Need Help with a Feral Kitty at our shop!!!!

It sounds to me like her experience of being taped in the box has firmly convinced her humans are no good. I think you should see if someone with a good feral colony will add her to their colony. Or do you know someone with a barn who can take her in as a feral?

We adopted some ferals. They lived in a cage in the pole barn until they realized this was home. Now they stay around. One will come within a few feet of us for food. The other two are only seen running away from us. But they are fed and have barns to sleep in. And they do not have to deal with people.

Otherwise, I would suggest medication to calm her. She is too afraid.

She is understandably scared, and probably in PTSD as well. Think of it, taped inside a shoebox for 6 hours? And you want her to play? How about just letting her decompress, put her in a small room where she can find hiding spots, set up a routine with her and stick to it, don't give her any surprises. Feed her and give her fresh water at the same time(s) every day, dump her litter pans the same times, let her count on you. Go in and read to her daily, don't expect her to be a lap cat, or to play with anything. She has to get over what this asshole did to her, and that is going to take time. I would take her in a heartbeat, but you are to far away. I do know a couple of people in Tennessee I can ask them if they would be interested in adopting her-

In addition to Hissy's suggestions for helping socialize her while in your care at the shelter, you could consider making a poster for her and even a short newspaper ad - she's a special needs kitty that needs someone who will be able to give her the space and time she needs to trust a human again. I'm so glad you're trying to do this for her at the shelter. But even if she bonds to you, she will likely not bond right away with a new mom or dad who want to take her home. She'll always need a special home where she will be treated with LOTS of patience. She'll need to be adopted by someone/people who understand how scared she'll be, and that it could potentially take months for her to feel comfortable with new people in a new space.

Socializing a feral in a home is all about giving kitty time and space - and basically ignoring them until they make the first move. It's important to spend time with them - reading, just being in the same room - so they get used to their new people and new space. But her new home will have to understand she'll just want to be a shadow for some time until she "gets" that her "people" are safe and she's in a safe place. But once that happens - she'll make one of the greatest pets there are, and that bond of trust between a feral and a person is an amazing thing. But it does take a lot of time.

Thanks for keeping this special little kitty alive!

Please keep us posted on how Esmerelda progresses. I had a semi-feral foster, Jill, and know how hard it can be to allow them time and space. If she seems slightly more trusting of you than the other volunteers, is there any way she could live at your house? Even if she hides under a bed or behind a couch for a few months, at least it might seem safer to her than in a cage surrounded by various people.
Maybe she could even stay in a cage temporarily at your house?

I think a feral cat is one who is unsocialized and fearful of people. Esmerelda was abused. She may never forget or get over that, but may come to trust one person. And especially if it can be someone who will let her be stand-offish. She may never be a cuddlebug, but can still be a valuable addition to the right family. And I still think meds like prozac or buspar might help, or even Feliway.

Best of luck with this girl.

My grandmother had a feral colony long before they were ever called that (think the 60's!) and so I have mega experience trying to tame feral kittens. You have to be VERY patient plus this little one has been so severely traumatized! I agree with Hissy's advice. And it would be wonderful if some one family or person would take her on and she could bond with them.

She needs routine, she needs places to hide, and she needs lots of love and time, time, time, and did I mention patience and time!!

Thank you so much for caring for her!

Thanks for the update~

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

It's been such a long while since i updated this thread on Esmerelda, i have been completely swamped beweeet rescues, volunteering, working 2 jobs and college....but i have nothing but great news! thankyou so much everyone for your replies and suggestions- Esmerelda, after months of me and other volunteers working around the clock with her and socializing her ( and showing her that not all humans are bad) have been blessed with the opportunity to find a family that gave Essie a wonderful home!!! They had experience with ferals in the past and understood the policy of our adoption agency was that the kitty was to be kept indoors only, updated on all vaccinations , and never under any circumstances declawed!!!! She went home to a great family and is the only kitty. Thankyou for all your help and i do appologize for not updating the thread. But i just wanted everyone to know that Esmerelda finally got the wonderful home she deserves with people who understand her special needs and how to handle feral rescues!

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I am glad she got a nice home. Pround because you took on the challenge.

I was going to write to get an update. I am glad things worked out

Aw, I almost cried when I read that she finally got to go to a loving forever gome where someone will have lots of love for her...She deserves it!!

Good for you for having patience and working with her.