# Adopting a stray cat - question **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 4, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791 "2026-05-04T23:51:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/1 "2026-05-04T23:51:39Z")
We noticed a (particular) stray cat in our neighborhood. We try to always help out the local stray cat population by trapping, having them fixed and re-releasing when we notice them. This kitty was a very young thing that also terrorized that local bird feeders. So after trapping her and having her fixed, we decided to see if we could adopt her into our family. Having lived all her life outside, at first she was quite reclusive. We eventually gave her run of the house and she bonded spectacularly with our other cats. Nowadays, she can be found scampering with our other cats, following them in for diner and such. She no longer fears us, we can walk within inches of her and she doesn’t seem to care. She loves for me to throw a ball for her to chase and she will play with a ribbon dangled before her. But under no circumstances will she allow us to touch or pet her. It’s been 5 months now - will she ever get over that? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/2 "2026-05-05T00:03:23Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > But under no circumstances will she allow us to touch or pet her. It’s been 5 months now - will she ever get over that? Yeah. Try treats that have to be licked off, use the tube to start, then your finger. But some even friendly cat cringe a bit when a pat is headed for their head. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/3 "2026-05-05T00:05:04Z")
Some cats, even fully tame from day 1, never need or appreciate human physical contact. Other ferals I’ve known insisted on pets and cuddles more than food. It may be nothing more than individual preferences. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/4 "2026-05-05T00:36:59Z")
My best friend “adopted” two stray young cats 3 years ago. He had them fixed, a male and a female, and checked out by the vet. They were not allowed outside and would hide in his bedroom dresser all day long. They would feed and scurry around the house at night. For six months they wouldn’t come hear him or his wife. He didn’t have any other pets. Finally, after a year or so, they started coming out during the day and would take food and water, but wouldn’t allow anyone to touch them. If you even looked at them sideways they would scurry off and hide for the rest of the day. Only a few weeks ago my friend told me he was able to touch and pet one of the cats, and the cat would lay near him on the couch. He is still unable to pick up and hold either one without scaring them off. I would never take on trying to domesticate a wild feline, let alone two of them. I just don’t have that kind of patience. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/5 "2026-05-05T01:16:48Z")
My family had a couple of cats when I was in college. They weren’t strays, but one of them was really skittish around people. She loved to play and such but she wouldn’t let anyone touch her, except very occasionally. She liked being close to people, but not too close. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/6 "2026-05-05T15:39:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah. Try treats that have to be licked off, use the tube to start, then your finger. Yeah, we’ve done that. She happily licks it off of a finger. But that’s the extent of it. If she never lets us pet her, that’s OK. We just wanted to get her off of the street. She appears to enjoy our company and she seems happy. She’s always close by. She’s even came up with a way to let me know when she wants me to throw the ball for her. > [@dolphinboy](#): > > Only a few weeks ago my friend told me he was able to touch and pet one of the cats, and the cat would lay near him on the couch. Well, that’s encouraging. I have patience enough, I suppose. In the end it’s about her, not me. ---
**Author:** ![Yogeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yogeekgirl/32/4129_2.png) [@Yogeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yogeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/7 "2026-05-05T16:46:15Z")
Short answer: yes! You’re doing the lord’s work, btw. 😁 We have had a handful of stray cats in the family for the past 20 years or so, and it’s really a spectrum of preference for human cuddles from the cats . We had one that we took in because he was SO friendly, and another that was very self comforting. This last one spent 3 years in our house as a couch potato, before he openly enjoyed pets, purring or making pillow biscuits. I’d say you’re doing great if all the cats get along or bond with each other. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/8 "2026-05-05T17:40:20Z")
Thank you! So there’s hope? ha ha [As you can see, she’s pretty chill.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/gs-geo-images/d06e0e88-f55c-4013-84d4-7a761ed4a41c_l.jpg) Not an original name though… wife named her Oreo. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/9 "2026-05-05T17:48:24Z")
Cutie PIE! I love Oreo. My adopted stray, Jojo is completely the opposite. Drives you crazy wanting loves and cuddles. And, believe me…he ain’t near as cute & cuddly looking as Oreo. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/10 "2026-05-05T18:03:09Z")
Thank you Becks. Yeah, we love her regardless of how this goes. She has full run of the house. We also have a 9’ by 12’ catio in back with lots of climbing options and lots of bird watching opportunities. We also have a lattice enclosed front porch with a designated bird watching station including a bird feeder just outside, that both we and the cats enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-stray-cat-question/1029791/11 "2026-05-05T18:52:08Z")
That pic should win some kind of award.