Hello all, I'm new here but I've reading for awhile. I need some advice on what to do with this little guy. Some back story: we live in a suburban neighborhood, and I've been taking care of 3 ferals on my front porch for some time, a daddy and his 2 sons - not sure how old they are, maybe just under a year or so? One of the sons has decided to pretty much live here and never leaves. He started trusting us, although we haven't been able to touch him yet. The plan was to trap him, neuter him, and then bring him in with us, (and then TNR the other 2) but so far the little bugger has evaded the trap completely. He is very smart. Recently he started coming in the garage and hanging out with us, and seemed to be getting rather comfortable.
Then last night, he followed me into the house! I was NOT expecting that. I was sure he would want right back out, but to my surprise he didn't, and walked around like he owned the place. That is, until he saw our other 2 cats, and then he went into "OMG freeze" mode. They haven't been at all aggressive towards him, just curious, but he's not having it. He got up on one of the chairs under the dining room table and hasn't moved since. I've got food, water, litter box and a carrier with his bed from outside right near him, but he won't budge. I plugged in a Feliway diffuser in there hoping it will make him feel calmer. But he is so scared he even let my husband pet him! At least, I think that's what's going on - it's hard to read him right now. He's just sitting on the chair calmly, but his eyes look scared and I don't think he's gonna move anytime soon.
Ugh, this was not how it was supposed to go. I'd intended to keep him in a room in the basement for awhile to let him adjust and meet everyone slowly. Things never go quite as planned though, so I guess I need a new plan. Should we just wait it out? I don't want to jeopardize the trust we had, and I feel terrible that he is now essentially trapped in here. On the other hand, maybe this is a good thing since I could not get him in a trap to save my life, so at least I've got him now? I'm just worried this is too much stress for him. Am I doing the right thing? Any advice is appreciated by this worry-wart kitty mama.
Here he is:
Then last night, he followed me into the house! I was NOT expecting that. I was sure he would want right back out, but to my surprise he didn't, and walked around like he owned the place. That is, until he saw our other 2 cats, and then he went into "OMG freeze" mode. They haven't been at all aggressive towards him, just curious, but he's not having it. He got up on one of the chairs under the dining room table and hasn't moved since. I've got food, water, litter box and a carrier with his bed from outside right near him, but he won't budge. I plugged in a Feliway diffuser in there hoping it will make him feel calmer. But he is so scared he even let my husband pet him! At least, I think that's what's going on - it's hard to read him right now. He's just sitting on the chair calmly, but his eyes look scared and I don't think he's gonna move anytime soon.
Ugh, this was not how it was supposed to go. I'd intended to keep him in a room in the basement for awhile to let him adjust and meet everyone slowly. Things never go quite as planned though, so I guess I need a new plan. Should we just wait it out? I don't want to jeopardize the trust we had, and I feel terrible that he is now essentially trapped in here. On the other hand, maybe this is a good thing since I could not get him in a trap to save my life, so at least I've got him now? I'm just worried this is too much stress for him. Am I doing the right thing? Any advice is appreciated by this worry-wart kitty mama.
Here he is: