I now have a new cat - it's happened again!

[Whatthechicken]

This was my post about Bella in 2020. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_litter_tray/4092376--Stray-cat-advice?page=2&reply=102192360

Well another showed up this Autumn, but this one is definitely a feral kitten, who I believe was born in my garden. He started off getting fed at the farm shop next door and then migrated to my garden. I put a box out for him with a blanket in (which he's slept in every night) and I duly fed him, I'm not sure about his age, but I'd probably put him at 6 months. He does not look built to survive as a feral, and I get the impression he's no hunter. I spent about 6 weeks getting to know him enough to touch him. My knees are dry and scabby from kneeling on the drive whispering sweet nothings. Then the weather warnings came - I took my chance and cat napped him. Stockholm syndrome is just starting to kick in and he's broken cover in the house and comes for strokes now.

I've lived here for 4.5 years and I've gotten to know a few of the ferals that visit me, they usually come for a feed every 3 nights or so, but they are proper wild. But, in my time here, I've never known or seen a feral kitten to have been born. I think there has been two this year (their success is probably down to well meaning, but clueless people like me feeding them)...so I think its time I got a TNR project going, which charity is best to advise on this and offer help?

I will keep Scout (the feral kitten), but I can't take one on every year, as I think it will end in divorce! Scout will get a Vets appointment later this week for the necessary to be discussed.

From my previous thread...Bella now owns the house, well at least the whole couch. She goes out for most of the day (unless it's too cold), she's such smart cat who knows which side her bread is buttered. She loves me dearly, but doesn't care for anyone else in the house and the looks she fires at the dog are legendary.

Cats protection offer vouchers for feral colonies, I’m not sure about strays, but they usually have various vouchers schemes going. You can also loan a trap for them.
Or you can approach a local charity for help, but they are relying on volunteers, so it’s pot luck if they will be able to help.
I’d just get the ball rolling now we’re out of kitten season and start neutering them yourself, before spring.

Thank you, when is the cats mating season? I'm happy to 'pay" the charities for TNR if they will allow me to. I just don't think we need any more feral cats/kittens, and my marriage certainly doesn't...I'd take them all in, but I know that's not the answer. I will getting touch with as many as I can to see if they will help.

Spring and summer approx.
They can mate throughout the year, if the weather is mild enough.
You could contact your local cats protection and ask them if they will come out.
It really depends where you live and what’s around.
I’ve just done it myself for a number of cats in my area, because the local cat charities have been inundated and frankly cats protection where not very helpful beyond offering the vouchers and telling me to do it myself, but yours maybe different.
Perhaps if you say what area you area in people can advise of any charities in your area that can help.

He's gorgeous.

Agree with pps to try Cat's Protection.

I know our local Cat's Protection do TNR as we took on one that they TNed but then decided wasn't suited to the R part.

Thank you. I'm just outside of York. History of lots of farms in the area that have since turned into housing developments with major road networks in-between. I have an acre of land that backs onto another few acres of someone else's land. but at my front, and their front are major roads, so the previous stray farm cats have settled in the middle, avoiding the roads and coming across suckers like me that will feed them! I wasn't worried about it before, but spotting two new kittens this year when I haven't seen any before has got me concerned.