On Monday, December 15, 2014 at 6:18:36 PM UTC-6, John Doe wrote:
I was thinking of ways to keep it warm during the winter. You know, boxes
or whatever. I bought an electric blanket and it hasn't left the area since
that day. The weather hardly gets below freezing, so I'm hoping for a cold
night I think it will work at least down to 0°F. One night was about 30°
and it was no problem. Since then, I put it in a larger box that is only
half covered. It's kind of paranoid, like half feral, it cringes when it's
petted but it enjoys having its head scratched. So if it gets near zero it
will probably move into that covered half of the box. Still on the electric
blanket, that should keep it warm and cozy. Since the electric blanket is
folded up, it generates concentrated heat and must be left on the lowest
settings. As with all of their bedding, clean paper towels are used like
sheets.





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Since it's kept outside, of course it's neutered.

Your feral cat reminds me of something I have to relate. A few years ago, my friend started feeding a stray cat in her backyard. The cat was very friendly but no one was looking for it in local ads. She didn't want to take it inside because she had 2 cats already so she looked around for a home without much luck (very pretty long haired blue tortie). Winter came so she fixed up a box with plastic to protect it and blankets inside. Then came a weather report of a huge snowstorm coming. She was so worried about the kitty that she put her in the garage. There was a huge amount of snow, so she kept her in the garage for over a week. The cat acted very fearful while in the garage and hid from her whereas before she could pet her, but she ate her food. She didn't run out, even when my friend had to take her car out and lifted the doors, but one day she did go out.

My friend put the box out again and the cat went inside. My friend had a neighbor over the next day and my friend decided to get the blankets and clean them. When the cat left the box, she pulled out the blankets and.....two newborn kittens fell to the ground. My friend froze in panic, but the neighbor picked up the little things which were OK and found three more in the box. They restored everything and waited for the mother to return. When she went back in the box, my friend blocked the entrance with her body and carried the whole thing to her extra bedroom.

Well, this is a long story, but that's how Blue and her kittens came to live with my friend. And that's how I got my cat, Flag, one of her kittens who is now a huge gray tabby.

Some kittens got other homes and some live with the mother, Blue, at my friend's large house with her other 2 cats. Blue has zero interest in going outside ever again - she stays far away if a door is opened. Happy ending.