Socializing a Unique (Semi)Feral

Hello Everyone-

This is my first time posting in this forum. I have come for advice- or at the very least reassurance- that I'm proceeding along the right path with a feral cat I took in about two and a half weeks ago.

First the background... I've been feeding "Mama" for darn close to a year now. She's a beautiful white Manx with lovely striped dark grey spots. The entire time I was feeding her outside we would have the same routine. I'd get up early for work and after feeding my inside cats, I'd come outside to give her fresh food and water which she'd eagerly be expecting each morning. I by no means ever got super close, but she'd eat at the edge of my porch while I stood at the front door. She was also out and about during the day, and would sit on my driveway and front lawn, unfazed by the neighbor kids playing, acting like she owned the place.

Six months ago while trying to coral one of my indoor cats that had gotten out, I realised that there was a little kitten face staring back at me from a woodpile I have on the side of a shed in my backyard. The next night I found her hiding spot- in it she had taken beautiful care of two kittens. As I cornered her, she never hissed or lashed out, and as I went to grab her she slipped away. I decided to take the kittens, and found out at the vet the next day they were already five weeks old and could be on solid kitten food. Six months later they are the most amazing two spitfires, "Brother" and "Sister". Brother has the coloring of his mom, though far more grey, and a full tail. Sister on the other hand has the most amazing orange calico markings (from dad) and just the smallest nub of a tail.

We tried catching Mama the same night we got the kittens, and for days after with a cat trap rented from the SPCA to no avail. Over the past six months we've (my sister and I) been trying to catch her and gain her trust. Our routine never faltered but we were super discouraged. The stars in the heavens aligned when I made a new friend at school whose family volunteered at a shelter called Nine Lives Cat Rescue in Redwood City, CA. I was put in touch with a saint of a woman who was able to catch Mama (and Papa too!!) with a drop trap. This woman has TNR 600 cats and as soon as Mama was caught she said to us that she wasn't very feral, which was surprising because she was pregnant again. She didn't hiss or scratch or overturn her food in the trap, and nearly continued to eat! We made the decision that we wanted to try to socialize her. Mama recouped in this woman's garage for a couple days before being given to us, and came out of a cave bed in her cage while this woman was in the room tending to her food bowls and box. The woman also said this was NOT feral behavior. (Papa, like normal, did nothing but hiss and swat as he recouped!)

Like I said Mama has been with us inside for two and a half weeks. She spent the first week in a large crate with a comfy bed, box, food and toys. She used the litter box beautifully, had a healthy appetite (never when I was in the room), and would play with her toys so ferociously they'd end up in the littler box, so we finally thought it was time to let her out. She's been in my bedroom that I have to use as there's no other place in the house. She spends her time under the bed and doesn't feel the need to come out to eat when I'm in the room. She has the most casual body language imaginable; does the slow blinking, relaxed posture, ears have never been back, hackles never up. She isn't very interested in baby food from a spoon or even a cat dancer or feather wand. She just looks at it.

She does look out the window at night when I'm asleep and when I'm at work during the day (She knocks books off my night stand so I know She's been meowing at night, and I'm starting to feel bad. Not once has she tried to get out of the room, or attacked me, etc. but I can't tell if the meowing is misery or just normal talking/pining to be outside like my indoor cats will do but she's still ok with being inside. It's certainly not incessant. I'd feel a lot better if she'd make an effort to come out when I'm in my room, but so far she's made none. I know patience is key- I just want to make sure she's happy. Her appetite is still excellent and she uses her box like a champ.

Am I on the right track? Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Any advice? I'd really like to keep her indoors- she's such a sweet little thing!

Thanks!

Alexandra

Recouped, does it mean she (and the Papa) got spayed/neutered?  Or is she preggo?

Being in the bedroom isnt necessary in lack of suitable room. It is a good advice to have them in bedroom, if there is no problems with cleaness or quarantine (bathroom is easier to wash off).

In the bedroom you can be with her more intensively than otherwise.  You are also there at night, laying down, so they dare come forward.

Yeah, her behavior doesnt sound feral. The only is she doesnt come out to you. 

But she didnt sough contact with you when she was outside either!   So her non contacting although superb socializing isnt peculiar, it is just as she always did. Near and friendly, but not close.

She perhaps is one of these who dont like pets?

But more probable, it will come with time.

Welcome and good luck!   *vibes*

Sorry I wasn't more clear. They were both trapped and neutered, given shots, tested for leukemia, given microchips, etc. Papa had his ear docked and was released back into our yard once he recovered. Mama had the same but we didn't dock her ear She isn't pregnant anymore.

I was thinking the same thing as you... Her behavior hasn't changed much. Does any one else have any advice? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Thank you!

Alexandra

I would give her time.  She'll grow used to the indoors and probably come to love it more than the outdoors.  But, if you are concerned and feeling bad, maybe see about getting an outdoor enclosure that she can still see and smell and touch the grass outside but not be in any real danger.  She'll either eventually warm up to you more or she won't.  It depends. She can also become more affectionate with age.  I hope that helps!

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you SO very much for caring for these kitties. Wonderful of you to make sure they are all spayed/neutered. I absolutely think you are on the right track with this mama kitty. She sounds like she is doing very well IMO. She is eating well, she is using the litter box , and the meowing at night is VERY typical. She is still a bit scared, her hormones are still probably making her feel on edge and that is why she is meowing at night too. She is a bit lost with this new way of life. BUT this is the best way of life for her :nod: She just doesn't know it yet, but she will. You have to give her much time to adjust and learn to accept you and trust you. Please keep an article of your clothing, like a slept in T-shirt in her bed. Make sure she has some hiding spots but not where you would not be able to reach in to her. If there is a bed, put the mattress on the floor. Here are a couple of articles that will help you get started. We are here to support you in any way possible. Sounds to me that she is not a true feral. They are all different AND there is a chance that she was once someone's pet and since been abandoned and reverted feral. It takes time for them to learn to trust that someone else will care for them and they don't have to be on high alert anymore. She has to know that the food will be coming regularly, at the same time everyday. That she won't have to fend for herself or kittens anymore. This all will come in time. Be patient, loving and kind. and MORE patient than anything. Turn off the clock and don't have any daily expectations. Enjoy the process and let it unfold before you. Enjoy the rewards and the disappointments (there will many of both ) but in the end, you will be rewarded, hopefully, with a loving, loyal, trusting friend for life :heart3:


http://catcentric.org/behavior-and-psychology/socializing-a-feral-cat-its-all-about-trust/

Hi and as others have said, thank you for caring for these beautiful critters.  

My story is a little similar to yours - I won't go into all the details, but I will tell you, we're about 2-1/2 weeks into taming the feral I was feeding for about 3 years.  She trusts me and does come out when I'm in the room.  She's more a "percher" than a hider.  She's quite content laying out on my computer desk.  I just wanted to tell you what worked for me with the night time meowing and up after dark - the first two nights I made the mistake of getting up to keep her company for a little while and then thought better of it as I didn't want to make it a nightly habit.  Since she is in my computer room, I turn on Pandora radio that is set to some soft, classical music.  I also have a very dim lamp that I turn on after about 8:30.  It's a very low wattage lamp that doesn't put off any heat, so no worries about fires and what not.  My girl took about 2 or 3 nights of getting used to me not coming in when she was pitifully meowing and now we all get a nice quiet sleep.  You don't have to have a computer, any radio set to a classical station or one that is soft music will do.

Best of luck to you. I'm sure it will continue to improve.