Advice on socializing a feral mother cat

Hi, I am new to this site. I found it by searching socializing feral cats. A bit of history on Cupcake and myself. I started volunteering for,this rescue. There was a feral mom and 3 kittens that were in the "pound" as I call it, in the sick ward. If someone would not foster, they would be put down. So I stepped up. They said she was feral, even though she had a collar on when she was found. Well babies are 8 weeks old and will soon be all adopted out. Now I have this lovely grey cat to deal with.

This morning I realized that her fate would be being sent to a farm, and all I can envision is a death sentence from starvation or a cow stepping on her. So I need help. Some people are telling me she has been here too long and will never come around but I can't give up. I have not spent much time with her but lately I have. She will eat next to me, smell my toes and even let me pet an ear.

So, I guess I need help with her. She is so beautiful. I realize that she might never be a lap cat, I have 4 of those already, but I want her to have a good life.

Any advice please!

Pattie

She must have had a home at one point (the collar).  But she had to learn to survive on her own and that made her tough and untrusting.  Your job is to help her trust again.

If you are fostering her at home, provide her with her own space - a bedroom with furniture she can't hide under or a bathroom.  Spend as much time with her as possible - read out loud to her.  It will get her used to your voice and presence.

If she is at the rescue, you can still spend time with her, reading to her, brushing her gently.  Just being near her will help her get used to the idea of human contact again.

We have a cat who was born feral and came into our house at six months.  She very seldom allowed us to touch her.  Now, at eight years old, she has discovered she LOVES being brushed and will yell at me until I brush her.  She even puts her paw on my hand if she thinks I'm ready to stop.

Thank you for stepping up to this challenge!

Thank you so much for wanting to help this sweet cat.  I hope that you can find a way to keep her and have her join your clan.  Here are a few suggstions:

I would suggest getting a feliway plug in or two or some feliway spray.  You can place the plug in in the room with him.  It will help her to feel more at ease.

When you go and visit her, start with many short visits.  Also bring a yummy treat to offer when you come into the room and another for when you leave.  SHe will associate you with good things.  If she is reluctant to take or eat the treats, just leave them for her to explore once you have left the room.  If she doesn't eat them, up the treat value and go for plain cooked chicken, tuna or something else really yummy. 

Make sure you have the room cat proofed.  If you put her in a spare bedroom, pick the bed up or place it directly on the floor.  If not she will run under and hide.  Block other hiding spots such as under or behind dressers or bookcases.  Do have a safe place for her to hide such as a hiding box in a cat tree or a simple box with a cozy blanket or towel.  If there is a window in the room, be sure it is kept closed.  Yet do allow her to look out.  A cat tree in front of the window would be ideal. 

Introductions are another ball game.  Follow the guidelines and move at a snails pace.  You will be inclined to rush the process as everyone wants the cats just to get along.  You will need to assess the personalities of your current cats as well as the new cat to see how they will mesh.

I brought a stray turned feral into my home last year.  He was neutered and about 3.  He had been living outside for about 1 1/2 years.  I had one cat living inside.  The cat I brought inside, had his own room for about a year.  He lived there 24/7 for the first 2 months adjusting to indoor life.  Introductions to my resident cat were easy at first, but then I made the mistake of rushing the last few steps.  It set me back months.  It was a long long process.  The new cat loved his room and slept there with the door closed each night for a year.  Then he decided he no longer wanted to be shut in.  He and my resident cat have come a long long long way.  They had fur flying fights each day.  Now they will play with each other and choose to spend time with each other.  It took lots and lots and lots of work, but in the end it was so worth it. 

She is in my bedroom and has been for the last 3 months with her babies. Babies are now gone. I originally read that they need places to hide so I have not blocked of the under the bed area. Should I be doing this? She will come out from there for food and at night sleep on the kitty steps that I have brought in.

Pattie

If she comes out on her own then no need.  You just don't want her under there and can't get her out.  Has she been spayed yet?  Have you tried playing with her?  The feral I brought inside had no idea how to play with toys.  He liked some of the catnip toys.  I then introduced him to a shoe string and he loved it.  We moved forward from there. 

When it comes time for intros to your other cats, there is great info here.  There are some awesome links to help you out.

I can get the neighbor to put boards on the sides of the bed to block it off. I can stuff pillows or blankets in front of and sides of the other furniture. Problem will be my closet. Does not have a door - just a curtain on rod for the door. Not sure what I can do with that one.


Pattie

Does she currently hide in the closet?  You could put a baby gate in front of it.  If she comes out when you need her to then it's not a big deal.  I wouldn't block under the bed unless you think it's a problem. 

Just spend lots of time with her.  Short visits if necessary.  A great tip is Gerber stage 2 baby food in chicken or turkey.  It's a small jar with blue label.  Ingredients are chicken/turkey and water only no added spices.  Cats go crazy for it.  You can offer her a taste on a plate/bowl and then move to seeing if she will eat it off a spoon you hold, then licking it off your fingers.  It's a great reward tool.  Yummy treats and food are usually a great way to a cats heart. 

I am trying so,hard to get this to work. She will come and sit by me to eat but the second I move, it's back under the bed for her. I feel futility that I cannot or don't spend a lot of time with her. I need to clean the room but am afraid it will just upset her. Not sure if this is a losing battle but I also,don't want her turned out on own with winter coming

Pattie

She will,not come to me unless I put food or treat down. Then she will. Oops, she just went into the carrier by herself, no food there. Apparently does not like the generic stuff I bought so back to friskies. Now she is checkin me out. Yeah

Pattie

Here is a link to a video on socializing feral kittens.  I found it helpful when socializing a 7 month old feral.  THe video is in 3 parts and starts with the rescue of the kittens.  Just keep watching.

Also remember socializing and working with ferals can take months and months and months.  You want to break it into small steps and celebrate the small changes.  A feral cat is always a work in progress.

http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo