Feasibility of bringing community cat indoors?

Question 🤔

I’ve been feeding a fixed semi feral girl for more than a decade. She’s come such a long way — I’ve watched her go from a cat who climbed roofs and was terrified of people to one that just prefers to lounge around and says hi to anyone who walks by. I’ve even brought her to the vet for a checkup and was told she’s the “healthiest feral cat” the vet had ever seen.

She comes in my house occasionally but will freak out as soon as the door is closed — starts clawing at it, ramming her head, trying to dig her way out.

I’m living with family right now and we’re selling the house in a few months, and I don’t want to abandon her. I have a pittie who doesn’t understand how personal space works, so bringing her inside the house right now permanently isn’t an option. But when I move, I’ll have my own space without the family dog. Is it feasible to take her? After more than ten years outdoors, I’m worried about how she’ll adjust. But she doesn’t really leave the front of my house ever anymore — she’s not quite a woman of the streets the way she used to be!

There’s also another feral colony across the street but they sort of beat up on her — she prefers to be alone or with neighbors willing to give her pets and treats.

TLDR: cat has lived on my porch for a decade, but the house is being sold and I’m moving across the country. Should I bring her to live with me?

Posted Jul 10, 2026, 5:49 PM UTC

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