Worried about a feral

[TheSecondMrsAshwell]

I'm in the process of buying a new flat - I'll only be moving fifty yards down and across the road (a quiet residential).

I have 2 ferals that I feed: B&W George and Ginger Sid. The neighbours also feed these two.

On Saturday, a new cat appeared - a young tabby I'll call Sussy. I assume Sussy is female (she is extremely pretty) Sussy is a very young cat, I'll guess a teenager, if that. She wouldn't come to me, but she didn't run away either. I think she's young, because she was going to approach George to share his food (he wouldn't take well to that), but I put food out for her.

I have recently been hearing the sound of paws in my hall. George sometimes comes in, he usually sprays the stuff in the hall and I get a pong. No smell with the latest pawprint. Yesterday afternoon, I saw Sussy in the hall (I leave my back door open as much as possible). She ran away. Then, a bit later I realised she was sitting by my feet under the table. When I looked down, she ran away again.

Now, I heard today that I will exchange contracts probably this week with a view to exchanging next week. If I had more time, I would do what I could to tame her and keep her. She is gorgeous (no photos, I'm afraid). I will have to leave her and hope that she might find my new flat. She is young and healthy, but I am worried about her with winter coming up. I can ask my neighbours to keep an eye out for her, but that's all I can do, unless wise Littereers have any ideas? Cats Protection and RSPCA won't trap her and take her away.

Can a local rescue lend you a trap?

I wouldn't have thought she was ready to be shifted - I haven't even touched her.

I second the recommendation to trap her. She isn’t truly feral if she’s coming up to you as she is. She will adapt and be safe if you take her with you.

She has to be trapped and at least neutered. You need as rescue to help you. They will also hopefully help you to work out what to do after that - but immediate trapping and neutering is essential. Where in the country are you?

Are you sure she's not got a home? Sounds very tame for a feral.
FWIW, we used to feed the feral cats at ours. We had to move one road across, and one road back at 3 days notice. It took the teenager 3 days to find us again. And a week later he brought his very timid Mum (it took a team of us 3 years to trap her) for her tea. He was the sole surviving kitten from her last ever litter, and was regularly seen with her until we left the country.
I reckon the ferals will find you again. I'm not sure Sassy is feral, and removing her may be removing a pet. If your neighbours also feed, id leave her be.

Hi @thecatneutererCatneuterer

I am in Leyton (and looking at your site on a daily basis). I agree - if she is a she, I do not want a lifetime of pregnancy for her. If he is a he, we have too many kittens already.

I don't know for sure that she is a feral. I assume that she is because she is very young and has come into my flat a few times, but runs off when she hears me coming or I pay any attention to her (I looked down at her when she sat by my feet and she ran for it). She has also been taking the food I put out.

PP who said that I could be removing a pet is absolutely right. If I could get my mitts on her, I could take her to the vet to see if she has a chip. I don't think I could keep her - I work outside the flat and would have to leave her for long stretches (which is why I want a pair). I don't see her every day, like Sid and George, so she could be a pet.

I will speak to the neighbours to see what they know.