poor tigger...we need some hints to help him become part of the "family"

trudy1

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Tigger is the male tabby in the background.  We started out with 15 ferals and found homes for 7, two stayed at the farmhouse and we have 5 in the basement.  Poor tigger is the only one who will not tolerate you coming close, stiffens when you do pick him up, if you can etc. The odd thing is that when he is sleepy on his perch you can scratch him and pick him up. He love to play, especially Da Bird but not too close to you.  We have also tried the phermone route with no success.

Currently we are trying him, by himself in the kitchen in a covered wire dog pen with litter box, food and blanket. We talk to him, open the door and scratch him, hold him, etc.

Anybody have some good remedies to help him get over his fear and socialize him?

He and his great buddy Minie deserve a good forever home, which is our goal but he has to be calmed down and more social before he can be adopted.

Thanks from Tigger, Minie, and the garage  gang

 

mani

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Sorry about the lack of response, trudy1.  I'm sure you know that patience is the key. Hopefully someone will come along soon with some more tangible help for you
 

ondine

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Sorry Trudy - I have been away from my computer for a few days.  Mani is correct - patience is your best friend right now.  You sound like you are doing all the right things, so it may just be a matter of time.

They do have calming liquids you can put in his water and calming treats.  Many members here swear by them.  They may be worth a try.  I know the pherenomes don't work with all cats.  We have one cat who they do not affect at all.

Tigger sounds like he may be one of those cats who aren't designed to be a lap cat.  We have one of those - he's in my Avatar.  Chester will allow a head scratch once or twice a week.  We cannot pick him up and if we approach when he's on a cat tree, he runs.  But he is the sweetest cat we have - he works to mediate tiffs between the other cats and grooms everyone to calm them down.

If Tigger and Minie are to be adopted together, their new owners can be advised about his personality.  Just because he's not super friendly, doesn't mean there's no home out there for him.

Thank you so much for helping them all!
 
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trudy1

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Thanks for the hope. The issue is we have two moms, one a bobtail, and two other bobtail males in the basement as well.

We also have four in the house and 8 at a barn as a TNR colony I feed.

We are reaching out "cat tolerance" level.
 

ondine

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Yes, we each reach that point at some time in our adventures with kitties.  You can only do what you can do.  Hopefully, Tigger comes around enough for you to find him a home.
 
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