Originally Posted by Jan in VA

Three feral cats became barn cats at the 200+ year old farm where I used to live. Slowly, over several years, they became "outside" pets closer to the house and cottage. We fed them, caught them and took them in for neutering and shots, and let them live in large paint bucket "condos" (on their sides) up on a table on the porch. Often they brought us birds, lizards or mice as gifts, which was a bit startling the first few times.

The males were older and eventually seemed to give up hunting, but the female (I named her Pearlie due to the white ring around her neck) was always a great hunter. I once saw her walk along the top rail of the pasture fence for at least 75 feet observing movement in the grass on either side. I miss them so much since I moved.

Jan in VA