Ive spent the evening crying-& then discovered this forum, where i hope i can get some help/advice!!! My husband & I are
3 weeks (8 wks old when brought in) into socializing our first litter of feral kittens. One of the 3 "came around" after only a few days-"Buffer" quickly became a lover-purrs non-stop (the other 2 are MUCH slower going). We've had several neighbors come over so all get exposed to people-& Buffers warmed up after a minute or 2 to all. But now the problem-we started a few days ago trying to find a home for Buffer but only had 1 person interested. He came over today to meet Buffers-& I know now I made a huge mistake not telling the man to go in slowly & quietly (he's tall with a very loud, deep voice). Buffers was outright terrified of him-hissed, spit, hid...& continued to hide for hours after he left. The man is "a perfect fit" otherwise-very much a "cat person" who still wants to adopt him Monday-that he felt Buffers would come around once he had him home. We said ok -but now I'm so torn. We can't keep him-so we have to find him a home-but what if Buffers never stops being terrified of this man? My husband suggested we go ahead & adopt him out Monday with the agreement that he return him to us if Buffers continues to freak after awhile in his home (while we don't know the man personally, he is a friend of a good friend & even agreed to let us come visit Buffers anytime). Any suggestions? Am I being over cautious? Help!!!!!!!
3 weeks (8 wks old when brought in) into socializing our first litter of feral kittens. One of the 3 "came around" after only a few days-"Buffer" quickly became a lover-purrs non-stop (the other 2 are MUCH slower going). We've had several neighbors come over so all get exposed to people-& Buffers warmed up after a minute or 2 to all. But now the problem-we started a few days ago trying to find a home for Buffer but only had 1 person interested. He came over today to meet Buffers-& I know now I made a huge mistake not telling the man to go in slowly & quietly (he's tall with a very loud, deep voice). Buffers was outright terrified of him-hissed, spit, hid...& continued to hide for hours after he left. The man is "a perfect fit" otherwise-very much a "cat person" who still wants to adopt him Monday-that he felt Buffers would come around once he had him home. We said ok -but now I'm so torn. We can't keep him-so we have to find him a home-but what if Buffers never stops being terrified of this man? My husband suggested we go ahead & adopt him out Monday with the agreement that he return him to us if Buffers continues to freak after awhile in his home (while we don't know the man personally, he is a friend of a good friend & even agreed to let us come visit Buffers anytime). Any suggestions? Am I being over cautious? Help!!!!!!!