ArcaMax

Dear Cathy,

I saw the article in your column about the 14-year-old feral cat who was trapped, fixed, and left to live outdoors. They mentioned the cat injured a back paw, which made me wonder why they didn’t try to make her an indoor cat where she would be safer.

In 2011, we trapped a wild-born feral in our neighborhood, Sox. After getting her fixed and microchipped, we kept her in a half bath with a window for 5 months, spending time with her daily. It took years for her to trust us, but she eventually became a happy, content indoor cat, even bonding with two of our other cats.

We moved across the country with Sox and four other pets, making stops to ensure they were comfortable. Sox remained cautious in our new home but eventually started exploring the house and stopped hiding. She would flop on her back, purr, and show us just how happy she had become. She never did want us to touch her or pick her up though.

Sadly, we lost Sox in December 2022 to kidney disease and hypothyroidism. She was so ill at the end that I was able to pick her up for the first time and hold her. We miss her terribly, but we’re grateful for the wonderful life she had with us.

— Ken, Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Ken,

Your commitment and patience in transforming a wild-born feral into a happy, content indoor cat is truly inspiring. The fact that you were fine with never being able to touch her speaks volumes about your understanding and compassion — few people would be so kind or understanding.

Unfortunately, not all feral cats can transition to indoor life as well as Sox did. Cats have a much smaller socialization window than dogs, and if they miss that critical period, they may never adjust to living indoors.

Some ferals become severely stressed or fearful in confinement, to the point where their quality of life suffers. In these cases, caretakers often make the tough decision to let them live outdoors. Injuries like the one described in the column are heartbreaking reminders of the risks and challenges outdoor cats face. It also underscores the importance of spaying and neutering pets to reduce the number of unwanted cats left to fend for themselves on the streets.

Thank you for giving Sox such a wonderful life and for honoring her memory so beautifully. Her story may inspire other readers to see the potential in their neighborhood community cats.

Dear Cathy,

My dog, Oliver, is about two years old. We’ve had him for a year. He was a stray captured by a Washington, D.C., animal shelter, who was fostered, neutered, vaccinated, and operated on for a urinary tract issue. He was later adopted by a family whose “first” dog didn’t want a “little brother.”

When we brought him home, his anxiety was understandably high, and he barked aggressively at new faces and visitors. Over time, this behavior has improved — his barking is now less aggressive and shorter. He approaches, backs up, barks a little more, but calms down after a few minutes and becomes the friendly, quiet Oliver we love.

He’s a terrier mix with a DNA profile showing a mix of about 15 breeds, including bully breeds and husky. He’s a small to medium-sized dog. Any suggestions on how to build his confidence when greeting visitors?

— Oliver’s Mom, Washington, DC

Dear Oliver’s Mom,

It sounds like Oliver has come a long way since joining your family, and it’s wonderful to hear how his confidence is already growing.

One way to help Oliver feel more secure is to practice controlled greetings. Start with familiar friends. When they arrive, have them enter quietly, avoid direct eye contact, and let Oliver approach on his terms. Reward calm behavior with treats and praise, reinforcing that visitors are positive experiences. To strengthen these associations, guests may also offer him a favorite treat or toy upon arrival.

The goal is to get Oliver to see new faces as opportunities for fun and rewards, not threats. Pair that with teaching him to sit when new people arrive, since dogs have a more difficult time barking when they are sitting.

For extra support, tools like an anxiety wrap, pheromone collar, or over-the-counter calming chews can help soothe Oliver and set the stage for success. Puzzle toys filled with high-value treats, reserved specifically for when guests arrive, can also redirect his energy. With consistency and by celebrating small wins, his greeting behavior will likely improve as he builds confidence and learns he is safe.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

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