Discussion
Hello cat people. We need some advice. We moved into a new house about 2 months ago, and with the house came 2 'feral' cats.
The cats are mother and daughter (the only survivor of a litter). The cats have always slept outside, the older one is very feral, very hardy (and fat) and is not a big fan of interacting with people. The younger one however, has always been fed by the previous owners, is a lot more slim and likes some interaction with people.
Both cats have an extra toe on each foot, sticking out the side, almost like a human hand, strange! But anyway.
Then we bought the house, we stayed over for 1 night but then didn't move in for 2 weeks, the previous owners were worried about the younger cat and so were going to take her with them if they could catch her which we said was fine. However they never did come over and try and catch her. When we moved in 2 weeks later, the older cat had gone. We were not worried about her because the one day we did stay over, we saw this:
Anyway, we obviously started feeding the younger cat and she has become more and more friendly, lots of rubbing and running over as soon as you get home from work, we feed her and then she disappears and comes back when she next wants some love or wants some food.
And here's the crux, the OH has got quite attached to it, and we'd quite like to know what we should do:
1. Can she ever be an inside cat? We've let it wonder around the kitchen a few times but she goes away
2. She has been neutered by a vet, but nothing more (I think? I have no way of finding out). Should we take her to a vet for a check up if we want to let the cat inside more?
3. She seems to have a problem with her back legs, she does a lot of stretching her back legs like i've never seen a cat do before, and walks a little strangely (but I can't tell if that is because of the 5th toe). Should we do anything about that?
4. Will any/all of the above cost a fortune because we'll never get insurance for a feral cat?
Here is (strangely named, not by us) Lonely:
The cats are mother and daughter (the only survivor of a litter). The cats have always slept outside, the older one is very feral, very hardy (and fat) and is not a big fan of interacting with people. The younger one however, has always been fed by the previous owners, is a lot more slim and likes some interaction with people.
Both cats have an extra toe on each foot, sticking out the side, almost like a human hand, strange! But anyway.
Then we bought the house, we stayed over for 1 night but then didn't move in for 2 weeks, the previous owners were worried about the younger cat and so were going to take her with them if they could catch her which we said was fine. However they never did come over and try and catch her. When we moved in 2 weeks later, the older cat had gone. We were not worried about her because the one day we did stay over, we saw this:
Anyway, we obviously started feeding the younger cat and she has become more and more friendly, lots of rubbing and running over as soon as you get home from work, we feed her and then she disappears and comes back when she next wants some love or wants some food.
And here's the crux, the OH has got quite attached to it, and we'd quite like to know what we should do:
1. Can she ever be an inside cat? We've let it wonder around the kitchen a few times but she goes away
2. She has been neutered by a vet, but nothing more (I think? I have no way of finding out). Should we take her to a vet for a check up if we want to let the cat inside more?
3. She seems to have a problem with her back legs, she does a lot of stretching her back legs like i've never seen a cat do before, and walks a little strangely (but I can't tell if that is because of the 5th toe). Should we do anything about that?
4. Will any/all of the above cost a fortune because we'll never get insurance for a feral cat?
Here is (strangely named, not by us) Lonely:
Edited by Salgar on Monday 20th July 00:32
She sounds just like a cat 
They do treat you like a slave & come and go as they please, congratulations on your new Mistress
A lot of cats choose to spend more time outside than inside.
As far as the Ver/Insurance know; she was left by the previous occupants & you've adopted her. I'd get insurance before you see the Vet. Although I'm still not sure that her back legs would be covered as they'd be a pre-existing condition, nor would it cover her jabs etc; but it would cover her going forward & jabs aren't expensive.
Let her in when is cold & wet, continue as you are, she'll learn to trust the house eventually
They do treat you like a slave & come and go as they please, congratulations on your new Mistress
A lot of cats choose to spend more time outside than inside.
As far as the Ver/Insurance know; she was left by the previous occupants & you've adopted her. I'd get insurance before you see the Vet. Although I'm still not sure that her back legs would be covered as they'd be a pre-existing condition, nor would it cover her jabs etc; but it would cover her going forward & jabs aren't expensive.
Let her in when is cold & wet, continue as you are, she'll learn to trust the house eventually
She will only be an indoor cat if she decides she wants to be one, so you'll probably see a bit more of her come winter 
Getting her checked by the vets would be a good idea and will give you a general idea of her condition. If she does need spaying then a lot of places will do this cheaply as they actively encourage owners to do it
Getting her checked by the vets would be a good idea and will give you a general idea of her condition. If she does need spaying then a lot of places will do this cheaply as they actively encourage owners to do itGassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff