cat help

Question
We have been "adopted" by a young cat. It literally slept on our doorstep about 6 weeks ago, and we started feeding it.  I say it, since I am not sure of its gender.  I think female, but we can't get close enough to be sure.  She is young -- probabaly less than a year.  She appears to be healthy and  clean, but she is very afraid of people.  You should know, we are NOT cat people.  I am somewhat frightened of them, and I am very allergic to them.  Because of the allergies, we will not have an indoor cat.  And since we live in a fairly urban area, we won't get an outdoor cat -- too many cars.  But this one found us.

Anyway, to my question.  This cat is very frightened of people.  We can't touch her.  But we can sit near her while she eats....about a foot away.  I have been feeding her every night.  But the last few nights she hissed at me when I went to give her food.    Now, as I mentioned, I am not a cat person.   I am willing to feed the cat, but I don't like being hissed at, and I don't want it to get aggressive every time I step out the door.  Suggestions, please???  Thanks

Answer
Jennifer,

That reaction is normal from a feral cat. It is hissing because it does not trust people, or it may possibly have been abused. Being hungry is warring with it's fright. Just talk to the cat gently when you feed it. It may take months for it to trust you. Sometimes sit away from the cat and talk quietly to it so it gets used to you. Do not look it in the eyes though, that is a threatening gesture.

You can Google FERAL CATS and find out a lot of information about them from the many, many articles that are on the internet.

It is very kind of you to feed the poor cat. Bless you!

Carol