Need advice on best way to get my feral in a carrier to her new home

I have a feral cat Liley that I socialized and she met her "potential parents" last weekend. She was very scared but they completely overlooked that and are really interested in adopting her. My dilemma is this. The home visit is this Sunday. I'm stressing out on how I'm ever going to get her in a carrier on her way to her new home! I'm thinking of scruffing her but I'm afraid that might completely freak and stress her out, and if this happens it might be even more difficult for her to adjust to her new home. She's only been in a carrier twice once after she was trapped and then again getting her to my house, and that was back in May of last year. What is the best way and less traumatic way to do this? I'd appreciate any advice!

I thought of placing the cat carrier in the room w/food or treats but it would be difficult to do because Liley shares a large room w/three other ferals I socialized. Liley tends to be the more timid one and backs off when they come near her, so I think they would get to the food and eat it before she could get a chance. It would be to much work trying to fend them off. I'll probably just have to scruff her. What about sedating her? My older cat becomes so stressed out when he visits the vet my vet just gives me a pill and he's in a relaxed state and she can examine him w/o him becoming traumatized. I want to make Liley's transition into her new home as less stressful as possible!

Hi Lauren! Liley has a wonderful couple who is very interested in adopting her!  Thankfully and w/much luck the home visit was supposed to be this past Sunday, but she was sick and we rescheduled for next Saturday, so it gives me a week to prepare. I'm hoping and praying it goes well. The major roadblock would be their dominant male cat. He's always been the only cat, but they adopted him from a multiple cat home where w/a little apprehension at first did get along w/the others. I'm sure you remember Cali aka "houdidni"? I still have her and she is a horrible bully! Liley becomes very afraid and timid when I let her out, and if I don't keep a watchful eye over Cali she charges at the others very aggressively. I've been wearing her out w/alot of playtime around the others so she's drained of her aggressive energy.

I'm afraid to place the large crate in the room because Liley never liked it and would freak out when I did put her in it even w/the door open, so I placed 2 carriers in the room w/blankets inside and covered them so they look more appealing. Liley walked in both and seemed very interested. I also took the doors off. I'm hoping by this Saturday w/alot of playtime and treats, I can coax her in w/o stressing her out. I offered to drop her off since they live right by me and help set her up in a separate room. I could use some tips on successfully introducing Liley and their male cat. Some said rub a towel all over Liley to get her scent on it and place it by their cat's food dish, alot of playtime w/each other, and feeding them on either side of the door of Liley's room. There was an article on here I read from a woman on how to successfully introduce cats but I couldn't find it? Any idea where I can find it? I would like to email it to them. It seems to be there only concern if the two do not get along. I know Liley will take some time to come around maybe months and they seemed very understanding of this. I did let them know though when I brought her to my house it only took a few days so I want to be optimistic w/them. Thanks for all the compliments. It's been such a long road w/Liley, but I keep remembering what you said. One day the right time and opportunity will come along and it has and I'm so excited and thrilled for her!

Thanks Lauren and everyone for all your help! I did discuss w/them where Liley came from and that she was feral, but quickly came around w/alot of love and patience. They didn't seem to mind. She once had a "scaredy cat" that only attached to her, and I explained if they are patient she is the most loveable cuddly cat! I will email her Mary Ann's article. Thank you for finding it for me. Cross all fingers and paws everything goes well. I'll report back on her progress!

So I was succesful getting Liley in the carrier. I just put some catnip in it and it took a few times but she went right in. She was a little upset when I closed the door but once I placed the blanket over the carrier it seemed to calm her down. When I brought her to her potential new home and placed her in the separate room where she'll be kept until she becomes comfortable she began climbing the window and howling. It made me a little nervous and her new owners seemed a little worried, but it was overwhelming for her and they seem to understand. They stepped out and I sat with her and she seem to calm down a bit. I just feel so horrible like I abandoned her and know it will take awhile for her to come around. I think it's harder w/the ferals become they become so close to you and only you. I know I made the right decision and hope it all works out and she's happy but I miss her alot and I'm having separation anxiety. I did email her Mary Anne's article on successfully introducing cats so it should go well. I asked her to keep me updated on how she's doing so I'll post more and hopefully it will be nothing but good news!

Thank you Lauren for all the kind and encouraging words. I was crying as I was reading and I do feel so sad and never thought I would miss her this much. I know they are the best possible parents for Liley and hope if anything at all they will be patient and discover like I did what a wonderful kitty she really is. I've come such a long way w/her and it's bittersweet. Nothing would make me happier as hearing the good news that she does begin to earn their trust and open up. She's a social worker and works w/developmentally disabled adults helping them find jobs, so yes she has a huge heart and alot of patience. I just said to her like some adults have "special needs" so do some kitties like Liley. I will update and thanks so much again. I needed the little pep talk and reassurance that I did the right thing

So Allison Liley's new Mom is spending alot of time in Liley's room. She's been hiding under the bed in a separate room since I dropped her off. She still hasn't come out even to eat and drink, but will allow Allison to pet her and she is purring which I told her is a great sign! I reassured her that Liley will come out it may just take some time and patience. I also told her to place a piece of clothing w/her scent on it under the bed and play some classical music. Liley was like that when I first took her in. When I began feeding her the yummy wet food w/me in the room that's when she began to trust me, although it took a few feedings for her to even eat in front of me. Should I suggest Allison do this too? I know it worked w/me, just sitting in the room, talking softly to her and encouraging her, plus all the feedings really helped her to come out of her shell but it was a slow process. Just thought you may have some other suggestions that worked for you in similar situations. You always have the best advice and I would love to pass it on to Allison. I think she's more worried that she hasn't eaten any food or even drink any water. Thanks again!

I just talked to Allison and she is worried Liley still hasn't eaten so I explained to her what you suggested, to feed her a fresh can of her favorite food right before they go to sleep and place it underneath the bed. She hasn't eaten since Saturday afternoon when I dropped her off and I am even getting worried. I'll trust all will be fine, but I told Allison when she checks in the morning and if Liley still hasn't eaten I'm definitley going to panic. She did the same thing w/me but she did eat after the second day I had her. She is using the litter box so I know she's venturing out at night. She asked me if she should let her cat in the room w/the hopes it might bring Liley around, but I told her it would be too soon, and that it's best her and Liley bond first. She adopted her cat from a multiple cat home and as far as she knew she did get along w/them pretty well. Am I right telling her this? I hope I can report back to you guys that Liley has finally eaten otherwise I'm going to be a wreck!

Thanks Lauren and yes Liley did eat a little bit of the tuna fish she palced under the bed last night. Even better when Allison came home last night and walked in Liley's room she was sitting on the windowsill. She retreated back under the bed and Allison reached in to pet her and she said she began purring louder than she ever has. Liley then laid down and let Allison pet her even her belly a little bit too. Liley also rubbed her face all over Allison's hand. I told her this was a huge breakthrough and it's just a matter of time before Liley will come out to her and show her sweet self. Thanks again for all your help. It's really helped us out so much and I truly appreciate it! I'll keep reporting back w/good news I hope.

Hi Lauren and everyone! I just wanted to send more good news that Liley is eating. She ate in front of Allison for the first time last night and came out to her but not quite all the way out from underneath the bed. Poor Alison, who by the way is an absolute ANGEL and I couldn't ask for a more wonderful mom to Liley, has been so worried about her because she hasn't been eating much if anything at all, but I continued to reassure her that Liley would begin eating it was just a matter of time. I told her that she will soon see what a wonderful and sweet kitty she really is. Allison is going to send me pics when she does venture out and if I could figure it out I'll post them on here. Thank you all for all your help! I feel like I can finally breathe a huge sigh of relief.

I replaced my profile pic of Liley....she's a beautiful girl and I never thought the day would come when she finally found someone who would love and care for her as I have.

Thank you Lauren for all your support and confidence in me when I felt like I had none. I honestly don't think I could've gotten thru this whole ordeal w/o your support and wisdom! It was my very first adoption and I'm patting myself on the back because I didn't give up on myself, and especially stayed positive for Liley. Yes Allison is a Saint and I think Liley's Guardian Angel. It was so tough on me to finally "cut the cord" because I created such a strong bond w/her. I never thought in a million years I would be able to give her up, but I continued telling myself it's not about me it's all about them, and I couldn't be more ecstatic for Liley.

Hi! I thought I would update on Liley's progress. She's still hiding underneath the bed and only comes out for a few minutes while Allison and her husband are in the room now. Allison offered to drop off my carrier sometime soon after she happily reported that Liley was finally eating regularly. I offered to pick it up because I wanted to drop some of Liley's things off, toys and blankets, plus I said I would love to visit with her. Allison thought this might confuse her and she seemed concerned since Liley only comes out for a few minutes and they haven't really bonded with her yet. I didn't want to push it so I agreed that maybe it wasn't a good idea, but I just thought if Liley did see me she might come out more w/Allison and her husband in the room. Do you think she may be hesitant around Allison's husband? She was really bonding w/Allison and it sounded like from her email she's back to hiding again and seems more hesitant to come out. When my boyfriend was in the room Liley would never come out, just hid the entire time. I don't know maybe I'm reading too much into it. Somewhere in the back of my head I'm thinking they're going to call and say they're having a difficult time bonding w/her and it's not working out. I think Allison's husband may influence her decision if it did come to that, but never would I ever think Allison would give up on her. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this??? I'm afraid to say it but I'm starting to worry again.....

I agree Lauren! Allison knows Liley is improving everyday and it's a slow process, so she thinks she would feel more comfortable having me come over when Liley comes out more consistently. I'm definitely staying positive w/Allison about Liley. Allison reported she's coming out for longer periods now w/her in the room, but when she hears a noise or makes a sudden movement she runs back under the bed. I told her this happened alot w/me and not to worry too much about it. I was very vocal w/Liley and when I reassured her everything was ok she would come back to me and sometimes want her belly rubbed. She says she's making great progress though and still eating great. It was frustrating at times but once they begin to show they're trusting you and open up it's so rewarding.

I so hope you're right Lauren! It's so difficult to find the "special ones" homes and even more to find "special people" like us who love these kitties as much as we do  Continue keeping fingers and paws crossed and I'll continue updating Liley's progress. Thanks again you always say the perfect thing to ease my mind I thought I would put another pic up of Liley. I love this one because it looks like she has a huge smile on her face. She always kept her eyes closed because the flash was to bright for her.