Scooter in. She has taken food from my 17 yr. old son, and my 20 yr. old daughter has held Scooter on her lap. I would have to adopt her out, but I can foster her until the time comes. I never knew a feral kitten could be so loving. Is this unusual? I'm looking for advice. I have done this before, but with a stray cat, and got her adopted out. I have a spare bedroom, a dog crate, etc, etc. We have a dog (he's in the kitchen and den), and 3 indoor adult cats (16, 6 and 2). Should I take her in, or leave her with her littermates? I am planning to have them all neutered next month through our local TrapNeuterRelease program.
Thanks!!!
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by patiW

There are 4 feral kittens that reside under my front porch steps. They are just over 4 months. After Mama left them on their own, they have come to recognize my voice when it is time to eat. One kitty, Scooter, is very friendly. She will "talk" to me, I can pick her up and hold her, she will brush up against my hand, sometimes she will purr when I hold her, and she will Knead her paws. The other kitties are much more shy, and I cannot touch any of them. I am seriously thinking about taking Scooter in. She has taken food from my 17 yr. old son, and my 20 yr. old daughter has held Scooter on her lap. I would have to adopt her out, but I can foster her until the time comes. I never knew a feral kitten could be so loving. Is this unusual? I'm looking for advice. I have done this before, but with a stray cat, and got her adopted out. I have a spare bedroom, a dog crate, etc, etc. We have a dog (he's in the kitchen and den), and 3 indoor adult cats (16, 6 and 2). Should I take her in, or leave her with her littermates? I am planning to have them all neutered next month through our local TrapNeuterRelease program.
Thanks!!!
I would try to trap them all and keep them indoors until you can have them spayed/neutered. This way, you can work on socializing all of them.

Katie
 

momofmany

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Most of the cats in my house were born feral and you can't tell it by how loving they are. If you can get all of them inside, socialize them all and find them homes, they will be better off in the long run. Ferals, even when fixed and cared for lead a more dangerous life than an indoor cat.

How wonderful of you to care about these babies!
 

beckiboo

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Sounds like you have done a good job with her. She will likely make a wonderful pet for someone, and will live a longer safer life inside. Do be careful to have her vet-checked before you let her with your other cats. And it certainly would be worth a try to tame the others. Since they have seen you working with their sister, they already have some trust of humans.

You have come to the right place to learn more about taming little wild creatures!
 

jen

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Wow thats great that you got her so social! Now you have to work on the others! I would bring them all in, trap them and everything and keep them seperate and try to socialize the others. Not only for socializatio reasons but if they are over 4 months then if any are females, they can be getting pregnant soon. And the second they can, they will, even if there are mixed males and females in the litter. Good luck!
 
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