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[jacques t]

Hello everyone!

I saw a family of cats at my apartment during the cold ohio weather we are having.  I saw them in the parking area under cars. Most likely trying to stay warm.  There was a police officer that was going around doing his rounds and I flagged him down and told him about the cats. He stated that there are thousands of cats.  He'd call in the animal control people to take care of them but a week past and the cats where still there.

So I went out to buy some humane traps and caught all 3.  All in about 15 mins. They were hungry!

I took them over to the local shelter and they were desexed and vaccinated.   And I was told of their genders.

2 males -  one was 2 years and 4 months old, and the other one 8 months.

1 female - 8 months.

The shelter couldn't accept them due to them being feral and too old to try to socialize.  So that told me that TNR process.  I'm sad to release them back in this weather.

I might keep the younger ones.  I hope 8 months isn't too much time past to change their ways.

Would anyone know the best kitty litter to use for them? the one i'm using they dug in the stuff but didn't use it.  they just went on the floor instead. lol

Thanks!

 

[Norachan]

Hi Jacques,

Thank you for trying to help these cats. The police officer was right, there are thousands of stray and feral cats outside. If you can get them all TNR'd you'll be doing a lot to help as kittens will start being born in a few months and then there will be even more hungry, cold cats to worry about. If you put food out regularly the cats will stay in the area and will be a lot healthier, but make sure you can TNR them if you are going to do this. Numbers can increase very quickly. 

Sadly Animal Control euthanize many of the cats they catch. If you need help try Alley Cat Allies or Google local TNR groups in your area.

There is a cat litter called Kitty Attract that is good to start them on. If they pee on the floor again put the tissue you use to clean up with in the litter box. If they can smell their own pee there they will know what to do. Also you should get an enzyme cleaner to clean the floor with as this will remove all traces of smell and they won't pee there again.

 

[StefanZ]

I agree with Norachan advices.

Among them, this with Animal Control, and many shelters.  They usually pts semiferales.   So it was lucky you didnt waited for them, but catched them yourself.

Although if the cat is handleable, not even Animal Control always pts them.

Good also, the shelter although themselves not working with semiferales, did helped you with this neutering and vaccining.   Apparently they do cooperate with the TNR movement.

Shelters who dont so, often pts admitted semiferales.  So if you want them to live, you must be sure.

Anyways, these dangers are  behind you and them now.

So you have these two options now, return them back on their own, along the lines of TNR, or have them with you, for fostering.

You dont mention they are especially vicious nor even wild or nervous inside.  So I do presume it could be entirely possible to foster them all, having enough with time, patience, love, etc.

But being practical, and having limited resources, I do agree with you, this is a good compromise:  Let the youngest, still kitten, be with you for fostering.

And the older ones, who surely are used to live and survive on their own, let them out back again. Their life as  neutered/spayed will be much easier.

If you have some practical possibility to help them outside, its swell, they will do OK, considering.  

The world is now a tiny trifle better now.   

Good luck!

 

[astrael]

Try putting dirt in the litter box. That's where they think they should go. It's worked well here. Thank you so much for helping those poor babies!

Are you able to make a shelter for the one you'll be releasing? Remember, cats bond to their family and might have trouble being separated. My family has socialized old feral toms before. Having younger ones bond with you would encourage the older one.

Many ferals are extremely grateful to be saved from the struggles of outdoor life. There is a chance he might be a stray as well. Males do tend to be more outgoing. Either way, best of luck to you and your rescues!

 

[rayd]

I have had incredible success with ferals of all ages. Do your best to help the ones you can. I use a litter called blue buffalo it's made out of walnut shells resembles dirt. Never have had a problem. It's biodegradeable last a while and is not expensive.

 

[shadowsrescue]

If you decide to release them back to their environment, you can continue to care for them.  Provide a shelter as well as food for them.  Shelters can be quite inexpensive.  All you need is a large rubbermaid container and some straw.  They will huddle up inside together.  Search the internet for feral cat winter shelters. There are so many ideas.  You did the best thing for them in having them spayed/neutered.

Many of us have worked with ferals and socialized them to a degree.  Each cat is individual.  It takes lots of time and patience, but it can be done.  A few basic tips:

1.  Sit on the floor (do not loom over them). 

2.  Talk quietly to them and let them know you care

3.  Bring them a yummy treat whenever you see them.  They may not eat it in your presence, but they will associate you with something good.

4.  Don't make direct eye contact, keep you gaze over their head or down.

If you decide to keep them inside, make sure the room is cat proofed.  Pick mattresses off the floor or lay them flat on the floor.  One of the first places a cat will run is under the bed.  Also watch behind bookcases or dressers.  Yet do have a safe hiding place such as an old box with a cozy blanket or even a cat tree with a hiding hole.  If you keep them inside, they will need a room of their own for awhile.  This is until they are used to indoor living. 

Do you have any other pets to worry about?

Thank you so much for caring.  I too am in Ohio and this weather is just awful.  We are bracing for more bone chilling cold today through Friday.

 

[jacques t]

20150218_200106.jpg

• jacques t
• Feb 18, 2015

This is a pic of one of the feral cat I rescued.  I named her Yuki.  She tolerates me for about 30 mins to an hour and then jumps up on the window ledge and hides behind the blinds.  This is just day 2 of her being indoors.  I had to release the 2 males.  They were aggressively defensive when i tried to check on them in their cages.

 

[jacques t]

I appreciate so much support! To answer some questions:

- I had all the cats TNR'd.  Except for Yuki that is.  For some reason, she does go on super defensive mode with me like the males did.

- Yuki made one mess in the corner and I cleaned it up, then I moved the box to that corner she had gone.  The next day, I didn't see any accidents, and the litter was trampled around in.  

- I live in an apartment complex.  The wouldn't allow a feral cat home on the premises.  They consider them pests.

- I purchased a cage for a medium sized dog and covered it with a blanket and put a blanket inside it.  She hasn't gone in it yet.  She cowers in the corner of the room. 

- I don't have any other pets.  I used to have a rescue kitten that i had for close to a year.  My ex took her out of spite when she moved out

 

[Norachan]

Good job getting them all TNR'd. 

 The boys will be much safer now that they've been fixed. neutered male cats don't wander or get into fights like tom cats do.

Are you going to try and feed them even if you can't build them a shelter? I used to live in an apartment block that didn't like feral cats. I used to sneak down after midnight to feed them and then make sure everything was cleaned up once they'd eaten. Is there a quiet area or a park close to your apartment building that you could feed them in? If you can feed them off the apartment block premises and make sure no one sees you doing it you shouldn't get any complaints. 

Be careful though, if you think the landlords might call Animal Control it's better not to start feeding.

What are your plans for Yuki chan? If she's already happy to be in the same room as you for an hour you've got a good chance of socialising her. If you go and sit in the room and talk softly to her for an hour or two every day she'll get used to you. Take a book or your PC in there and just hang out and let her know you're friendly. Try not to make eye contact with her at first and take her something tasty so that she associates you with good things.

Good luck, let us know if you need any more help.

 

[jacques t]

Thanks so much!  

I don't think the apartment cares much.  There are people at the place that are leaving food for the cats originally.  I'm worried however.  Since releasing the boys this morning, I haven't seen them when I came home tonight.  And it's cold and blowing out there.

As far as Yuki-chan, if she can accept me, she's got a forever home.  I had to adjust the cage in the room to be in the corner where she was cowering all the time.  I just checked and she's inside it and on the comfy blanket that was in there.  I placed a knitted blanket on the top and sides of the cage to make it seem like a cave for her to feel safe in.

 

[jacques t]

Oh.. I don't know if she's happy or not.  All I have observed is that she's chill when i'm in the room and not going bat-s**t crazy like her male counterpart did.  When he got out of the cage he was running all over the place to escape.  But with her, when opened the cage, I hid and observed. . She just trotted out of the cage and explored a bit. lol  She also didn't cower away or bolt from one end of the trap to the other when I used my finger to pet her.  

 

[StefanZ]

 
As far as Yuki-chan, if she can accept me, she's got a forever home.  I had to adjust the cage in the room to be in the corner where she was cowering all the time.  I just checked and she's inside it and on the comfy blanket that was in there.  I placed a knitted blanket on the top and sides of the cage to make it seem like a cave for her to feel safe in.

A cage is really too big for them, if you want her to have it as her  hide.   They want something more tight.  Its an instinct for them, to hide in "skintight" hideouts.  Put in a cat igloo into the cage, or a little sideturned cardboard box, with a blanket or towel in the bottom.   Then it will be perfect.

Both her safe and cozy hideout, and also, her security zone in the cage as such.

 

[jacques t]

Thanks Stefanz!

I got a cat carrier that will fit that bill.  I'll get that done when I go home tonight.  My biggest concern is that she is not touching her food or water since Monday evening.  The day she got spayed.  I am getting worried that she is going thru a hunger strike.  Or depressed, that she doesn't have her feral buddies around anymore. (returned them back where i found them).  I'm tempted of taking her to a vet.  But people say with female cats that were spayed, it takes a few days for them to recover.

 

[shadowsrescue]

You can try and encourage her to eat by using some really stinky wet food or even tuna.  You can heat it up a bit so it releases its scent.  Mince the tuna very fine and pour the juice over it.  When she laps it up, she might get some of the tuna pieces.  I also use stinky wet cat food and pour warmed low sodium chicken broth over it. 

She does need to start eating soon.  Just take her the warmed food and leave her alone for awhile and see if she doesn't eat some of it.

 

[jacques t]

It worked Shadow!

I used tuna (packed in water) and poured low sodium chicken broth. I warmed it up to release the odor of the meal.   She didn't eat it in my presence but I left for an hour and came back and the dish was licked clean.  I made another dish for her before I went to bed and same thing this morning.  Licked clean, and the bowl of dry had been touched too.  So I made another dish of tuna/broth before I left.

 

[shadowsrescue]

 
It worked Shadow!

I used tuna (packed in water) and poured low sodium chicken broth. I warmed it up to release the odor of the meal.   She didn't eat it in my presence but I left for an hour and came back and the dish was licked clean.  I made another dish for her before I went to bed and same thing this morning.  Licked clean, and the bowl of dry had been touched too.  So I made another dish of tuna/broth before I left.

Yea!!!  Now switch her back to cat food.  You can still add a bit of chicken broth, but gradually phase that out too.  She is on her way!!!

 

[jacques t]

Another concern I have is I haven't seen her groom herself.  With her being outside for 7 to 8 months, I don't think she's ever had a bath.  Any suggestions on how to give her a bath or is it too early to do something like that?  Or I could take the her to a groomer clean her thoroughly.

 

[shadowsrescue]

I wouldn't give her a bath at all.  Cats typically do not need to be bathed.  I am sure she is grooming herself.  Most cats groom after eating and since you haven't seen her eat, you aren't seeing her groom herself.  Feral cats keep themselves very very clean.  If you bathe her, she will freak out.  As long as she isn't covered in poop, don't groom.  Also don't take her to a groomer.  That would certainly traumatize her.

Also since she is stressed, grooming would certainly only be when she is quiet and comfortable, most likely when you are not around.

 

[Norachan]

 
I wouldn't give her a bath at all.  Cats typically do not need to be bathed.  I am sure she is grooming herself.  Most cats groom after eating and since you haven't seen her eat, you aren't seeing her groom herself.  Feral cats keep themselves very very clean.  If you bathe her, she will freak out.  As long as she isn't covered in poop, don't groom.  Also don't take her to a groomer.  That would certainly traumatize her.

Also since she is stressed, grooming would certainly only be when she is quiet and comfortable, most likely when you are not around.

 Cats don't need to be bathed unless they are very sick or have got themselves covered in something toxic. None of my cats has ever had a bath, they can keep themselves clean. Trips to the groomers are for those very well behaved fully domesticated kitties that have lived with people all their lives. Not for feisty little feral kitties like we care for.

Like Shadow's Rescue said, she is grooming herself, just not when you are around. Once she does get comfortable enough to groom herself while you are in the room you know she is starting to accept you. That's a good sign.

 

[jacques t]

That's true.  However, she's got grime and soot from being in car engines.  I can smell faint odor of gas/oil in her fur.