topic Re: Feral miracle in Community Chat

Feral miracle

violann — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:18:54 GMT

I can't decide whether to laugh or cry. We had had a very wild feral at our back door for over a year. We had tried everything to domesticate her/him, but she/he would never allow the touch of our hand. Our one attempt to trap her in a have-a-heart was a disaster- she nearly killed herself trying to get away. Sometimes she'd sleep in the insulated bed we'd made for her, sometimes not. Just after Christmas, when the weather became so brutal, she vanished. We were afraid she'd been attacked and was frightened to come near the porch light. I grieved and mourned for her, and convinced myself that she'd be better off euthanized than suffering. This morning, she came back. We were absolutely overjoyed, but now, again, we join the lives of those who love ferals, never really knowing the best thing to do......

Re: Feral miracle

beastielove — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:20:21 GMT

Clearly this precious kitty has never forgotten all of the TLC that you have given to her so she came back.

Hopefully this time she'll stay with you for good.

------------------------------------------------------

All of my children have paws =^..^=

Re: Feral miracle

Topaz Gem — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:27:44 GMT

You may never tame her, but she knows that she is loved. Talk sweetly to her, feed her food and treats and maybe she'll improve enough so that you can pet her. When you trapped her before, did you have her fixed or was she so violent that you just let her go?

Re: Feral miracle

AnikaBrodie — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:16:26 GMT

Violann, Our neighbors "adopted" a feral cat over four years ago. In all that time, until this year, we could not get near her to even pet her, let alone hold her. This year the bitter cold weather changed all that. We've fed her (and other ferals) for several years always keeping food and milk out on the porch for all the cats. She'd come for the food ... and finally after all these years, allowed us to pet her, then to hold her. Amazing ... after 4 years!

One morning we saw her near the feeder and she was holding up her paws, first the front and then the back. Concerned about frostbite I told my DH, "One way or another, come h*ll or high water, I am bringing that cat in the house." I was really concerned she'd freeze to death because we had sub zero temps at night and it was extremely cold in single digits during the day. I tried on several occasions without success but finally after numerous tries, I got her and brought her in to the basement family room. From the first, I placed a throw on the sofa and a cat bed on top of that and that is still her favorite place to lay. She still goes out often but amazingly will come back when she wants in. I guess "she" adopted us!

So, never give up. They know when they're loved despite their aloofness. The food (dry and wet), treats, milk, water, etc. and hugs are readily available to her. And, to top it off, she now purrs loudly every time we pet or hold her. Success story ...

Re: Feral miracle

rustysmom — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:37:42 GMT

My little feral that I have been feeding since August took awhile before she warmed up enough to me for me to pet her. She is still skittish and will swat at me if I am standing up over her but if I sit down on the steps outside she will come up to me and rub all over me and let me pet her and she just purrs and purrs. We brought her in when it was bitter cold and that only lasted a couple of days, she would not come out from under the bed and not use the litter so we ended up putting her back out. The second time that we had the artic weather, I did not see her for over a week and was so worried about her but she did come back and now she is back to normal, living under our house, waiting on the steps for us when we get home from work so she can eat, hanging around all the time. Don't give up, he/she may just come around yet and let you get close. In my case it took a lot of patience, talking softly to her, and lots of scratches when I tried to touch her, things are not perfect yet, can't pick her up, but if I am sitting I can at least pet her, started out with just being able to pet her tail, now I can pet all of her, rug her neck, back, ears, all of her.

Re: Feral miracle

emmysmom — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:37:07 GMT

I must say that I love and respect all you ladies for the love and support you give these kitties! I have a neighbor that traps the ferral cats and has them spayed/neutered and returns them. She also leaves food out all year long and provides shelter for them. It has been a brutal winter! She used to have 4 cats, now just one in her home. Lately I've found food on my patio, bread, orange slices too, for the squirrels. The racoons visit her too. I told her that she's an angel and I'm so glad I live next door! When I get a job, I am hoping I can buy food for the kitties too, as they walk by my patio door and give Emmy havoc, lol!

Re: Feral miracle

lvenjay — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:14:36 GMT

Violann and all, so nice of you to do this, especially in the cold weather. I am glad she found her way back. Like Topaz Gem, I hope she is spayed.

Good luck and blessings for your big heart!

Re: Feral miracle

beauty junkie — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:23:03 GMT

Bless you for caring for this baby.My hubby and I have been feeding 2 ferals for over 4 years now.The female we call Goldie we never though would ever trust us enough to come close,the male did pretty early on,we call him Pal.It took over a year but Goldie starting getting closer and closer to us,we now pet her,I have picked her up for a mere second but its a miracle.She will rub all over us,I have even played with her with a wand toy.Just be patient and it may happen.MY hubby never thought Goldie would come around but I would spend time talking to her very softly and she came to trust me.We were able to trap Goldie and her fixed,Pal unfortunately is too smart and we have been very unscusessful.We used tuna to lure Goldie into the trap and she walked right in.Threw a blanket over it right away as to help calm her down.She was so scared when the door shut,she pee* right away.I felt terrible but it had to be done.I wish you the best.

Re: Feral miracle

violann — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:52:45 GMT

We think if "she" is really and truly a "she" that she must have been spayed. She was fat and glossy before she took her vacation, but looked as though it was more from Fancy Feast than from anything else. If "she" is a male, "he" is very petite. When it is warmer I will try teasing her to me with treats but that's not a possibility now. They would not have taken her at our vets', and probably would have humanely euthanized her at our local very good shelter. Selfish that it may have been, I couldn't risk that. The hardest part of loving a feral is the unknown....

Re: Feral miracle

Topaz Gem — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 21:06:01 GMT

On 3/4/2014 violann said: We think if "she" is really and truly a "she" that she must have been spayed. She was fat and glossy before she took her vacation, but looked as though it was more from Fancy Feast than from anything else. If "she" is a male, "he" is very petite. When it is warmer I will try teasing her to me with treats but that's not a possibility now. They would not have taken her at our vets', and probably would have humanely euthanized her at our local very good shelter. Selfish that it may have been, I couldn't risk that. The hardest part of loving a feral is the unknown....

The poor kitty was probably abandoned. I don't blame you for not wanting to rock the boat right now. She is back home with you and if/when you can tame her enough to trust you, you can think about having a vet take a look at her then.

I look forward to future updates, Violann. I believe that over time, you will earn her trust and while she may always be skittish, I expect you to report very soon, that you're able to give her a pat every now and then.

Re: Feral miracle

kittymomNC — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 23:05:48 GMT

I just have to thank all of you who try to take care of feral or stray cats! There are just too many cats (and dogs) who need someone to care, and too few people who do. I did manage to rescue one little boy, about 6 months old, who kept coming into my yard. It was in the winter, and I kept putting food out, not knowing if he was the one getting it. Then he started coming close to the house, and took up residence underneath a wrought iron thing that holds firewood behind my house-I could see him from the window. Eventually I found him early one morning in the carrier I put out with blankets inside and out, and food just outside. He started coming closer to me and not running away, so I finally got my vet's Adoption Program to agree to take him, although they were full up at the time. (I've been going there for 25 years-I don't think they could turn me down when I cried about this little cat!) I opened my French doors one morning and put the carrier just inside the door with food in it - he ventured in for the food and I shut the carrier door. He was adopted within two weeks after the vets gave him his shots, neutered, etc. I didn't want to give him up, but my cat with kidney disease is about to break the bank, and she comes first. So thanks to all of you for all you do for these needy little animals!

Re: Feral miracle

violann — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 15:16:48 GMT

Still have hopes! Maggie (named after my mom who was notoriously skittish lol) slept in her protected, insulated bed for at least part of last night and popped out for breakfast as soon as she heard the back door unlocked this morning. She has to be one smart kittie to have survived the weather since she disappeared. SO GLAD to see her again this morning!

Re: Feral miracle

sue52 — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 03:31:26 GMT

I think you guys are the greatest for taking care of feral kitties!

Re: Feral miracle

Feline Fine — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 07:52:01 GMT

Bless you & DH, and sweet (& very smart) little Maggie!

I'm sending up super-positive prayers, good vibes, & groovy energy that she will finally allow herself to get caught by you both. 8)

Please know that you are "doing the best", by the way. Plus, the first skittish Maggie (LOL) is probably helping to guide her namesake closer to you & hubs.

Re: Feral miracle

beastielove — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 15:14:29 GMT

violann..

I love the name Maggie because I once had a beautiful black kitty that I named Maggie. I rescued her and her sister Samantha (who's a beige and brown Tabby) when I found the two of them curled up on a sidewalk, up against a building, near my office. The were barely 2 months old at the time.

About 1 1/2 years ago my beloved Maggie developed a very aggressive and fast moving form of cancer and within five days of being diagnosed I was holding her in my arms at the vet's office, covering her head with kisses and tears as she was getting ready to make her journey to The Bridge.

I pray that your Maggie continues to thrive and that she fills your life with her unconditional kitty love for a long time.

-------------------------------------------------------

All of my children have paws =^..^=

Re: Feral miracle

mewsmomtoo — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 19:56:45 GMT

Hi Violann, thank you so much for caring for this little kitty. I hope you will try to trap him/her. While it's true your local animal care & control will euthanize her if you drop her there, they might have a feral spay/neuter program-many do. If they don't, they likely can refer you to one and depending on how big of a town/city you live in, there are other spay/neuter clinics that will operate on a feral as long as you are willing to have her back. It's called TNR-trap, neuter, return. If you tell me the general area you live in, I will get back to you with some resources. You can also go to www.alleycat.org for more info on TNR and ferals in general. Thanks again for having such a generous heart when it comes to the kitties.

P.S. For those of you trying to trap and not having much luck, I have had success with canned mackerel and Kentucky Fried Chicken (not together LOL). Thanks everybody for all your hard work!

Re: Feral miracle

violann — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 18:26:37 GMT

Thank you, mews. We believe she MAY be a spayed female, hence the name "Maggie". She still acts just as wary as in her previous visit, but now she's been staying in her bed until DH actually opens the door and goes out to get the paper. It's so cute to watch her get up and have a relaxed stretch before breakfast! By summer, I'm still hoping that if I sit still with a smelly treat in my hand I might be able to entice her to come closer to me. We'll see!

Re: Feral miracle

catlvr4 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 04:31:31 GMT

One way to tell if a cat has been spayed/ neutered already is their left ear will be clipped. Meaning the tip of their ear is cut off. We had a kitty show up on Christmas Eve 2012 and her ear was clipped. We brought her into our house about a week later and she has had no problem staying indoors! More power to those of you helping the feral kitties!

Re: Feral miracle

JLLH358 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 12:10:20 GMT

Violann, thank you - and others here - for what you're doing for ferals. They don't ask to be in the situation they are in. It's a human-created problem. I would NEVER consider killing to be better than the life they have. While it's not ideal, as long as they have access to food and shelter and the occasional vet care as needed, they can do fine. (Some are "barn cats" and live just fine on what they catch - and pay their rent by keeping their area free of rodents, lol!) It's not "euthanasia" unless the animal is suffering with no hope of recovery. (How I HATE the use of that word to cover killing for space and the widespread killing of ferals because they're not domesticated! When will our society understand that there is a place for ferals, too? They are NOT a menace that needs to be eradicated, nor do they have the worst life imaginable. It's not ideal by our "domesticated pet" standards, but it's a life and it's theirs and they have every right to it.) Ok - enough ranting. Please don't give up on this baby. She needs you. If you do manage to trap her, please make sure you take her to a vet who comprehends how to work with ferals. If there's a TNR program in your area which works with rescues, there will be one they use. I would NEVER permit my vet, or any other, to kill her because she's not domesticated!!

Re: Feral miracle

violann — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 13:19:13 GMT

We still see our little love about 3 times every day, and she still sleeps sometimes in her custom built insulated sleeping box. She will come to about 3 feet of my hand, but not closer, still better than she was last Fall. The "kill" issue is excruciating to me, because our property is chock full of animals who could be dangerous to Maggie, and having seen the effects of their attacks, I would find it hard to bear her having to endure contact with them. When she came back to us after her absence, there were what looked like healed puncture marks on her back, but I'll never know why. I still believe that if she once experiences the sensation of a gentle ear scratch she will realize that there are loving humans available to her. Hoping so.