I think that 2 cats have been dumped in my garden

[Swifey40]

For a week or so we have noticed cats around in the garden which is strange because we've lived here for nearly 3 years and have never seen one! For context we have a couple of acres, some wooded areas and some outbuildings. The cats have been coming closer to the house, and today I left some food out and they gobbled it up, but won't let us very near them. They aren't feral because they seem to be in fairly good condition of a little thin. I have just been outside and they are hiding in the garage (it's open) crying. I have pit some more food and water and a warm bed in there for them and will see what happens tomorrow. Any ideas or tips? We can keep them if they have been dumped because even though we have dogs the cats can sleep outside in one of the barns, they are warm and dry, and when/of they feel more confident they can come inside.
I have put their pictures on Facebook and asked my (very few) neighbours and as yet no one recognises them.

If you can gradually win their trust, OP, you may be able to lure them into a pet carrier and take them to the vet, who can scan them for a microchip to find their owner.
If they aren’t chipped, you can ask the local Cats Protection to rehome them, or adopt them yourself.

Something else to consider if you do keep them, is getting them neutered as soon as possible!!!

People think cats can fend for themselves if dumped rurally so it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they’ve got past the cute stage.

Butchers do a good wet food in cans & they'll need water too.

If you have an Aga they’ll move in during winter.

You have two cats now. Conratulations.

How lovely of you to help them. Poor wee things will be able to rest, knowing that someone is looking out for them. If you give them some treats as well, they'll love you forever. A trip to the vet when you're able to get them in a cat box, is a good idea. They can check for a microchip.

Congratulations OP!! What will you call them!

Welcome to the cat owners club!
Even if you plan for them to live outside they do need catching and taking to the vet for a check up and neutering unless you want a huge feral colony

Even if they have been dumped, it’s strange for cats to stay in one place unless it’s what they want to do (assuming they can get out).

Awww OP. You are so kind. They do sound lost if they are hiding out in your shed.

Ps I acquired a very timid outdoor cat in a similar way and he is currently asleep on my trampoline.

One of ours arrived this way when I was a teenager. We hadn’t had cats in years. One day I came home from school and there was this scrawny pathetic wisp of a thing with his head stuck in and empty can. We got him freed and gave him food and he stayed for years. Turned out he was actually a massive big fluff ball once his health had been restored and his fur grew in properly. Softest fur on a cat I’d ever touched. He was such a lovely boy and he disappeared one day as suddenly as he had arrived never saw him again.

Please put fresh water out for them too... I'm sure you have but it's worth a reminder, it's really warm lately.

Poor little sods :(

You're doing the right thing to build their trust - offering food/shelter and giving them some space. If you continue with this, they will learn that you are friendly and hopefully start to approach nearer. I agree with pps that, when it's possible, you'll need to get them vet checked and neutered if this hasn't already been done. Your rural home sounds ideal for them!

only here for the pictures

@lljkk

only here for the pictures

Me too

My younger cat turned up on our back door step 18 months ago. I had seen her in our garden a few days before but then she came back a couple days later and was starving. Took her to the vets, no chip and in good condition, long coat (looks like a turkish van) put up signs and on lost cat websites but no one came forward and she is still here.

I've been told by an old lady who is a cat owner that they can sense a vacancy

Only just came back to check this thread!! Thank you for all your kind messages! Yes, I have put water out, and gave them some cat treats yesterday too!!
They can get our of our garden, and apart from the road past our land it's all open farmland and woodland out the back.

Yes we do have an aga 😊 and a boiler room, they will just have to agree with the dogs who gets first dibs!! I'll show you some pictures I took yesterday.
If they stay my boys want to call them Smokey (grey and white one) and Bandit (black one) 🤣

Here they are 😊

Bless you for looking after them, but the pics aren’t showing.

Oh they really are lovely

Sorry they are now and they’re gorgeous.

Awww

Oh I love those names!!! We had a cat called Smokey when I was small.

There is a horrible person in my town who traps cats that wander into his garden, drives them out into the country and dumps them.
If you can please get them to a vet and checked for chips. You local large town might well have a missing cats Facebook group. Often they will have a member who can scan for chips too.
They might be someone’s beloved pet.