Feeding outside feral cats

Does anyone out there feed outside cats? What is the definition of feral. Will they let you pet them? I had two for 8 years come only for breakfast and dinner. Another male showed up and eventually my male, Daddycat, disappeared - the little female will disappear for days at a time but then comes back. This new male all of a sudden let me pet him - I noticed his back leg was injured - the next day I was actually able to pet and pick him up and put in carrier - I brought to vet for neutering, shots, fix the leg, etc - $250 later I have him recouping out in the shop in a large crate - my concern is that when I let him go he may scare my little female off again - do they usually work this out? Also with this much of an investment is he likely to hang around?

 

i feed the strays around here...i cant stand to see any animal go hungry....as far as him staying around as long as he is getting food, more then likely yes he'll stay... but many things can happen to outside cats im sure u already know that though... as far as him scaring ur female away im not to sure... when u took the male to the vet did they do any tests to check for feline aids, lukimeia etc...???? you dont want to take the chance of them getting into it and her catching something from him... my cats are indoor only now b/c of dogs and cars... and im scared of them catching something...but thats great that you would take him in like that and have all that done... and especially getting him fixed!!!! not very many ppl will do that....just be careful feeding the strays, i started out feeding one and ended up feeding 8 now im down to feeding two males, not sure what happened to everyone else... not to mention i feed a stray dog also... well the dog has a home but the ppl just dont care about her....good luck maybe someone else here has bettr advice...

 

Feeding feral cat-back again

Yes - I had him tested for feline leukemia - was negative, also treated for ear mites - I'm beginning to wonder if he's feral or not - last night I went out to see him in the crate - he rolls over on his back for me to rub his tummy?? How feral is that - since he's Maine coon looking I'm wondering if he was someone's at one time - checked with animal shelters - no luck - if a lost cat has to survive in the wild does it make him feral?