Feral Cat

[m120407]

Hi,

I got a feral cat (trapped at my work) about 5 years ago.  Baby was spayed about a week later.  We estimated at the time that she was about 5 or so months old.  For 3 years she would hide in a crawl space in the celing down in our basement.  She would only come out at night and would hide again when it got light.  For the past 2 years she "litterally lives in my bedroom.  I have a litter box and food and water right in the bedroom.  She is still very skinny and runs and hides at the least little noise.  She will make over me, almost frantically.  We have 4 other cats and a dog.  One of the cats is friends with Baby and will come in and also sleep on the bed along with Baby.

My question is, has anyone else had a feral cat and do they ever change?

Thank you

[m120407]

Thank you both.  You have pretty much confirmed what I've seen.

When Baby is affectionate with me, it's almost overboard.  She will lay on my stomach, but like you say if I cough she's under the bed.

Mandy

[kathyjo]

I have a 5 year old female (Clinton) who I rescued when she was about 6 months. She has come a long way, but mainly with me. She has scratched me in the past, but only when I attempted to pick her up. For the most part, I just pet her where she lies and try not to be to loud when I am near her. She is loving, but in her own way : ) She does give me her belly on occasion : )
Another stray, feral, female, Ebony, who I have been feeding for nearly 5 years, lives outside but does come in quite often. She will sit on my lap now, and she is so very loving, but if I should cough/sneeze or clear my throat, she is under the bed.
Both have their own way of showing their love and sometimes my family will comment and call them useless, but I have grown to love them and accept that their personalities are very different. With Ebony, I have 4......my other 2 are altogether mushes and they were also rescues.
Kathy Jo

[PrettyKitty1]

Well I have never had a feral cat before. I have heard they never change. I know a lady who rescues and also fixes feral cats. She has kept some of them, but they just don't trust anyone. They scratch her, bite her, hide, run away, and even when it all seems like they're over it, they get back to their old selves once the situation allows. They do make some progress, but it is very limited and up to a certain point. Baby will most likely be the same her entire life. She will probably never feel comfortable outside of the bedroom. That's her comfort zone. Five years...and you got her at a very young age. Looks like it's just her personality.