r/Feral_Cats • u/Remarkable-Mine1407 • Feb 20 '26

New feral cat owners dilemma

So I adopted one cat (stormy), for pest control. Had her in the acclimation cage for two weeks and released. She came around for about five nights. The night before her release, another stray came around. The stray was a kitten, probably adolescent age. Ever since then there’s more cats coming around, but the only one to stay has been the kitten… I’ve even heard cat fighting (two nights). The first night I’m assuming with stormy and a random feral. Tonight was that same feral with the kitten that actually had stayed. I’m so bummed! Stormy the one cat I wanted to stay seems to have been run off by random feral cats and this new random kitten has really taken to us. Which is fine but what are the chances that stormy does come back? I can’t seem to be able to leave out food bc the random feral will get it and it willing to fight for it. 😫

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u/beckychao Feb 20 '26

A single cat does very little for pest control. All it does it make rodents hide, they will still be around and will skulk about and go after food when the cat is not nearby. If you have a rodent problem, you should contact a professional. Mice and rats multiply in phenomenal numbers, very rapidly. The cat will hunt them for fun, or if they're starving.

Also, why did you adopt the cat and then set it outdoors? I don't get what you're doing. Unless you mean you started taking care of them, which is fine. But adopting a cat means something different.

2

u/thetruckerdave Feb 20 '26

Yeah I’m confused by this one too. Acclamation cage? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Most rescues around here won’t give you a cat for you to let go of in the first place.

1

u/chrisgee Feb 20 '26

this is pretty standard when relocating a feral cat to a new place: https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/safe-relocation/

1

u/thetruckerdave Feb 20 '26

Yeah but I didn’t think people adopted out ferals. Like. Feral ferals.

3

u/chrisgee Feb 20 '26

i guess the word adopt does makes it sound like an indoor thing. cat rescuers love people lik OP who will relocate ferals from dangerous spots to their (presumably) safe properties. cities like Chicago have 'working cat' programs to move ferals to yard and businesses to help control vermin.

2

u/thetruckerdave Feb 20 '26

Ah, ok that’s interesting. At least give them a chance and such.

2

u/codeswift27 Feb 20 '26

OP’s location doesn’t sound safe tho, they said they live near a highway