Just Trapped a Semi Feral Cat...what to do???

Baroness Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

I have been helping a friend to feed a colony of stray/feral cats in a city neighborhood near my upstate New York home. There are two kittens in this area that we had hoped to trap and rehabilitate. Well, as luck would have it, a bigger cat was trapped and I have her at my house, living in my bathroom. She is under a year old. I was tempted to release her and try again to get the kittens but my heart melted and I took her home. Needless to say, she is PETRIFIED. I have rescued and rehomed several cats from the urban neighborhood where I teach, but I have never met a cat so absolutely terrified of people.

I am at a loss for what to do with this kitty as she is very scared, but she is also beginning to trust. She has come out of her hiding spot in my bathroom and has eaten and used the litter box when we are not around. I know the longer she stays the more she will trust, but I have no idea how long it will take. I want to have her fixed but I don't know whether I should release her back to her colony or really work to rehab her. Another option is for me to release her near my rural home where there will be food and shelter, but no colony.

PLEASE advise!

Marchioness Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 1056

it sounds like she has not been feral to long since she is using her litter and eating for you.This is good. Can you pick her Up? If you can you should take her to your vet for a check up and have her spay or neutered.. the vet will let you know when that would be good to do. I would put her in a room where she can be alone and get use to your home and you. Bunny , my stray I just rescued is in a very large dog crate. she has a kitty bed, litter, food, water, toys.. lots of room and is safe. I took her to the vet and she was treated for broken feet and sore face, had has her shots, two weeks later she was spayed. Bunny is more afraid then yours is. It took me weeks just to touch her, and now she lets me pet her, brush her, she purrs and is mewing finally. It takes a long while for them to trust you.. every day they learn to trust a little more. it can be discouraging for sure. but so worth it when they purr, or let you pet them, or they keep thier ears up.. but most important thing is to have your vet check her out.. keep her isolated from your other pets.. and remember one baby step at a time.. where in upper New York do you live, I live in Watertown NY.

Baroness Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

I had a friend help me get the kitty into a carrier tonight for a spay/neuter/exam appointment tomorrow morning. She is just hiding, not hissing or spitting, ears are not back. It was quite easy to get her into the carrier; I was surprised.

I am having angst about what to do with this kitty....should I release her back into her colony? She is beautiful, but I cannot keep her.

I live in Walworth NY which is about 30 minutes east of Rochester. I attended college in Potsdam, which is near Watertown.

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:22 am

That's a tough one - but it looks like she is starting to very slowly trust you, can you not keep for on a permanant basis? It would be upsetting i think for her to be tamed and learn to trust and love you only for you to have to turn her over to someone else. I am sure your vet will advice you on what to do for the best.

Good Luck

Princess Joined: 30 Jul 2008 Posts: 7094

I have no experience in this area but wish you good luck! You have received good advice here and I hope it helps you.

Marchioness Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 1056

I have family in Sodus and RedCreek near Rochester.. once she is spayed or neuterd. I would try to find a shelter for her since she does not seem to have been in the wild that long. It would not take them long to socialize her and find her a home.. if you cannot then, releasing to her colony would be best , she is familar with them and the area..

Baroness Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 5

I dropped the kitty off at the clinic successfully this morning. I will discuss the best option for her with the staff when I return this afternoon to pick her up. Thanks everyone for your advise and encouragement. I will let you know what happens!