handling ferals

I have had a feral cat for several years now.  He is fairly friendly with me, but not with anyone else. He also do not like to be picked up.  I may have to find a new home for him soon so I am trying to socialize him more with other people and get over his fear of being picked up by people.  Any advice, particularly on the picking up part?  Thanks!

hi there. MOST, not all ferals do not like to be picked up by anyone, let alone a stranger. It took my a full year to even pet the mom of my two cats I brought home. She still lives in a colony, with lots of love food and cat shelters of course with her remaining daughter.

I don't pretend to be an expert but I do work for a TNR group and have six colonies of about 50 (YES 50) cats I see/feed/love daily.

SOME ferals are more likely to be calm just like a tame house cat when picked up- but its rare. Many will let you pet them after trusting you. LET THEM make the first move.

Ferals as a group have trust issues times ten. But many of mine lobve me and let me do almost anything to them. Some of my 50, I'd say half still will not let me touch them. I find once they are fixed- esp. the big bad agressive males become big SUCKS after the surgery. Kevin.

I agree with @Kevin St Julian. I think aiming for being him entirely socialized, to the point of being picked up, would be taking on an immense challenge. It may take far too many hours to try to get to that point and the question would be why. Some tame pet cats don't like to be picked up either and I think unless there's an absolute need to, they should be left alone. 

Do you have a specific home in mind for him? If you can't stay there to care for him, it might be best to properly re-locate him to a colony of cats with a dedicated caregiver who would know how to care for him. 

Anne said:

 
I agree with @Kevin St Julian. I think aiming for being him entirely socialized, to the point of being picked up, would be taking on an immense challenge. It may take far too many hours to try to get to that point and the question would be why. Some tame pet cats don't like to be picked up either and I think unless there's an absolute need to, they should be left alone. 

Do you have a specific home in mind for him? If you can't stay there to care for him, it might be best to properly re-locate him to a colony of cats with a dedicated caregiver who would know how to care for him. 

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agreed Anne. Just like a dog or person you cannot MAKE them do anything or like you. ALL cats are different as all people are. I would not trust any cat/feral person, even with 50 years experience who would ever give a blanket type answer for all cats.