One Feral Cat's Story A Documentary

[@ElevateTheProcess]

I don’t think Victor still has nine lives but at least he has you! Thank you for sharing!

[@Jackson-pu7gd]

Aww poor Victor... if only he could understand that he can trust you. He's a beautiful boy. Thanks for sharing his story with us.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Our pleasure!

[@lisawest9731]

I think years ago, it was your voice that caught me off guard lol. You have an amazing documentary style, if you will. Thanks for looking out for Vic, he is a fighter and survivor; you have captured and created a brilliant story. I am grateful, thanks BB.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thanks for the high praise! I've been told I have kind of an old school documentary style. My philosophy is to focus on getting good photos and videos of behavior and let the animals be the center of attention. BB

[@JohnDillinger12]

Good Documentary. I’ve been watching you document this cat since you started posting about him and it is cool to see the gradual increase in proximity to you as he feeds and nip rolls lol. The only thing i’d say is that if you choose to get him fixed it will absolutely change some of the dynamics of your yard after a little while. I highly doubt he will be the head honcho anymore shortly after that due to the loss of fighters edge and testosterone which might very well be the main reason why he is thriving (before you helped him out with food) and perhaps even surviving in the wild. The pro’s of neutering is of course less strays and feral cats and the fact that he will relax much more considerably and probably start approaching you and letting you touch him. Either way, good luck to you & especially Mr. Victor.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thanks! That's a good point about the neutering. BB

[@susanhughan2198]

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this video ❤️ Thank you for this amazing narrative, your voice it perfect 👌🏼 I always look forward to getting your Notifications 🔔 God bless you 🙏🏼 I had no clue about when Blue Jays sound the alarm ! I visit my son often, who lives in the Hill Country here in TX. Sitting out on his large deck, I hear & see many blue & red birds (& there’s always a family of Deer sitting in his front yard & in the evening they’re headed down the side of the house & down into a thicker wooded area. Now I’ll be more aware of listening to these birds lol. One thing I’ve witnessed, that’s been a heartbreaking sight, is a small flock of birds that all of the sudden smash into his 3 large glass windows, seeing a few not get up & recovery faster or hit too hard & succumb. There’s a large Oak tree close to the deck, are the birds slamming into those windows because of the trees reflection? My Mom used to tell us that it was a “sign of a death” when a bird hit the window.. Naturally, an old wives tale, but I wish I could help the ones who hit so hard they land onto the deck & it’s a slower demise…There also seems to be an Armadillo living under the deck, after hearing the dogs bark & run down the deck stairs, I thought it was a Possum but after videoing it, it turned out to be an Armadillo…. Thankfully, there’s lattice boards around the bottom of the deck & the dogs can’t get under it because I’m fearful of them getting rabies, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank you so much! BB

[@dbeachmawmaw]

Oh my, this was so interesting! I hope Vic lives a long life! He is a very pretty cat, and he sure keeps your rat population under great control! So good of you to "take care" of him. I'm sure in his own unique way, he really appreciates all you do for him! He does seem to really enjoy his catnip! I have a friend that has 5 ferel cats that all seem to get along. She feeds them kibble once a day. They will not let her get near them. She has gotten about 6ft from them, so that apparently is the line they all do not cross. ❤

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thanks, Vic is a loner cat - I think maybe six feet is the approximate distance the cats know they can escape from any human and if you were carrying anything like a net forget about it ;-) BB

[@MyOutdoorWildlife]

I enjoyed this video. We have feral cats in our area. I have been successful at socializing with the two who frequent our property. We brought a third cat (the female's baby) into the house. That happened when he was about one year old. He's been a housecat for almost three years. The other two have no desire to be housecats. We have tried; however, I have provided them with shelter and food and adopted one, and they do not have any problems capturing small prey. They let me pet and pick them up. Those two have been on our property for over four years.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Great story, Vic will never be touched, and he's definitely a loner, but in his own way displays a sense of community. BB

[@MyOutdoorWildlife]

​@@MyBackyardBirding Yes, a lot of feral cats are like that. There was another, my daughter called him Astolfo, who trusted us to a point; however, he would not let us get too close. He did let me pet him one time, which surprised me. I last saw him a few years ago, so I assume he's gone. The feral cats are efficient killers. I have seen them track and kill prey. It's one reason that I have no desire to 'tame the birds on our property. I have feeders placed on high poles. I can easily see the two cats taking advantage of allowing me to get the birds comfortable with me.

[@chezmoi42]

Victor is certainly a handsome old trooper. So glad he's sticking around, enjoying your hospitality from a prudent distance. If, by chance, you are able to trap him for a checkup/neuter, could you not just bring him back to finish out his life where he has chosen to live? I wish him health and happiness in his last four lives. Thanks for caring about him.

[@woiowoiow190]

If you neuter Victor, he will not survive outdoors, first of all he won't be able to spray to claim his territory and not only that but when you neuter them they lose their fighting spirit and are vunerable to bigger prey. Please don't neuter and release, you are just signing their death sentence. Just image a human being taken from his manhood, they are never the same and animals work just as the same.

[@BenTh17]

Very wholesome and informative video. Thank you for making it. I loved watching him sunbathe and his reactions to catnip especially. He is a survivor!

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank you, yes Vic loves his catnip! BB

[@ZacharyCrowe]

I really enjoyed this video on a beautiful Sunday morning! Thank you! Very informative!

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank You! BB

[@johnvalencia7488]

Great Bio-Diversity story telling. I hope Victor survives a long time. Thank you for caring for of your creatures.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank you! BB

[@BlueJay6441]

I loved this. Learned a lot, very interesting. Thank you!!

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Glad it was helpful! BB

[@EllyMoody]

What a lovely thumbnail image. It reveals you deep love for nature.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank you! BB

[@459luker]

27:05 wow that was fast... Victor is an impressive hunter

[@MyBackyardBirding]

I know, it really looked like the squirrel might get away. BB

[@LyndaGrandmason-qz1cf]

What an outstanding documentary ! Many thanks for sharing your amazing efforts, adventures & experiences with all of your surrounding nature !

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank You! BB

[@imameatballbro]

Vic is smart and knows exactly what he is doing 😂❤

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Yeah, the old story of who's socializing who? BB

[@vivianelabelle3992]

Poor Victor! Good thing you're helping him.😔🐈❤

[@MyBackyardBirding]

He's a survivor! BB

[@barbaragremaud3499]

Thanks for being so interested in and compassionate about all of these animals.

[@user-ec6xd2ig4c]

Lucky you... You have that little jungle behind your property. It looks exciting with all those animals there.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

It really is! BB

[@sarahrupert5320]

A jungle Soap Opera! Never a dull moment 😉

[@nessunodorme3888]

This video is inspiring, first class work that excels on more than one level! My hat is off to you!

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Wow, thank you! BB

[@95percentair]

Catnip is such a great healer, for stressed out cats and we use it all the time for my cats' tummy, he survived kidney failure 10 years ago. He absolutely knows when it will be beneficial. Clearly it should be legal everywhere 😆 .

[@MyBackyardBirding]

I agree, catnip really seems to agree with Vic, and he eats it all 🙂

[@itchingforstitching]

My 13 year old housecat snuck out recently (my fault) didn't leave our back deck (thank god, we have coyotes around here who love to eat cats) and our Labrador Retriever/Coonhound went mental barking that "his" cat was outside (I guess he knows she belongs indoors.) Anyway, we found her and her tail was puffed up about 5x larger than normal. Like the dumb humans we are we figured our dog's barking was the reason she was scared or angry. Strange since the rare time he barks indoors she couldn't care any less. Anyway, a day or so later our dog continued barking in an hysterical/obnoxious manner in the backyard when let out to potty etc. We thought he was just arguing with the other dogs in the neighborhood. Then my husband went out back and surprise! The biggest raccoon I have ever seen, hanging out under the deck. Turns out it had an old injury so I called animal control who came quickly to capture it. Anyway, I think my cat had seen the raccoon and was frozen in fear. I even shook a bag of Temptations treats and she did not come running to me which is really weird. She goes CRAZY for those. I think my cat got really lucky and I am extra careful to keep her inside where she belongs. Also, I am VERY relieved all my dog did was BARK at the raccoon. Gosh!! Seeing the footage of Victor vs raccoon freaked me out a bit. Raccoons can take out a dog I have heard many times. They are cunning, stubborn and tough. Also have blue jays who have been yelling more recently. IDK if they alarm call about raccoons, though. My cat learned to hunt and kill (feral, non-native) mice that get inside our house for the first time when she was 10 years old. I was very proud of her. Long time ago I watched a Cooper's Hawk go missile into a dense, coniferous type of shrub that always has invasive House Sparrows in it. The Hawk kind of disappeared into the shrub, emerged with a house sparrow, took it up to a tree and macabre feathers like snow, rained down. I watched, fascinated.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Wow, thanks for sharing your stories! A wounded raccoon when cornered can be pretty dangerous. Coopers Hawks are amazing. BB

[@sarahrupert5320]

I’m so glad your cat (and dog!) are ok…you’re right, raccoons generally do NOT mess around. I am terrified of them bc I’ve seen what they can do to other, domesticated animals. They have zero fear, it seems like. As for the hawk…yeah, the raining down of feathers kinda makes me a bit sad. I know it’s just nature, which can sometimes be as brutal as it is beautiful (and heck, the hawk’s gotta eat too), but man…probably wasn’t a pleasant way to go for the little sparrow. 😢 I agree-thank you for sharing your stories. 🙌🏼

[@smc4229]

I like your short form content that you post but also really enjoy when you do narration and long form too. Thanks!

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Glad you like them! BB

[@lisawest9731]

BB, I almost don't want to watch, I remember the escape artist. I don't know if this is the one but, as a rescuer, I'm invested in your ferals. 💔Thank you💔

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Its not that bad, but there is some blood, he's "literally" a fighter and He's doing fine now! BB

[@GarrisIiari]

Amazing that he's been top cat there for so long. Four or so years (or more) is an eternity for a feral cat. He must be really good at what he does.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

He's a survivor! BB

[@kathrynlouise]

Good morning. The willife you get is amazing. Im in alachua county in the country ..what town are you in to see bobcats and coyotes?

[@MyBackyardBirding]

You might be surprised what you find up there in Alachua if you put out a trail camera in the yard. This is a very nice one at a great price that I've tested and use its at: amzn.to/4fULmEJ or shrsl.com/44o0a if you don't have Amazon. BB

[@GarrisIiari]

Not familiar with your area, but watching documentaries, coyotes have been amazing at infiltrating urban spaces everywhere while being essentially unseen by humans unless you have wildlife cameras overnight. I am in the Boston Metro, and Ring cameras in our community capture them all the time.

[@kathrynlouise]

@GarrisIiari specifically want the location in Florida since I reside here

[@kathrynlouise]

@MyBackyardBirding would you please answer my question and not sell me your products

[@GarrisIiari]

@@kathrynlouise whoa there, chill with some cat nip. If you've followed this channel a while as you know he only mentions trusted products he himself uses. They aren't "his." And many channel owners don't like to dox themselves, ya know? Move along...

[@elizabethbigley1596]

Great Story & love you share!

[@KalaAltheaBalik]

That other feral cat probably did not survive if Vic looked like that. Thank you a lot for the update, I've been waiting for this.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

You may be right, there was no turning back for Vic! BB

[@aawolvea]

Love your channel

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank You! BB

[@GlenaGarrett]

Please consider giving him lysine supplement in his daily food. That will help his immune system fight off infections when he gets into fights. That injury was probably a dislocation that resolved itself. Happy it cleared up as that made him even more vulnerable. Thank you for watching out for him. I hope as he gets older he'll still be around and will become more friendly. It would be nice if he could live out his senior years in full comfort and safety as we all want to do.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Interesting, I'll check into that. BB

[@MrMichealHouse]

Vic just need time to rest and heal. He's just getting warmed up.

[@paulinemarks6207]

What a great story! A beautiful cat! A cruel world! But that is life.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thanks, yes, the circle of life. BB

[@KalaAltheaBalik]

Vic probably saved that housecats life by teaching him a lesson about jungle. It could had been coyote or bobcat.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Good point, Vic gave that little kitty a break - and fortunately it got the message. BB

[@GarrisIiari]

Quite right. As they say, if you let your pets roam, they become part of the food chain.

[@Miyananana]

Maybe get him one of those outdoor homes. I live in the Chicago area and a lot of people here have outdoor shelters for strays or they make lil make-shift shelters especially during the winter when it hits the negatives here.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

This is in Florida where it stays warm year round and other animals would want the house for themselves. BB

[@Lacunan]

Very touching, thank you.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

You're very welcome. BB

[@preciadoalex123]

thanks for the journey !

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thanks for watching! BB

[@danielwoolman8969]

It is funny he looks at you right when you talk about them puttng him down.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Victor does that every once in awhile when I'm talking, makes me wonder.... BB

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Ps , this eas very entertaining and relaxing . You have a calming voice too . May be build him a little house for when the weather gets bad . He is all muscle.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank you, unfortunately in this environment any kind of house or shelter would attract all the other animals especially possums and raccoons, its Florida so pretty warm year round.

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

@MyBackyardBirding gotta it .

[@grif1414]

Congratulations! I saw your clip on Daily Dose of Internet!

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Awesome! Thank you! BB

[@impaugjuldivmax]

you should not afraid to move near him when je is eating, he has to accept that there is no threat in you walking around, but when you are sitting calmly you are showing him only this way of feeding

[@thelonemaiden]

12 generations of feral ?!

[@0wl999]

I lost my beloved calico girl of 20 yrs to a hawk in 2021, didn't even have a body to bury. Keep your indoor kitties inside people.😢😻😻😻

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Sorry to hear that, and good advice. BB

[@sarahrupert5320]

Oh my goodness, how awful! I’m so sorry 😞

[@JaneHall-f9j]

If you can get your hands on him human antibiotic cream can help him avoid infection

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Vic's not going to let that happen 😬

[@JayLarusta]

I dunno BB, you’ve named him and he protects your van 🚐 from rodents 🐀 tough choice I understand.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Yeah, all things considered he fits in. BB

[@douglascampbell3523]

A cat in the open is prey. That's why he sticks close to the jungle. As for winning and not winning -- the cat with all the cuts in the front "won", while the cat with damage to their hindquarters "lost". Oh, and if you TNR Victor, he won't be as aggressive toward other invading cats; the testosterone isn't there for him to be so.

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Well why dont you feed him ! And get him nutered . I see you do feed him Some get them a house to live in or build one for them .and they slowly become tame . Ive seen it on you tube . Yes a hard vidio to watch .but educational and real . Thankyou .

[@sarahrupert5320]

Well…wow. Found this channel by complete accident. Thank you so much BB, for sharing it and for the commentary on the animals you record. I gotta say-I reluctantly admit to not really liking cats that much, but I watched this entire video despite only planning to check it out for a few minutes. And I’m glad I did because it’s given me a newfound respect for feral cats! Thanks again for putting it all together…it’s not only extremely interesting, but quite informative as well. Awesome job. Here’s to wishing you and Victor (and the squirrels, birds, lizards & even rats too) a happy, healthy winter! Keep us posted on your progress with him…I think your viewers have become almost as attached to him as you, haha. 🤍

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Thank you for your nice compliment and thoughtful reply. Welcome to the Backyard, there will be more on Victor and company in the future. BB