I'm hoping some of the experts on here might have some answers for me...
Context: there is a feral cat that I've had microchipped and neutered, and I've been feeding him in my garden for several months now. He's a proper feral; he still hisses whenever we get close, the type who'd "go for your face", to use the words of the vet who sorted him out.
The problem: I've got a move coming up to a house with a garden where I'm sure he'd be happy, but I don't even know if relocating him is a realistic option. He’s already been in a trap once, so getting him back into one is going to be a right nightmare... but what I’m mainly wondering is whether a feral cat—who has no real bond with us—will understand once he's released in the new garden that he should stick around? Or will he just try to head back to where we lived before (which is over 120 miles away...?).
The plan I’ve got in mind: keep him shut in a garage for a few days with a litter tray and food so he understands that's where the food is, then open the door and let him carry on with his life as a free-roaming cat. But is that even feasible?
Thanks in advance!
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20pattes57, I completely agree with you. How can anyone possibly think that a cat can look after itself, let alone on the streets! ... NO COMMENT!
I rescued a feral girl myself who was living outdoors; she was completely unsociable and had a burst eye. Today, she’s fit as a fiddle and has found a lovely cosy home.
It’s always possible to relocate an animal, even if it’s very tricky at times, but it’s well worth the effort once the animal has established its new territory and settled into its environment.
Is there any chance of an update on the kitty from the original post!?
"Oh, no, you absolutely mustn’t take her with you; she lives on her own, you aren’t her owners, you’ll only cause her a huge amount of stress and for what? She’ll look after herself in the wild."
I’m absolutely staggered by that comment.
1. Actually, this person has had her microchipped, so they are legally her owner.
2. Have you ever actually seen stray cats that have "looked after themselves"? Because I have. I’ve currently got two in my care at home, one of whom weighed just over 4 lbs when she arrived because of a severe case of cat flu. She isn’t socialised and will be released once she’s better and the weather permits! If she’d been friendly, I would have bent over backwards to find her a safe home, but unfortunately, she doesn't like humans unless they’re filling her food bowl and standing three metres back.
Malnutrition, disease, injuries, fights, predators, the danger of the roads, the weather, and I could go on—that’s their daily reality. So, "she’ll look after herself in the wild"? Absolutely not!
To answer the original question, I’ve moved stray cats from a dangerous feeding spot (near busy roads and hostile neighbours) to a second one, and they settled in very quickly, especially thanks to some decent meals. 😉
Oh no, definitely don't take her with you! She lives on her own and you aren't her owners; you'll only end up causing her a lot of stress, and for what? She'll look after herself just fine in the wild.
To move my "wild" cat:
- catching her (leather rose pruning gloves, scarves wrapped around my forearms)
- she spent at least 3 days in her carrier (open) in the loo (where the litter tray was and where I’d put her wet food up high)
- followed by 3 or 4 days in the bathroom in front of a window looking outside
(all the doors were left open, it was her choice, she’d go back and forth between the loo and the bathroom)
- followed by 2 or 3 trips downstairs, but she was still stressed (lashing out at the dog if she ran into him on the stairs)
- then that was it, she was coming in and out, exploring within about a 50-metre radius
- after 2 months, I had a real scare when she didn't come when called for 2 and a half days (I was worried sick)
- and then back came a very tired cat, but she hadn't gone back to the old address, phew...
I can definitely understand how attached you are! 👍
Your vet is right—you need to stop feeding her at your old place, but 300 metres is too far for her to find her meals at your new house on her own...
That’s why I’d recommend catching her to bring her to your new home.
You can keep her in one room at the start of her temporary "indoor stay", but very quickly (two days at most), let her have access to the rest of the house. Above all, let her see the exits without actually opening them yet...
The goal is for her to familiarise herself with her new surroundings before being let back outside... so that she has the instinct to come back to your house once she's released... after a week or two.
Anyway, 300 metres is a long way for her but not for you. What I mean is, if by any chance the plan I’m suggesting doesn't work and she goes back "home" by habit, or if you decide not to catch her or just can't manage it, all is not lost!
She’ll stay nearby and you’ll have plenty of time to lure her to your place. It would be a good idea to get her settled before the cold weather kicks in, though, otherwise she’ll find a warm shelter at someone else's house and keep a low profile for a few months...
Yes, it really is 300 metres... I’m moving from a townhouse with a tiny garden to a detached house. We moved yesterday and I went back to my old place last night. She was there, looking a bit lost because the garden was empty... She even went inside the empty house! That’s a first!
I’m thinking of catching her and keeping her shut in one room for a few days before letting her out... it’s no problem if she meows... there are no immediate neighbours! And if she does head back to my old place, I can still go and get her for the next few months. A vet advised me to stop feeding her at the old house so she gets the message that dinner time has moved! She’s been "squatting" at mine for 6 years now... I’ve got really attached to her! 👍 But I don't want to turn her into a proper lap cat. She loves her freedom too much! I just want to keep looking after her!
300 metres, or a kilometre?
If it's a kilometre, I’d say the same as the others (especially that first comment, very sensible! 😁). If she's a spayed female, you won't have any issues...
If it's 300 metres, it sounds a bit daft but it’s actually going to be slightly more of a problem...
In fact, the cat will either stay put or keep heading back to her usual territory if you move her (bearing in mind that 300m is the territorial radius for a spayed female – often less, but as she’s semi-feral...). Plus, she might cause issues for the people moving into your old house.
*Either because they don't like cats, which is unthinkable and deserves a good thrashing!
*Or because they *do* like cats and might try to steal her from you, which is also unthinkable and deserves a good thrashing... anyway, just give them a good thrashing regardless! That’ll teach them!
Firstly, I think you'll need to 'capture' her and keep her inside your new place for about a week and a half. You should also explain the situation to the neighbours – as unfortunately, not everyone is a cat lover – as well as the new occupants of your house.
Secondly, try to get her microchip/ID registered in your name, provided you have the agreement of ALL the people who currently look after her as a "community cat".
And for the first few weeks, maybe get her a quick-release collar with your phone number written on it in marker, because she's bound to wander 300m into what will be partly new territory for her...
I’m in the same boat. I’ve been feeding an outdoor cat for 6 years now. She lets me stroke and handle her, and she’s even got her own little shelter in the garden... but she just won’t stay indoors.
I’ve moved house—only about 300 metres away to a bigger place—but there are several roads separating the two locations. I’d love to move her with us while still letting her roam free... I just need to make her understand that her feeding spot has changed!
Could you tell me how it went for you? How did you get on?
