does anyone know if a abandoned and gone feral cat can be a house cat? First i would have to get my neighbor to trap it then get it fixed. anyway the cat is black and has a bobtail. It is bigger than my dog
and it is wild
I have always kept stray dogs that were abandoned but they were puppys and so easy to feed and catch
The puppies worked out because they were puppies. I have had feral cats, they don't do well inside, as they have been outside hunting all their lives, cats are very much more predators than dogs in that respect.
There is a "time frame" in an animal's life where they learn to be with humans, be handled, petted, and not destroy furniture, curtains, etc.
Best thing you can do for this one is probably to try to provide a "safe" place where they could sleep, i.e. a small box a few feet off the ground, but where they could also look out, and
have openings at both ends so they don't feel trapped, or get trapped, if confronted by another animal. And you can of course feed them there, put a small soft blanket there, etc.
I have used large plastic bins and had holes large enough for them to crawl thru routed (like doorknob holes) into both sides. NOt too big either, but big enough for them to crawl thru. Then you put the top back on , try to get an opaque one of course! Thicker plastic is a good insulator, and the containers need to be not too big, as the animal's body heat in a small space will keep them warm.
However, 9 timees out of 10 they do not end up using it.
Since I have worked in rescue a long time, both with wildlife as well as cats and dogs, I have had to develop a philosophy that, like us, animals have their own karma or destiny or whatever yuy wish to to call it based on your spiritual beliefs. Sometimes, we just have no options but to let that play out. Cuz it will anyway.
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Most animals have such keen instincts,, compared to ours, so I have a lot more trust in them than most people anyway.
I am not telling you not to try to tame the feral cat. I am saying that even once you gain their trust, depending on HOW LONG they have lived outside, living "inside" really may not be an option for them.
I have one here. He is very strong. And very smart. He tried bullying my domestic cats for 2 years, and learned that doesn't get him what he wants from me. He eats with them out on the porch when my cats are outside. My cats were both feral kittens, so I was able to teach them a bit. They are still very "uncomfortable" in the house, though they do come in when they wish. They have a fabulous "condo" that is heated on the covered porch, and my dogs bark like crazy if ANYTHING comes around here, so the cats are pretty safe. They never seem to go more than 50 feet from the cabin
but this feral male, he is NEVER going to be a cat you can hold, pet, etc.
