He's not a pet, but...

[Jilly_in_VA]

I have a problem with a boy cat hanging around periodically or more frequently. He's a tuxie and my girls are, to put it politely, not fond of him. especially Meggie. I have no idea who he belongs to, or if he belongs to anyone at all. He's been looking pretty skinny of late. If he comes close to the house, you will hear what my husband politely calls a "political discussion", usually followed by him taking off to sit under the forsythia bushes in the back. Yesterday, when I noticed he was looking so thin, I took a dish of kibble and put it back there, today when I retrieved it, it was gone.

Here's my problem. I'd like to feed him and get him comfortable enough so he could either join the pack or preferably, be transferred to the shelter where he could be properly cared for, neutered, and be either reclaimed or adopted. BUTTTT (and it's a big one)...I'm afraid that no matter where I feed him, my girls, especially Josie, will find and eat the food. And Josie, to put it politely, is a chonky girl, no matter how much less I feed her than I feed Meggie. She does NOT need any extra! The girls are barn cats and do not come inside.

Ideas, anyone?

[Hope22]

1. We 'fed' ( he ate out of the outdoor bowl) a cat that had been coming around.

As the young stray got older and stronger the fights began. The stray would actually stalk our cat and the turfs wars were horrendous. It turns out he lives down the road and his people do nothing about his wandering. We moved all food bowls into the garage and the cat comes by less often but our 14 year old cat scans the yard every time he goes out, looking for his potential attacker. It is very sad. If I had your situation I would try not to feed him, post a sign in the neighborhood and if no one responds take him to the humane society. It’s sad, I know. That’s why we let him eat but it was a mistake. 💗

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. I can't catch him

He's very skittish. And unlike our former strays, who appeared well fed, he isn't. I'm afraid to set a trap because I fear one of my girls getting caught in it. I've posted on Nextdoor with no luck.

[Hope22]

3. We use a have a heart trap.

Maybe feed your girls in another spot and leave the trap where you usually feed. One time we had a trap set for a raccoon. We were out for the day and a neighbor was watching the house. He found our cat in the trap. Upon return he tells me he was sorry but he had to shake my cat in the trap to give him a scare so he would not go near it again. If he would have asked me I would have said please don’t do that but that cat lived to a ripe old age and wasn’t any worse for the experience. He never got in a trap again. I only say this because if your girls get in it and you don’t shake them I think they will get over it without harm. If you don’t have the trap a rescue might let you borrow one. I wish you the best in solving the problem. It’s no fun. Especially when kitties are so beautiful and we hate to see hungry little ones! My best to you!💗🙏🏼