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In reply to the discussion: I need some advice from people who are cat savvy (UPDATED WITH PICTURES) [View all]union_maid
(3,502 posts)No point in pondering the issue. She's your cat now. Might as well start picking out a name. This is exactly how we acquired several of the cats we've had. It's the MO. I doubt she's feral. She's let you get awfully close to her. She was probably dumped or abandoned. People who say she wants food are right, but she may be looking for companionship and a home, too. And she picked you. If she was never spayed then she's probably pregnant. They don't go long in the outdoors without getting pregnant.
Outdoor cats can certainly become indoor cats, although they are more likely to slip outside once in a while. More than one of my co-workers has adopted some of the truly feral cats that have a colony near work. One of the women here has does trap/neuter/release with them, but some of them have been tamed and adopted. It took a very long time to get where you already are with your new kitty, though. Still, she may never exactly trust you the way a dog does. Only some cats are that relaxed, even if they've been living with you since kittenhood. So getting her to the vet might involve a good thick pair of gloves and long sleeves. The relationship will survive that, although you'll probably want to make sure she can't get out at all for a few days afterwards while she settles back down.
Oh, and a combination diet of dry and canned is probably ideal. Just remember, her humble beginnings don't preclude her becoming a finicky eater once she's secure in the knowledge that dinner will be served.
Best of luck to you both. I'm sure you'll find that being a cat's human is rewarding, if a bit humbling.