Nifty's Feral Kitty Adventure

[HomesteaderWife]

Former ferals somehow become some of the most bonded cats it seems, @Nifty-Chicken . I had the opportunity to work with a few true blue ones while at shelters, then adopted two myself! When they're young like your "Caly" appeared to be, it's so much easier to build the bond because they're still right at that age where socialization is in that right window of age. I can't think of the right term for it, LOL, but maybe you see what I am saying? Especially if they had possibly been fed as a colony or had some handling prior. Even our recent girl, Pizza, who was a former feral adult (extra spicy, phew, it took a long time to get her trust) has becoming one of the most attention starved cats. They seem to be extra grateful.

I hope you'll continue to share photos and happy stories of this sweet kitty!

Pizza says hello to another feral friend-

 

[KaleIAm]

Former ferals somehow become some of the most bonded cats it seems, @Nifty-Chicken . I had the opportunity to work with a few true blue ones while at shelters, then adopted two myself! When they're young like your "Caly" appeared to be, it's so much easier to build the bond because they're still right at that age where socialization is in that right window of age. I can't think of the right term for it, LOL, but maybe you see what I am saying? Especially if they had possibly been fed as a colony or had some handling prior. Even our recent girl, Pizza, who was a former feral adult (extra spicy, phew, it took a long time to get her trust) has becoming one of the most attention starved cats. They seem to be extra grateful.

I hope you'll continue to share photos and happy stories of this sweet kitty!

Pizza says hello to another feral friend-
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You are so right about formerly ferals! Mine is in my lap right now. She is seriously annoyed that I'm not gazing back into her loving/creepily obsessive eyes. I can't get that cat off my shoulders or lap. Its great to be loved, but she takes it to the next level. You'd never guess that I used to see her once a month and she'd hiss at me.

Also, I really like your tortie!

 

[Marie2020]

Short version:​

My girlfirend talked me into getting a "feral" cat to help with the rats in the area. We named her Calypso (Caly for short). Turned out she wasn't so feral, and she became a part of our family.

In fact, since she's always meowing for attention, the GF now refers to her as: Kitty Meow Meow

---

Here's our kitty adventure over the last month:

9/26:
I've always had pets. Dogs, snakes, bunnies, and of course chickens... but never cats. Over the years I've found myself having more and more draw to kitties, especially since my daughters love them so very much. We have a neighbor 2 doors down that had the sweetest cat, and every once in a while when she'd see us drive up the street, she'd trot over and get a ton of love from my girls:

Here she (Sandy) is during one of her visits:


Unfortunately she passed away a few years ago. SUPER sad time for all of us

Well, fast forward to 1.5 years ago and my new girlfriend is a big-time cat-lover and has had them her whole life! She currently has one cat that is a rescue, and another cat she believes is feral that she cares for.

... they (mostly) tolerate each other:

In front is Gyro (the feral kitty) and behind him is my GF's cat "Monkey":


Here's Monkey getting some love from the GF:


I enjoy taking pics of him when he's in his natural state (usually sleeping/resting):




Well, the GF loves cats so much that she wants to always have a few that are rescues. About a month ago she found this local rescue around my area:
Feral Cat Foundation - Alameda & Contra Costa Counties, CA

... well, that started things in motion. She said these kitties need a good home and could even help with rodents that are around the property.

Sooooooo... TODAY (in about 1/2 an hour) we're getting two new friends!

Say hello to Caly (Calypso) & Rusty!!!!




I'm sure I'll have a few questions (and stories) to ask / share... especially when I don't want to keep bothering my GF!

I'm looking forward to having some felines around the house!!!

9/27:
1) Family decided to change "Rusty" to "Aries" in a effort to better match Calypso (sticking with a Greek mythology theme)
2) Pics:

Caly:

Aries:

10/16:
A few updates:

1. Aries didn't work out The woman from the rescue felt like he wasn't comfortable with Caly, so she took him to another home and he's doing well there.
2. Caly is doing GREAT! She's eating treats from our hands and is even letting us pet her a little. Rescue lady said it's surprising (given Caly's history) and really great news!
3. Here's Calypso (Caly) at the end of her 3-week stay inside the cage. We'll be releasing her tomorrow and hoping she'll stay around!

10/17:

Today's the day!

We opened the cage door and within about 5 minutes she explored out a little... but then my daughter started getting excited, said something, and spooked the cat a little and she went back into the cage.

I guess the good-news is that when she felt spooked she went back in the cage and didn't just bolt and run away.

The door has been open for the past hour and she's still just lounging in the cage taking a nap.

...and:

SUCCESS!!!

We opened the cage and she just stayed inside all day napping. We went to dinner and the webcam saw her leave the cage.

We got home a few hours later and saw her way back in the empty lot behind the house exploring.

A few moments later my GF saw Caly at the door... and this amazing thing happened!

10/18:
Kitty ended up walking a little into our bedroom a couple of times for some treats.

... but then the treats were gone.

So, there she sat waiting for more.

The GF thinks we created a drug-addict:

10/19:

Well, the last few days with new-kitty (Caly) have been pretty interesting!

When we let her out of the cage on Saturday we didn't know if she was going to come back.

Well, not only did she stay in the open cage all day, but when we got back from dinner, she quickly came to meet us.

The last three nights since then, she's come to our bedroom outside door and called for some treats / attention. Even feeling super comfortable with walking into the bedroom and lying down!

That's all pretty terrific, but last night was my FAVORITE part of the experience of first-time-cat-owner so far:

Around 9:30 last night she came to the back door as usual asking for some treats. We spent a little time with her and she casually walked off.

The GF and I went back to watching TV...

... that is until a half hour later when we heard Cali meeowing like crazy. More than I ever had before (and she's pretty talkative). I was worried there was something wrong with her. She was loud and consistent!

The GF went out to check on her. A few minutes later I hear my GF say, "Oh my goodness... if that's what I think it is, Daddy is going to be sooo proud of you!!! What a good girl!!!"

I went out and confirmed it... she had gone out and killed a big fat rat and brought it back to us!

Not sure how much of her brining it back was because she felt we needed to be fed, to connect, to show her appreciation, or something else... but either way, it's clear she's pretty bonded with us now!

Here she is with her gift!

10/20:
She caught another rat! She didn't bring it right to the door, but I stumbled on her with the rat while checking on the chickens around 10pm

10/21:
With the help of treats I've gotten her to come pretty far into the house! She is still a bit skittish, but quickly comes back for more treats.

Here she is napping at the foot of our bed:
View attachment 2383063


BIG kitty yawn!!

View attachment 2383064

Peeking into my office looking for a treat!
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Thank you so much for taking on these wonderful creatures. Your story is truly heartwarming and uplifting.
Huge smile here

 

[Marie2020]

2018 There were two tiny kittens crawling along my back fence. I was so worried about them as they were too small too be out alone.

A few months later I heard the most horrible noise and screams i saw a lot of magpies attacking one of the kittens along with a magpie with half it's wing missing.

Not being partially knowledgeable with cats I still felt for this little boy so started leaving food outside a few times a day while praying he would at least stay inside a dog kennel I had at that time...
So I carpeted it and left a warm cushion inside with a curtain on the door too keep out the cold wind. It wasn't me that witnessed him using this kennel but my neighbour, he told me he saw this little guy coming out one morning and stretching lazily.

As I fed him on my wall easily observing from my window, as he wouldn't let me or anyone near him (he limped so I assumed someone had hurt him) it was amazing too see he was sharing his food with this half winged magpie.

Then beast from the east had arrived i UK and I didn't see any paw prints in the snow, I was so worried he had died. Then as the snow started too go down a little, there he was with his fur stuck. As I got too him he managed too take off but what a relief he was still with us.

Later in the August I managrd too trapp him so he could fixed. I kept him in a cage for his recovery and yet again he managed too escape. Or so I thought...
The next night I heard a faint snoring and thought it was me but in the morning as I opened my drawer there he was staring up at me. I made sure he ate well and set him free, I didn't want him too feel trapped.

He always came back too eat and often slept in his kennel.
This carried on until the following new year's night. As I was about to lock the door like you @Nifty-Chicken I heard a frantic meowing I opened my door and in he trotted with his tail in the air and positioned himself next too my old dog then hid away from us both.

Today he constantly wants cuddles and loves sleeping with my dog.

Rewind: A month or so before he moved in I couldn't see old half wing magpie anymore . I'm guessing he or she had passed and this cat now felt we were now going too be his family. He was loyal too that magpie and ever since has been very loyal to us.

I feel very blessed indeed

 

[Marie2020]

My furry babies settled down for the night

 

[Marie2020]

On cat watch duty

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@KaleIAm - Thank you! She is such a good girl, I have a soft spot for torties. She definitely developed the "love me or else" look LOL.

 

[Marie2020]

Open the door please

 

[BigBlueHen53]

"Let meowt!"

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I had my hand resting on my water bottle and she jumped up on the desk and just fell asleep.

BTW, this ad just popped-up on BYC: