Running Out of Options with Rescued Ferel Cats, Please Help

I took in 2 cats from a friend who's elderly father was giving up his apartment to move in with family. I was told the cats where old but fixed so I agreed since I'm a sucker for an animal in need. I have a fixed male cat and a small dog already that are friends and I have enough space for all the animals to be able to get away from each other if they want too. I also figured since it is just me and my husband that it would be fairly quiet so they could adjust easier. I was told Pumpkin was 9 years old and was her fathers favourite and was very affectionate. Momo was 11 years old and more timid.

Well the cats arived a little over 2 weeks ago and I set up my spare bedroom for them so they could spend the night in there with the door closed to let them relax after a long trip (especially since they are old). The day they arrived I was informed that they had never been in a cat carrier before and it was very difficult to get them in the cage. I was also told that my friends mother had died several years ago and that she had many cats that were all ferel and that these two were the last of them, but they had been with the family since they were kittens. Thay had been fixed and lived in the apartment with the elderly man but had also spent a lot of time alone in the apartment. I knew that a little extra time and patience was going to be required.

At first they stayed only in the spare bedroom, hiding constantly but eating, drinking and using the litter pan. We would go in a bunch of times throughout the day and give them a pet and Momo seemed to be ok but Pumpkin was very upset. I chalked it up to him being sad that he lost the only home and owner he had ever known and he had been the favourite.

After a week they both ended up downstairs and I had to corral them back upstairs but they had pooped all over my basement and they had gotten surprisingly aggressive when I got close to them. Then I was told in casual conversation that they had spent quite a lot of time alone in that apartment and I started to worry that maybe I was in over my head because I had rescued ferel kittens and found them all homes but these cats were old and set in their ways.

It has been just over two weeks and it is worse then ever, they still only want to hide, they are eating, drinking and using the litter box less and they hiss and growl when we get close. Pumpkin got under the kitchen sink and my husband got him out and instead of running away Pumpkin lunged at my husband, latched on to his head and bit him in the forehead.

I am sure I screwed up somewhere along the line and I expect criticism from people who know better but I was trying to rescue these cats and now I don/t know what to do. No one will want them, and I would still be willing to keep them but I am scared for my other pets and any people who get close to them. My friend said she could take them back but getting them put to sleep is the only option. I hate that it has come to this which is why I found this site. I need help! What would you do???????  

What you can always try with is a Feliway diffuser, which hopefully will make them somewhat calmer, and more feeling at home.

Relaxing classical music, preferably harp music, can also be tried. (or a combination!)

Some use also different flower essences, for example those made by Jackson Galaxy (which is not only the brand name, but also the real name of a cat expert).

There are surely other tips too, lets hope others will fill in. 

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

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How generous of you to try to help these cats. It's difficult to tell at this stage whether they're just really scared or mostly feral from being alone so much. I would still confine them to the spare bedroom. I would try all the things that StefanZ mentioned. Try to spend as much as you can with them, not interacting, or being threatening in any way. Just let them get used to your presence and voice. Spend time in their reading aloud or talking softly to each other. Make sure they have safe places they can hide in, cat cubes or boxes. Let them get used to you and make the first approach. They may never be friendly cuddly cats, but in time, hopefully they will get used to their new home and learn to accept and trust you. Good luck, and thank you for trying to save their lives.

No one here will criticize. We've all been in your shoes! You are doing the right thing. It will take time, though. Vball91 is right - they may never be cuddle bugs but because of you, they will be safe. Confining them to the one room will help them adjust at their own rate. Reading to them and caring for them in a patient, calm way will also benefit them. It is a lot of work and can be frustrating but hang in there!

What an absolutely wonderful thing you did by taking these 2 senior cats into your home.  The adjustment won't be easy or quick, but I bet it will happen.  Try confining them to their own room with feliway diffusers.  Give them safe places to hide.  You might try playing some calming music for them too.  The flower essences by Jackson Galaxy (Spirit Essences) are fabulous.  They even have one for feral cats called Feral cat rehab.  They have others as well for stress.  You can even send them a question and ask for recommendations on which essences would be most appropriate. 

To get the cats used to you, you might want to just spend time sitting in the room with them.  You can bring a book or something quiet to do.  Let them observe you.  You can talk quietly to them.  Also have a few toys on hand.  Cats love string, da bird, lasers, cat nip toys, etc...  You can even leave a few catnip toys in the room for them.  Another trick, is Gerbers stage one turkey or chicken baby food.  Cats just love it.  You can use it for special treats as well as if you ever need to medicate, it will do a great job of hiding medicine!  You can put some on your fingers and see if they approach. 

Time and patience will be your friend.  Good luck and keep us posted.
 

Good on you for taking in these kitties!   And you would not be the first person to be misled by someone as to how socialized a cat really is....says the woman who took in a supposedly friendly feral that climbed up to the ceiling.    My thoughts, they need to stay separated from the rest of the house in that one room for a few weeks at least while adapting to you and your husband and you can search this site for tips on socializing adult ferals.   After you've got the relationship to a stable point, then sloooooowly introduce them to your other pets and rest of the house.    Good luck!