Feral turned Tame

Hello,

this is my first post on this site. I have been feeding a colony of ferals for several months now.  The kittens (or Kitten) are now about 8-9 months old. I have already taken Iris to the vet and had her shots, dewormed and URI, and the rest of her shots and testing.

After the spaying, I took her home in a placed her in a big cage while she recovered.  During the time she was in the cage she hissed and slapped at me.  I decided to return her to the colony. (BTW she had lost her litter mate a few days before I took her in and she was still looking and meowing for him).

After returning her to the colony she has become real attached to me.  She lets me pick her up, rub her belly and gives me kitty kisses. She comes when I call her and wants me to love on her.  I am again thinking of taking her home since the area she is living in is somewhat dangerous (parking garage with alley, but hot a lot of traffic). I do have a female cat that is about 4 yrs. old.

I do still need to trap the mama cat.  The mama doesn't have anything to do with Iris, but she does come to eat each day. But mama doesn't have anything to do with me.

My question is:  Will I have any luck bringing Iris into my home?  She is getting friendlier to people coming into the garage instead of hiding.  She will also let other people pet her when I with her.  What to do now???

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Yes, it should be rather straighforward with Iris now, after her turn around. Time, love and some patience, should be relatively soon done and you have a loving pet.. 

Dont wait, as the area isnt completely safe as you tell.

It will be of course much more difficult with her mom.  But you perhaps meant with trapping of mom, meaned, trapping for spaying?  Yeah, good idea.

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!
 

Yes, I was referring to the mama cat to get her spayed.  She is way beyond taming.  As far as the cat I have at home, she hasn't been around any other cats for a long time. She is a friendly cat with everyone. I have read several articles about bringing Iris into the home and I guess I'm still a little leary since the last time was not so nice for either of us.
But, again she is much more loveable and tame now. (that was about three weeks ago).

I will probably be posting at a later date for suggestions and encouragement during the patience time.There have been people in the past months that said she couldn't be tamed because of her age.  I was determined to prove them all wrong, and I have. Matter of fact, Iris is more cuddly than the cat I have at home. Any suggestions from others, please offer any and all help rescuing Iris. (That is her picture on the site).

cruzn said:

There have been people in the past months that said she couldn't be tamed because of her age.  I was determined to prove them all wrong, and I have. Matter of fact, Iris is more cuddly than the cat I have at home. Any suggestions from others, please offer any and all help rescuing Iris. (That is her picture on the site).

Click to expand...

8-9 months too old? nonsense!

the first one i socialized, pretty girl (my avatar) is curled up on my lap right now getting her tummy rubbed. she was about 4 years old when i trapped and socialized her and she was so wild that the vet that altered her noted (in large bold print no less) all over her paperwork "DANGEROUS - VERY AGGRESSIVE - USE EXTREME" CAUTION". also, the vet eartipped her (used a notch as opposed to "tipping") even though it was known that i was going to socialize her - the vet just could not believe it was possible for her to be socialized.

i am glad that you did not listen to the naysayers as it sure sounds to me that you are already more than half way there.

as far as tips LDG has a very good "how to" http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/socializing_a_feral_cat.html

in my case i had pretty girl in a large dog cage as opposed to in a room. this was due to the fact that i was doing it at my work so i did not have a room to do it in. she was in the cage for a little over four months but i probably could have not waited as long, being that this was at work i had to be extra cautious.

any questions you have please ask, lots of knowledgeable folks here to assist you.

she is very beautiful, thanks for taking care of her - and all the other ferals that you help. the world needs a lot more people like you!

Thank you thank you! So much good information.  I never thought of trying inside my office.  A couple of questions. Was Pretty Girl somewhat tame when you first brought her into your office in the big dog cage? How often did you visit with her during the day.  did you have people in your office help to socialize her by talking to her? Had you been her caretaker for 4 yrs?

I want this rescue to be successful for Iris and my home cat Edde.  Edde is a very friendly cat and doesn't cause any problems now.  In the past, I had a female that didn't like the anyone coming into my house and she started peeing and pooing everywhere. But I know its all a risk since the little kitties can't talk to us where we understand. LOL

Has anyone been able to bring the feral turned tame directly into their homes with only limiting their time in a room or big cage?  Iris was so mad at me when she was in the big dog cage that is was too difficult for her. (again she had just been fixed and had lost her mate days before).  I'm just really nervous and don't want to fail her or Edde.  In my thinking the cats would feel more threatened in the cage.

This work seems like raising a child again.  LOL

Thanks for all advice.  Wanting to proof those naysayers wrong again.

cruzn said:

Was Pretty Girl somewhat tame when you first brought her into your office in the big dog cage?

Click to expand...

no, far from it. she was used to me but there was no real trust on her part. after feeding her for a couple of months i was able to touch her head once (only one time) while she was eating. i do not believe that she was born feral but i don't know for sure.

How often did you visit with her during the day.

Click to expand...

i spent as much time as possible during the day sitting next to the cage, usually i would bring the book i was reading and just read it to her - not sure how interested she was in hearing about Lab 257 though. i would also spend a couple of hours each night with her, as well as most of the day on sundays (the only day we are not open). that year i spent my new years eve with her, well at least until close to 11:00.

did you have people in your office help to socialize her by talking to her?

Click to expand...

mostly everyone else stayed out of it. when anyone had to go past her cage they would just say hi and continue on - i wanted her to see that they were not a threat but at the same time i did not want to overwhelm her.

Had you been her caretaker for 4 yrs?

Click to expand...

no, she had shown up in the early part of summer. i did not know at the time but she was pregnant when she arrived. after having the kittens i waited until they were fully weaned and then trapped them (in the meantime i had many others to trap so i was busy nonetheless). so all said and done it was somewhere in the neighborhood of four months that i knew her before i started this.

Has anyone been able to bring the feral turned tame directly into their homes with only limiting their time in a room or big cage?

Click to expand...

i did have one that was rather quick, but he was VERY sick when i trapped him so that is a little different circumstance.

Iris was so mad at me when she was in the big dog cage that is was too difficult for her. (again she had just been fixed and had lost her mate days before).

Click to expand...

 


being that she had just been altered that time, as well as she has gotten to know/trust you more since then, i bet that it will be much smoother now. not easy, but easier.

I'm just really nervous and don't want to fail her or Edde.

Click to expand...

you are the only person that can judge if Edde will be OK with her so i really don't have any advice on that. i can only keep my fingers crossed for all of you.

Wanting to proof those naysayers wrong again.

Click to expand...

you can do it! patience, lots and lots of patience as well as love are the keys and it sounds like you have an abundance of both.

Absolutely you can do it!  It sounds like you've made so much progress already.   My only advice would be not to rush her indoor time in the cage or small room, get her to the point where you can completely handle her - picking her up, putting her in and out of a carrier, all of the handling  you would need to do, mime giving her medicine.   My dear Patches stayed in a bathroom for about six weeks and while I could pet her I didn't push it beyond that.   Circumstances came up where I really need to let her out and mix with the other cats because I was going out of town.    She bonded strongly with the other cats and drifted from me for a long time - I could no longer handle her at all.    Now as you might see in my other thread when she needs to go to the vet I have a big challenge on my hands..    I'm always amazed at the collective wisdom of this board I'm sure they can see you through this!

I absolutely agree that you can bring her inside and she will be fine,  just give her time and patience.  Trust is the key ingredient and it seems like she already does trust you.

Are you getting the mom cat spayed?  Will you still be able to care for her?  That would be ideal.  Having her fixed,  providing her with food and shelter and rescueing her baby!  Good for you!!

I took in a feral years ago that my vet said was the wildest feral she had ever seen.  She was a at least a year and a half,  had one litter of kittens that were rescued and adopted,  and I could not put her back.  My vet advised me not to try and tame her,  but I did anyway.  It took a very long time but it was so worth it.  She is a sweet loving girl now.  She does not like to be picked up,  but loves to be petted and is very affectionate.

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement!!

As of today things are unbelievable with Iris. (This may be too much information, but have to have input).

The last couple of days there have been workers in the garage where Iris and Mama live. All day Iris sat out in a chair and watched the workers even with all the noise they were making.  She even let a couple of people pet her without hissing. During the day today she sat out in the open on the same chair and when people came in and out of the garage she just sat there and meowed like she wanted to be petted.  One other girl that has also been helping me soialize her was petting and rubbing her belly that she thought Iris was gonna fall out of the chair because she was so relaxed. LOL  She now bumps her head against us wanting to be petted. Also today I took a brush to see if she would let me groom her. Well of course she did!! (My friend was amazed)!  I can do virtually anything with her now. i.e. pretend I'm giving her meds, playing with her paws as though I'm going to trim them, exam her ears.  Okay now I have a carrier that I purchased today to try to get her to go in and out of it so she is comfortable with the space. I plan to put a treat in it. (don't want her to think she is being trapped again). Thinking I should put her bankie in there so she has a familar smell.

Should I take her inside my office in a small room and let her roam in that room to see how she does? She doesn't know how to play much as I tried to play and she just doesn't know it yet. So Sad!

Also, she is so dirty from living in the garage.  How do I get her clean? Brushing didn't remove the deep dirt on her skin.

sorry to ramble, but all advice and your time is so appreicated.

Yes, I will still be able to feed Mama.  I'm waiting until I get Iris out of there so I don't trap her again. I will take Mama to have her altered soon because I don't want her to have more kittens for me to get attached to.  You must have a heart of gold! I don't know that I would have the same patience at home as I do at work. I get to choose the times. I'm just so nervous for Iris, me and Edde.  I do have support from my husband on bringing Iris home, although I'm not sure how much help he will be. (MEN). I also want Edde to not feel ignored or jealous.

Thanks again for your help and time!!!1

cruzn said:

I do have support from my husband on bringing Iris home, although I'm not sure how much help he will be. (MEN).

Click to expand...

hey, wait just i sec, i am a guy

I also want Edde to not feel ignored or jealous.

Click to expand...

that is certainly of the utmost importance.

based on the ones i have socialized, as well as the ferals that have been socialized at the local shelter, they seem (for the most part) to adjust well to being with other/new cats. my guess is that it is probably due to having come from a colony where they were dealing with other cats all the time. but making sure that Edde handles it well will be another challenge thrown into the equation.

Good morning laugh!!! LMBO. Guess i don't see men being such cat people. Well great you will be even more help for me. LOL I 'm going to take the challenge home today.  Wish me lots of luck! Can't stand one more day thinking she will be run over or taken by the hawk like her brother. Then on to mama next week to be altered.  Thank goodness I haven't gotten attached to her.  Will update later and probably be needy during the weekend. LOL

It sounds like everything is going to work out.  Oh,  I did not read about a hawk taking her brother,  how sad.  Yes,  get her out of there.    And good work getting mom cat spayed and keeping her safe and fed too.  She may surprise you too once she is spayed,  she may come along little by little too.

she's out of there now.  Interesting trip home! She is resting in the carrier with her bankie in the bathroom. she is letting me pet her and also clean the poo out of the carrier.  We thought she had farted but I continued to smell it all the way home. Mind you I have a brand new car with less than 200 miles on it! Talk about breaking in a vehicle. LOL! Oh well guess I scared the s..t out of her. LMAO. Wish me luck with Edde too.  she knows Iris is here but is being very cautious and not hissing. good sign.  thanks for encouragement.

cruzn said:

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement!!
As of today things are unbelievable with Iris. (This may be too much information, but have to have input).
The last couple of days there have been workers in the garage where Iris and Mama live. All day Iris sat out in a chair and watched the workers even with all the noise they were making.  She even let a couple of people pet her without hissing. During the day today she sat out in the open on the same chair and when people came in and out of the garage she just sat there and meowed like she wanted to be petted.  One other girl that has also been helping me soialize her was petting and rubbing her belly that she thought Iris was gonna fall out of the chair because she was so relaxed. LOL  She now bumps her head against us wanting to be petted. Also today I took a brush to see if she would let me groom her. Well of course she did!! (My friend was amazed)!  I can do virtually anything with her now. i.e. pretend I'm giving her meds, playing with her paws as though I'm going to trim them, exam her ears.  Okay now I have a carrier that I purchased today to try to get her to go in and out of it so she is comfortable with the space. I plan to put a treat in it. (don't want her to think she is being trapped again). Thinking I should put her bankie in there so she has a familar smell.
Should I take her inside my office in a small room and let her roam in that room to see how she does? She doesn't know how to play much as I tried to play and she just doesn't know it yet. So Sad!
Also, she is so dirty from living in the garage.  How do I get her clean? Brushing didn't remove the deep dirt on her skin.
sorry to ramble, but all advice and your time is so appreicated.

Click to expand...

somehow i missed this post last night.

she is so ready to come in. most of what you can already do with/to her took me a good year with pretty girl - and i still can not pill her! i would not advise letting her have access to the house, she will need some time to adjust.

make sure you follow all of the "cat introduction steps" for her and Edde, for him as much as for her.

once she gets out of the dirty environment of the garage she will be able to get herself cleaned up - she won't constantly be getting dirty immediately after grooming. if you want you can try giving her a wipe down with some baby wipes. just make sure they are unscented.

cruzn said:

Good morning laugh!!! LMBO. Guess i don't see men being such cat people. Well great you will be even more help for me. LOL

Click to expand...

there are more of us out there than you might think. although i don't know how many guys share my passion for feral cats. i truly do love my ferals as much as i have loved any cat i have had as a companion. when i lost one of my ferals a short time ago i cried like a baby.

cruzn said:

she's out of there now.  Interesting trip home! She is resting in the carrier with her bankie in the bathroom. she is letting me pet her and also clean the poo out of the carrier.  We thought she had farted but I continued to smell it all the way home. Mind you I have a brand new car with less than 200 miles on it! Talk about breaking in a vehicle. LOL! Oh well guess I scared the s..t out of her. LMAO. Wish me luck with Edde too.  she knows Iris is here but is being very cautious and not hissing. good sign.  thanks for encouragement.

Click to expand...

EXCELLENT!

great work, i am truly happy for both of you - you are doing a great thing. thank you!

give Edde some extra loving (and a special treat or two) from me.

cruzn said:

and also clean the poo out of the carrier.  We thought she had farted but I continued to smell it all the way home. Mind you I have a brand new car with less than 200 miles on it! Talk about breaking in a vehicle.

Click to expand...

Kitchen salt, and or baking soda, are quite good for taking out smells from a refrigerator.  So surely also from cars who got smelly.

Lay a layer on a shallow plate, and let it lay there over the night.  Do it both when the air is more or less dry and also when it is somewhat damp in the air...   Im not sure which mekanism is best. Pro and contra for both.

Happy about these good news!

Good luck!

Last night went great. i slept in the same room as Iris for a while.  I coaxed her out from under the bed and put her in bed with me.  OMG! I have never had a cat cuddle like she did. She curled up under my arm and laid on her back for me to rub her belly and went to sleep.  i then woke up to the smell of the litter box. Well geez I got up and went to my bed. LOL

This morning she is still under the bed and I'm on my way to work with her after i get enough coffee in me.  Also going to read cat introduction to continue this positive adventure.

Oh I did carry her out of the bedroom to look around the house and see other people.  she was a little nervous but didn't hiss or squirm.

Patttin myself on the back!

great advice on the baby wipes.  Last night when she came out of the carrier she had poo all over her paws and leg.Well the little sweetie let me wipe her paws and leg to get all the poo off.  I even took a wet cloth over her back.  Geez she really does trust me!

this morning she has eaten and back under the bed.  i sat in there a while but she didn't come out.  but I could see her and she was fine.  Scared I guess.  No hissing or crying. I couldn't find or didn't see the cat introduction on the site.I have read some other sites that weren't very helpful.

this is the first time i've brought a cat into my home that hadn't been in a home before. i.e. all from humane society.

So far so good!

You mentioned it took you a year working with pretty girl.  Well i have been working with Iris for at least six months or more. there was just a major turnaround after she was altered. what's up with that? Hopefully mama will be somewhat friendlier and i could take her to the humane society. But NOT home.

cruzn said:

Last night went great. i slept in the same room as Iris for a while. I coaxed her out from under the bed and put her in bed with me. OMG! I have never had a cat cuddle like she did. She curled up under my arm and laid on her back for me to rub her belly and went to sleep. i then woke up to the smell of the litter box. Well geez I got up and went to my bed. LOL
This morning she is still under the bed and I'm on my way to work with her after i get enough coffee in me. Also going to read cat introduction to continue this positive adventure.
Oh I did carry her out of the bedroom to look around the house and see other people. she was a little nervous but didn't hiss or squirm.

Patttin myself on the back!

Click to expand...

wow! belly rubs, curling up with you, letting you carry her - she really was ready to come home with you.

you should be patting yourself on the back!

cruzn said:

great advice on the baby wipes.  Last night when she came out of the carrier she had poo all over her paws and leg.Well the little sweetie let me wipe her paws and leg to get all the poo off.  I even took a wet cloth over her back.  Geez she really does trust me!

Click to expand...

that is so awesome that she is letting you use baby wipes already. that is further proof of just how ready she was to come home with you.

this morning she has eaten and back under the bed.  i sat in there a while but she didn't come out.  but I could see her and she was fine.  Scared I guess.  No hissing or crying.

Click to expand...

probably a combination of cared and confused. give it time. a couple of things that have worked for me; just being with her and reading aloud ( i did use my "baby voice" since i have a pretty deep voice :-) ) and you could try using some interactive toys - though i found the best toy to be a shoelace!

I couldn't find or didn't see the cat introduction on the site.I have read some other sites that weren't very helpful.

Click to expand...

there is one up in the articles section http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

this is the first time i've brought a cat into my home that hadn't been in a home before. i.e. all from humane society.
So far so good!

Click to expand...

you are doing GREAT!

You mentioned it took you a year working with pretty girl.  Well i have been working with Iris for at least six months or more. there was just a major turnaround after she was altered. what's up with that?

Click to expand...

without the sexual drive they do normally get a little calmer, i know that with the females from my colony they did. it is however not a "black and white" change (at least in my experience).

Hopefully mama will be somewhat friendlier and i could take her to the humane society. But NOT home.

Click to expand...

never say never, you may be pleasantly surprised.

be very leery of bringing an animal to the humane society - http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?page_id=166 see "The Truth About HSUS" on the right side of the page