Decided to take in a feral to tame...did I make the right choice?

Hi all! I'm new to this site and totally new to feral taming, but my SO and I have decided to take in a feral (or possible stray) that we have been feeding for the past 4 months at a casino parking lot. There is a colony living there and compared to the other ferals, this cat seemed much more friendly and trusting of us. Yet at the same time, she has never rubbed up against us or approached to be pet (nor have we ever tried) so it's hard to gauge her level of friendliness. She's comfortable eating a foot or less away from us. In fact, the very first time I noticed her, she was waiting right next to my car door to be fed...my door was open and she rubbed her cheek against the corner of it with my feet maybe 5 inches away. I was surprised that she wasn't scared/skittish like the others. So I thought perhaps she was a stray and not part of the colony. Another reason we think she might not be part of the feral colony is that she's usually alone, hanging out under parked cars. The colony cats seem to prefer hanging out in the empty grassy lot adjacent to the parking lot. They will dart out from the bushes or under the fence to eat. They also have no qualms about sharing their food with each other...if there's a pile of kibbles out, there will be 2-3 cats huddled around eating it. This kitty however rarely ever joins in, she always watches from a few feet away and waits for them to finish and then eats the leftovers. Of course, I make sure to make a new pile just for her and if another cat tries to join, she tends to hiss at them or back off sometimes. Although lately she has been tolerating sharing food, probably because she was too hungry from being pregnant!

The casino management had done some TNR on the colony a few months ago, but obviously missed quite a few cats. We informed them of the pregnancy situation, but they didn't seem to be bothered to start trapping again. A volunteer from a rescue I contacted offered to help trap her and it was then we discovered that 2 more cats were pregnant as well! The cats have all been spayed earlier this week and my SO & I have decided we want to take this particular kitty home rather than release her back.

Now here is what concerns me...when trapping her, we had to use the drop-box method since the volunteer ran out of cage traps. Transferring the kitty from the drop-box to the cage trap was extremely difficult! She would not budge and the two of us had to use wooden sticks to pretty much poke & prod her into the cage, with her hissing and attacking the sticks every time it came near her. I realize she must've been terrified, but she was so vicious, it was like a totally different cat! It took probably about 20 minutes to force her into the cage. The volunteer, an experienced cat trapper & feral tamer, said she has never had such difficulty transferring a cat. Makes me wonder if this kitty has possibly been caged before? She has been with the volunteer for the past 3 days, recovering from being spayed, and she's described as a feisty one. The volunteer still recommends that I give taming a try though and if the kitty shows no progress after a month, she can be returned to the colony.

So now my question is...do I have any hope in taming this cat based on the behaviors I described above? Does she sound more stubborn than the typical feral/stray? Please give me some insight & reassurance!

Welcome to TCS!!!!!!!!!!! and thank YOU so much for caring for all of these poor cat's at this casino parking area. So sad as it sounds like many cat's. I am glad that there is a TNR effort in progress!!!

Absolutely, try to see if this girl will settle in and become more socialized in the next few week's time. It is very possible that she could be an abandoned stray cat that has had some human contact early in life.... or not... :dk: Hard to really say at this point. That was a very typical response of her under the drop trap when you were trying to get her into the carrier. She was completely terrified and yes, possibly knows what a carrier is used for. Might have some bad memories as well there. Most feral cat's will just run into a dark carrier like that - it looks safe, small and dark. It really is impossible to speculate on the possibility of her knowing what a carrier is. Before you get her home, Make sure you have a safe room all set up for her. And let her settle in for about 24 hours. Just go in and clean, feed and then come out. She needs to acclimate herself to that room first and foremost. I would plug in a Feliway diffuser in the room, play some quiet classical/harp music. And have some hiding cubbies so she can pick one place to hide and call her own. If there is a bed in that room, put the mattress on the floor. Take away the bed frame. You don't want her to hide out of your reach. As you will be needing to get closer to her as time goes on to be able to start petting. Here are a couple of fantastic articles to help you get started and some tips for socialization. Keep us posted!!! We are here to help in anyway we can

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/handling-feral-cats
http://catcentric.org/behavior-and-psychology/socializing-a-feral-cat-its-all-about-trust/

I just brought her home and she seems to be rather calm right now but it could be from the sedation at the vet clinic. My SO insisted she get tested for FIV/FELV so the poor thing had to endure another vet visit since they did not test during the spay. We do have 2 other cats that will be kept separate from her, so the testing is just for peace of mind. I also wanted her front legs to be examined, as she has walked with a limp ever since we've known her but the clinic did not offer x-ray services It doesn't seem to bother her though, so it may just be a birth defect?

I have put her in a setup just like this one in the link below and left her alone, as I had to go to work (shhh, don't tell my boss I'm on here posting, haha).

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_FOSTERING_A_FERAL_CAT_SAFELY

I plugged in the Feliway last night, but unfortunately recently got rid of not just one, but TWO CD-players so the music will have to wait until I can find another player or spare laptop to put in there. The room is pretty much empty except for a dim lamp in the corner and a small TV. I can add more hiding spots (boxes, cat furniture) & litter boxes when she seems comfortable enough to venture outside of the crate.

I also found out that the vet estimated her age to be 6 years old! Does anyone have experience with taming a feral that old? Of course, being 6 years old doesn't necessarily mean she's been out there for all her life. Feralvr, the 2nd link you posted actually recommends against trying to tame ferals older than 3 years old, so I'm not sure what to think now. I guess it also depends on the cat, as each one has a different personality...only time will tell! I will keep her for about a month and keep this thread updated as I go I'm definitely going to need second & third opinions on if she's adjusting well or not.

I agree this one sounds like a good candidate for fostering.

Them becoming wild and full of defensive aggressiveness in quite common at the moment of catching.  Thus, thick clothes and protective gloves are every rescuers best friend at the self moment of catching.

Later on, when they see nobody is really threating, they do cool down.  Perhaps already in this dark carries which becomes their hiding hole.. But at latest, when you let them be in their room, latest in 24 hours.  They can hiss, them cat swat if you come too near, but no more direct aggression.

6 years? It is much, but we do have forumists who had such old ferales, wilder than yours - and succesfully fosteres.  Oh yes, much work, love, time, some skill, but it was succesfully done. A contemporary thread.  I shall look after it...  the rescuer and the cat are both  MrJinx.

So, please, do proceed. Im entirely sure you and your SO will win together with this girl.

Welcome, and Good luck!

Ahh you're so sweet to take in this sweety. I love your story, please keep us updated

I'm sure she will calm down after she has a few days to settle in, she's been through a lot.

I am new with a feral myself and I have been trying every suggestion for cat's favorite foods.

So far kitty loves:

tuna

temptation treats, especially chicken

fancy feast chicken n gravy grilled

fresh catmint (from my garden)

Chicken broth from Campbells chicken noodle soup (definitely not the broth can but the real noodle soup kind strained and warmed) yeesh

bottled water

Kitty does not like:

sardines

Purina Seafood Selections wet

President's Choice Tartar control chews

Heinz Baby Food Chicken n Gravy

Cat Milk (although he LOVED it when he lived outside) won't touch it now

water from the tap (200 foot deep well!)

ellevee said:

I also found out that the vet estimated her age to be 6 years old! Does anyone have experience with taming a feral that old? Of course, being 6 years old doesn't necessarily mean she's been out there for all her life. Feralvr, the 2nd link you posted actually recommends against trying to tame ferals older than 3 years old, so I'm not sure what to think now. I guess it also depends on the cat, as each one has a different personality...only time will tell! I will keep her for about a month and keep this thread updated as I go I'm definitely going to need second & third opinions on if she's adjusting well or not.

Click to expand...

OH no, that is just a generalization that a feral after the age of three might have a harder time adjusting to humans/socialization. Each cat has to be taken separately from one to the other. It is absolutely worth trying to socialize this cat. You will know in a matter of weeks IF this cat should just be released back. I do not think this will be the case with this girl. I think you will have much luck if you have the time and the patience that will be required. The crate set-up is a good one too. IF you keep her in the crate.... turn the carrier to the side. Place a small blanket over the top of the carrier so the slats are covered. She can also then use the top of the carrier as a bed if she so decides to come out of the carrier. Then when you want to interact with her, just turn the carrier facing forward for your interactions. It is important IMO to turn the carrier to the side so she has complete privacy if she want. Otherwise, every time you come into the room, she will feel cornered with the carrier facing forward. let her know she is hidden, she will feel safer that way.

We will absolutely be here to help you make your decision as to how this girl is coming along. I have a good feeling, since she was already making a connection to you outside in the parking lot of the casino. Keep updating :nod:

Hi all! Tonight will be her 4th night here and there has been some progress, though very little. She seems to be gaining her appetite back & using the litter box regularly. The first few days she hardly ate and I actually didn't see any solid poop in the litter box until today. I've only been going into her room 2-3 times a day to check on her bowls and litter box. A few times I have walked in and found her laying in the litter box...I'm not sure if this is a good sign or not? It's good that she's going in and out of the carrier...but into a litter box? I do knock before I enter so that if I'm interrupting her, she has a chance to run back into the carrier, but I guess she prefers to stay there sometimes. I'm going to add a towel to the top of her carrier like Feralvr suggested so she has another place to lay on. She still looks so sad & frightened huddled inside her carrier, but she seems more alert now than before. The first couple of nights she wouldn't even look at me and kept her eyes to the ground and body frozen still. Now her eyes will follow my hands, as I'm cleaning and giving her food/water. I'm hoping this means she is a bit more relaxed!

Yes, it sounds good and pretty normal, she is also settling down now. Now you can so slowly begin to be a little more active.

Had you tried with calming music?  We have a sticky thread mentioning it.

You ask about lying in the litter. It is quite common for example for show cats to rest in their litter during the shows. Most are a little too nervous to use the litter, so it is clean.  I presume the texture feels good. and it is a little soft too.    (IDEA: make a lying place of cat litter at home?  The problem is, how to persude them it is NOT an extra bathroom?  Perhaps have some food in it?)

*vibes*

Hi I socialized my cat Boots from feral when he was a kitten. So it was easier with him but the techniques are largely the same for cats and kittens.

1. If at all possible, try going into her room on a schedule, and always go with food. You can leave kibble down if she needs the calories, but when you go in, go in with canned food open already. She will start to associate your visits with food, and that's always positive :lol3: Also go in on a schedule, say every 8 hours or whatever suits you. Cats are very routine-oriented and they like to know when certain things are going to happen. If you visit her on a schedule, she'll become used to your presence more easily.

2. When you're in the room with her, lay down (yes, all the way!) on the floor with her at first, then progress to sitting and finally standing. Cats think of space in 3D, including height, so a human towering over her is going to take much more time to get used to than a less threatening human laying down.

3. Toys! They're a great tool for socializing. Try wand toys. Just leave one in the room near her carrier at first so she can investigate it on her own time. The next time you come in, try scritching it around a little on the floor or waving it gently in the air to see if it catches her interest. She'll probably be scared of it at first but eventually she'll probably want to play with it.

Keep us updated, and good luck!!

As I was reading the posts here, I was thinking of some things I wanted to add that would help, and speakhandsforme hit a couple of them.

The more often you enter the room, the better she will get used to you.

Laying down all the way is a big plus! Putting a chair in there and just go in and read a book, etc.

Always use a soft, non-threatening voice. I even sing! (scary really!) but my ferals are used to it.

She gets in the litter box because it has sides, so she feels a sort of protection. If you want you can put a small box in with her, she will get in it instead of her litterbox if the sides are higher.

Her age means nothing to me, because in my opinion she is not a true feral, or she would have NEVER been at your car door rubbing her face on it. She was likely owned but dumped at some point and has learned feral ways from lack of human contact.

Oh, also the thing about treats or canned, yes! Whenever you enter, offer her something irresistable, she will quickly learn to associate you with "good".

Thank you guys for the additional tips!

I do have harp music playing for her on my iPod that I left plugged in the room. I think it helps because a few times when I've been into the room, she didn't perk up or tense up, but remained calm with her head resting down on the floor.

I have been leaving her dry food and various canned food (salmon pate, tuna flakes, shredded chicken). But she does not seem to be interested in eating when I am present yet, so I just leave it in the cage for her overnight or before I go to work in the mornings. She doesn't always finish the canned food, but I do notice she left the least amount of tuna, so I will keep trying with that!

Now as for toys...would it be okay to let her play with the toys my other 2 cats have played with before? I have quite a few wands and feather sticks, but my cats mostly prefer to play with laser toys, so the wands haven't been used in awhile. I assume the toys will still have their scent on it though, which might bother this kitty?

You know, some cats are really funny about smelling another cats scent on anything, others act like they couldn't care less, so it can be either way.

However, just my opinion working with ferals, if she is not comfortable enough to eat in front of you yet, she will not have any interest in toys. To react to a toy she must trust you and feel comfy around you enough to let her guard down. This takes time.

Tuna is the best! It's what I always use to trap too, irresistable!!

Oh, and even though she won't eat a treat in front of you, she is still going to associate you with goodies. Eventually she will. It takes time for her to learn that you are not a threat, will not hurt her, and she is safe, and that you care for her.

I think bringing in a toy during one or more of your visits with her is a great idea. She most likely will not be playing at this point because she has to fully trust you to feel comfortable enough to be distracted by the toy. BUT the prey drive instinct will still be in her mind as she tries "not" :lol3: to watch the little mouse or feather scamper across the floor. It might help to break the ice, so to speak, with her. It won't do any harm in trying that. I wouldn't worry about the smell of your other two cat's on the toy. I am sure she has already "smelled" the other two cat's in the house and you when you enter the room. Also, if you cat's were ever in that room before her, then she has gotten their scent that way already too. Just some thoughts. Sounds like you are really enjoying this whole process and doing a great job. OH .. does this girl have a name??? I am scrolling back through your posts and don't see one as of yet?? Just curious

Transferred to totally different cat, that is something that always amazes me, but that is how they are, when ever spooked they seem to forget everything and can just focus escaping and defending themselves.

That is odd feature, but I think always present with cats that they have another side.

It really took long time for my ferals to even start feeling comfortable when being alone, yet when I was around, it really took more than a month, maybe more than two and after 1.5 years or so process is still going on, some come around faster, some slower.

My feral story is 3 ferals at snow found from this same place, at beginning I did document taming process quite a bit, which might give few ideas about how to gain trust.

If you can get dried duck, that should provide to be somewhat interesting to see what she thinks about that, my cats, even most shy one goes completely crazy from that and comes to lap so he can get piece of duck, so it might work to make your appearance even more great news for cat, which is what makes progress, every time cat considers that giant did something nice it is adding up.

Petting is something that is for later, eating from hand I think should be first or even eating from right next to you, that is quite challenge especially with cute ones, but with time it will happen, one finger first, just one touch perhaps then slowly more, but it would be good that cat comes to bump your leg/hand first, however with one of mine I have been persistent to pet her daily a bit as she is really shy of petting, but not really afraid, after 5 months she now comes to ask petting, but it is still learning process, she shudders when she comes to ask petting, but then again leans heavily to my hand if I don't pet, so there is progress, it is still just few strokes and mostly with one finger, but slowly more, not like her brother who came on lap just few weeks after capturing, still better than original ones who took months to be able to even pet them, so there is no absolutes it can be many ways.

Some will not tolerate touching at all, not even after 6 months or more, might get better after years, but some just have genes that will not adjust, but you can't know without waiting for enough long. One of mine was hiding when I came to room even after 6 months of taming, sometimes tolerating me coming right next to her, but touching single hair was panic hiding mode instantly, most of time just sitting front of window and looking out, so some have no genes that would make them fully tame, it just takes long time to tell.

Some toy mouses are great for ferals, even the wildest ones seem to recognize them and toss them around, run after and leap to fleeing prey, they have great imagination when they play actually, so something like that is perhaps good to avoid poor kitty being bored.

Yes, we have given her a name, but I was a bit embarrassed to reveal it here or even to the vet! My SO and I have been calling her Limpy for months, since she walks with a limp. I hope it doesn't sound insensitive...but it sounded cute and the name just stuck, haha. Our other cats, Bella & Bambi, have never been in the room she is in and I bought a brand new carrier for her so she wouldn't be overwhelmed by their scent. If I bring any scent into the room, it's also very minimal as Bambi & Bella were born to a feral mother and are not too fond of being pet/handled yet either My SO will be back in town tonight and I'm hoping once Limpy sees him, a light bulb will go off in her head and she'll be like "Hey, this is the nice guy that has been feeding me every day!"

We're not expecting to touch her anytime soon...I just hope to see some break-throughs by the end of the month, such as eating in front of us or no longer hiding. I was advised to return her to the colony in a month if she wasn't adjusting because if I keep her any longer, the other cats may not accept her back. Do you guys agree with this? I am so attached to her and would be heart broken if I had to release her! Yet it also breaks my heart seeing her so scared in her current state.

I'm including some pictures I took of her back when she was outdoors, isn't she a beauty??

One tip just mentioned so far.  When you are inside with her, do talk a lot in a friendly, sweet voice.  You can sing also some, if such is your inclination and the song is rather soft.  

Are you not much for talking, you can read aloud.

Moms talks to their kttens. 

Friendly courting toms do use lotsa of sounds.  So they know very well who is the dominating tom who just takes, and who is that friendly tom who do courts.  Although this explanation, although true, isnt entirely covering, as the friendly sweet talking works also on males.

You asked about scents. I would guess some scent isnt dangerous. May even be positive.  Scent from a dog is worse. Or scent for a cat she was in heavy fight with, or some other revire-helding scent....

But common, friendly scent?   It shows there ARE cats in the house. That you ARE probably a cat friendly person.

Although, as already said, she probably will not play as yet. Not because she is "ferale", but because she is too nervous yet.  Whe she begans to play, you know she has settled OK.

Good luck to you and Limpy!    

ps

  (if you wish, you can say it is short for Limpopo, the river in Africa with the young elephant and the mean crocodile.  I suppose you all had read this fable?)

I guess this Limpopo? Story of curious mind and society set on it's ways or sorts.
http://boop.org/jan/justso/elephant.htm

JTbo said:

I guess this Limpopo? Story of curious mind and society set on it's ways or sorts.
http://boop.org/jan/justso/elephant.htm

Click to expand...

Just so,  Rudyard Kiplings classical Just so story, the full version.  As a kid I had only read the child shortened version.

Tx a lot, JTbo!

She is just stunning! How wonderful of you to rescue her. I would give her some more time, I believe she will come around. She is safe and you are doing such a good job with her. Hang in there, it will be worth it!

Love that name..... it has a cute ring to it... LIMPY :love: :rub: She is really very pretty. I hope things will progress nicely for her and she will learn to trust you as the days go on. You will know in the week's to come if this is the best thing for her. Sometimes these things can take many, many month's. Sometimes we give up tooo soon and return them back outdoors. All the cat's are so different in their "time frame" of the process of socialization. I know of another kitty who hide from her person for up to six months before coming out when she went into the safe room. NOW finally after almost a year, she is a lap cat So it is hard to say when it is time to give up and return back outside. IF you have the time and the patience, I think she will learn to love her new way of life. Much safer, the indoor life. We will all try to help you make your decision. There really is no right or wrong - it just depends on what will be the best for YOU and for Limpy. Sometimes, we can return them back outdoors and let them make the decision as to when they want that relationship with their caretaker. Some make that choice and some will never really know HOW to make that choice even if they think they want to. :dk: Very confusing for them. I think since you already have her inside.... I would give this a good go :nod: Keep trying :rub: :heart3: