She has to trust you feral cats may never come to you

Can you explain to everyone that it has to be on her terms?

Certainly try to pet. But best if she comes to you.

I have one that is semi-feral - (Rainey) a semi-housecat in my home. She's great with one of the two cats - and just tolerates the other. And she'll probably never be full on house cat with everyone.

She lets me pet her - on her terms. She cuddles in bed at night (Her choice). She likes having boxes to hide in - so I have boxes placed around the house so she feels safer.

It's just her. She had a very rough start. She's hale and hearty here though - no reason she can't be MY cat. And she even let's the roomie touch her from time to time.

I was never so proud of her the day I found her outside the bathroom sitting while my sister spoke to her. Very brave moment for that cat.

If this is a feral or semi-feral you are dealing with? You're just starting.

I have a second - it took him 1 and 1/2 years to figure out that my lap was a wonderful places and that HE loves pets. After he figured it out? No going back. He's up several times a day.
But still - on his terms. He's calmer than Rainey though. And lets almost anyone pet him - just don't try to pick him up or use both hands at once.

They did that at the shelter he went to after the hoard he was in. He hates it and he'll bolt.

One of the best resources: [alleycat.org] They have tons of articles look for the one you need.

give her a comfy place to hide .. she may eventually trust you enough to come out

Feral cats are generally like that. Just love her, she may trust you one day

We adopted a feral cat years ago. For 6 years she only came on the porch to eat. At eight years she let us pet her. At 10 she sat on our lap and at 12 she stood in the doorway of the house. She passed away at 16 , never did come in the house. But we loved her and she us.

It is a feral cat, probably from generations of feral cats. Show her the vet bil;l! Keep feeding it good stuff and keep talking to her. eventually...

It is likely the cat is still feral. I would do some research online on how to domesticate feral cats. If nothing works then make it an outside cat and leave food for it during the day (there will be other animals eating it at night).

you cared about and spent money on a cat