What to do about Feral Cat (home, neighborhood, food)

[NicoleSam]

Hello Everyone,

I am not sure if anyone here can give me any advice on this.

About a week ago a feral cat that has been in the neighborhood for years started staying in my backyard. After a few days of noticed it staying by my deck I was concerned at gave it some food and water (outside). Ever since then it will go on my steps and look for food so I give it more.

I am very concerned now that this was the wrong thing to do. I am very worried that other cat's will start coming, or other animals. I am carful to ensure that I get rid of any extra food at night though.

My question is, since I have already fed the cat for a week will it be bad for the cat if I stop feeding him/her. I am worried the cat will starve and am unsure why it was staying in my yard to begin with.

Has anyone ever gone through this or have any advice for me regarding this? I have contacted some TNR organizations but have not received any calls/emails back.

Thank's in advance

[30to66at55]

Stop feeding it if you dont want it to stay around.

Go to the city data pet forums and ask your question. Maybe they will know.

[bellakin123]

Originally Posted by NicoleSam

Hello Everyone,

I am not sure if anyone here can give me any advice on this.

About a week ago a feral cat that has been in the neighborhood for years started staying in my backyard. After a few days of noticed it staying by my deck I was concerned at gave it some food and water (outside). Ever since then it will go on my steps and look for food so I give it more.

I am very concerned now that this was the wrong thing to do. I am very worried that other cat's will start coming, or other animals. I am carful to ensure that I get rid of any extra food at night though.

My question is, since I have already fed the cat for a week will it be bad for the cat if I stop feeding him/her. I am worried the cat will starve and am unsure why it was staying in my yard to begin with.

Has anyone ever gone through this or have any advice for me regarding this? I have contacted some TNR organizations but have not received any calls/emails back.

Thank's in advance

I constantly have strays coming through and making themselves cozy in the patches of sun on the lawn. They just do. No rhyme or reason. They take residence anywhere they feel like. Feral cats seem to survive well. Lots of people tend to feed strays and they rumage through garbage. The guy across the street from me feeds one of the strays. He seems to have taken a liking to the cat and vice versa. The cat, however, wants nothing to do with being inside the house. The cat sits there and waits. He only feeds this one particular cat and we never see any others waiting outside his door for food. It's hard to get rid of the cat now but if you really want it gone, you have to stop feeding it. If you don't mind feeding just the one, be sure to get rid of the can or plate as soon as it's done and don't leave food outside when you're not home. You can feed it around your schedule if you're ok with that. If you want them completely gone I suggest using a repellant. I use Bonide Shotgun Repells All granules. I just sprinkle it in the front, side and back of the house. It works rather well. A bit stinky at first but then it fades and you don't need to reapply very often.

[Zen88]

Of course we feel bad when we see a starving animal, and we want to feed it. But the result is it keeps coming back, and there's more and more of them, all starving and dependent on us. As horrible as this will sound, it's better to ignore the cat, or take it in if it lets you. It can and does happen. There are groups that catch and spay/neuter them and re-release them, but it's a slow process. It's difficult, I completely understand the desire to feed them, I've done it myself.

[jak0lantern01]

Adopt the kitty. If it warms up to you, it will probably become your best friend. I've done this with feral cats in the past, it just takes a little time.

[LoveMyKats]

DM sent. If you monitor the feeding and not leave food outside you won't be bothered by other cats. It will warm up to you the best it can and you could provide a nice home for it with an outdoor insulated shelter. Check the left ear for a tip or notch. If not it may not be spayed/neutered. Get it trapped then spay/neuter by a vet that works with ferals. Good Luck!

[lubby]

I can't stand cats so if I saw feral cat I certainly would not feed it.If it kept coming back then I would call an animal shelter.