Couple who've cared for a feral cat for 7 years buy a new home are devastated when she is too scared to move with them, but they know she needs them, so they don't give up and manage to catch her just in time

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 9, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

Bonding with a feral cat is one of the most gratifying experiences ever. But what do you do with that cat when you have to move?

Anyone who has ever tried bonding with a feral cat knows that it is one heck of a task. They are distrustful and careful by nature. Humans can be unpredictable, and these cats know that. It takes a long time for a feral cat to trust a human. Might even take years. But when they do, it is so gratifying. Finally, even if we can't take them home, we're able to spoil these cats just a little bit, giving them treats and pets and the love we know they deserve. 

The couple who told their story on r/Feral_Cats have been feeding and bonding with their feral cat for seven whole years. They love this cat, and this cat loves them, but she is still at least semi-feral and living outside. Of course, life goes on. Things change. People grow. They reach different stages of life. And this couple decided that it was the right time to buy a home. In that home, they prepared a whole room for their semi-feral cat, and they were hopeful. They just didn't realize how difficult it would be to convince her to get into a carrier. 

It got to the point that the couple was regretting buying this home, saying that they should have simply stayed in the old one until the sweet kitty crossed the rainbow bridge. And after their family couldn't understand their struggle, they turned to the internet, and the internet… did not disappoint. When it comes to cats, the internet does not give up. And people gave this couple some interesting advice. Very creative. And just like that, the kitty is coming home with her humans. 

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    "UPDATE: Leaving our cat behind..."

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    We're moving in two days. We've cared for a now semi feral, but very affectionate and bonded cat for 7 years. She depends on us. But she won't come with us. We've tried everything to get her.
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    She can't be swindled by a trap. Gabapentin was a complete failure. We are so distraught and devastated. We bought a house for stupid reasons. We should have just stayed here until she d. d. And now we have to leave her here.
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    We lost another cat a few years ago..she d d suddenly from a heart condition at three years old. Now we are losing another one. My husband was more bonded to those two so he's extra struggling.
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    hie
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    We're going to keep trying to trap her even when we leave but we both know this is our new reality. We hate our new house now. Don't even want to live there. We have a whole room prepared for her and no cat to bring home.
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  • Oh, it is so heartbreaking to hear this. Buying a house is something to celebrate, but we understand their conflicted feelings. We're so, so happy that things ended up working out with this precious cat. 

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    UPDATE: WE CAUGHT HER!!!!! My friend and I used an unconventional method. We threw a big comforter over her shelter super quickly after we snuck up behind the shelter while she was sleeping.
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    We used a big pillow in the same hand as the comforter to cover the opening and we threw it over. One simultaneous movement. The comforter was big enough to extend far out.
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    She did get out of the shelter and wrapped up into the comforter but we were able to hold her tightly against the shelter.
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    She ended up crawling on top of the shelter and we wrapped her in a burrito and carried her into a dog crate with the whole comforter in one piece. Locked her into then opened slightly to let her out and to breathe. HOLY CRAP!!! THE ADRENALINE
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    Thank you for all the advice and support!!! We didn't get nearly as much love and understanding from some of our own family and friends as we did from you all who know. that she's not "just a cat."
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    She's family...she's one of our kids. And we will always fight for her! Photos included. This is Josephine! ❤
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  • It might take a minute for her to get used to the idea of living inside, especially when there are other cats involved, but it will be worth it. With her chosen humans by her side, she will be completely fine in time. 

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    LopsidedBeautiful289 OP What I've found out over the years is that for all the people that don't care, there are a lot that truly do and cats often find their way to those people if they want to. The cat distribution system. It works Sounds like we've both been blessed to know and love semi-feral babies.
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    slightlygroggy Hurray! She is absolutely not just a cat and if they can't see that after all the trouble you went through to bring her, they're the crazy ones, not you.
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    Lopsided Beautiful289 OP Truer words have never been spoken.
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    kevinsju So, uhhh, does she become an inside cat now?
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    Lopsided Beautiful289 OP That's the hope! Planning to install a cat fence for all our girls so hoping that when we feel comfortable that she can join us and resume her semi outdoor life.
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