Is this a good sign?

I've been caring for a feral that found her way to my doorstep for awhile now. She's old enough to spay, so I'm working on getting close enough to take her to get altered. The long-term goal is to get her socialized enough that she can be brought indoors before winter. From what I can tell, she has never been abused but simply has no human exposure besides me.

I have been really careful so far about making sure not to scare her when I'm outside with her, and it seems to be paying off. This evening, I was sitting on my front deck, not really paying attention to my surroundings, and I just happened to look up to see her chilling out about a meter away. When she saw I that was looking at her, she quietly meowed at me a few times. It wasn't an aggressive meow, but a soft, short sound, barely audible. She seemed very relaxed, eating, bathing, and traversing the porch all within a close proximity to me. I've tamed lots of kittens, but this is my first disco with an adult. I'm not sure what to expect. Does it seem like I'm getting close, or am I just being optimistic?

Also, any wisdom you have in general for taming feral adults would be greatly appreciated.

MistyDawn said:

 
I've been caring for a feral that found her way to my doorstep for awhile now. She's old enough to spay, so I'm working on getting close enough to take her to get altered. The long-term goal is to get her socialized enough that she can be brought indoors before winter. From what I can tell, she has never been abused but simply has no human exposure besides me.

I have been really careful so far about making sure not to scare her when I'm outside with her, and it seems to be paying off. This evening, I was sitting on my front deck, not really paying attention to my surroundings, and I just happened to look up to see her chilling out about a meter away. When she saw I that was looking at her, she quietly meowed at me a few times. It wasn't an aggressive meow, but a soft, short sound, barely audible. She seemed very relaxed, eating, bathing, and traversing the porch all within a close proximity to me. I've tamed lots of kittens, but this is my first disco with an adult. I'm not sure what to expect. Does it seem like I'm getting close, or am I just being optimistic?

Also, any wisdom you have in general for taming feral adults would be greatly appreciated.

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Ah, as a sign, yes, its an excellent sign.  She is ackowledging you as her pal.  someone she wants and likes to be around with.

BUT.    To take her to the vets, you dont need to wait till she is completely socialized.   Take her in a trap of some sort!   Preferably a "humane trap", but you can perhaps make do with a carrier...   1. Its much quicker, and now when she is of fertile age, she may become pregnant any day...

2.   This way you are not betraying her, but you are the one who lets her out, when at last back home.

3.  If you socilaize her at first, and after that scoop her and take to the unpleasant vet - HERE she may see you as a traitor, and you will almost surely get a backslash.  For longer or at best, shorter period...

StefanZ said:

 
Ah, as a sign, yes, its an excellent sign.  She is ackowledging you as her pal.  someone she wants and likes to be around with.

BUT.    To take her to the vets, you dont need to wait till she is completely socialized.   Take her in a trap of some sort!   Preferably a "humane trap", but you can perhaps make do with a carrier...   1. Its much quicker, and now when she is of fertile age, she may become pregnant any day...

2.   This way you are not betraying her, but you are the one who lets her out, when at last back home.

3.  If you socilaize her at first, and after that scoop her and take to the unpleasant vet - HERE she may see you as a traitor, and you will almost surely get a backslash.  For longer or at best, shorter period...

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You're probably right. I already have a humane trap just for her. I just didn't know whether to wait until she's a bit more socialized or do it now. I'm pretty isolated out here and don't have any other cats around. I don't even know how she made it all the way out here. But it's probably better safe than sorry at this point, plus, you're right, it may be better to do it now opposed to betraying her trust once we get further than this. Plus, it's a good idea to get her checked out and vaccinated before I start trying to introduce her to my indoors anyway. She seems very healthy but I know looks can be deceiving. Thanks for the help.

Once I bring her home from the vet, should I just bring her inside and start trying to socialize her there, or do you think it's too soon? With feral kittens, my technique is usually to just catch them and bring them in immediately, and they typically turn into cuddly purrboxes within a week. but I know with an adult things can get a bit hairier. Thinking about it, it probably isn't a good idea to bring her in immediately, but I sort of want to keep her close after her surgery.

I would definitely bring her inside after the surgery.  Give her a room of her own if you can - somepleace she can acclimate to and adopt as "her" territory.  As she is recuperating, she will be grateful for the food and attention you give her.  It may take her a bit to get used to the new but she will adjust.

Thank you for helping her!

MistyDawn said:

 
You're probably right. I already have a humane trap just for her. I just didn't know whether to wait until she's a bit more socialized or do it now. I'm pretty isolated out here and don't have any other cats around. I don't even know how she made it all the way out here. But it's probably better safe than sorry at this point, plus, you're right, it may be better to do it now opposed to betraying her trust once we get further than this. Plus, it's a good idea to get her checked out and vaccinated before I start trying to introduce her to my indoors anyway. She seems very healthy but I know looks can be deceiving. Thanks for the help.

Once I bring her home from the vet, should I just bring her inside and start trying to socialize her there, or do you think it's too soon? With feral kittens, my technique is usually to just catch them and bring them in immediately, and they typically turn into cuddly purrboxes within a week. but I know with an adult things can get a bit hairier. Thinking about it, it probably isn't a good idea to bring her in immediately, but I sort of want to keep her close after her surgery.

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After the surgery, you MUST have her inside for the recovery.  Even if with a  succesfull semi-feral its not as long as with an average family girl.   So whatever you decide, she will be already inside.   And also, you taking care of her when she is "sick", is another big plus, making socialization quicker.

My best advice  you dont think twice, but  let her be inside furever home  immediately after bringing her home from the vet....

The only problem is, there is some hurry, as she will get pregnant any day now.  She perhaps already is, even if its not clearly noticeable.   Please, spay her  as soon you can arrange it, etc...