End of Life for 17-Year-Old Feral Cat

 The end of life has come for feral cat Lucy who has been in our care since 2008.  This feral cat was born in a limestone opening in a bluff in the woods by my home.   In her lifetime she had two small litters before being hunted and attacked by a wild animal who wanted her kittens.  Lucy fought off the wild animal that injured her and her one kitten.

2008 Lucy lying outside the garden shed with one of her kittens

2009 2nd litter  Lucy injured and brings kittens to my shed

Injured Lucy brought her two kittens to my garage where we trapped the nursing mother and all her kittens for medical care.  The cats needed medical care for 21 days and when they were released from the medical clinic Lucy had been spayed. 

All of Lucy's kittens were trapped, socialized, and adopted. Lucy could not be socialized so she was released to the colony that my husband and I oversaw.

Lucy the feral cat lived a very long life as the average age for a feral cat without human intervention is about two years.  Many feral cats that live in colonies that have human caretakers have lived 7 to 10 years.  

My husband and I take care of the cats in our colony and we watch them daily to make sure they are not sick or injured. We feed them and provide fresh water twice a day, in the rain, in the snow, or in the heat.   We also provide well-insulated cat houses and in the summer months, we have cooling mats for their houses.  But despite providing care to the cats many cats did not survive the feral cat lifestyle.   

I think Lucy the feral cat survived due to her camouflage coat, she could be lying on a rock and you would not see her.  She was very cautious and an excellent tree climber.

Lucy as a young adult cat lived in the woods adjacent to my home.  She took refuge in a thicket den which I located after a blizzard. She was snowed in and could not come to the feeding station so we took her food and water to her.

When Lucy was age 10  a red-tailed hawk airlifted Lucy and we were certain that her life had come to an end.  We did not see Lucy for a week but we had hope that she was still alive because we found a dead red-tailed hawk on the side of the hiking trail close to our home.  Lucy survived the hawk. 

 Then last spring while working in the yard and garden I heard a deer snorting in the front of my yard.  It was not a normal snort it was more of a warning. The doe deer had a fawn in hiding a few hundred yards from my side yard and I was worried that the fawn might be in danger.  I picked up my string trimmer and walked to where the warning was coming from.  On the edge of my property there is a rocky terrain with a steep drop off I saw Lucy the cat sleeping on top of a large rock that was about 6 feet off the ground and 30 feet away was a large adult coyote.

I quickly turned on my string trimmer and waved it above me to make look larger than life with a strange noise the coyote took off. The doe deer behind me took after the coyote and two other deer in the woods followed suit and chased the coyote out of our area.   Lucy slept through the entire episode she was age 16 and her response to danger had weakened.    

Here are a few photos of Lucy when she lived closer to our home 

We respect Lucy the feral cat and prepared her for winter with a wonderful insulated house that was donated by a friend of mine.   We set it up close to our side door and also set up a warming water bowl to keep her water from freezing. 

Lucy left the woods and did come to live close to our home.  She sunned herself on our patio chairs and made friends with a gray cat.  The two of them slept together, hung out together and the gray cat groomed Lucy.  

Other photos of Lucy 

             

Then in the winter of 2025, the weather was bitterly cold the temperature dipped to below 0 and there was snow.   Lucy and the gray cat spent 2 nights in the insulated cat shelter and on the 3^rd bitter cold night  Lucy the feral cat entered our house through our side door that was opened when my husband was bringing in groceries and she went and sat on the kitchen floor. 

My husband picked Lucy up she did not hiss, she did not snarl and he walked her to our enclosed side porch.   I set it up with a litter box, food, and water.  My husband brought in her insulated outdoor house. We also added an oil-filled space heater and a K&H self-warming cat mat.  Lucy lay down on the self-warming mat next to the heater.  

The gray cat that loves Lucy searched for her, he called out to her all night long and I feared that his distress calls would cause this cat to be hunted by coyote.  So, I trapped him and brought him into the room where I had Lucy. 

The gray cat was distressed but then Lucy picked up her head and he went to her and sniffed the gray cat relaxed.   United again, the gray cat groomed Lucy and then laid down next to her.  The gray cat will stay with Lucy until it’s her time to pass. Lucy is approximately 4 pounds and is eating and drinking very little.

Lucy enters the caregiver's home for end-of-life care

Lucy passed away on January 28th. at age 17. She had stopped eating and we took her to the veterinarian where we were told that she had cancer.  We euthanized her and buried her on the land where she was born.  

Lucy is the oldest living Feral Cat in history.  I have dedicated this blog to her as she was the first feral cat that we trapped and then cared for throughout her life.   Our hearts are broken and we will miss the feral cat that we called Lucy.

Winter Feeding Station for Feral Cats

Whenever the weather is cold or snowing it is important to have a feeding station that will keep the food from getting wet. It is also important to keep to your feeding schedule because the cats are dependent upon you.

Cat in winter

On chilly mornings in winter it is easy to think that it is too cold to go feed the feral cats, but you should know that these cats are accustomed to a certain feeding time and they will come out of their warm and safe shelters to go to the feeding station. If food is not there they will sit and wait, waiting could cause these cats to develop frostbite so if you feed the cats at 6 in the morning then keep to your schedule through the winter season, the cats are dependent upon you for food and water.

An insulated wooden feeding station 

This morning it was a chilly 37 degrees Fahrenheit and even though I would have preferred staying in bed all cozy under the down comforter I got up at 5:30AM and put on my winter hoodie and my insulated hiking boots. Then took to the trail to hike to the feral cats feeding station.

The feeding station is a wooden insulated box with an entrance and an exit and it is elevated so that rain water does not pour into the box. . I also have a feeding station set up in my yard for the stray and feral cats that frequent my shelter in the shed and a station in the woods.

Two bowls are set inside the feeding station for dry kibble food and water. Two cats can fit inside the box. Food is never left in the feeding station as it would attract predators. I feed the feral cats twice a day, 6 AM and 4 PM.

Know that if there is snow, you must still feed the cats, if you cannot get to them then they cannot get to you so take your snow shovel and clear a path to the cats. Here are photos of my feral cat feeding station in my yard and of the path we cleared in winter to get to the cats at the colony.

Pathe we cleared to cat colony

You can make a feeding station from a plastic storage container and styrofoam insert for insulation. Follow directions for a shelter, but instead of cutting for one entrance, add an exit also. No straw needed, this is for food and water. The insulation is helpful as it will aid in preventing the food / water from freezing.  I found this video at YouTube.com and think the directions are easy to follow.

Feral Cat Colony Caregiver Responsibilities

Being a feral cat colony caregiver is not a volunteer service for everyone, as once you commit to the position it is lifelong responsibility. As a feral cat colony caregiver you will provide these cats with shelter, regular feedings and keeping them up to date with sterilizations and vaccinations.  

Being responsible for a cat colony is a charitable service; you volunteer your time and collect donations to offset the costs for food and veterinarian care.  Learn what caregivers do before you take on the responsibility of caring for feral cats.   

If you were born to do this work then the feral cats will choose you. They have a natural way of finding people that love cats.  Put out a bowl of dry food and fresh water and if their are cats in your neighborhood they will find your feeding station. 




Locating Feral Cats

If there are no cats visiting you in your yard then you will need to look for the feral cats in your neighborhood.   

Do this by searching wooded areas that would have thickets. Some cats will take shelter under decks, or in sewer pipes.  

Many feral cats can be found by grocery store dumpsters or hanging out in city and state parks.

Setting up Feeding Station

Select a feeding station that is away from a busy street.  Set up the feeding station so that it is protected from adverse weather.  A heavy duty box will provide some protection.  I use the plastic top to my indoor cats litter box.  I set the food and water bowl at the entrance  and then set a rock on top to keep it from blowing away.   

Another way to provide shelter for the feeding station is to set the food and water bowls on a step that has an overhang or an awning to protect the food in the case of rain or snow.

My feeding station is on the woods side of my yard in a safe area.  I feed the cats directly outside on the step of our shed.  

The kitty door is always open and  food available indoors too.  Over the years the feral and woodland cats have found their way to the feeding station.  

Feed the cats a high protein dry cat food.  I feed my colony Purina One Smart Blend chicken and rice formula.  

The cats like the taste of the crunchy kibble and I know that their diet is rich in real chicken, omega-6, antioxidants and protein.  

Plan on feeding the cats twice a day, a bowl food and fresh water in the morning and at night. I feed my cats at 7 am and 6 pm. If you cannot feed your cats at the specific time ask someone to put out the food and water. 

 Feral cats get along however if they are hungry and no food is available they will become agitated and that is when fights occur. So feed them their meals on time. Continue to feed the cats daily. By doing this, the cats are growing dependent upon you.

Trap Neuter and Return (TNR)

TNR is an effective method for reducing feral cat populations.  When the cats are dependent upon you it is time to bring out the medium size live animal traps.  

You must trap the feral cats for veterinarian care.  All colony cats must be tested for feline leukemia and AIDS.  They also need to be vaccinated for rabies, distemper, wormed and spay or neuter.  If you do not have a live animal trap you may contact your local animal control and inquire about the usage of a trap or purchase a medium size trap.

Contact your veterinarian and let them know that you are a caregiver to feral cats and that you plan on trapping feral cats for medical care and sterilization. Inquire about their procedure also contact the cat networks in your area and inquire about a coupon card to offset the costs for the feral cats spay or neuter.  
   
My veterinarian will take the feral cats as soon as I trap them. I schedule my trapping for Monday - Friday during the day only.
  

If the colony is large it is best to ask other colony cat caregivers to assist you with the trapping of the cats.  

It is best to trap all on in one day. 

1. Do not feed the cat the night before you trap. 
2. On the day that you set up the trap, the only food available will be inside the trap. 
3. Line the trap with newspaper. 
4. Drop Friskies whitefish canned food down the center, the fish will lure the cat into the trap. 
5. Set the trap close to the feeding station. 

On the days that I trap, I am able to watch the trap from my laundry room window. It is not wise to leave the trap unattended.  Trapping may take up to a week. 

The last kitten that I trapped took me two weeks. Be patient the trap will close. When the trap door closes, cover the entire trap with a blanket. The blanket will comfort the cat. Bring the cat inside your garage, basement or house.

Set the trap in a quiet room or take the cat directly to the veterinarian's office.

(TNR) =  trap neuter and return program.  

When cats return from the veterinarian office, the female will need to stay inside for medical care for 3-4 days, release the male cat to the same area in which you found him. Allow him to regroup with the colony.

Provide a Winter Cat Shelter

Provide the cat colony with a wind and waterproof shelter. A utility shed, or an over sized flat roof doghouse could be used as a shelter. Cats need two doors, one in the front and one in the back. The back door is the escape door.

Winter bedding for feral cats

Kerosene heater keeps shelter warm overnight

I provide shelter for the feral cats in my old shed.  I selected an area in the shed that is away from the entrance.  By doing this I have protected the cats from drafts and from intruders. 

Many of the feral cats winter in a corrugated shipping box that has a thermal fleece blanket and then is topped with straw. The straw bedding does not retain moisture and thus it will keep the feral cats warm. 

Another way to proved shelter is to cut an opening in a plastic storage container (the kind that has a locking lid). The opening should be on the side and is the entrance for the cat. Line the container with a fleece blanket and a thick layer of straw. The plastic container will provide a wind block and it is waterproof too. 

Tips and Warnings

1. Allow no children close to the feral cats
2. Never yell or be impatient with a feral cats
3. Move slowly around feral cats
4. Feral cats are terrified of humans, they will try to protect themselves if you attempt to pet or pick them up.  If you are bitten by a feral cat you will need  shots to prevent rabies and the cat will be euthanized.
5. Network for cat lovers to help you to oversee your colony.
6. Rescue feral cats should they become trapped in sewers or thickets that are packed with snow. 
7. Raise money for feral cat medical costs by offering your trapping and relocation services.  Charge a fee and then apply the fee to pay for spay, neuter, tests, vaccines or euthanize costs for the cats. 

 

Keep a journal on all of the cats.  Note their characteristics, description, and keep track of their medical care.  Take a photograph of the cats and attach the photo to their profile page.

Interview Questions For Cat Adoption

Interviewing cat adopters is very important as it protects the cat from being mistreated, or put outside to fend on their own. 

You need to find the right adopters for all socialized feral, stray or house cats that are in need of a new home.   Matching the right cat with the adopter will ensure that the cat will have a forever home. 

Many people fall in love with kittens but forget that they need a lot of attention and also training.  A woman contacted me about a kitten that I had up for adoption and I agreed to meet with her and chat.  I asked her a few questions and found out that she worked nights and slept during the day.  She also preferred peace and quiet and did not have a lot of time to spend with the kitten.  She told me she wanted the kitten to curl up in a ball and sleep at the foot of her bed.  

Based on the information that the woman provided me I knew she was not suited for a kitten and so I matched her up with an adult Maine Coon cat that was very affectionate, had perfect manners and enjoyed sleeping on the bed during the day.  They  were well suited and the cat found a forever home.  So it is important to chat with all of the adopters by asking them questions.

Here is my list of questions for the cat adopters.

1. Have you had cats before?

2. Are there any other pets in your home?

3. Are your pets spayed or neutered?

4. Do you have young children? What are their ages?

5. Do you live in rental home or apartment?

6. Can you have pets where you live?

7. If you move and you cannot have pets what will you do with your cat?

8. Will the cat be allowed to go outside?

9. Do you have a veterinarian?

10.If the cat is afraid of you and his new surroundings and he hisses at you what will you do? 
11. What kind of cat do you want?  One that is laid back and likes to cuddle or one that likes to play and entertain you?
12. How much time will you spend with your cat?

Based on these questions I will get a good feel for the adopter and their relationship with cats. 

Cat ready for adoption

Tips:
If the adopter is unable to take care of the cat I always ask them to call me.  I will take back the cats and work to place them in another home.  This prevents the cat from being put outside to fend on their own or taken to a shelter.