I am wondering if there is anything more I can do for a feral kitty that we have been feeding for about a month in our back yard. This is the skinniest cat I have ever seen. We are expecting well below freezing temperatures tomorrow. I do not think we can catch it. Any suggestions will be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

Did the cat make it through the winter ok? I just saw this and would love to hear an update. I keep 4 neutered ferals but had a tame abandoned cat come to feed with them.Not only was it skinny but matted to the point that her hair was falling out. But two months of TLC has done wonders. Hoping I can get her fattened up, healthy and adopted before the next winter.

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by cfidl 24 Jun 2017

The cat was around for months and looked a bit better. Then my cat got beat up bad by an unknown cat probably attracted by the food that was left over from the black kitty. We had to stop putting food out there and it has stayed away. Thankfully my beautiful Jack survived, although the area of the abscess has turned the fur dark as the skin below turned dark. I do not know what that means, so if anyone knows anything, please let me know.

Bless your heart in helping this poor creature....as others suggested use an old box or sterlite container with a lid.......cut an entry hole and fill with straw as that has great insulating properties......if you have coons or possums, try to put the container up on something off the ground to keep them from using it.......good luck!

Kitty is still alive after a few days of very cold temperatures. I still do not have a plan as I am overwhelmed with other things. Thank you all for your comments.

Feral cats need to be caught and desexed I would contact an animal rescue agency, You are not really helping by feeding it and encouraging it to perhaps breed.
Here in Australia they are a real problem to our wildlife. Even domestic cats must be registered and kept inside.

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by cfidl 16 Dec 2016

I think I will take you advice and find out someone local to assist in his capture.

Thanks for taking care of this poor cat. I know you have gotten a lot of good ideas. I hope you can manage to get some type of shelter together in time.

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by cfidl 16 Dec 2016

Oh me too, thank you Karen.

I run a Cat rescue and the best thing you can do for the cat is to get a huge container, Plastic Dog house, or whatever they can fit into. Line it with that thin Styrofoam insulation sheets from the home building supplies place and then stuff the heck out of it with STRAW. Not hay. Not blankets... STRAW.. Straw keeps them very warm and insulated and dry. They will bury themselves in the straw to keep warm.
. I have three feral houses outside for my feral cats I feed outside. I also bought a heated water bowl on Amazon so they will have water in the winter.
Blankets hold in the wet and get moldy causing upper repertory problems for the cat . I make lots of feral houses for people all the time. Close up the hole just big enough for them to get in and out. Sometimes I put a tarp over the houses too if they are not waterproof. Sometimes I use big dog carriers and take off the door. You would be surprised how many people throw them out. You can get some at Good will cheap also. Hope that helps. You can PM me is you want more info....

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by cfidl 16 Dec 2016

I think I can put something together before the storm, at least I hope so, whether he uses it, we'll wait and see.

I know some Supercat Ladies on here that I'll bet will come along with some really good suggestion. Good luck and thanks for caring about this little creature.

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by cfidl 16 Dec 2016

Doing my best. Thank you.

is there any way safely you can fix a box cover with old blanket or quilt put blanket inside needs small opening for it so will feel safe. put in treats or meat to get it to except the shelter. good luck

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by cfidl 16 Dec 2016

I have some Styrofoam in 4" so I will try to make a box for it.

Contact a vet to see if they can help...ask if you can give the cat benadryl to knock it out. It may have a tape worm or some illness that won't let it gain weight. If you have animal rescues in your city, they might be able to help too.

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by cfidl 16 Dec 2016

Thank you, that is a good point about the tape worm. I saw him today and his back haunches are really thin.