'My “porch ghost”, comes to visit each night': A feral cat comes by every evening for food, warmth, and a tiny window visit with the indoor cat, while the hoomans inside hope he’ll one day come in

This hooman has found themselves emotionally adopted by a nightly visitor they never asked for but now care about. A feral cat appears each evening, accepts food, water, and warmth on his own terms, but refuses every invitation inside. He bolts the second a door opens, drawing a clear boundary. Yet he lingers for hours outside the living room window waiting for a glimpse at the household cat.

Watching this can feel uncomfortable, mostly because it looks like longing mixed with distance. He isn't struggling, but he isn't indifferent either. That gray area makes it easy to second-guess what the "right" thing is.

This behavior is well within the range of normal for feral cats. Many prefer outdoor life and choose limited, low-risk social contact. Sitting near another cat without physical interaction can be enough for them. Continuing to provide food, water, and shelter while letting him set the terms is appropriate care. Porch cats don't need fixing. They just exist alongside you, quietly.

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via Falconiusprime
Honestly feels like it might be time for a very gentle, very unofficial kitty playdate. No doors opened, no rules, just supervised window flirting and whatever counts as socializing in cat terms.
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via Entire_Parfait2703
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via justthegrimm
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via Frivolous_Fancies
At this point, it feels like one more cat would just round things out. He’s already part of the routine, the schedule, and the emotional landscape. Might as well admit the household has expanded.
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via missxmeow
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It doesn’t hurt to keep trying, gently and without pressure. Some cats take months or even years to change their minds. One day he might decide the indoors is worth the risk.
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