Unbelievable Progress with Feral

I just have to share my progress with people who understand. I've read about how some ferals can be tamed and that you should never give up. I have to admit that I figured it would never apply to my skittish big male feral. I just knew he was wild forever and I'd never get near him. After TNR, he disappeared for 3 weeks and it's taken months for him to stay within 20' of me when I feed him. All of a sudden yesterday, he ran right over to the food bowl as I set it down and began to eat. I reached out, touched him, and he rubbed against my leg! Same thing this morning. I've been feeding him for only 5-1/2 months, but I know he's been on his own for well over 2 years. I would talk to him but never sit down while he ate. Looks like that ignoring trick worked great on him.

Caroline

Wow! What a nice surprise that must have been!

I know how amazing this is when it happens. My backyard feral, Scout, rubbed against my leg for the first time last Thursday night. I've been feeding Scout for almost 2 years! Like your male, he was very skittish and never seemed to be interested in contact. Lately, though he was showing signs... purring, kneading and actually rolling over and showing his tummy!

I'd done the same thing as you: I talked to Scout but never sat with him while he ate. He was too nervous for that, and even now I won't do it.

When you reached out to touch your cat, had you thought about trying to touch him, or was it just spontaneous? It's so gratifying when these guys trust you enough to touch you and allow themselves to be petted too!!!

What a nice surprise for you!

That's not taming, that's bonding and socialization. It is a big step! Congrats!

I still maintain that ferals cannot be "tamed" they can be socialized, you can bond with them even the older ones that people always tell me are to old and should be put down. You have to understand their world, but it can be done. They will keep their feral tendencies and never be a purring lap cat that won't scramble off claws engaged at the first loud noise, or unexpected movement. But if you keep with them, let them know they can trust you, never hurt them, it is a rewarding relationship in the end-

Caroline, this is such a happy event. I'm so glad and you must be incredibly intuitive to him and he understands this. WTG!!! What a great, euphoric feeling!!

Thanks for the explanation of bonding and socialization vs. taming. I'm doubly challenged here--I've never had a cat and have only been reading about ferals for a few months. Still have loads to learn.

Touching Sandy was spontaneous. The opportunity just presented itself and I went for it. Tonight I even put some Frontline on him. Hopefully someday I'll be able to get him back to the vet to have his ears cleaned and some additional vaccinations done. I guess I'll just have to wait to see where he allows me to go with all of this. The one thing I have learned with both of my ferals is that they call the shots and there's no doubt about it.

Caroline

Wow, Caroline! I can only imagine how happy that made you feel!

Originally Posted by hissy

I still maintain that ferals cannot be "tamed" they can be socialized, you can bond with them even the older ones that people always tell me are to old and should be put down. You have to understand their world, but it can be done. They will keep their feral tendencies and never be a purring lap cat that won't scramble off claws engaged at the first loud noise, or unexpected movement. But if you keep with them, let them know they can trust you, never hurt them, it is a rewarding relationship in the end-

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Do you think this applies when a feral kitten is trapped and raised indoors as well? The description above sounds just exactly like Emma.

Way to go! That's awesome!

Yay I'm so happy for you!!!
What part of South Florida are you from? I'm glad I'm not the only South Floridian here.

Tina,
I live in the Redland area--the place where so many unwanted dogs and cats get dumped off. Nearly all of my neighbors have cats that wandered into their yards and took up residency, which is exactly how I've wound up with my two.

Caroline

Hey, Caroline

I also live in the Redland area. I have a feral male cat that was living under my house or my neighbor's as a kitten for approx. 7 months before I finally got him to the vet. He's a year old this month (approx.) and is doing very well. I named him Saint Silver. He's semi-long-haired with brushy tail in solid silver color and is very big!! He's still "wild", but is also very loving and follows me from room to room. Whenever I take him to outside with him, he stays close to me and follows me back in the house! Unfortunately, 2 weeks ago he attacked my hand for the first time in 5 months since I took him in. He not only scratched me, he bit me! That was when I tried to train him to walk on the leash. My huge mistake! I didn't do it right. I guess he felt like he was being mistreated and turned on "survival mode" and attacked me when I tried to pick him up. I still keep him separated from my 4 residental cats. They are afraid of him and even my hearing service dog named Shane doesn't like him even though she loves the other 4 cats and is close to two of them. Just recently he has been tested to be free of FIV/FelV which made me very happy! Even my Mother fell in love with him and wants to take him home with her to Arkansas (she stays with me during winter for the last 7 years), but I tell her that he's "wild" and cannot be tamed like my domestic cats and can be dangerous if one is not careful with him. I won't give up on him. I really love him!!

Keep up with what you've been doing with your two feral cats and good luck. Saint Silver isn't my first feral cat. I had a female feral black cat named Spooky which eventually became very close to me and loved to sleep with me, took a long time, but we did it! Sadly, she went to Rainbow Bridge 5 years ago and I still haven't forgotten her. She was very special to me. So is Saint Silver now.

Brenda

Brenda,

Sad news--my feral kitten (about 10 months old) disappeared on Wed. I walked all through the neighborhood and there's no sign of her. Unfortunately, when I had her spayed, they barely clipped her ear. So maybe someone's trapped her not realizing she's been taken care of already. I'm really hoping she's not locked inside someone's shed. Bummers.

Sandy, the male, has really been staying around. I made him a little bed and put it under our boat. When I put his food down, he rubs against my leg before he eats. But I can only touch him at breakfast or dinner. The rest of the day he's off-limits no matter what kind of treats I try to tempt him with.

Caroline

Oh so Redland is by Homestead...guys I am not familiar with the homestead area, every time I go there I always get lost. I'm so sorry that all this animal's get dumped there, bless you two girls for taking care of the kitties you have rescued.

Caroline- lots good vibes coming your way, for your little one to comeback home.

Brenda- Welcome to the site, so nice to have another South Floridian.

I have to admint, I've been a little jealous reading this thread.

My two little ferals were born early this summer and so have been around me most of their little lives. I give them food, water, and have made toasty little places for them to sleep this winter. Will they let me touch them? Not one little bit!

*sigh* I just keep in mind all the stories I've read on this site (like Pengy's) and am patiently waiting for them to change their minds....

Caroline; is your feral girl back?..I have seen some dissapear for some weeks and come back while others...a big hug, you and your kitty are in my prayers

No sign of the little girl. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. I just keep on hoping that someone really liked her and has her in their house. It sounds so much better than all the other alternatives.

Caroline

Originally Posted by hissy

I still maintain that ferals cannot be "tamed" they can be socialized, you can bond with them even the older ones that people always tell me are to old and should be put down. You have to understand their world, but it can be done. They will keep their feral tendencies and never be a purring lap cat that won't scramble off claws engaged at the first loud noise, or unexpected movement. But if you keep with them, let them know they can trust you, never hurt them, it is a rewarding relationship in the end-

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I agree 100%.Most of my babies were feral kittens when I caught them...Some are calmer than others,but will still bolt with nails extended with strange noise...And people never know I have 13 cats in my house because most of them stay hidden until company leaves.




Caroline

It sounds like you are doing an awesome job with the ferals.I hope your little girl shows up soon.

Caroline, it can't hurt to put some flyers up about your lost kitten. It's possible that she's gotten locked into a shed or garage. Put flyers up at local grocery or convenience stores as well as on telephone poles, the post office, the library. Also call the local shelters to see if someone brought her in thinking she was uncared for.

A couple of years ago, two of my ferals disappeared. I made up 75 flyers (not mentioning they were feral), many of which I put on the windshields of cars or on porches (held in place by doormats). On the flyer, I asked people to check their basements, garages, sheds, playhouses, etc., to make sure the cats weren't locked in. I got several calls, and sure enough, someone had seen my missing kitties. Turns out a woman in the neighborhood (about 3 long blocks from where I fed them) was feeding a stray. My guys found the food she was putting out for this stray kitty, and decided they liked what she was serving better!

Maybe this is what happened with your little feral. Give the flyers a try - it worked for me.

She's back!!! I'm sure she was stuck in someone's shed because she's been ravenous since she got here. She sleeps on our screened porch at night (closed in) and began meowing at the door at 3 this morning. I let her in and I think all she wanted was to be close to me. She actually jumped up on the bed and slept near my feet, which is a first for her. After I let her back out to feed her, she hissed at me. You've gotta love these little ferals. They sure do keep you guessing.

Caroline
Keeper of Ferals Dixie & Sandy

Yay!!!