I Need Advice On A Stray Cat

[hjv]

Hello Neighbors:

I'm hoping you can give me some advice on a stray cat in my yard. I've named her "little baby" because she's so sweet. I say "she" because she looks like a girl and I don't see any obvious male parts. She's been in m neighborhood for almost 10 months now. I started to feed her last spring because I felt so sorry for her. She was scared and obvious feral. Slowly but surely she gained confidence in me and has now set up shop in my yard. I have an awning in my yard and gave her a large box with a carpet and plenty of wet food, dry food and water. I also bought her a cat bed and a large blanket. She really isn't interested in the bedding, only the food. She hides between two cinder block fences at night and only comes out in the morning when I call her to eat. After she eats, she hits the streets and comes back in the evening for her dinner. She won't go near the bedding. She lets me pet her, brush her and play with her. I guess my real concern is the bad weather coming in. My heart breaks everytime I think about the cold nights and her being outside all night. I have a large, aggressive bulldog who does not fancy cats. I also have a six year old indoor cat and I don't want to upset her with another cat.

I would welcome any advice. This is all new to me.

Thanks

Helene

[carpetbagger]

you could make a little shelter with a styrofoam cooler box and some hay/cloth rags (i've seen a couple of these around NL and kensington). this website has pictures of a couple different types of diy kitty shelters: http://www.urbancatleague.org/WinterCatShelters

[christina]

Hi, is this the little stray cinnanmon colored cat in the lot by the high school between Orianna and 4th sts?

[hjv]

At Carpetbagger: Thanks so much for that link. The website is filled with lots of information.

At Christine: No, I am near Hancock St and Girard Avenue. This little baby is black and white.

[christina]

I am in a similar situation. I have a dog that does not care for cats, a cat my son rescued and he is still a little feral and this little cinnamon baby that is the sweetest cat! She comes running every time I go by. I think she is trying to adopt me. What to do??