Hi all, my partner and I offered a (backyard) home to a feral cat who was trapped by a rescuer. They had him neutered and vetted but didn’t feel his situation was safe for him to be returned to. He is acclimating with us now. (We have both had pet cats before but have never cared for ferals.)
He is approximately 2-3 years old and came from a situation with one other adult (a female who has managed to avoid being trapped) and kittens (young enough to be socialized).
He was understandably terrified and highly stressed at first, but now he seems much calmer, will stay in the outer part of his enclosure when I’m around rather than hiding (though not without some hissing when he thinks I’m too close for his comfort), will eat in my presence, etc. Early on he did a fair amount of yowling at night; lately he meows a small amount at night but to my ears it doesn’t sound as plaintive.
My question: His rescuer thinks he would be happier if we also took in another (unrelated) adult feral male. Do you have thoughts/advice either way on this?
I know that ferals are commonly found in colonies, and that many “barn cat” programs require adoption of two or more cats. But we’re also concerned about adding in an unknown variable — this would be a “stranger” cat, arriving at the point where the first cat is nearly fully acclimated. And we’ve also read that males may be somewhat less inclined than females to be closely bonded with others in a colony (true?).
I know the situation could play out several ways (he might bond and love a new cat, they could tolerate each other, hate each other, one might run the other off or take off himself in search of new territory). But does anyone have a sense at what might be most likely, or what you would recommend based on your experience?
I’d hate for this guy to be lonely, or to take off in search of friends once he’s released, if we don’t add another cat. But I’d also hate for him to feel threatened by a new cat in a space that he is otherwise starting to feel comfortable in, and take off in search of his own space. Is one option a safer bet?
Apologies for the ramble and thanks so much for any advice you can offer!!
He is approximately 2-3 years old and came from a situation with one other adult (a female who has managed to avoid being trapped) and kittens (young enough to be socialized).
He was understandably terrified and highly stressed at first, but now he seems much calmer, will stay in the outer part of his enclosure when I’m around rather than hiding (though not without some hissing when he thinks I’m too close for his comfort), will eat in my presence, etc. Early on he did a fair amount of yowling at night; lately he meows a small amount at night but to my ears it doesn’t sound as plaintive.
My question: His rescuer thinks he would be happier if we also took in another (unrelated) adult feral male. Do you have thoughts/advice either way on this?
I know that ferals are commonly found in colonies, and that many “barn cat” programs require adoption of two or more cats. But we’re also concerned about adding in an unknown variable — this would be a “stranger” cat, arriving at the point where the first cat is nearly fully acclimated. And we’ve also read that males may be somewhat less inclined than females to be closely bonded with others in a colony (true?).
I know the situation could play out several ways (he might bond and love a new cat, they could tolerate each other, hate each other, one might run the other off or take off himself in search of new territory). But does anyone have a sense at what might be most likely, or what you would recommend based on your experience?
I’d hate for this guy to be lonely, or to take off in search of friends once he’s released, if we don’t add another cat. But I’d also hate for him to feel threatened by a new cat in a space that he is otherwise starting to feel comfortable in, and take off in search of his own space. Is one option a safer bet?
Apologies for the ramble and thanks so much for any advice you can offer!!