North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>]

   Several folks have asked how to get, and keep, a 'junkyard cat.'  I got 
mine from an upscale restaurant owner who has a bunch of feral cats living 
under one of his outbuildings.  The cats are kept underfed so, hopefully, 
they will hang around and keep the rodent population down.
   When you get your feral cat home, the first thing you need to do is lock 
it in the house with you to get it used to being around people AND to let it 
know that it will have a constant source of food (mine gets dry cat food). 
Regular pettings help too but you might want to start petting while you wear 
leather gloves.  Every feral cat I've ever brought has been (naturally) 
litter-box trained.  After about seven to ten days, you can let it outside. 
The cat will immediately head for home.  If you've kept it in the house long 
enough, it'll come back.  If you haven't, go get another and start over. 
Getting your feral cat from the SPCA will likely net you one that is tamer 
than the ones I get (You may not need the leather gloves).  Be sure to get 
the cat neutered after you've had it for a while.
   Sound like too much trouble?  Hey, I've got zero squirrel problems and I 
live in town too.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
www.bberryfarm.com
(218)568-8483 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]