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Boo My Domesticated Feral Cat

by Caroline
(Chicago)

My cat, Boo, was a wild cat when he began to start living under our porch. Winter was coming in Chicago and if he stayed there much longer he would of frozen. My family began to lure him towards our house with cat food and eventually we put the food in the house. With amplifiers projecting upstairs we were able to close the garage door and trap him inside. After chasing him around for a bit we were able to trap him and take him to the vet.

With no one to care for him he would almost certainly have gone to the shelter and been put down, but because he was young we were able to domesticate him and he became our pet. His name is Boo because of the great fear of humans when we got him.

Caroline

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Boo My Domesticated Feral Cat

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Sep 04, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hi Larry
by: Michael

Having read about the experiences of visitors who have made submissions and based on my own (I have two stray cat companions), the key is to keep going the way you are. In other words gradually with patience let this cat become familiar with you. The more gentle interaction the better but at the cat's pace. Never forcing the issue. Eventually, this cat will become relaxed with you and much "tamer". He or she will come inside one day all being well you should have a domestic cat companion with whom you have well and truly bonded! It will be a great relationship judging by the other stories.

And I agree a vet's visit is the first thing to do for a checkover and neutering.

Other visitors may be able to give better advice. But one thing for sure you can't force things as you will alienate the cat. Friendship is gradual. And cats, as we all know, cannot be forced to do things feral or domestic. You gotta tease it out of 'em. Although I am aware of the need for a bit of speed to avoid this cat getting picked up or hurt by someone.
Sep 03, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		feral cat
by: larry kincaid

hi, i live in tucson az and recently moved into a new home. seems there is a young feral cat living under the house. for the last 4 weeks i have been feeding and finally can sit in front of the food dish while it eats. when i attempt to reach out she immediately retreats. will i ever be able to pet this cat, should i trap her, really want to keep this cat but she needs to see a vet i'm sure. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. would hate to see her picked up by animal control. thanks larry at larrymule454@comcast.net
Aug 14, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Please do TNR.
by: Anonymous

It's a wonderful story.

I also want to respond to Lenae. Please contact PAWS or the Anti-Cruelty Society of America to help with a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)--it's also called TNVR (because they vaccinate the cat too). Basically, you humanely trap all the cats (mama and her family) and then the vet will spay/neuter and vaccinate, then return to the same area. Returning to the same area is quite critical for their survival (unless there is some other threat to their well-being there, they should be returned to where they know the area, it's shelter, the other cats, possible predator habits, etc.) Doing TNR will prevent more suffering and reduce the population over time. In a 2-year period, a cat and their offspring can produce more than 25,000 cats!!! If you don't have money to do a TNR (usually the shelter or vet charges a very nominal fee) I bet they would still help you. You could also see if some of your neighbors would chip in (I'm thinking it might $25/cat if they charge you, though some places are $50 and some are essentially free). Keep in mind that feeding aloning without "fixing"(while the instinct of those of us who love animals is to feed) can increase suffering and contribute to more and more kittens being born.
Jul 05, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Looking for an angel for my 6 feral (stray) cats....
by: Lenae

I'm posting this on July 5, 2009.....I'm taking a chance that maybe there is some kind soul out there near the Portage Park area of Chicago (near Central and Montrose) who has the patience, love, room in their home, and the finances to take in a sweet, shy family of 6 feral cats that I've been feeding outside for about 8 months..(there's Mama cat with an injured tail, and her first two young, about 1 year old now, and 3 new kittens about 7 or 8 weeks old)... If I owned my own home, I would have brought them inside when the mother only had the two young, but I am renting and my landlady would not allow it..then the mother cat became pregnant again, and I felt so helpless...I also do not have the finances for the necessary exams and vaccinations that they would require...

The mother cat is such a good mother to her offspring, and it amazes me how their little family stays together and her little girl cat helps with the new kittens...It would be a shame to break up the family...
I know this is asking a lot, but if you have the love and the means to accept this feral family, please contact me as soon as possible...my email address is leonier@netzero.net

May God bless all homeless animals and those who care for them !!
May 28, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		WOO-HOO FOR BOO!!!
by: Gail (Boston, MA USA)

GREAT STORY!!! I agree wholeheartedly with Michael. Your kind spirit and determination saved this wonderful feline who probably would've either frozen/starved in the winter or put down at a shelter. Thank you for taking the time to care. You will never be disappointed.
May 27, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Boo
by: Michael (PoC Admin)

Hi Caroline, thanks for sharing. I love these stories because it is one feral cat saved rather than lost. It is a positive act rather than a negative, for me. It is constructive rather than destructive and it makes me feel better.

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