We've started feeding a feral cat

[spinbaby]

We live with seven cats. When the weather turned nice, we left the kitchen door open, so the cats could go out and hang out on the patio. A feral cat discovered the never ending buffet in the kitchen and started helping himself. We then started feeding him outside and he’s been coming back for meals with some regularity.

Now here’s the thing. This cat appears to have a tipped left ear, indicating that he’s been neutered—there’s a nearby organization that neuters feral cats and tips the left ear. However, from what I have seen of him, this is a tomcat—he has that muscular look and the facial ruff. He also sprays everything in sight. So, is this an intact Tom with a damaged ear or a cat who’s been neutered late enough and recently enough to still look like a tomcat? I can’t tell.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. The eartip, if done right, goes pretty straight line. Damaged ears, not so much.

If his balls are just little puffs, he's more than likely fixed. Good for you for caring!!

My org: [link:http://www.tricitiesfriendsofkitties.org|

[lapfog_1]

2. you will need to trap him and take him to a vet

and either neuter him or at least check... plus get him vaccinated since he is socializing with your cats.

Talk to a local cat rescue center about getting the trap and possibly a discount vet they do business with (sometimes totally free).

Explain that he is a feral and you want to release him back into the environment where he lives now and that you will continue to feed him, etc.

I have done this many times with the rescue operation that I work with and have adopted 2 "feral" kitties (who were most likely dumped and not really feral, just scared of people). They are wonderful cats.

[rampartc]

3. the vet will "tip" an ear when she does the job

the top of the ear will be flat, not ripped. IF you can catch him he needs his shots anyway.

an intact tom cat can be determined by a view under his tail from a few yards away. if you see balls he he still has them.

I feed a few feral cats. don't expect a lot of thanks unless you put in a little patient effort at earning his trust.

[spinbaby]

5. Three of ours are former ferals

They will never be lap cats, but they’re comfortable living with us and have learned to complain loudly if the servants aren’t performing up to their expectations.

Our current feral looks like he has a clean centimeter missing from the top of his ear. His visits aren’t regular enough that I can make an appointment and count on even trying to trap him.

[rampartc]

8. mine range from a kitten that i rescued from a dog

no sign of her mother so as raised her as my own lotus blossom.

sunny was a little boy that I took from his mother. we got to be buddies. he is very smart and has led me to dead cats or let me know when a less socialized cat needs aid.

then there is the bad boy who sleeps with my wife and snarls at me. another will come in and make himself at home but will not be touched. a few of them just run when I get near. total : maybe 16?

I've got a little deal with a local vet that I can bring one in any time without appointment and if she gets a chance she will do what is necessary. appointments are just impossible with what are really wild animals.

[spinbaby]

9. I need a vet like that

I’m hoping that once I get our feral on a schedule, I’ll be able to make an appointment and put out a trap to get him. I figure we have one chance.

Our other ferals were already fixed up when we got them. Two of them came with our house—the owners had had them fixed, were feeding them, and had set them up with a little heated cat shelter for winter. We agreed to take on the cats with the house. Three years later, they’re asleep on the couch. Our third feral came from the shelter and was so traumatized by the experience that she will never really trust humans.

[Big Blue Marble]

4. It could be either.

Look closely at the tipped ear. Is it a clean cut or a jagged one?
Clean would indicate a surgical cut.

I have had several neutered males who sprayed. He is signaling his claim on your hospitality.

Spraying is far more likely in cats who have been neutered in their maturity.
But recently, I had one who was neutered at six weeks and who in his later
years began spraying.

I had another male who neutered in his maturity, who started spraying in
a territorial war with a neutered female (spayed as a kitten) who also began
to spray in retaliation. The "pee wars" lasted for months, until peace was
re-established within our home.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. I had a spayed female kitty who would occasionally spray outside.

A couple of neutered toms did the same.

[tymorial]

7. I think it depends on the organization

I adopted a feral cat that was being monitored and studied before the colony collapsed. I have her complete medical record and her ear was clipped by the organization studying The Colony but she was spayed by the shelter.

You have to be careful with feral cats because they don't typically have the same sort of habits traditional domesticated felines. They can be very territorial and sometimes aggressive. My Ella was very young when she was adopted so she was likely less feral than the older cats in her colony. Still, she doesnt purr at all which I guess is quite common. She is never going to be a lap Kitty and I I would not try to pick her up unless it was absolutely necessary. Getting her into a carrying case is not a fun job you have to trick her .

I must say though that in the last 6 months she has really started to come around. She is starting to jump on the couch and sit next to me to pet her. She never gets too close and she always has an escape route lol.