My foster rescue kitten won't let me catch her when she's out in the house! Any ideas?

Hi everyone. I have an approx. 11-week old kitten who I rescued (along with litter mates) from a nearby drain. Mama cat is completely feral and the kittens I guess were around 7 weeks when I trapped them. Initially they went to a local rescue group as I was away for a couple of weeks, but when I returned I fostered two of the three kittens back and have had the last little girl for around 2 weeks. She has come along in leaps and bounds - no longer hissing or hiding in the corner of her cage when I go to pet her, but when I let her out to play in our apartment (whenever I'm home - which is quite a lot) - she won't let me near her to catch her again or pick her up. She's very playful and active and is fine being held and picked up if she's inside her cage - but she's a nightmare to grab any other time! My biggest concern is that I've found someone to adopt - and older lady who lives on her own - and I'm worried that she's going to play 'chasey' every time anyone goes near her. She'll happily sit on your lap if you get her out of her cage and put her there, though she is still a little shy with sudden movements etc.

Does anyone have any tips as to how I can get her to allow people to approach her and pick her up without scampering off?! Thanks

Playing with her with a wand toy will certainly bring her out of hiding but she may never be one of those kittens who are comfortable being picked up. It may be that when you bend down to pick her up, you look big and scary.

If you use slow movements and don't rush her, she will learn that your picking her up doesn't mean you want to hurt her. Also getting down on her level, like you have to when taking her out of the crate, will help.

I agree--some cats just don't like to be picked up and never will.  Ritz was/is my first cat ever; I literally didn't know how to hold a cat, much less pick one up.

It didn't help that the only time I pick her up is to put her into a cat carrier to go to the vets, although both of us have gotten much better at this.

I knew a vet tech who would come to my house to help me get Ritz into a cat carrier if/when it was an emergency situation.

To that end, pick her up just to pick her up, and perhaps give her a treat if she doesn't fight or squirm too much.  I do this sometimes with Ritz, lift her up a little, kiss her and set her down next to me on the sofa.  And then I get up, like it was a normal thing to do.

When she is on your lap, see if she will tolerate being lifted just an inch or two and then set right down.

You can try this also when you are sitting on the floor and she is next to you (although this is more awkward).

If that is successful, lift a few inches higher.  And progress accordingly.

Do you only chase her to pick her up and put her back in cage?  Could try getting her to give treats.  I had a 6 month old feral I was taming and she was doing great.  She got out of the bedroom and played run in circles so no one can get me.  She did this over and hour finally went up the steps where I was able to get her.  She kept going to a few places-under wine rack/kitchen table/counters.  By end of it she was so worn(as was I) that she happily layed in lap purring.

She is a bit standoffish at times but if it is quiet she is fine.
 

To get a cat use to going into a confined place like  cat carrier, you can try putting some treats in the cat carrier.  You can also simply leave the cat carrier out, as part of the furniture, if you will, so they get use to it.

Some the cats at the cat sanctuary where I volunteer routinely sleep in a cat carrier.

Thanks for the helpful tips everyone. She is a lot better now - only running away when she is in 'play' mode (crazy kitty!) Perseverance paid off - lots of picking up and putting down again, treats and brushes with her baby brush. She's much less skitzy! Also, I have found a lovely lady to adopt, so please cross your fingers that everything works out. I will miss her terribly though...

Good news! Thanks for the update and good luck with the prospective adoptive home.