And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Sunday, June 28, 2020
There's a cool, one-eyed stray pirate cat hanging out here.
I want to tame him, but Mrs. CW isn't so sure.
If I leave the back door open at night, he's bold enough to come right in the house in the wee hours of the morning. Curiosity. Cats have it.
Word! I came face to face with a trash panda last Winter coming around the corner of the house one night. But seriously, I get up really early, and that's when the door is opened, so I'm awake and watching.
Agree with Grog. You can't tame a truly feral cat. Some people think they have done so, but what they actually have "trained" is an abandoned domestic kitten or cat. Get a generation away from that and you are dealing with a wild animal. I'm 84 and have had cats since I was a child--three of them right now--and I know from feral.
Ground Chuck will (slowly) win the heart of even the most suspicious predator! The old adage is, feed him enough to keep him around, but not enough to keep him alive. Appear as a sympathetic benefactor, and gradually he will become at least your ally, if not your friend. I currently have about a 2 y.o. that I have (mostly) convinced to be one of the family. He and the old black lab are the best of buddies! He hardly even draws blood from me any more when I scritch his tummy!
Oh, and don't cook the chuck. They want and need it raw. Also, I guess "tame him" isn't really a likely scenario. More likely you can develop his allegiance, and tolerance, in exchange for the ease and convenience of gifts of food.
Looking closely, I do not think that cat is feral. He is far too comfortable in the open. Feral cats are creatures of the darkness, and the shadows, ever vigilant, and extremely skittish. Also, if he sees you, when he comes in the back door, and doesn't immediately turn into a streak of black lightening, he is already "human associated" Whether positively or negatively will become obvious when, and if, you get closer. Positively is an easier sell, obviously, but negatively still isn't a deal breaker. It just takes longer to convince them you are not "that guy".
we were adopted by a grown feral at our place. there were a bunch of feral cats living around there. she came in and hid under the table and slept then went back out to do her business. we couldnt pet her she would lash out and run outside but she finally tamed down got used to being petted of course she wasnt a dummy it was in the winter by then and cold. all that being said she was fixed so we didnt have to worry about babies. it can be done cats feral and tamed can be made into house cats just get them fixed and feed them and try to make them inside cats. feral cats arent wild animals just animals not used to people show them kindness and i am sure you will have a good pet ohh and get those nuts cut off it takes all the fight out of him for sure.
Have a feral. They can learn to love you but not others outside of your live-in family; then they just hide if anyone comes to visit. This one doesn't appear totally wild and think you have a good idea.
Patrick D [/QUOTE]"Also, I guess "tame him" isn't really a likely scenario. More likely you can develop his allegiance, and tolerance, in exchange for the ease and convenience of gifts of food. " -- Nailed it.
Feral cats make great cats. Just keep food around and be available. And sit still a lot around him. IGNORE him. As a person allergic to cats, my ignoring them in a room had them all over me the moment I sat down.
He is a wild cat. Just give him what you can. He MIGHT let you scratch the top of his head one day.
Taming him isn't worth the effort, feral cats are different, if he gets to the 50% mark for trusting you, I think that will be good enough. FWIW.
ReplyDeleteWhat's to stop a curio racoon (or worse) from coming in?....are you crazy??
ReplyDeleteWord! I came face to face with a trash panda last Winter coming around the corner of the house one night.
DeleteBut seriously, I get up really early, and that's when the door is opened, so I'm awake and watching.
He's a survivor, give him some Kibble-Meow-mix....
ReplyDeleteAgree with Grog. You can't tame a truly feral cat. Some people think they have done so, but what they actually have "trained" is an abandoned domestic kitten or cat. Get a generation away from that and you are dealing with a wild animal. I'm 84 and have had cats since I was a child--three of them right now--and I know from feral.
ReplyDeleteGround Chuck will (slowly) win the heart of even the most suspicious predator! The old adage is, feed him enough to keep him around, but not enough to keep him alive. Appear as a sympathetic benefactor, and gradually he will become at least your ally, if not your friend. I currently have about a 2 y.o. that I have (mostly) convinced to be one of the family. He and the old black lab are the best of buddies! He hardly even draws blood from me any more when I scritch his tummy!
ReplyDeleteOh, and don't cook the chuck. They want and need it raw. Also, I guess "tame him" isn't really a likely scenario. More likely you can develop his allegiance, and tolerance, in exchange for the ease and convenience of gifts of food.
DeleteLooking closely, I do not think that cat is feral. He is far too comfortable in the open. Feral cats are creatures of the darkness, and the shadows, ever vigilant, and extremely skittish. Also, if he sees you, when he comes in the back door, and doesn't immediately turn into a streak of black lightening, he is already "human associated" Whether positively or negatively will become obvious when, and if, you get closer. Positively is an easier sell, obviously, but negatively still isn't a deal breaker. It just takes longer to convince them you are not "that guy".
ReplyDeleteYep, Feed him.
ReplyDeleteHow are your other cats reacting to the newbie? And vice-versa?
ReplyDeletewe were adopted by a grown feral at our place. there were a bunch of feral cats living around there. she came in and hid under the table and slept then went back out to do her business. we couldnt pet her she would lash out and run outside but she finally tamed down got used to being petted of course she wasnt a dummy it was in the winter by then and cold. all that being said she was fixed so we didnt have to worry about babies. it can be done cats feral and tamed can be made into house cats just get them fixed and feed them and try to make them inside cats. feral cats arent wild animals just animals not used to people show them kindness and i am sure you will have a good pet ohh and get those nuts cut off it takes all the fight out of him for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHave a feral. They can learn to love you but not others outside of your live-in family; then they just hide if anyone comes to visit. This one doesn't appear totally wild and think you have a good idea.
ReplyDeletePatrick D [/QUOTE]"Also, I guess "tame him" isn't really a likely scenario. More likely you can develop his allegiance, and tolerance, in exchange for the ease and convenience of gifts of food. " -- Nailed it.
ReplyDeleteFeral cats make great cats. Just keep food around and be available. And sit still a lot around him. IGNORE him. As a person allergic to cats, my ignoring them in a room had them all over me the moment I sat down.
ReplyDeleteHe is a wild cat. Just give him what you can. He MIGHT let you scratch the top of his head one day.