Hi, I'm looking for advice, perhaps a little support. I adopted two 7 mo kittens from retired couple who volunteer with SPCA. I wasn't really looking for this, but when I went looking to adopt I got into a conversation with man who, along with his wife, took in these two kittens to help socialize and he was just putting them on SPCA site for adoption. Their story: found as kittens (not brother and sister but taking in around same time), at which point they went out to a volunteer to help socialize but that woman ended up being hoarder. So these kittens came back to SPCA a second time, where the gentleman who adopted them out to me quickly realized they would never become healthy in SPCA (way to scared, back of cage, wouldn't let anyone touch) so he brought them to his home, had in separate room and at the point I adopted they had started bonding with him, he was able to pet both of them.
Between the catch and putting in crate, and the move to my house, these cats took major steps back. I kept them separate room for a few days, but then opened door and they got used to more rooms (not me, but at least the house). They hid. For the first few weeks they basically wondered, I kept to my business, I talked with them, but there wasn't much success at touching. Finally, through several rounds of treats, I got the one to understand petting. He, I'm now fine with. Somehow it connected and he now crawls into my lap anytime I sit down. The girl is where I'm still having problems and wanting help. Its been 3 months and although I feel at times she has gotten better at being less scared of me, I can barely touch her (try very subtle moves, try to lay down and move hand over, let her smell). I do play with her, with the fishing pole or wand, or laser light. She is attached to the boy kitty, its actually very sweet how close they are. Its funny, she actually will jump up on bed at night, both of them do. She'll even lay down for awhile. This is also when I sometimes try to run my hand down and at this point I'm able to sometime get a couple finger pets on tail. She will also sniff my fingers if I hold them up for her, but then basically she moves away.
What else can I do? And is there still hope that I'll break through and at some point she'll connect with me? Is there a chance I'll be able to pet her someday? I feel so bad for her. In many ways, she seems really comfortable in my house. When I travel I have friend or another caretaker come in to feed them, and they both come into the room, so they're not so scared that they hide from strangers.
I'll take any suggestions! Thank you!
Between the catch and putting in crate, and the move to my house, these cats took major steps back. I kept them separate room for a few days, but then opened door and they got used to more rooms (not me, but at least the house). They hid. For the first few weeks they basically wondered, I kept to my business, I talked with them, but there wasn't much success at touching. Finally, through several rounds of treats, I got the one to understand petting. He, I'm now fine with. Somehow it connected and he now crawls into my lap anytime I sit down. The girl is where I'm still having problems and wanting help. Its been 3 months and although I feel at times she has gotten better at being less scared of me, I can barely touch her (try very subtle moves, try to lay down and move hand over, let her smell). I do play with her, with the fishing pole or wand, or laser light. She is attached to the boy kitty, its actually very sweet how close they are. Its funny, she actually will jump up on bed at night, both of them do. She'll even lay down for awhile. This is also when I sometimes try to run my hand down and at this point I'm able to sometime get a couple finger pets on tail. She will also sniff my fingers if I hold them up for her, but then basically she moves away.
What else can I do? And is there still hope that I'll break through and at some point she'll connect with me? Is there a chance I'll be able to pet her someday? I feel so bad for her. In many ways, she seems really comfortable in my house. When I travel I have friend or another caretaker come in to feed them, and they both come into the room, so they're not so scared that they hide from strangers.
I'll take any suggestions! Thank you!
