r/formerlyferal • u/gregn8r1 • 23d ago
Sudden progress with neighborhood feral
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Since this spring, I've been seeing this feral tomcat (calling him TabbyTom) come around once or twice a week, often yowling in search of lady cats. Every time I've seen him I've tried to feed him, so he can associate my yard with a place to get some food. However he's quite skittish and often runs off, he wouldn't come within 20 feet of me. I've made zero progress over the past six months. Now ironically, I do have an indoor-outdoor cat, an adult spayed female, and she HATES other cats on her turf. If any strays come around she will chase them out of her turf and keep on chasing. But this guy, TabbyTom, she's totally cool with. I've seen them just sorta sitting near each other, and I've seen them walking around and following each other, but not in a "I'm going to fight you" way.
I made a couple TNR appointments and left food and a trap out for two weeks, but when it came time to try trapping I had no success. Then I went on vacation for a couple weeks, came back home, and returned the trap, figuring I'd have to work harder to get this guy coming by more frequently.
The same day I returned the trap, I was making a late dinner for myself, and suddenly notice that I'm being watched. On a cold, drizzly day, TabbyTom was watching as my happy, warm, and well-fed cats frolicked inside. I tried feeding him again, as I always do, but this time he must have really been hungry- he was hesitant and a bit scared, but came right up within an arm's reach to eat, even going as far as to lick some food off of my finger. The following morning, I look out the window and he's loaded up on my porch, waiting for breakfast. And yesterday evening he came by again for dinner!
So I've gone from seeing him maybe once a week and never being able to get close, to suddenly seeing him every day for three days in a row. He is still skittish, I haven't touched him, but am going to try giving him some scritches from afar with a back-scratcher as he eats. Also going to have to return to the local shelter and ask for the trap back...
Anyway, just wanted to share these exciting developments! I'll post a couple videos in comments
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u/Icy_Yesterday8265 23d ago
I swear going away on vacation changes ferals into formerly ferals real quick. I like to think its because they realized they missed us.
Very similar story but with an already TNRd girl. She was terrified, went on vacation for 2 weeks, 2 days after being back she let me pet her and now sleeps close to my house and gets her 3 meals a day. She even lets me pick her up and she will play with a wans toy sometimes.
Truly amazing... cannot explain it. Happened with 2 other formerly ferals i had as well. 1 week gone, come back, love pets and being held.
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u/Clear_Split_8568 23d ago
Sad kitty, let him in!
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u/gregn8r1 23d ago
Honestly I'm already over catpacity, but I definitely want to TNR him and, if he becomes friendly, may set up a surrender appointment at a local shelter
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u/Round_View_1844 23d ago
I hope you have shelters that can afford to keep him awhile? especially if he’s not socialized at that point. Our closest county shelter (of several) euthanized 20 cats this week. I was very very fortunate to have a small local rescue org acccept my porch feral 3 months after TNR when we moved because he had suddenly become a lovebug. Last I saw him he was really enjoying the inside life.
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u/Regular-Humor-9128 21d ago
Please be careful though if it’s a shelter where he’s going to be stuck in a cage for a really long time. If he’s skittish, even if he becomes friendly with you, it doesn’t mean he’ll be that way with everyone who comes to view prospective cats at the shelter, and then his chances of being adopted diminish dramatically. And that would be absolute torture for a cat accustomed to roaming free. I mean, even cats that are surrendered from families and homes just shut down in there.
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u/Brilliant-Actuary331 23d ago
Great progress!! He seems very interested at the activity inside. I hope this is a breakthrough for him.
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u/Minimum_Smile9334 23d ago
Borrow a drop trap
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u/gregn8r1 23d ago
Funnily enough I had just returned one. Going to have to swing back by the APL and see if I can set up a TNR appointment
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u/Round_View_1844 23d ago
Maybe he’s ready to retire. They can surprise you one day after regular feeding and patient distance and just suddenly decide to be friendly and initiate contact. Hope TNR goes well.
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u/yosoyfatass 22d ago
Aww, he looks so sad! 😿 You’re making great progress, I hope you are able to get him soon! I wish you could keep him, he seems to want to be in your household! 😻
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u/Anikofein 22d ago
Thank you for sharing and your kind heart. I love this community. Mom of a former feral here. Oh, and two more and one doggie. 💐💐🤗🤗
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u/gregn8r1 23d ago
Reddit won't let me post videos, so... here he is the getting fed after looking so dejectedly through the window