Feral kitten rescue, need guidance!

Hi everyone,

I have rescued kittens in the past, but I just managed to get one that is unlike anything I had experienced. The kitten is around 2mo, it was stuck in between walls I tried to get it out for over a day, but it was totally scared and would hiss, bite and kick whenever I tried to reach for it. Yesterday the animal rescue brigade finally showed up and got it out. I now have it in my house's service room, but it won't stop meowing and is hidden in a corner. I know this is typical behaviour for a feral, but I am worried it's not eating nor having water, and I want to make her feel as safe and comfortable as often. What should I do? I had never taken care of a kitten so scared!! I want to take it to the vet specially since she was trapped and firemen had to squeeze her out I just want to make sure she's alright, but I'm afraid it won't let anyone grab her again... 

Any and all advice will be most welcome!

Thank you for helping. Two months is still plenty young to socialize. She is probably scared to death, so slow and easy is the way to go. You may have to use a humane trap to get her to the vet but it will be less traumatizing at this point than you chasing her down again. If the vet visit can wait, just leave her alone for now. Put food and water in for her and, of course, a litter box. Try adding dirt or leaves to the litter, as it is probably what she is used to using.

You can sit in there quietly and read out loud to her several times a day. She will get used to your presence and soothing voice.

Thanks for your words Ondine. I've put an open box sideways with a comfy blanket and water/dry food right next to it, very close to where she is hiding and made sure the box is "hidden" enough to make her feel safe about going in. I'll be heading out to get a small tray to use as a litter in a bit.Poor thing, seeing her crawled up in a dusty corner meowing her lungs out squeezes my heart!

She doesn't (I'm just calling it a She even though I have no idea of knowing if it is!) seem to be hurt so I'll put the vet's visit off for the next few days. I am already fostering a pair of kittens which I hand reared, so I put her in the most isolated room possible, it still has some noise since it's the service room and water pipe / water heater going on noises are still going on, hopefully she will get used to them in a few days, there really is no other quiet place to put it as I live in a small house.

I'm thinking of getting a cuddly toy inside the box to keep her company, what do you think? I'll also try reading to her, I've been talking really softly to her ever since I found her.

Thanks again!

Once she's seen the vet and is declared healthy, I would introduce her to your other fosters. Seeing them interact with you will teach her a lot about humans. Until then, a quiet room will be perfect for her.

I've just realized the kitten can hear the cats that are living upstairs meowing, and that makes her meow a lot, maybe she thinks its her mom? Would it be better if I put her some place where she can't hear them? Only other place I can think of is a walk in cupboard but I'm not sure a closed dark space would be any better.

Definitely will love having her hang around to see I'm not the boogie man, hopefully I'll be able to take her to the vet over the next few days!

I would wait and just leave things as they are. First of all, it would upset her to be moved, especially to a smaller place. Plus, if she's going to the vet soon, she can get her clean bill of health. Once that happens, she can be introduced to the other kittens. While a nice thing, it is still a change. Good luck!

Maybe some Feliway and a little flower essences (rescue remedy would be appropriate since it helps with fear and trauma, wouldn't be too hard to find) - good for you helping this little kitten!

Thanks Bastfriend, yes I think I will try to get my hands on flower essences, the poor thing meowed her lungs out all night long! Yesterday she was quiet during the day but as soon as night fell she kept meowing and now she is hissing at me if I step outside to change her food plate. She's using her litterbox though! Makes me wonder if it really was a feral stray or if she just got lost...

Right, I'm trying two things today:

* I'm taking her to the vet

* I'm moving her to a smaller room where she won't be able to hear the other cats meowing, I believe that's what has her in such a frenzy. That, and she probably feels lonely so having her closer hopefully will make her feel different, even though I won't try to touch her yet.

This is her stuck in between the walls

 

Poor Sweetie!  So great of you to rescue her.  I would take it slow,  but I think once you have her to the vets and she is tested and given a clean bill of health,  putting her in with your fosters will help her a great deal.  She won't be lonely and she will watch their interaction with you.  Good luck!

She may not be a feral and just be scared to death.  However, cats catch on really quick to litterboxes so I don't think you should judge anything one way or another from that.

I'd move really really slowly for now.  Make sure you are taking to her as much as you can.  Otherwise I would literally just sit in the room with her and not move s few times a day until she feels safer since I think at this point, whether she is feral or not, she is understandably terrified.  

Well I've moved her to another space, she can't hear the cats from upstairs so she's gone quiet now, I hope she can have a proper rest this way. She didn't try to bite or scratch me when I grabbed her, although she was clearly against it. The new space has a little improvised cave and a few more spots to hide in, her food and water are close to the main little cave and the litterbox is close by, made sure it's not close to the food.

I am constantly speaking to her and have been playing soft jazz all day long. What an adventure! Off to the vets later today

Well this morning the kitten managed to escape from the room I put it in, so I had to grab it as calmly as possible...and surprise! After the initial fussing and fighting, I decided to pet him a bit and little by little it calmed down, relaxed and finally, it purred!! I managed to take a peek and he is a boy, so I'm calling him Toulouse . He cuddled in my arms and rested his little head in my hand while purring. After that I gently sat down with him and let him decide when he wanted to go back to his little hiding place. He's now peaking out more often and he's even let me watch him eat. I feel very happy but will still be very cautious. 

Yay!

I'll get a pic of Toulouse soon enough for you all to meet him, he is adorable.

Wonderful news! Keep up the good work...