We adopted 3 adult ferals from a shelter as barn cats last October. We kept them caged until they seemed relaxed inside them, then let them out into just the heated tack room. Over the course of a few weeks we opened the cat door to the barn, and locked them in at night. When the nice weather came, we let them have free access am/pm. Up until early June, they were coming and going, sometimes not coming back for 2 or 3 days, but always, eventually, coming back and eating their food, napping in their beds (all but one, who had been originally extremely aggressive, who was back and forth for 2 weeks, then we never saw again.) One turned into a love girl, leaving her food for a good petting. I am confused, concerned and heartsick.
They stayed around our barn after a long, careful, and seemingly successful acclimation process, but, have not been seen since early June, nor have they been around for their food.
At first, I assumed it was due to the nice weather and that we may still expect them back eventually. I was told they were probably off living on chipmunks and mice. However, now I am wondering. It is a rural area with hundreds of acres of conservation land, wildlife, etc. and we do have neighbors with cats that go in and out and have been thriving for years. But, there are large eastern coyotes, foxes, fisher cats, etc. all around our state.
We did have a barn cat for 3 years that was also a rescue; was an abused indoor/outdoor cat for 3 years and acclimated beautifully. He was sickly and a nervous wreck when we got him, but he turned into a lovely, healthy, happy and very affectionate boy that we miss to this day. The 3rd year we had him, he started to look straggly, his coat got icky and started having sores again, and just did not look well. I'm not sure if it was a sickness, or stress due to something at our place (wildlife perhaps?). He didn't come back one morning, and we never saw him again. Heartbreaking.
If they are most likely gone, I'm wondering about taking on 3 feral kittens and trying one more time, with more security, locking them in every night. I hate to put more cats in danger, but I'm not sure, behaviorally, if these cats could still be around and return when the weather sets in, or if they are most likely gone for good. We have mice all over, and really could use some good barn cats, and I know of plenty of barns that have cats that live in their barns, as well. Its not like I have dens of coyotes, foxes and predators all over my property. We also have 3 dogs that are fenced near the house, but none of the cats ever seemed too bothered by them.
I would love to hear input from anyone with real knowledge and experience regarding feral behavior. Do I try again? Do I wait to see if they come back, and if so, how long? What do I do, if we try again, to try and ensure more success.
We have rescued dogs, cats and horses, but never ferals. I felt strongly about trying to give these cats a a home where we have so much land, but now, I am perplexed. Any advice, thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcomed! Thanks!
They stayed around our barn after a long, careful, and seemingly successful acclimation process, but, have not been seen since early June, nor have they been around for their food.
At first, I assumed it was due to the nice weather and that we may still expect them back eventually. I was told they were probably off living on chipmunks and mice. However, now I am wondering. It is a rural area with hundreds of acres of conservation land, wildlife, etc. and we do have neighbors with cats that go in and out and have been thriving for years. But, there are large eastern coyotes, foxes, fisher cats, etc. all around our state.
We did have a barn cat for 3 years that was also a rescue; was an abused indoor/outdoor cat for 3 years and acclimated beautifully. He was sickly and a nervous wreck when we got him, but he turned into a lovely, healthy, happy and very affectionate boy that we miss to this day. The 3rd year we had him, he started to look straggly, his coat got icky and started having sores again, and just did not look well. I'm not sure if it was a sickness, or stress due to something at our place (wildlife perhaps?). He didn't come back one morning, and we never saw him again. Heartbreaking.
If they are most likely gone, I'm wondering about taking on 3 feral kittens and trying one more time, with more security, locking them in every night. I hate to put more cats in danger, but I'm not sure, behaviorally, if these cats could still be around and return when the weather sets in, or if they are most likely gone for good. We have mice all over, and really could use some good barn cats, and I know of plenty of barns that have cats that live in their barns, as well. Its not like I have dens of coyotes, foxes and predators all over my property. We also have 3 dogs that are fenced near the house, but none of the cats ever seemed too bothered by them.
I would love to hear input from anyone with real knowledge and experience regarding feral behavior. Do I try again? Do I wait to see if they come back, and if so, how long? What do I do, if we try again, to try and ensure more success.
We have rescued dogs, cats and horses, but never ferals. I felt strongly about trying to give these cats a a home where we have so much land, but now, I am perplexed. Any advice, thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcomed! Thanks!