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I've had a small, gray stray kitty here on and off over the past few months. When it first showed up, it was pretty well-fed and I wasn't overly concerned. It disappeared for a few weeks and then showed up again and was way too skinny. I immediately made sure it was fed and had water. I made a shelter (three of them in three separate areas of my yard, actually, because I have trouble with moderation and I worry!)
The cat is very reticent and will not let anyone touch her. A few nights ago, however, we opened the back door of the house and asked her if she'd like to come in. We left the door open for about 10 minutes and she entered and went straight down into the basement... where she's remained since. I bought one of those running water pet dishes and she's drinking plenty of water. I'm pretty sure she was terribly dehydrated. I offered kibble, boiled chicken, and wet canned food. She seemed to have diarrhea for a couple of days, so she wasn't eating much. I just checked on her a minute ago and she's nestled in the blankets and pillows I put out for her. She seems contented. I only was able to pet her once and she acted as if I were trying to murder her. I sat and chatted with her and she hissed in return, so I think she's feeling a little better. (I don't take it personally. I know cats get scared. I'm actually glad she's feeling a bit more sassy!)
Now the big question is... do we "trick" her into a carrier and take her to a shelter? We really weren't in the market for a new pet. My husband just finished chemo after having gone through a hellish cancer experience and we're both just exhausted. But we are both animal lovers and it feels like she showed up and "chose" us, too. I kind of hate having to make this decision. I suppose it will work itself out in the next few days. As she starts feeling better we'll be able to see if she seems like she likes us or not. I think she's so relieved to be away from the big bruiser tom cats. She nearly got run over in the street the day before I coaxed her into the house. I was so stressed out that I was ready to simply call animal control and have them do whatever they needed to do to save this poor cat.
Do I just keep talking to the cat and give her space until she warms up to me? I don't think she's actually feral... but she certainly doesn't seem to be a coddled cat. She may have had a home and lost it somehow. She doesn't seem upset by noises that the washing machine makes or anything like that, so I don't think houses are alien to her.
It feels a bit like a Silence of the Lambs scenario with this cat in the basement! And she acts as if we're serial killers asking her to put lotion on. I'm like, "I'm bringing you food and water and making comfy beds for you, Kitty! I'm not trying to murder you, for cryin' out loud."
Well Ms Nicci6squirrels, you are a very kind person. I'm with J Bond....a little more time with you talking to her etc. like you've been doing....sounds like cat heaven there.
Do you perhaps have a no-kill shelter nearby?? They might agree to come get it for you using their feral techniques if you explain your situation.
Good to know your husband has completed treatment...it does exhaust patient and all involved.
Thanks, everyone. I just went down to check on her and she must be getting some of her sass back because she took off running. And then I stepped in a pile of poop. Oh, cats. They are stinkers. But I love 'em so much, in spite of it.
I keep telling her that I like her and I think she's super swell and neato.
My husband just asked, "Well, do you think we should go get a pet carrier and take her to the shelter?" And I said, "I don't know! What do you think?" And he said, "I don't know!" I think we'll wait on making a decision. We have a very good shelter here. There is also a woman who runs a cat and kitten rescue who is wonderful about finding the perfect match between pets and humans, so that's an option, as well. I've always kind of wanted a cat who actually wanted to stay in the house and laze around. And we've always ended up with cats who were bound and determined to weasel their way outside, so I was always worried. This one shows absolutely NO interest in going back out there, so maybe she would be okay just hanging out here. We live on a pretty busy street, so I wouldn't want to have a cat who was constantly trying to run outside. I can't tell what type of personality she has yet because she doesn't feel well. I'm just glad she seems to be improving, at least.
I've had a small, gray stray kitty here on and off over the past few months. When it first showed up, it was pretty well-fed and I wasn't overly concerned. It disappeared for a few weeks and then showed up again and was way too skinny. I immediately made sure it was fed and had water. I made a shelter (three of them in three separate areas of my yard, actually, because I have trouble with moderation and I worry!)
The cat is very reticent and will not let anyone touch her. A few nights ago, however, we opened the back door of the house and asked her if she'd like to come in. We left the door open for about 10 minutes and she entered and went straight down into the basement... where she's remained since. I bought one of those running water pet dishes and she's drinking plenty of water. I'm pretty sure she was terribly dehydrated. I offered kibble, boiled chicken, and wet canned food. She seemed to have diarrhea for a couple of days, so she wasn't eating much. I just checked on her a minute ago and she's nestled in the blankets and pillows I put out for her. She seems contented. I only was able to pet her once and she acted as if I were trying to murder her. I sat and chatted with her and she hissed in return, so I think she's feeling a little better. (I don't take it personally. I know cats get scared. I'm actually glad she's feeling a bit more sassy!)
Now the big question is... do we "trick" her into a carrier and take her to a shelter? We really weren't in the market for a new pet. My husband just finished chemo after having gone through a hellish cancer experience and we're both just exhausted. But we are both animal lovers and it feels like she showed up and "chose" us, too. I kind of hate having to make this decision. I suppose it will work itself out in the next few days. As she starts feeling better we'll be able to see if she seems like she likes us or not. I think she's so relieved to be away from the big bruiser tom cats. She nearly got run over in the street the day before I coaxed her into the house. I was so stressed out that I was ready to simply call animal control and have them do whatever they needed to do to save this poor cat.
Do I just keep talking to the cat and give her space until she warms up to me? I don't think she's actually feral... but she certainly doesn't seem to be a coddled cat. She may have had a home and lost it somehow. She doesn't seem upset by noises that the washing machine makes or anything like that, so I don't think houses are alien to her.
It feels a bit like a Silence of the Lambs scenario with this cat in the basement! And she acts as if we're serial killers asking her to put lotion on. I'm like, "I'm bringing you food and water and making comfy beds for you, Kitty! I'm not trying to murder you, for cryin' out loud."
It's cute that you think you played a part in this. The cat chose her humans. She is stuck with you.
Give her a few more days and she'll likely be a new cat!
One year ago today, we trapped a "feral" cat that we brought to the shelter for TNR. Later that night, she seemed so quiet in the carrier that I let her out (in our enclosed porch). She climbed into my lapped and purred.
I was gone. . . and one year later, she is the most amazing girl.
You never know. Give her a chance. She, like our Lucy, chose you for a reason!
It was really windy out last night so she's spooked today. I went down to say hi this morning and she ducked under a shelving unit. She let me pet her head last night when I gave her some chicken. She still acts as if I'm about to murder her in cold blood, in spite of the bringing of food and whispering of sweet nothings. She's a tough little nut.
I have to run errands for most of the day, so I guess the cat will hold down the fort for me.
You have been chosen, congratulations! (You know if you take her to a shelter you'll just worry about her.)
After you've let her adjust to you, you probably do need to get a carrier and take her to a vet - if you can trick her into one. The diarrhea is probably due to worms, which can cause major intestinal issues if not treated. And you probably want to know about the rest of her health, too.
Here's a tip that I've learned from catching and taming lots of feralish barn cats - get a TOP LOADING carrier that you can drop the cat into instead of the regular side loading kind. Leave it out where the cat sleeps for a while so she can get used to it and rub her scent on it. Also, put some newspaper in the carrier and drip a can of sardines all over the newspaper so that she thinks of the carrier as a place where yumminess can happen.
Ferals and strays that have lived outside can become the most loving companions ever!
Best of all wishes to you, and let us know what happens.
Congratulations on the new cat One of my bestest cats was a little grey girl who came in from outside. Sadly she died last year, but she was one awesome kitty.
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