Or I had put down due to illness, save one who learned to take up with humans and was adopted. Give the little guy time and you might have success.

Good job.

hopefully someday soon she'll come to trust you and/or a neighbor enough to let you help her further.

And give your cats an extra scritch for their forbearance.

If the cat lived with someone, it will probably warm to you over time.

What has worked for me was to keep at a distance that was accepted by the cat, and either crouch down or sit on something. Then, I extend my arm and point my index finger at the cat, again at a distance acceptable to the cat, but without looking directly at the animal. I've found few cats that have been domesticated at some point that will not at some point come to the pointed finger to sniff it. Eventually, they'll rub their face on it, and eventually let me skritch them on the head. From there, it's all just a matter of time.

However, true feral cats won't do that. Only cats that have been domestic cats at some point.

On the other hand, animals seem to trust me, for some reason. I've also had wild birds, opossums, and raccoons come to my hand for food after surprisingly short periods. So, this trick may not work for everyone.

She reminds me of a cat that started coming to our house and of course we fed her and let her in. We named him Vicious, as along with several other acts of hostility, he almost bit my nose off when I was holding him one day. He ended up spraying every inch of our house, including my husband's computer keyboards so we made him an outside cat that could only stay in the house within our site.

When we moved to a retirement community that does not allow outdoor cats we flew him to Oregon to our sister in laws house and he has been a perfect gentlemen, not one little marking anywhere. He is a beautiful, gentle cat but his name is still Vicious.

Put the food out, leave the door open, and go away (or stay well away from the door.) As the days go by, place the dish a little closer to the open door. When you get to the door's threshold, put the dish just inside the door. Then, as the days go by, move the dish further and further inside while still keeping away (or test his reaction to seeing you and act accordingly to keep from spooking him outside.)

After the dish is near or in the doorway, he won't be able to resist his curiosity and he'll check out your house. Just play it by ear, let him set the pace and, if your experience is like mine (I've done this several times,) you'll soon have a new companion happily purring in your lap.

'Possums are cute when they are little... And damned scary when they are older and enraged or cornered.

Since we have all kinds of wild animals in our neighborhood (including at one time a reported bobcat), we have to be very careful about leaving food out.

didn't eat out for a while longer.

A few minutes after that, I looked outside to see the 'possum eating the cat food...

You might want to check with a vet on how best to get her "fixed." Maybe those who now feed her could chip in for clinic fees.

Kittens are cute, but there are so many homeless numbers out there.

I think she will eventually allow us to touch her and gain her trust. At that point, I will see about getting her spayed if she isn't already. I have fostered cats with a local no kill cat placement non-profit. If I go through them, I can probably get her spayed for around $35, which I can afford.

If, she, in the meantime becomes pregnant, well, I've fostered seven cats in the past (and adopted two of those) and can foster more in the future until homes are found for them if it becomes necessary. (If that happens, I'll then set a trap for her and have her spayed.

Our cat, who goes by the name of King Tut because he's a gorgeous tabby with the eyeliner look of King Tut, adopted us in spite of being barked at and chased by two dogs. I suspect he was dropped off by someone who evidently loves cats because he understand the word "no" and had no problem with our dog and is totally comfortable with all of us. I live in a condo and another neighbor had a cat adopt them at the exact same time. But the condition of the cats makes me believe someone took good care of them and I think they knew this complex would take care of the cats. Maybe they thought if they took them to a shelter they could be euthanized.

We're happy with King Tut.

get rid of their "problem."

I grew up on a farm and saw countless cats and dogs dumped. Sometimes as young as three weeks old. Few of those survived in those days. I am proud to say that I was able to care for and save three kittens who were dumped at a school at three weeks. Cat formula is easily available today.

But I have seen cats who were dumped starve as a result of being dumped when they had no idea how to survive on their own. They become wary of humans and are not necessarily willing to bond with them again, even as the eat the food that is given them. Sometimes, when they are healthy again, the disappear for a long time and only show up again when they are starving again. And their little bodies cannot take the repeated stresses of serial starvation.

I once posted a story on DU about A Cat Named Elvis... http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x697735

I have no tolerance for those who dump animals...

agreed with me about why the cats were dumped off. The cats were both juveniles. They were both quite healthy and domesticated. They were very well taken care of. Both were quite friendly with dogs and people and both took to the cat litter box instantly.

But in the end I agree with you. Whoever dumped these cats was willing to let them die in some miserable way.

used a cat box, liked dogs and people and could damn near talk to get what it wanted. Guess after spending all that $$ someone just couldn't afford to feed it 'cause that animal grew into the largest feline that ever adopted me - a giant!

The best things in life really are free it seems

I really believe my cat's previous owner loved him. He's huge and totally lovable!

I hope that she let's you get closer with time.

She IS a beauty! 10 years ago I saw movement in my fence outside, and when I looked closer, I thought it was a big rat. But it was a tiny orange and white kitten who was greatly spooked when I came outside. It took one whole month, but I brought food out to him pretty far from the door, then gradually moved it closer and closer. It reached a point where I could sit nearby and talk to him, and one day I moved the food just inside the door. Eventually he came in, but for a couple of days I would continue to back off. Then he came into the kitchen and I leaned over and picked him up. He was soooo affectionate - purred and purred, and that was the end of it. He moved in and we named him Georgy.

It may have helped that I had a gorgeous black cat, Kato, who took a liking to him. They became inseparable after awhile - slept together. So, patience will pay off I think. Cats do like to come in if they feel safe. Good luck - you're a great animal person.