I think it would be tough to make it an indoor cat, he would always want out since that is what he is used to.

I am sure your 2 indoor cats are happy just the way they are.

It is not my indoor cats I'm really worried about. It is that the feral cat has to live through our winters, very long and cold and hard and my heart aches for it. I want to give it a nice comfy and safe home.

Thanks for your thoughts.

It would be hard to domesticate an adult ferel cat, but you said it's friendly so maybe it was not raised as a ferel. You could trap it and take it to the vet. Make sure it isn't carrying any diseases. If it's somewhat friendly keep it in a seperate room for some time and see what happens. I'm not sure how it would get along with your other cats.

It's really kind of you to think of taking it in. It would be nice for the poor cat to have a home. I would give it a try. I think the ferel cat might be happy in your home.

Donna

Jane, one thing you could do would be to take it to the vet and have it neutered. We have what's turning out to be a feral colony in our neighborhood because the owner of the cats moved and left them homeless. They are reproducing. Where I live there is a group that provides humane traps and free neutering. One neighbor has been feeding the cats; another neighbor has been trapping them and getting them neutered.
More than you ever wanted to know!I don't know if you could tame it -- probably not. But I think the people at the Pets Forum would know more than I do.

You are so kind to care about this cat.

Helen

Elmo was a stray but he was only about 9 month old when we got him. It was a ROUGH couple of weeks. Twice he got tossed outside and told to go find his owners! He was more determined than us and he is now a loving part of the family. He still trys to sneak outside every chance he gets but he is also the first cat I ever had that leash trained himself. Took him out this afternoon- he gets SO EXCITED when he sees the leash, LOL.

Not much help but it is the only stray-indoor cat I know.

Good luck!

If you can afford the vet bill I would try to trap it and take it in.

Our cat expert Tally will be along soon. I have no idea how it would work, but I commend you for the effort. I think it mostly depends on the cats temperment.

Yep, interested in what Tally has to offer. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment so far. I did try once to trap it, but it got away. Will have to try again.

Jane

How feral is he/she? A true feral cat is born and grew up on the streets. Maybe it's just a stray that's been homeless for a while. You said that the cat is friendly. A ferel usually won't come near humans.
Donna

I think it could work if you have the patience.

He would need a vet check to make sure he had no diseases that he could transmit to your cats. I also agree that needs to be neutered, so he will be less likely to "mark" with urine.

Do you have a room indoors (I prefer using a bathroom) where you could keep him isolated for a few days until he gets used to using a litter box and your cats adjust to having him inside their home?

Also, there is a product called Feliway that could help all of the cats stay calmer during this period.

Thanks for caring about the kitty.

I don't know how feral it is, but it is friendly, allows us to pat it. So, you are probably right, a stray. Any suggestions on how to trap anyone?

We have a field behind our house and my neighbors got two of their three cats from the field. They were truly feral. They kept them in the garage at first (they came one at a time) and got them vet checked and taken care of. They then moved them into the house. They are not friendly with people other than them, in fact they still hide when people go over even though they've lived there for years now. I used to feed them all the time when the owners travelled, which was frequently, and they would hide all the time. My neighbors take them out with harnesses and ties so they get some fresh air, and they all seem happy.

I don't think it would work with any feral cat, but it works for some of them.

Well Jane, as we speak I have my second true feral cat isolated in the bathroom - the 6th outdoor cat we've brought in from outside. The other 4 were socialized strays that had been dumped. They had had some human contact, they just needed to remember. The ferals were not socialized, and they take a little more time and patience. Your cat sounds like a dumped stray. Ferals do not react to other cats like you describe, but that's just a guess.

We lost Scamper, my first feral, on Tuesday night. He was a real feral. It took me weeks to coax him into a cat carrier by placing his food closer and closer to the door and me inching closer and closer to him while he ate. Then one day he got into the carrier (by this time the food was all the way into the back) and I just snuck up behind him and closed the door. If you can't manage this, then get a trap from the Humane Society or a shelter. Traps are a little more scary, but the immediate need is to get him into the vet for medical evaluation so whatever it takes, right?

We took Scamp straight to the vet to have him bathed, vaccinated, neutered, tested for contagious diseases and dewormed. With an all-clear from the vet, we brought him indoors where he lived with us for 11 years - along with 8 other cats.

It took time. The first night we had him isolated in the bathroom he tried to leap out through the window. Good thing the blinds were down. 3 weeks in the bathroom, and then almost a year spent hiding in a closet, coming out at night to eat and pee.

That was fine with me. He was safe. He was warm. He was fed and he had medical attention. I didn't need for him to be a doting lap cat. It was enough that he had a home.

Over the years he became more outgoing and in the last few years he DID become a lap cat - and a greater pleasure you couldn't imagine - earning that kind of trust.

We have taken in 6 outdoor cats over the years and all have sucessfully transitioned into happy indoor cats. The trick is in how you acclimate them, and that you don't expect them to become tame, loving, adoring creatures overnight. You need to be satisfied that you give them safety, security, warmth and food and the rest will come in it's own time.

Some cats were actually socialized and once they settled in they were fairly easy to adapt. Scamper and Finnigan are real ferals and it will take more time. You really can't know what you're dealing with until you have them inside when they begin to comprehend that they are safe. When they sense they are secure you will find out what their real temperment is. My guess is that if he and your cats are already seeing each other and have an understanding, you're half way through the integration process already. You likely have a passive cat that does not exert dominance in the presence of other animals. That is a HUGE advantage - and unlikely that he is truly feral.

The trick is in the introductions, and I will tell you that the basic guidance is by the senses. You need to isolate the newcomer from the resident cats. Then you work by senses - first comes hearing when they all hear each other through the closed door.

Then comes scent - rubbing, touching and mixing scents through shared towels and on your hands and clothing. We also let the new cat into one room, let him roam, then put him back into the bathroom and let the resident cats into the room to sniff his scent about the room and furniture.

Then comes sight - crack the door one inch and let them glimpse each other. At first you might have hisses, but when they stop showing any interest you're ready to move on to the last step.

Finally comes touch - when you let them come face to face with each other to rub and sniff. Expect more hisses. But they will adjust as they sort out the pecking order.

This can take as long as it takes - you have to play it by ear. Some of my newcomers have been isolated for a few days. Scamp was isolated for 3 weeks.

Bottom line advice:

1. Yes, you can bring an outdoor cat indoors sucessfully. It takes patience, committment and the right introduction techniques.

2. Technique, technique, technique. It's all in how you manage the introductions. You can't just dump a strange cat into the mix. There is a very definite protocol for introducing a new cat into a resident cat's territory. I've given you links below.

2. You can't rush it. You move through each step when the last one is comfortable.

3. You have to manage your expectations. Be satisfied that you are saving an animal from outside dangers and be grateful for any show of affection they are able to give. Do NOT expect them to be the lap cats your residents are - and be overwhelmed with awe when you've earned their trust enough for them to come to you.

4. Be prepared for late night begging to go outside. This will pass, as it has become a habit, but in the meantime you need to be stronger than the cat. Going back outside is dangerous. Do not give in. (I'm in my 3rd night of relentless howling from Finnigan. Give it up already Finn, you're not going back out no matter how loud you howl).

5. Some simple things to help the transition - Feliway and Rescue Remedy. Info on the link below.

6. Above all, you need to be patient. Each cat is different and each cat will take it's own time.

Finnigan is cat #13. 7 were from shelters (some from outdoors), and 6 were brought in directly from my backyard. We're all living together quite happily, and I don't think any of the 6 would go back outside if you held the door open for them!

Good luck to you. Please try to get this little guy indoors. He needs you. And you will be blessed by saving his life.

And finally, I will tell you this. In my own personal experience there is no greater gift than having a dumped, scared, unloved animal finding love and security in your home. No one will ever tell me that they don't understand what you have given them. In my opinion, they make the very best companions, because they are grateful.

Please go to the link below and read the articles on introducing new cats and helping a cat adjust to a new home. There are also links to help you understand what Feliway and Rescue Remedy are and how they can help with this transition.

(Aaak! Sorry this was so long!!!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Cat Basics 101: An Owner's Guide

Susan is right . Each cat is different. I have had three ferals in my life. Two were kitten sisters and even tho they were born the same time, one adapted much quicker than the other. Ironically they both died at age 12 . The day Emma had to be euthanized at the vets was the only time my husband could pet her, but every night she sat on my lap purring her head off. But I couldn't walk across the floor and pick her up. She was a sweet shy cat. But the most gregarious one is one I still have. Nellie was wild and unkempt, skinny and pregnant when she came to my yard. I fed her and captured her babies and her under a porch when they were two weeks old. I fostered them for a rescue group and kept mom and one kitten, a daughter her exact twin. Nellie weighed six pounds and I could see her ribs. Now she weighs 16 and her daughter weighs even more. Neither would go out if I left the door hanging open. Ironically the mother who was feral is actually more of a lap cat than the daughter who has been here since she was 2 weeks old. I don't know how old mom is. Good luck with your cat.

Tally, that is a wonderful post full of wonderful information.

Jane, good luck! You can do this!

I have 2 cats now that I treat like my kids. I'm just glad that I don't live on a farm....I would probably keep anything with fur that roamed onto my property! I have such a weak spot for cats and dogs!

Tally, that is wonderful information, from a true animal lover. Thank you!

Great information! I am also a big believe in taking in feral cats...I helped with a rescue cat/kitten organization and trapped and tamed many...It is a long process but so worth while...My 3 cats were all born feral and now run the other way when you open the door....
About 4 years ago, I was able to trap my last 2 little girls and practically lived in the huge cage in my laundry room for the 1st month...After that they had the run of the room and then they moved upstairs to my spare bedroom...I spent hours with them, just sitting in the room, reading, crocheting and even slept in there, getting them used to me...It didn't take too long and they had the run of the house...Our older cat, Clancy, still doesn't get along with 1 of the girls but they tolerate each other...One of the girls, Kelly, still spends alot of time in the spare room. I guess she considers that her safe place...She's still real timid but loves to be petted and has a great purr....
I just think, patience and lots and lots of love is the key...But in the end, what you get back is unbelievable.....Bless you for helping this fur baby....Good luck!

I have taken in feral cats and have successfully turned them into indoor cats. It does take time and patience and sometimes, you never do get a snuggly lap kitty. But, it's worth every bit of the effort that goes into it...a million times over. My Jake was so very afraid of people and it just took time - his own time- for him to come around. He is now the first one to jump up beside me on the couch. It is a very good sign that this cat will allow you to touch him.

Thanks everyone for all of the great advice. I'm going to try to get my hands on a humane trap and get him/her to the vet next Monday (the only day I have off that the vet would also be open). Wish me luck!

We tried for months making a stray an indoor cat but it didn't work out. She tore the linoleum off the laundry room floor, scratched up the dry wall beside the door and made us insane with her trying to get outside. We have repaired all the damage and now allow her into the laundry room and kitchen. She'll stay in for hours sleeping but when she wakes up, she heads for the door. We let her out immediately, needless to say. :)

Here's Angel while we were still trying to keep her inside, fat and happy and -not- an indoor cat.