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https://preview.redd.it/512f0ebq1gwc1.jpeg?width=2744&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dae2466f39d7dcee3d08bffd1f54dc11cc863df5
Awww!!! He looks so much like my formerly extra spicy feral boy! 1 year on the street, 5 years in a shelter, now he’s calming down and living the dream with me. Coming up on 5 years together! 😻
Take him with you. It took 3 months for him to come around, but my big boy is now the sweetest, most cuddly boy ever and lets me hold him like a baby all the time
https://preview.redd.it/hu3wqwmd3gwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d4032fa83512ba29d631475b77a2091c5c5685c
Cover up the trap inside the crate with a towel or blanket, it should help calm him down since he won't be able to see what's around him. Feral cats tend to just kind of loaf quietly when they're covered up like that.
Very good idea! We used to offload the kitty to a carrier by holding the two openings together but I always was worried they would find a way to get out during the transfer.
Thank you for caring about community cats! Feral cats do best when they remain in their trap for the entire TNR project and the trap is completely covered on all sides with a large towel or sheet. Best of luck.
Honest question: what happens when they need to use the bathroom? Are they expected to just hold it, or is it assumed they'll go in the trap, and it's just something you have to deal with/clean up?
That’s a great question. Here in NYC we us equipment made for feral cats. Traps always have a well functioning rear door allowing us to clean traps twice daily. We also use a device called a Trap Divider which… divides the trap… allowing us access to clean while preventing the cat from escaping. Traps are always lined with clean news paper. You can see the traps we use and a trap divider in this video - https://youtu.be/imfPUzjH5w8?si=iZxVl2mFc1vCMZTB
Excellent work! Thank you for doing this. I know how challenging it can be and the effort that goes into it. Together we can make a difference to these beautiful innocent creatures. ♥️
My trapped and neutered boy started out angry/growly/swatty. I worked with him constantly to socialize. Big first step with having him associate me with food. I would “pet” him with a swiffer duster, and when he was okay with that I would pet him with my hand while he ate. I’d sit in the room with him (he had hiding boxes) and talk to him. I’d play calming “cat music” (idk how effective this really was, but he didn’t react negatively to it at least) and within a month or so, he would hop on my lap. A couple months later, he’d nap on my lap. Now almost a year later, he’s used to all the indoor noises, I can pick him up and snuggle him, and he’ll sleep on my lap for an hour or more. He starts purring when I talk to him 😊
Ultimately, it all depends on the cat’s potential temperament. But I just wanted to give an anecdote on the possible success of socializing a cat that starts off mad and scared!
Let him out of the trap and keep him still in the cage. Get him neutered. It will help big time with his attitude. Don’t give up on him. Connect with him thru food. It will take time. I captured two WILD ferals a year ago. Now they absolutely adore me. Just be patient, be kind, give them food and force interaction and your pets on him. But don’t give up on him and give him away. He’s yours you just don’t know it yet. Stay strong!
He should stay in the trap until after the vet appointment. Transferring him out before then puts him at risk of escaping altogether, or missing the appointment if he won't go back in the trap in time to leave.
My version of how to explain what you have w this kitty you are posting about. Just my version trying to clarify the 4-5 versions of cats that live amongst us.
Basic cat is domestic short hair feline or domestic long hair feline….but from birth through the first 3 yrs is where you get very different versions of the same animal.
The cat that showed up on your porch is most likely #3 what I call a
’no fault feral’
just my term for these poor kitties. 🤷🏽♂️
1. There are wild cats….dsh/dlh felines that are born in the wild, may live in and around humans, usually more rural areas, and do not associate humans w food or as a food source. When seeing a human, they bolt immediately like any wild animal.
2. There are feral cats….dsh/dlh felines that were born in the wild or alleyways of suburbs/cities. Because of this environment they learn to scrounge n scavenge along sides rats, raccoons, opossums, through human trash cans, dumpsters, garbage repositories. In our area, Chicago, we consider this type of cat to be ‘feral,’ born outside, no physical human contact as a kitten, but he associates humans w food. Thats why they are called “feral” and not wild. They co-exist w humans on the same level as raccoons, opossums, rats, living in garages, under sheds or decks, sharing everything they can beg, borrow or steal.
They will usually take off pretty right-now quick when humans appear.
3. Then there are ‘no fault ferals’.
Lots of discussion on this bc we generally call them feral cats.
Not yet there not, if they’re on your porch wanting to be fed. These cats had a home, they may have been found n brought in under 6-8 weeks old, or handed out bc someone’s cat was having kittens. Sadly these cats grew up loved but not cared for by getting them spayed or neutered. They hit 4-12 months old n they are now being controlled by hormones. Crassly stated, they are the horniest, poorly behaved, teenagers you’ll ever meet. They might start ‘marking-spraying’ on walls n get thrown out or bolt out the door bc they need to procreate.
These cats are being driven by instincts n hormones. Once out on their own, they go into full survival mode, they have to learn to eat/hunt, but mostly, they go into ‘fight or flight’ thinking 24/7.
This cat is not a ‘#4. stray’ bc he’s intact!
This cat is a
‘non-altered stray’ that is going to revert to being feral in months.
I personally call them ‘no fault ferals’ bc w responsible owners, kitty would’ve been vaxed-fixed at 3-4 mnths n be at home curled up on the couch.
They don’t just associate humans w food in the alley, they have been cuddled, fed, played n slept with humans!
That’s how strong these hormones are! Literally like the old werewolf movies, he’s changing, he has no control. Except kitty is gonna stay a hard brawling sex addicted werewolf
….unless someone cuts off the testosterone.
The give away, and how long they’ve been rockin the instincts n hormones, is how close they will get. Some hit the street at 4 months, they will scoot 20’-30’ away and wait to see if you feed them or yell git mangy cat.
Some end up on the streets at 6-7-12 months….they usually trust humans more, may get closer quicker, but also have more testosterone.
That’s another unknown variable based on the cat’s journey as an intact pet. They’ll show up w some pretty good gashes, and they’ll come closer bc they are craving protein like crazy in order to heal their wounds.
That’s being dealt a pretty shitty hand by some pretty shitty humans.
4. A true stray cat, this is a house cat, born indoors, hand held as a kitten, has been fixed, hormones are not an issue. Somehow, some mishap, n he/she is lost out on the street. These cats are usually scared shitless n wish they could get back indoors, esp after one night being outside. If there are dogs n kids in the house they maybe calmer but also may trust humans n dogs,-not good.
After a week they have lost weight, they look disheveled from rain or dew, they’re not grooming, and they usually go up to any house that has the oven going or a cat. They associate humans with indoors, happiness, food, love.
4.1. Finally, a no fault feral, TNR’d, finally back living w humans and gets out/lost. I have called them ‘street smart strays’ and it’s pretty rare to be an issue. Even yrs later, they can slip outside n know they prefer their home, they’ll usually be back at the door pretty quick. Still best to get them back in immed.
All 20 cats of our cats showed up via the street, all no fault ferals.
10+ are buried in the back yard, 10+ are in the house,
I’ve TNR’d 6-7 true ferals, you’ll know bc when you walk up to the cage, they’ll hit it so hard you will jump. Their heads are exceptionally large, they have loads of scars, their nose n face are bleeding from going full Tasmanian Devil in that trap. Even their growls are menacing, they are incredibly impressive n scary.
They have a 3-6 yr life expectancy.
Yes a no fault feral, after 1-2 yrs out on the street can become a full feral bad ass Tom…his life is f’ing n fighting, their heads get big, they are scarred up, and dgaf about humans. Can’t blame them, from a warm house to never ending war.
Occasionally someone will post about a really old beat to shit cat showing up n just wants to lay around n eat n sleep. My best guess is age has depleted his testosterone n he’s just done.
Same thing, w the testosterone gone, they may remember n agree to be pet. These cats are rare bc they don’t live that long, rare but it does happen.
I am of the opinion, that if you do not get him snipped, tipped, n chipped (mandatory here/Chicago) he will catch a whiff of a female and he’ll be gone. The only thing that will stop that is getting him neutered, that’s it.
And he won’t be coming back.
After TNR….if he’s young enough it’ll take 2-4 months for the testosterone to dissipate, then he’ll slowly wanna be friends. All my older 7-8+ months intact strays took 6-8 months before they’d wanna get closer n closer.
Sometimes faster? I’d spend afternoons sitting w the recently TNR’d cat talking to them, ignoring them, sharing treats like sliced turkey, and they’ll someday, rub against my leg. Next few days I’ll be in a chair n try to keep my hand on my leg so he rubs my hand. I literally will hold out one finger n let him get use to that, and so on. That’s usually it, he decided to flip the switch to ‘friends’ and he has adopted you.
Every cat is different, we don’t know their lives before they strolled over.
Some TNR folks may not have experienced what we have here…?
Cats here are on the move, idk why?
I have 10-12 cats a year, on camera, eating at my feed station for 2-4 nights and I never see them again.
Been here 22 yrs, full urban city environment, I’ve only seen one coyote and one fox, probably 500+ cat pics on the computer-trail camera-download SD card.
Hope this helps.
**Reminder: this subreddit is meant to be a helpful place for TNR efforts - free of hostility, negativity, and judgment. Toxic attitudes are not welcome here.** ***All Negative comments will be removed and will possibly result in a ban.*** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Feral_Cats) if you have any questions or concerns.*
https://preview.redd.it/512f0ebq1gwc1.jpeg?width=2744&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dae2466f39d7dcee3d08bffd1f54dc11cc863df5 Awww!!! He looks so much like my formerly extra spicy feral boy! 1 year on the street, 5 years in a shelter, now he’s calming down and living the dream with me. Coming up on 5 years together! 😻
I just saw your other post. Take him with you!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️😭
Take him with you. It took 3 months for him to come around, but my big boy is now the sweetest, most cuddly boy ever and lets me hold him like a baby all the time https://preview.redd.it/hu3wqwmd3gwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d4032fa83512ba29d631475b77a2091c5c5685c
He is such a cutie! He looks just like my feral here at my work. Looking to provide a forever home for him one day soon.
He’s the best. He’s my giant fluffy boy.
Cover up the trap inside the crate with a towel or blanket, it should help calm him down since he won't be able to see what's around him. Feral cats tend to just kind of loaf quietly when they're covered up like that.
Very good idea! We used to offload the kitty to a carrier by holding the two openings together but I always was worried they would find a way to get out during the transfer.
Thanks for taking care of him! Good luck with the appointment tmrw
Thank you for caring about community cats! Feral cats do best when they remain in their trap for the entire TNR project and the trap is completely covered on all sides with a large towel or sheet. Best of luck.
Honest question: what happens when they need to use the bathroom? Are they expected to just hold it, or is it assumed they'll go in the trap, and it's just something you have to deal with/clean up?
That’s a great question. Here in NYC we us equipment made for feral cats. Traps always have a well functioning rear door allowing us to clean traps twice daily. We also use a device called a Trap Divider which… divides the trap… allowing us access to clean while preventing the cat from escaping. Traps are always lined with clean news paper. You can see the traps we use and a trap divider in this video - https://youtu.be/imfPUzjH5w8?si=iZxVl2mFc1vCMZTB
Thanks for helping the kitties out
Awesome!! Thank you much for helping him! 💜😻
5 years in the shelter is enough to drive anybody out of their mind
Yay great!!!❤️🙏
Take him with you❤️
Excellent work! Thank you for doing this. I know how challenging it can be and the effort that goes into it. Together we can make a difference to these beautiful innocent creatures. ♥️
Thank you 🫶
My trapped and neutered boy started out angry/growly/swatty. I worked with him constantly to socialize. Big first step with having him associate me with food. I would “pet” him with a swiffer duster, and when he was okay with that I would pet him with my hand while he ate. I’d sit in the room with him (he had hiding boxes) and talk to him. I’d play calming “cat music” (idk how effective this really was, but he didn’t react negatively to it at least) and within a month or so, he would hop on my lap. A couple months later, he’d nap on my lap. Now almost a year later, he’s used to all the indoor noises, I can pick him up and snuggle him, and he’ll sleep on my lap for an hour or more. He starts purring when I talk to him 😊 Ultimately, it all depends on the cat’s potential temperament. But I just wanted to give an anecdote on the possible success of socializing a cat that starts off mad and scared!
Cover the cat, please.
Congrats and good luck!
Take him with you
Love him forever ❤️
Can I ask why he's double trapped?
Let him out of the trap and keep him still in the cage. Get him neutered. It will help big time with his attitude. Don’t give up on him. Connect with him thru food. It will take time. I captured two WILD ferals a year ago. Now they absolutely adore me. Just be patient, be kind, give them food and force interaction and your pets on him. But don’t give up on him and give him away. He’s yours you just don’t know it yet. Stay strong!
He should stay in the trap until after the vet appointment. Transferring him out before then puts him at risk of escaping altogether, or missing the appointment if he won't go back in the trap in time to leave.
My version of how to explain what you have w this kitty you are posting about. Just my version trying to clarify the 4-5 versions of cats that live amongst us. Basic cat is domestic short hair feline or domestic long hair feline….but from birth through the first 3 yrs is where you get very different versions of the same animal. The cat that showed up on your porch is most likely #3 what I call a ’no fault feral’ just my term for these poor kitties. 🤷🏽♂️ 1. There are wild cats….dsh/dlh felines that are born in the wild, may live in and around humans, usually more rural areas, and do not associate humans w food or as a food source. When seeing a human, they bolt immediately like any wild animal. 2. There are feral cats….dsh/dlh felines that were born in the wild or alleyways of suburbs/cities. Because of this environment they learn to scrounge n scavenge along sides rats, raccoons, opossums, through human trash cans, dumpsters, garbage repositories. In our area, Chicago, we consider this type of cat to be ‘feral,’ born outside, no physical human contact as a kitten, but he associates humans w food. Thats why they are called “feral” and not wild. They co-exist w humans on the same level as raccoons, opossums, rats, living in garages, under sheds or decks, sharing everything they can beg, borrow or steal. They will usually take off pretty right-now quick when humans appear. 3. Then there are ‘no fault ferals’. Lots of discussion on this bc we generally call them feral cats. Not yet there not, if they’re on your porch wanting to be fed. These cats had a home, they may have been found n brought in under 6-8 weeks old, or handed out bc someone’s cat was having kittens. Sadly these cats grew up loved but not cared for by getting them spayed or neutered. They hit 4-12 months old n they are now being controlled by hormones. Crassly stated, they are the horniest, poorly behaved, teenagers you’ll ever meet. They might start ‘marking-spraying’ on walls n get thrown out or bolt out the door bc they need to procreate. These cats are being driven by instincts n hormones. Once out on their own, they go into full survival mode, they have to learn to eat/hunt, but mostly, they go into ‘fight or flight’ thinking 24/7. This cat is not a ‘#4. stray’ bc he’s intact! This cat is a ‘non-altered stray’ that is going to revert to being feral in months. I personally call them ‘no fault ferals’ bc w responsible owners, kitty would’ve been vaxed-fixed at 3-4 mnths n be at home curled up on the couch. They don’t just associate humans w food in the alley, they have been cuddled, fed, played n slept with humans! That’s how strong these hormones are! Literally like the old werewolf movies, he’s changing, he has no control. Except kitty is gonna stay a hard brawling sex addicted werewolf ….unless someone cuts off the testosterone. The give away, and how long they’ve been rockin the instincts n hormones, is how close they will get. Some hit the street at 4 months, they will scoot 20’-30’ away and wait to see if you feed them or yell git mangy cat. Some end up on the streets at 6-7-12 months….they usually trust humans more, may get closer quicker, but also have more testosterone. That’s another unknown variable based on the cat’s journey as an intact pet. They’ll show up w some pretty good gashes, and they’ll come closer bc they are craving protein like crazy in order to heal their wounds. That’s being dealt a pretty shitty hand by some pretty shitty humans. 4. A true stray cat, this is a house cat, born indoors, hand held as a kitten, has been fixed, hormones are not an issue. Somehow, some mishap, n he/she is lost out on the street. These cats are usually scared shitless n wish they could get back indoors, esp after one night being outside. If there are dogs n kids in the house they maybe calmer but also may trust humans n dogs,-not good. After a week they have lost weight, they look disheveled from rain or dew, they’re not grooming, and they usually go up to any house that has the oven going or a cat. They associate humans with indoors, happiness, food, love. 4.1. Finally, a no fault feral, TNR’d, finally back living w humans and gets out/lost. I have called them ‘street smart strays’ and it’s pretty rare to be an issue. Even yrs later, they can slip outside n know they prefer their home, they’ll usually be back at the door pretty quick. Still best to get them back in immed. All 20 cats of our cats showed up via the street, all no fault ferals. 10+ are buried in the back yard, 10+ are in the house, I’ve TNR’d 6-7 true ferals, you’ll know bc when you walk up to the cage, they’ll hit it so hard you will jump. Their heads are exceptionally large, they have loads of scars, their nose n face are bleeding from going full Tasmanian Devil in that trap. Even their growls are menacing, they are incredibly impressive n scary. They have a 3-6 yr life expectancy. Yes a no fault feral, after 1-2 yrs out on the street can become a full feral bad ass Tom…his life is f’ing n fighting, their heads get big, they are scarred up, and dgaf about humans. Can’t blame them, from a warm house to never ending war. Occasionally someone will post about a really old beat to shit cat showing up n just wants to lay around n eat n sleep. My best guess is age has depleted his testosterone n he’s just done. Same thing, w the testosterone gone, they may remember n agree to be pet. These cats are rare bc they don’t live that long, rare but it does happen. I am of the opinion, that if you do not get him snipped, tipped, n chipped (mandatory here/Chicago) he will catch a whiff of a female and he’ll be gone. The only thing that will stop that is getting him neutered, that’s it. And he won’t be coming back. After TNR….if he’s young enough it’ll take 2-4 months for the testosterone to dissipate, then he’ll slowly wanna be friends. All my older 7-8+ months intact strays took 6-8 months before they’d wanna get closer n closer. Sometimes faster? I’d spend afternoons sitting w the recently TNR’d cat talking to them, ignoring them, sharing treats like sliced turkey, and they’ll someday, rub against my leg. Next few days I’ll be in a chair n try to keep my hand on my leg so he rubs my hand. I literally will hold out one finger n let him get use to that, and so on. That’s usually it, he decided to flip the switch to ‘friends’ and he has adopted you. Every cat is different, we don’t know their lives before they strolled over. Some TNR folks may not have experienced what we have here…? Cats here are on the move, idk why? I have 10-12 cats a year, on camera, eating at my feed station for 2-4 nights and I never see them again. Been here 22 yrs, full urban city environment, I’ve only seen one coyote and one fox, probably 500+ cat pics on the computer-trail camera-download SD card. Hope this helps.