🚀 go-pugleaf

When I lived at a post apartment my wife and I tamed a feral cat by
leaving food out for it.   Once he got into a schedule we would put
the bowl on the bottom of an outdoor staircase and stand on the ground
on the other side of the railing.  This was done to give the cat a
clear exit away and also to be slightly elevated (they say you can
deal with a cat better at eye level).    The cat would initially hiss
when ever he saw us but ultimately started to let us pet him through
the stair rail.   We finally got the cat to come inside and the rest
is history as he has become a very friendly and personable cat who
also gets along with the other two cats.   I'd suggest seeing if you
can get another cat when he is tamed, getting them to get along is
another story but I feel cats do better with another cat.   Also don't
declaw the cat.  Its painful, stressful and prevents normal stretching
functions.  Sisal rugs can be used to deal with the need to scratch.

thanks
Eric

On Mon, 19 Jan 1998 00:26:00 GMT, Kudzu@worldnet.att.net (Kudzu)
wrote:

>I've had a cat that's lived in the sewer pipes near my
>home for several years now.  I no longer have my dog
>(see below) and now the cat has been getting nearer
>to my house lately.  The other night I could hear it crying
>out.  The cat is very skittish and at the first sight of a
>human it goes running.
>
>Years ago when I was living with my parents, we had a 
>cat suddenly show up and 'adopt' us.  We fed it and 
>very, very slowly it came to trust us enough to allow
>us to handle him.  This cat, named JD, was determined
>to be quite old and apparently had lost the ability to
>acquire food on his own.  Eventually he even would
>come inside and respond to petting and some grooming.
>We thought that JD had probably been on his own
>for nearly all his life and it was really a joy to see him
>respond so positively to affection and have a secure
>home and family in the final years of his life.  JD lived 
>for many years before passing away.
>
>Losing my best friend and companion this fall has been
>absolutely devastating.  Every now and then I'll discover
>one of her 'hiding' places where she'd stashed one of her
>toys and it really busts me up badly.  Sadie May was a
>wonderful, loving German Shepherd and her memory
>will be with me forever.
>
>Anyway, given the above, I'd kind of like to try to
>get it across to this cat that he/she has a home with me.
>Does anybody have any advice on how to 'adopt' 
>a feral animal?  I'd really appreciate any feedback.....
>
>k.
>