Making slow progress with my ferals....

[Coventina]

I can now pet the one I call "Thurston" pretty much every time he comes by.
But, only when he's eating. But he allows full pets and does the elevator butt.

The others still wait until I'm either inside or in another part of the yard.

However, they no longer panic when they see me. They'll startle, then settle down once they realize it's me.

Question for anyone doing rescue or working with ferals: I was thinking of getting some cat trees to put in my yard to aid in escaping coyotes, and also to provide shelter and more comfortable perching.

Is it worth going to thrift stores to look for old cat trees or should I just buy new ones?

They will get really beat up in this climate, so I don't want to spend a lot of ,money.

[2naSalit]

1. I question whether they would be...

Actually safe. Coyotes can get pretty far up into things. Is there some way that, maybe with some help, you could make something more sturdy outside like using tree branches to rig up a kind of jungle gym they could get up onto where a coyote couldn't? Even a rack up off the ground that they could climb to get to.

I really don't think a cat tree would be that much protection. I used to go find a a tree limb and set it up in my home for my cats.

[Coventina]

2. good point.

I'll give it some more thought....

[2naSalit]

3. Plus...

A 40lbs coyote could knock one of those over.

[Coventina]

4. Yes, although I do believe I could wedge it somewhere it couldn't be tipped.

I have a few old fire hydrants I could use, for example!

[2naSalit]

6. I'm sure...

You'll come up with a suitable "thing"!

[Trueblue1968]

5. Hubby had ferals. He said your kitties would LOVE cat towers. Cat nip too

Cat treats. Greenies for their teeth.

We have 5rescue cats.... All were rescued by hubby

[SupportSanity]

7. I have experience with ferals

I have several ferals. During very brutal winters, they've been rescued and taken in house.

They require lots of time and patience. But they are fantastic.

Overcoming their fear requires lots of patience. I recommend sitting on the ground with something to lean back on. Be comfortable. Stay a while. Food placed on the ground right by you is always a good enticement. Let them come to you. Make every move a slow move, just like you're in a swimming pool. Trust is hard to build. Avoiding causing them fear is the main goal.

I have no experience with coyotes. But cats will find uses for things in ways you might not expect. Cheap cat trees outside couldn't hurt and sure beats open ground. I'd say the more of anything you put out there, the better their chances.

Indoors is always safer but not an option for everybody.