The Tale of Five Cats and Three Dogs

[Veem]

After a seriously snowy night in February 2012 during which my best friend died, a small, ravenous, feral, black cat arrived. We had no cats, so we had no cat food, but we did have some tins of dog food. The advice is not to give cats dog food (though t'other way round is OK) but we reckoned a bit wouldn't hurt and she seemed incredibly hungry. She stayed and we fed her. Later a Tom had his way with her and in early May she produced 3 beautiful tabby kittens.

One, with a white bib and four white feet, (who we called Sox) was the bravest, most adventurous, the first to discover everything and probably the most intelligent from the start. The others were almost identical and both very shy. One, we named Tigger and her slightly darker, even shyer brother became Tawny. Tawny is a sandwich short of a picnic and knows only one word, which in his case is a multi purpose single note rather gruff "Mwaah".

We managed catch all of them and all were sterilised. They continued to live outside here, mostly hiding but arriving every evening of their lives for their tea and they learned to live alongside but very separate from Blitz, Blaze and Frodo whose contact with the cats was very distant and their desire to kill them was a constant worry.

The mother Quiver, disappeared about 5 years ago and though we hoped she would reappear, she never did. On 28 acres of natural jungle, looking for a black, feral cat was a hopeless task.. In her place not long after, another very small black cat arrived and took Quiver's place, becoming known as Tiny. The kittens (now aged about 8) were not best pleased. But Tiny is a very sweet natured cat and has taken up residence next to them in the outbuildings without causing any trouble. They all seem to respect the boundaries, with Tawny occasionally giving a monotonous "Mwaah" just to make his point.

Very recently we lost Frodo, the last of our beloved dogs and for the first time ever were able to leave doors open without fear of possible carnage. Little by little Sox and Tiny seemed aware of a difference and dared to poke noses through doors to do a recce. As I thought, Sox became the first to actually come indoors and have a very cautious tour of the ground floor. She has always enjoyed cuddles outside and followed us round like a little dog, but she'd never sat on my lap. Now her confidence is growing fast; she's come in several times this afternoon, taken treats from my hand and jumped up next to me on the computer chair at least 10 times. She even tried my lap, but had her claws in kneading mode, so I had to push her off.

What are the odds of all 4 being indoor cats by the time winter hits us all??????

[Lori]

Aww, how sweet Veem. I think the odds are good.

[exile]

Looking good Veem

[Blaze]

you - and they - are onto a winner !

[Veem]

Has anybody on here ever taken on older semi wild cats? Did they soon adapt to being clean in the house. Of course none of them is house trained.

[exile]

Not as old as yours - well we think not but when an older cat just arrives the age is a guess, but yes we have and they have all adapted to cat trays or have demanded exit to the worldwide toilet.

[exile]

Just an additional point, with several cats it is an idea to have several trays. One article I read suggested you should have one more tray than the number of cats you have. We fall very short of that. Chateau Exile is just not that big.

[suein56]

We didn't have 'dirt' trays .. just a cat flap so they could exit at will for their toilet needs.

[hughnique]

Ah yes the joys of taking on feral cats, once they have calmed down and stopped wrecking the place they are fine. We have had a total of 5, 2 from my mates barn, 2 tiny little kits found in the garden, and one who pitched up a couple of years back. Lucy and Florrie, sadly deceased, Derek and Misty, Derek has a major op tomorrow on his cruciate ligament, another 600€, and the latest, known simply as Puss, with the exception of Misty, all very loving cats, get up on your lap for a cuddle, and drift of to sleep in your arms. Puss is a cat that you just cannot resist touching at every moment he is so soft, beautifully marked, and a good little character. I do laugh when people ask do you want a kitten, it's free, the money we have spent with the vet, on their upkeep is phenomenal

DSCN1349.JPG

here is one of Puss.

[Lori]

Oh, he's a beauty.