Will the stray cats that we're feeding ever trust us again??

Question

we've been feeding the same 2 stray cats for about 3 months now. one's male and the other is female. the male is very friendly and will let you pet him, but sometimes he can also be very shy and timid. the female is extremely shy and will not let you get anywhere close to her. we need to get both of them spayed and nuetered so we have a "have a heart" trap, and i feel so terrible, the female (we call her mama cat because when we first saw her, she was with a baby kitten.. so cute!!) will be scared out of her mind. when we finally bring her back from the hospital we have to keep her in a cage for 3 days. after we let her out, do you think she'll ever come back for food again? we're doing the same thing with the male cat (we call him George) i hope he will forgive us too. what do you think?

Answer 1

Yes they will. I assume your planning on a Trap, Neuter, Return endeavor. I've had the exact same situtaion (actually asked a very similair question, months back) I went forward with the operation, recovery and let the cat back at. I didn't see her for a couple days and was saddend. Less then a week, she did start coming back, and still comes by everynight.

I will be honest with you, eventhough I didnt get as close to the cat I TNR as you with Mama, she did become super scared and standoffish with me after the procedure. She is slowing getting back to trusting me. Truth be told, she will be much better in the long run after she is spayed, not having to worry about pregnancy, providing for any new kittens, and diseases, such as Pyometra, that can occur with intact female cats. Ive read somewhere that having the female cat spayed increase thier lifespan 3-5 years so you are doing this for the cats benefit.

Also, if you have to release it back out, make sure you get the eartipped. That way, if she does wonder off and somebody finds her, thats a universal sign recognized by vets and humane societies that she has been spayed and wont be retrapped and go through the procedure again. Ive also read that animal control agency are much less likely and have refused to trap a stray cat that has its eartipped because they know its fixed, had its shots and coincidently belongs to somebody. (You are given all her medical records, if something like this should arrive down the road)

Don't be afraid, you know you are doing the right thing whatever the trust issue outcome is. My bet through experience is that she will comeback at least for food.

Answer 2

There's a phrase that says something like if you feed a cat it'll keep coming back. I dont know the exact words. But I think that the cat may have run away from home or got lost at first. Then once you fed it it knew to come back. So it kept coming. And I think it's distant because since you were gone, maybe it feels betrayed? i don't know. It might want you to earn it's trust again And they are really different than dogs. A dog wouldn't be as distant

Answer 3

I've done TNR, they do forgive you. You put a towel over the cage, and make it as calm for them as possible. If you have a garage, keep the car out of it and you can let the cat loose in that for the three days, you need to only make sure that the anesthetic is worn off, which would take at least 24 hours. But keep her in the garage for 3 days if they said three days. Then just open the side door and she'll go.

They come back to food sources, so if you have food and water, they'll use that.

Answer 4

The "shy and timid" is actually a good thing, it's survival instinct. You seem to be torn between the desire for a domesticated cat and the 'freedom' of non-ownership. You obviously care about the cats (and probably animals in general), but it isn't in their best interest to be domesticated if you do not plan to keep them in a safe environment. Not everyone cares as much as you do and a semi-domesticated stray is unstable...willing to approach humans but wary, and that wary or "shy and timid" feeling can and will flip to defensive when they are unsure of what's going on, not out of malice but out of survival, in the form of a bite or scratch...which may not be of concern to you, but the parents of your neighbors children down the street will have a different view as the animal is captured to be tested or worse.

Unless you plan to shelter these cats as one of your own, you must let them be wild. The spay/neuter is one thing...but you aren't trying to create a domesticated animal so whether they like you or not afterwards should be at the bottom of your list of concerns. They will always go where there is an abundance of food sources...they are not there to see you. There is no middle ground. Feeding them provides support, and that's fine, but I really think you're making a mistake developing a deep emotional bond with them. It's a jungle out there...they need to survive.

Answer 5

It's going to be traumatic for both cats. Sound like the male had some human contact so it's not going to be as bad.

I'd think twice about doing this because what about the follow up visits? What are you going to do if there are complications?

Cats have long memories, naturally they'll remember being caught and taken to the vet more vividly than your feeding them. They won't come near you or the trap again.

Answer 6

I have 2 cats myself - one was rescued by a friend who gave him to me, the other we adopted from the humane society.

From my experience with my cats, the older male cat usually gets pissy at things, and will kind of ignore/avoid me for a few hours. But then, he's back to cuddling soon. The younger female cat is either really laid back or really dumb, but she has never shown distrust towards my spouse or myself.

Because you've been feeding these cats for so long, they know where their 'home' is, and even though you will have them caged for a few days, I believe they will still come back, because they know where they can always get food. After a little while, probably a few hours, maybe a day or so, they will most likely be back to normal. Just try to show them some extra affection - maybe get them some catnip or special treats.

I really do think they'll forgive you. =)

Best of luck!

Answer 7

I think what you are doing is incredible, 100 awesome human points for you! I've heard stories of how the fix-and-free movement is really decreasing the stray cat population in some areas. I must say, I think finding a no kill shelter would be the best thing to do. However, if you do free the cats, I'm sure they will grow to trust you again. If for no other reason than because winter is around the corner and they are bound to be hungry.

Answer 8

First of all, it's a very nice and smart thing that you're doing. My grandmother actually did the exact same thing to a stray "mama" cat awhile back, and everything turned out fine. The cat was a lot more calm after the surgery and, yes, she is still around....she is kind of an "adopted stray." :) Because the cats will be so woozy after the surgery they'll need you to care for them, and may become more tame after this whole ordeal. I'm guessing that not only will they "forgive" you, they'll be alot better off because of you. :)

Answer 9

It will probably be ok, they might not come back for a while. Try and tempt them back, show them that you're kind and won't hurt them.
I took in a stray cat who was the shyest cat EVER, SO timid! But she eventually grew to trust us, she's still a bit of a wild cat though-she only comes in in the day if it's cold and she comes in at night to get her food and sleep, by the morning she's usually out again.
So it's ok, try it and I'm sure they'll grow to trust you again, don't worry!!! Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Keeping her in the cage a little longer while you feed and talk to her will help. When she no longer cowers or backs away from you you will know she has learned to trust you again. If she comes home medicated you may be able to pet and comfort her. If she looks panic don't try this, it will make things worse. I would try this with the male, too. Kudos on being kind to animals and trying to help these stray cats.
Good Luck and God bless.