Approaching feral cats?

I have socialized feral cats for years. It takes time and patience, but it can be done. I usually start by supplying them with food on a daily basis. I feed them in an area where they feel safe and watch from a distance. I start creeping up to where they are eating a little at a time allowing them to get used to my presence. After awhile I am able to stand near them while they eat. It takes a bit longer but I am able to pet them after a bit I usually do this while they are eating. Again, I don't rush it and am very careful to make sure that I don't move in a way that threatens them. The biggest thing is that you don't force yourself on them, but allow them to become adjusted to you. Since the cat obviously is a working cat, earning his keep by catching mice, then let the little guy stay. I adopt feral cats from our local humane society and then release them in my area...and after feeding them for a few months I end up with a sweet little kitty that I can pet. I have one, Ralphie, who is now 18 years old, who started as a feral cat. He lives close to my house now as his hearing is bad and he is losing his teeth. I can pet him for hours, and when I go outside he is between my legs. But he has allowed me to pet him and has become an outside friend. If you are taking him in to get neutered, the best bet is to use an animal trap. If there are no females around, then I really wouldn't worry about taking him in for any surgeries. He may not be totally socialized, but he can be gotten to the point that you can come near him and even pet him. But, unfortunately, if you take him in to a place to try to adopt him out to another home; and if he can't be touched, he would be put to sleep. Most of the animal shelters operate in this manner because of the huge influx of cats this time of year.

Years ago I lived at this house, had several cats that would come around but there was this black cat that we'd see, but he would never come near anyone. One day I put a can of wet food out where he was hiding, and just watched him from a distance. He chowed :) I kept putting food out in the same spot for him. After a few days he associated me with the food, and he'd still run offa little ways, but would stay in the open and not hide. Eventually he ended up staying put while I brought the food. Then, I would pet him while he was eating. Eventually, I was able to coax him to come by the front door to eat with the other cats. Then, he would actually come when I called him :) He also had a bad sore, I think maybe mites on his neck, and he actually let me hold him to treat him-until I started spraying some antibiotic spray on him anyway. All in all, I think it only took me about 2-3 weeks for him to start coming to the front door to eat and be more social. So, it can be done. It's really just a matter of time and patience, and trust on the cat's part. Don't push him, just take it slowly. As far as making him a house cat, I really doubt that. But, I would suggest eventually taking him in, getting neutered, get his shots and de-wormed, and he'd probably make an excellent outdoor mouser for your parents :) Good luck!

Hey there, feral cats are tough to socialize... sometimes even trained professionals aren't able to socialize a cat for living as a pet, though they can and should be captured and taken in for a spay or neuter and for his/her shots... There are a lot of organizations that will come out, capture the cat, make sure that it gets medical attention and then will either attempt re socialization or return to the wild. I would make sure that whatever people that you contact have a "no kill" policy, unless you want the kitty to get put down if they can't socialize it. I would start with animal rescue organizations, or even a local vet will have some information for you. Good luck!