My caged feral isn't coming around...

Finish the TNR process by doing the "R" -- return her to where she was trapped, and provide shelter, water, food & veterinary care on an ongoing basis.

Feral cats over 10 weeks of age are usually impossible to tame, although there are rare exceptions. Consider what happens if you bring a feral cat into your home, and the cat is not inclined to be socialized: 

• The cat will be traumatized while kept in captivity.  Just like people, a cat under severe stress is more likely to become ill. 

• If you decide that the cat is too wild after a few months, and return him outdoors in December, he will not have his full winter coat to provide warmth, among other risk factors brought on by good intentions.

• Maybe by that time, the cat will be too wild to be considered tame, but too tame to survive on his own. 

• If the feral cat is let loose in your house, you may have to trap him again -- and there's a good possibility that your household items will be destroyed in the process.  Personal injury is also a risk.  Feral cats are wild animals!

The list goes on and on.  We have seen socialization attempts fail, despite best intentions, and the cat is always the one who suffers.

Some caregivers have problems with the "R" part of TNR.   Understandably, they want to see the cat in a loving home.  Chances are, that will never happen.  If you want to dedicate several months to several years attempting to winning him over, go through the entire TNR process, then continue to spend time with the cat in his outdoor environment on his own terms after he's been released.  He might warm up to you over time, but don't take it as a personal failure if he doesn't.

Ferals genetically pre-disposed to socialization and semi-ferals usually bond only with the person who feeds them.  This point cannot be overemphasized – do not plan to socialize a feral or semi-feral cat unless you plan to keep him forever.   If you are prepared to do that, consider what happens if you become unable to care for the cat, or how it will upset the balance of your own household if you have other cats.

Also consider all the other cats you could be helping in that time.