Semi-feral won't let me pick her up!

I have three 10-month-old litter mates who started their lives as ferals. Since mid-June, 07, I've worked on taming them. I've had great success with my two males, Sandy and Winky, but only marginal success with my female, Faylene. She'll come when I call her, I can pet her, she enjoys begin around me and other humans, but I've never been able to pick her up (many attempts, very unsuccessfully!) She's been spayed (we had to set a humane trap to get her), and she's warmed a little more since then. But, it's now time for her follow-up vaccinations, and I really don't want to put her through the whole trapping experience again. Any advice on how to gain her trust, or tricks to get her into her carrier (top opening style) would be greatly appreciated!!

You will gain her trust with time - lots of it - and lots of love and good care.

I have a similar situation with one of my former stray/ferals. This is what I usually do. I have a carrier that opens on the side (the end really). I put tuna juice - drain it off from a can of tuna - in a bowl in the carrier and do this several times. Each time move the bowl closer to the back of the carrier. Then after she's been in the carrier several times to get the tuna juice do it one time just before the vet appt and shut the door when she goes in there.

Good luck.

That's a great suggestion for getting her into the crate. If tuna juice doesn't do it, try plain boiled shrimp or herring (no sauce). Anything stinky.

Also, if you haven't tried these, here's a thread with a number of great tips to help kitty come around. http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=156459

Unfortunately, with ferals, you just have to turn off the clock. The most important ingredient is time.

for the wonderful thing you're doing!

Laurie

Laurie is right - read that thread! Everyone who posted there was SO helpful, and our kittens are making awesome progress - all thanks to those tips. All the best!