Hello. I am a cat and dog person, presently with 3 big dogs. They were raised with Cocoa, my Siamese, and Lacey, all black, found in a factory abandoned. She was so small we thought she was a kitten. Turned out she had her second teeth, so my vet placed her at about 6 months. Both Lacey and Cocoa passed in the last few years from cancer at ages 15 and 17. It's just been our 3 doggies, for 2 years till now.
Early spring a cat showed up under my bird feeder. I chased him away assuming he was one of our neighbors many inside/outside cats after the birds. My husband saw him several times after that by the shed, and called me down to look at him. He was very thin and scared. We realized he wasn't one of neighbor's fat cats and needed help. We put some left over chicken and a can of tuna and water by the shed. After we left and came into the house, we watched him gulp it down. That was in April.
I went to the store and bought him canned food, dry food, and treats. Faithfully after work, I took his dinner out and sat it by the shed and called "Here kitty kitty". First, I sat on the ground by the house. He was scared to eat with me in sight, but finally did. Every day I would move a foot closer always sitting down, and talking to him the whole time he ate. He never missed coming to eat. By November I could sit 3 foot away while he ate.
It was cold and raining, so I decided to see if I could get him to eat in our garage. It's a double, connected to our house, no cars, my husbands workshop. I left the garage door open with his food right outside the door. He was nervous when I called to come up but he did and ate. Then every day I moved his food a little more into the garage. At half way in, we got a nasty cold, windy day. Decided to pull the garage door down on top of a paint can. Wasn't sure if he would come in such a small space. He came in a little, than ran out and kept looking at me. Had to move his food closer to the door again to get him in. Finally got him to come half way in with the door almost closed. Inch by inch.
November 20th, was nasty weather. While he was eating my husband closed the garage door. He tried to bolt out but didn't make it. For 2 days he hid in the garage. Wouldn't even eat, but made no attemp to escape, or meow. Just hid. Put a litter box out with dirt and leaves in it. Used it faithfully and finally started eating.
Now it is January and progress has stopped since he came in, other than him finally deciding his soft kitty bed is a nice place to be. The garage is heated. It connects to our family room so he hears us all the time. Plus we are always going in there for firewood and soda and water that are in a refrigerator in there. We have opened the garage doors many times to bring in firewood. He has no desire to leave. In fact, he gets scared when he hears the door open and hides under a tool chest.
He has this 2 foot limit he won't let me pass. Everytime I try to pet him, at 2 feet he shows his teeth with a small hiss. Once, I reached in closer. I got a double swat, but no biting. He is not declawed. Had 2 little holes in my fingers bleeding.
He is young. His teeth are pure white. I figure 1 year. He has gained weight and is looking real good. I'm worried because he needs his shots and to be neutered. I was hoping by now, he would trust me and I could take him to our vet. I hate the thought of a trap and losing all his trust. I don't know if my vet even deals with ferals. I'm so scared he would get hurt or take off if confined by a vet now.
Sorry this is so long. 9 months worth. Advice please.
Early spring a cat showed up under my bird feeder. I chased him away assuming he was one of our neighbors many inside/outside cats after the birds. My husband saw him several times after that by the shed, and called me down to look at him. He was very thin and scared. We realized he wasn't one of neighbor's fat cats and needed help. We put some left over chicken and a can of tuna and water by the shed. After we left and came into the house, we watched him gulp it down. That was in April.
I went to the store and bought him canned food, dry food, and treats. Faithfully after work, I took his dinner out and sat it by the shed and called "Here kitty kitty". First, I sat on the ground by the house. He was scared to eat with me in sight, but finally did. Every day I would move a foot closer always sitting down, and talking to him the whole time he ate. He never missed coming to eat. By November I could sit 3 foot away while he ate.
It was cold and raining, so I decided to see if I could get him to eat in our garage. It's a double, connected to our house, no cars, my husbands workshop. I left the garage door open with his food right outside the door. He was nervous when I called to come up but he did and ate. Then every day I moved his food a little more into the garage. At half way in, we got a nasty cold, windy day. Decided to pull the garage door down on top of a paint can. Wasn't sure if he would come in such a small space. He came in a little, than ran out and kept looking at me. Had to move his food closer to the door again to get him in. Finally got him to come half way in with the door almost closed. Inch by inch.
November 20th, was nasty weather. While he was eating my husband closed the garage door. He tried to bolt out but didn't make it. For 2 days he hid in the garage. Wouldn't even eat, but made no attemp to escape, or meow. Just hid. Put a litter box out with dirt and leaves in it. Used it faithfully and finally started eating.
Now it is January and progress has stopped since he came in, other than him finally deciding his soft kitty bed is a nice place to be. The garage is heated. It connects to our family room so he hears us all the time. Plus we are always going in there for firewood and soda and water that are in a refrigerator in there. We have opened the garage doors many times to bring in firewood. He has no desire to leave. In fact, he gets scared when he hears the door open and hides under a tool chest.
He has this 2 foot limit he won't let me pass. Everytime I try to pet him, at 2 feet he shows his teeth with a small hiss. Once, I reached in closer. I got a double swat, but no biting. He is not declawed. Had 2 little holes in my fingers bleeding.
He is young. His teeth are pure white. I figure 1 year. He has gained weight and is looking real good. I'm worried because he needs his shots and to be neutered. I was hoping by now, he would trust me and I could take him to our vet. I hate the thought of a trap and losing all his trust. I don't know if my vet even deals with ferals. I'm so scared he would get hurt or take off if confined by a vet now.
Sorry this is so long. 9 months worth. Advice please.