Another Mouth To Feed!

Another Mouth To Feed!

by Julie
(Alhambra,IL.USA)

Buddy - picture added later - photo by Julie

Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

Buddy - picture added later - photo by Julie

Yesterday, my husband Rich was cutting some trim on our carport when he noticed some movement near the patio. (It is 26 degrees here and covered in snow). A feral cat burrowed under the cushions on a chair. Rich took it some cat food and it ran off. Rich arranged the waterproof cushions where they would block the wind more and left the food out.

He said the cat was sneezing. Today I went out and the cat was nesting in the cushions. I called for it and it jumped down and began to eat the food. It will not come near me yet. The cat is very large. It looks like a cross between "Wilson" and a Main Coon.

Rich asks, "Do we really need another mouth to feed?". But then he called today on his lunch hour to find out if the cat was still here and if it was eating.

It reminds me of the book the "Little Prince", when the prince tames the fox and the quote, "We are forever responsible for what we tame".

If it were a domestic cat we could find it a home but since it is feral it is going to be a slow process of building trust. Trust is non-transferable! We don't believe in cages. We do have a live trap for the capture and relocating wild animals to the woods by my father's farm.

If the cat gets sick we will use it but otherwise we will not traumatize the poor soul. I will try to send a picture later on. It is just too skittish right now. It is holding a personal space of about twenty feet.

Update:...
This is an update to the above submission. We are calling this cat "Buddy" although we still haven't determined what it is. It let me get with in ten feet of it before it began hissing. I added a picture too (heading page).

Julie


Also from Julie:

I love my BB - this has some links to more too

From Another Mouth To Feed! to Feral Cats

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Another Mouth To Feed!

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Mar 02, 2010 UPDATE
by: Julie,Alhambra,Il.USA

We are happy to let everyone know that Buddy has made it back to his home. I guess we were just a stop over from the snow storm. He lives on a farm down the road from us with the feral colony. The lady that takes care of them says he has a wonderful personallity. Since he wouldn't let us near him and hissed if we got to close;we will have to take her word for it. Still...we kind of miss him.


Feb 18, 2010 Taming a feral
by: Bob

Take it from someone who has done it, taming a feral is entirely possible. It just takes time, how much depends on the particular cat. Don't be discouraged by the hissing, he will come around. My Dodge was a feral and he started out reacting almost the same way, except he was a bit more aggressive. It took time to get him to let me close to him, just as it will for you with this cat. Once I got close enough, he must have bitten me a dozen times or so when I'd try to pet him before he got used to me. Try to avoid sudden movements, even when you're close to him. Keep the food coming, and he'll stay around. If possible, make sure he sees you put the food out so he associates you with the feeding. Also, you'll probably notice the entire amount of food you place disappearing... he will eat whatever you put out there so don't leave more than he needs for a day. Ferals often have the mentality of eating whatever food they find, when they find it, because they don't know when they'll eat like that again. Even after I got Dodge inside (he simply followed me in when the time was right), he would empty the bowl. I had to ration his food until he got used to it being there for him every day. To see him now, you'd never know he was ever a feral. He gets along with my other cats and has really adapted well. Ferals seem to be quicker to adapt, probably because they are used to so many different influences and scenarios in the wild. So take your time, don't get discouraged, and in time he will warm up to you. The saying, "We are forever responsible for what we tame" is perfect for feral cats. They forge a very strong bond with the humans who tame them (and are known to revert to the feral state if abandoned or adopted out) and are as loyal as any dog to their humans. When I dropped Dodge off to be neutered, and he saw me leaving, he went completely crazy on the vet and his assistants and remained that way until he got home. Once he realized he was back, he calmed down instantly. Once you tame this cat you will have a loyal friend for the rest of his life.


Feb 17, 2010 on Buddy
by: kathy

Isnt it funny how men try to act like they arent interested then all of a sudden its like its their cat. Since your husband found Buddy be sure he will be taking a special interest since I can tell he already is. Buddy is so cool looking. Thank you for taking care of him. It's funny how they just seem to find their way to someone. Good luck with him, keep us posted.


Feb 17, 2010 Poor Buddy
by: Finn Frode, Denmark

Hi Julie. That poor old boy - I hope he'll be allright. And thank you for doing what you can for him.
I didn't know the Antoine de Saint-Exupery quote, but it is indeed worth noting. Thousands of years ago we made a pact with the cats in the interest of both parties, but all too often humans neglect their part of the deal.
"We are forever responsible for what we tame."

Finn Frode avatar


Feb 17, 2010 Almost wild cat
by: Michael

I must say, Buddy, does have the look of a wildcat about him. He looks quite similar to a Scottish Wild cat in fact!

The expression is very definitely "a stay away, I don't trust humans look".

I hope he comes around and lets you help and get close. Life will be easier for him. I think most feral cats do gradually become friendly, don't they?

Thanks for adding the picture and an update.

Michael Avatar


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