Lippy is on his way to becoming "former" Feral! :-)

tru

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I posted last May about Lippy, my last feral to be fixed, and today after our cuddle session I simply have to share about his progress.

Here's the link to that thread.

It took me nearly two years to be able to trap him, (he was totally untouchable), and he ended up spending nearly a month in the playpen cage till I could get him in for neutering. After being fixed and his recovery period, I let him out and he went absent for a couple days so I couldn't subject him to such indignities again.


It wasn't long before he came back close to the house expecting me to feed him and he stayed close thereafter as if to say, "you did this to me now you are responsible for me".

Over time I was able to reach down and pet him and eventually I started forcing my attentions on him by picking up, petting and talking to him.

Today I picked him up and sat in an outside chair as I've often done and managed to start rubbing his belly. He just loved it!
He rolled and purred and thoroughly enjoyed himself. I finally had to encourage him to get down instead of him wanting down before I was ready.

Eventually I'm hoping to integrate him into the crew and have everyone get along. That may be a bit of an undertaking since he appointed himself as guard cat, often trying to swat anyone coming in or going out.


I have faith that over time it will be done though because when he's getting attention from me he is not at all aggressive to any cats that come up to us.

Besides Sylvester, Lippy has been my longest tame down ever.

Sylvester is a tux that has always been timid rather than aggressive and even though I've captured and brought him in for the winter in the past, the moment he goes back out he reverts to not letting me near him.

This year I'm working with him more; brushing, petting, giving snacks and lots of talking. I am determined to finally have all my guys comfortable with me this year, (or maybe next, or the one after that).


Here's a couple pics of the tough guy.


 

ktlynn

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Trudy, what an inspiring story! You've done a marvelous job with Lippy ( who is quite the big boy
)! It's wonderful when feral kitties are able to share some of the great things that our house kitties take for granted, like belly rubs!

Just wondering - how do you get Sylvester back in your house since he won't allow you near him once he's outside? Will he go back in a trap?

Your feral babies are very lucky. Keep up the good work!
 
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tru

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Originally Posted by KTLynn

Just wondering - how do you get Sylvester back in your house since he won't allow you near him once he's outside? Will he go back in a trap?

Your feral babies are very lucky. Keep up the good work!
This last time I caught him in the old dog house attached to MIL's house and crawled in and got him when he had no escape route. Previously I have always managed to catch him not paying close enough attention and snatched him up and brought him in. He can be pretty wily, but I think as it gets colder he decides getting caught and going in the house isn't the worst thing to happen to him.


My plans at this time are to keep him in even when it warms up till we can come to an understanding that it's better to be a house cat.
 
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