Feral cat update. [View all]

[another_liberal]

As I type this comment the kitten of a young feral cat I adopted a little over a year ago is playing at my feet. It is a bit odd to call him a kitten anymore, he is almost eight months old. Still, despite being nearly twice his tiny mother's size, he is very much a kitten through-and-through. We call him "Harper" and he is transitioning well to spending his nights inside (days he prefers to be out and about in the yard). He has a new black collar and silver tag for "bling."

The mother has also tamed to a degree, allowing a brief pat or two as she is being fed, but she remains essentially a feral animal. It was a real adventure to capture and contain her long enough to get her to a vet for shots and spaying. The little thing nearly burst right through the latched door of our cat carrier (it was necessary to carry it on it's end to keep her inside for the trip to the vet). The surgery went well and O. C. (pronounced "Oh-see," for Outside Cat) seems as active and healthy as ever.

I would like to thank once again everyone here who offered advice and encouragement. Yes, with patience and perseverance it is possible to tame a feral kitten, even to protect a feral adult cat without adding to the explosion of such animals living wild.