I have been feeding the feral cats near my work for a few months now and I thought I had the social structure figured out until this week. I’m starting to think that the inner workings of a feral community is as complicated as a human community.
Here is what I thought I knew: Cat number one, who I will just refer to as my little buddy, has been the reason I continue to put food out. He (or she) is the only one that comes around consistently. Almost every morning I can expect to see my little buddy waiting for me to bring out food. I have recently learned he hangs out near the tire store about 100 yards to the south. Sometimes when I pull into the parking lot, I will see the outline of a cat’s face and ears in the distance. I then go inside, grab some food and come back out.
By then he has moved closer and he waits for me to put the food down. I usually put it on a Verizon box that makes a good platform. He then waits for me to go back into the building. Once I close the door he moves to the food. Occasionally, one, or both, of the other two feral cats that I know of will be around. One is a gold and white cat and the other is white and black. I determined these cats are friends or mates because when I first saw them, one ran away toward the other and they both disappeared behind the building to the north together. If they are around, my little buddy will submit to the other cats.
Lately, instead of bringing out a handful of food, I bring the entire bag. If I see another cat I will put an extra handful of food behind the dumpster so both cats can eat.
The other day I did not see another cat so I put out one handful of food and went inside. I watched the cat head toward the food and then suddenly stop when he reached the dumpster. I assumed another one of the two feral cats showed up to eat the food so I grabbed the bag and went out to put some food out behind the dumpster. To my surprise, I saw a cat that I had not seen before. That means my little buddy is shy and submissive to all cats.
Thursday, when I brought out food I saw my little buddy to my right and the new fellow to my left, near the Verizon box. I first put a handful of food behind the dumpster and when I did the gold cat ran out from behind there toward my little buddy. So much for knowing who is friends with whom.
I made sure there was plenty of food for everyone and went inside.
Yesterday I saw the new cat to the north and my buddy to the south but when I came out there was the gold cat waiting for me, who turned out to be far less timid than I originally thought. I put out three piles of food and the gold cat ate all of it. The other two cats never showed up. I put more food out but it didn’t get eaten before I left.
I guess I will never understand what is going on in the mind of my feral cats but at least I know what is going in their stomachs.
Bad Cat Chris 
Thank heavens for YOUR help for these guys……..the gold one looks the skinniest so maybe that’s why he’s such a “pig” ?! I think they somehow work out their own hierarchy and through intimidation decide who eats first and who gets seconds or thirds.
Pam
I hope the first one leaves a little behind. I think I will be putting food out in two places even if I see only one cat.
and you are an Angel to help them the way that you do! xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody
Thank you Caren.
Cat relationships are so complicated. The dynamic in our house changes all the time. So happy you are taking care of these kitties. Hope you can trap and get them spayed or neutered sometime in the future. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Three of them already are ear tipped. Not sure about the new one.
Oh dat’s so sad dat yous buddy be so timid wiff da udder cats. But weez weally glad yous make sure they can all get a good meal. Fanks fur takin’ care of them.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
I understand timid cats. I think he is doing ok though.
We sure hope so. Weez always hate to see a shy kitty livin’ outside. We just worry so. But weez know yous takin’ good care of them, so fanks.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
I’m just glad you are looking out for them.
Thanks Summer. It is not much effort for such satisfying results.
It’s hard to figure us cats out. Things can change quickly. We’re glad you’re trying to keep them all fed.
Thanks. Maybe I should just watch and not analyze.
Too bad one is eating all the food 😦
Yes but if he is hungry that is ok. I put more food out when he was gone.
Reblogged this on Bad Cat Chris and commented:
The saga of the “Ferals at Work” continues with episode six for Throwback Thursday.
what a beautiful ginger kitty… it is great that you have a heart for all this feline friends who have no home…
It makes me sad to think of what became of these beauties.
Me too. I regret leaving that job.
You took really good care of them while you were around.
Thanks. It was the highlight of my day. 🙂
Here’s a Throwback Thursday post from October of 2015. I miss seeing those Ferals when I went to work.