- Joined
- Feb 15, 2021
- Messages
- 3
- Purraise
- 4
Hi,
First off I just wanted to thank everyone here - I've been digging around a bit and found a lot of useful information and stories that will hopefully help me in my situation. Was hoping there were a few people here that may be able to help as I don't have a lot of experience in dealing with feral cats.
A little background: For the past few months I have been feeding a mother cat and her 4 kittens. I've also put up some waterproof shelters in my backyard as well that they've been living in.
I was finally able to locate a cat rescue near me that has been helping me set up vet appointments (two cats at a time) for shots and spaying/neutering. I also wanted to make the effort to see if they can live inside and be adoptable. Last week, I was able to trap the first two of the bunch (brown female kitten, who I've been calling Samus, in the middle and her sister, Ripley, all the way on the right). I got them home last Monday night and brought them into a space I had set up in my basement office, away from my cat.
By the next morning, Samus had started coming up to me and turned out to be one of the nicest, most affectionate kittens I have every met. Definitely a success story with her - she's following me everywhere now! However, her sister is still freaking out a week later. She won't come anywhere near me. She's torn up parts of my office in an attempt to get to the top of the bookshelves to escape. For the past 5 days, she's been climbing up the tube that connects my dryer vent into the ceiling and been basically living in the ceiling.
I have been putting food and water up there for her, but I'm starting to think that she might not be able to be domesticated. I don't just want to give up so soon on her, but it's pretty clear that she's terrified of people and doesn't seem to be coming around. Has anyone had a similar situation before and able to offer some suggestions? Would it be best to give this a little more time or should I let her back outside?
Thanks - really appreciate any suggestions!
Chris
First off I just wanted to thank everyone here - I've been digging around a bit and found a lot of useful information and stories that will hopefully help me in my situation. Was hoping there were a few people here that may be able to help as I don't have a lot of experience in dealing with feral cats.
A little background: For the past few months I have been feeding a mother cat and her 4 kittens. I've also put up some waterproof shelters in my backyard as well that they've been living in.
I was finally able to locate a cat rescue near me that has been helping me set up vet appointments (two cats at a time) for shots and spaying/neutering. I also wanted to make the effort to see if they can live inside and be adoptable. Last week, I was able to trap the first two of the bunch (brown female kitten, who I've been calling Samus, in the middle and her sister, Ripley, all the way on the right). I got them home last Monday night and brought them into a space I had set up in my basement office, away from my cat.
By the next morning, Samus had started coming up to me and turned out to be one of the nicest, most affectionate kittens I have every met. Definitely a success story with her - she's following me everywhere now! However, her sister is still freaking out a week later. She won't come anywhere near me. She's torn up parts of my office in an attempt to get to the top of the bookshelves to escape. For the past 5 days, she's been climbing up the tube that connects my dryer vent into the ceiling and been basically living in the ceiling.
I have been putting food and water up there for her, but I'm starting to think that she might not be able to be domesticated. I don't just want to give up so soon on her, but it's pretty clear that she's terrified of people and doesn't seem to be coming around. Has anyone had a similar situation before and able to offer some suggestions? Would it be best to give this a little more time or should I let her back outside?
Thanks - really appreciate any suggestions!
Chris