u/Artistic-Listen7975

Hi reddit, I managed to pet, pick up AND bring home a set of littermate ferals. Born outside, never been in a house until last night when I snagged em both from the bus stop. Neither have ever been touched before, let alone brought inside around dogs, children and a crying baby.

I have had cats my entire life, all ranging in personalty from skittish to loverboy/girl. However, ive never taken in ferals, at most terrified strays.

The older couple at the end of the alley have been feeding them, along with a brood of 7 others, and I brought them into my home last night. Both let me pet them outside when I would give snacks, but they're both terrified now. The female has escaped the room she was trapped in via gate (i think, I also accept she might be better at hide and seek than I am), and the male is literally scaling my curtains and furniture trying to get out anytime someone enters the room. If no one's around he gets curious and wants to explore. Before she escaped and hid, she spent her every second in my window sill. I was able to pet her and she did make biscuits when being touched.

Question is, am I making their lives worse by "imprisoning" them after being outdoors? They both have spay/neuters scheduled, along with vaccinations and was planning to microchip. Theyre terrified, but I also know my baby, toddler, and dogs all existing and making sound are a whole different beast for them where they literally cant escape.

Is there a chance I will be able to win them over and make friends or am I doomed to be the prison guard who is being plotted on by her prisoners?