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Winny, is one out of a litter of 4 kittens and a tame mother cat that were found by neighborhood women about 9 years ago. I did not live here at the time.
The mother and kittens were all neutered. Mother and 2 kittens were adopted by people in the neighborhood and became indoor cats. Winny and her brother were left outside. The brother died within a year outside.
Winny has been living outdoors (northern Illinois) ever since. One of the women fed Winny for years but moved out of state last year.
Winny has found her way to my home. I've been feeding her and did the best I could to provided a safe place to stay. I have a vegetable trug on my patio which is covered with a large black zippered canvas. Under the trug I place a feral cat house which is lined with silver heat reflecting material filled with straw. I also bought her the Kitty Tube which she doesn't use, except to sit on top of it to sun herself.
Winny meows, purrs and will rub herself around my legs. I can actually pet her as she arches her back for me to do so. She is a long haired cat and last year her fur was so matted I bought a shedding blade to comb her. She sits at my window and let's me know she is there as she starts pawing at the screen.
I've been in communication with a TNR group who will try to place her if I can catch her and provide foster care for her until they have an opening. I can't keep her as I have 2 small Chihuahuas and my family members have cat allergies.
I bought a dog crate for the fostering and needed supplies. I have tried a feral cat trap but she won't get near it. I tried to get her to walk into a carrier and entice her with food but she'll have nothing to do with it.
My neighborhood is a highly wooded area and there are other cats out there several whom have chased Winny away. More concerning are the other wild animals which include coyotes.
This morning a black and white cat chased Winny who run under the trug. When I opened the garage door the black and white cat ran away and Winny ran into my garage. I sat out there for an hour hoping she would check out the crate but was too frightened. I opened the garage door and out she went. Now we're back to square one. I have an outside camera so have been able to view a lot of the activity of other cats and animals wandering through my yard.
Sometimes, I'm not sure if I should try to continue to catch her or let her continue with her life outdoors as she has for so many years. Suggestions and opinions would be great! Thanks!
Winny, is one out of a litter of 4 kittens and a tame mother cat that were found by neighborhood women about 9 years ago. I did not live here at the time.
The mother and kittens were all neutered. Mother and 2 kittens were adopted by people in the neighborhood and became indoor cats. Winny and her brother were left outside. The brother died within a year outside.
Winny has been living outdoors (northern Illinois) ever since. One of the women fed Winny for years but moved out of state last year.
Winny has found her way to my home. I've been feeding her and did the best I could to provided a safe place to stay. I have a vegetable trug on my patio which is covered with a large black zippered canvas. Under the trug I place a feral cat house which is lined with silver heat reflecting material filled with straw. I also bought her the Kitty Tube which she doesn't use, except to sit on top of it to sun herself.
Winny meows, purrs and will rub herself around my legs. I can actually pet her as she arches her back for me to do so. She is a long haired cat and last year her fur was so matted I bought a shedding blade to comb her. She sits at my window and let's me know she is there as she starts pawing at the screen.
I've been in communication with a TNR group who will try to place her if I can catch her and provide foster care for her until they have an opening. I can't keep her as I have 2 small Chihuahuas and my family members have cat allergies.
I bought a dog crate for the fostering and needed supplies. I have tried a feral cat trap but she won't get near it. I tried to get her to walk into a carrier and entice her with food but she'll have nothing to do with it.
My neighborhood is a highly wooded area and there are other cats out there several whom have chased Winny away. More concerning are the other wild animals which include coyotes.
This morning a black and white cat chased Winny who run under the trug. When I opened the garage door the black and white cat ran away and Winny ran into my garage. I sat out there for an hour hoping she would check out the crate but was too frightened. I opened the garage door and out she went. Now we're back to square one. I have an outside camera so have been able to view a lot of the activity of other cats and animals wandering through my yard.
Sometimes, I'm not sure if I should try to continue to catch her or let her continue with her life outdoors as she has for so many years. Suggestions and opinions would be great! Thanks!
