A month ago, I stopped waffling and decided to get involved with my local cat rescue group and took in a 2-year-old feral that was in dire straits physically and extreme distress mentally. She was trapped and taken into the local shelter, was very pregnant, and terrified of humans. She was starving, weighing 8.5 pounds at near term of her pregnancy. After 3 or 4 days of being in the shelter, she gave birth to 4 kittens, 3 of whom were stillborn. She rejected the 4th, I believe due to her being so traumatized at being caught, caged, and touched, then the pain and stress of what was possibly her first labor. The newborn was taken by another rescue group, but this little girl was in shock and completely paralyzed with fear when I went to pick her up.
My office had already been set up as "The Cat Room", with my computer desk on one side (which places me with my back to her) and a large tree on the other, situated in front of a big window, so it was the perfect place for her. I left her alone for the most part for the first 48 hours or so, inside her carrier with the door open. I set out food and water for her, refreshing it 3 times a day. She refused all of it except for the broths. On the third day, she began to eat solid food. She also began to explore the tree and found refuge between the top of the "house" and the bottom of the top platform. She is 6 pounds now, and squeezes nicely into the space, which is right at my eye level when standing. This has become her "safe spot".
The first week was spent calling for her kittens and trying to figure out how to get out the window once she started moving around more. The trauma was finally lessening. She began letting me touch her as long as she was in her safe spot. We both discovered that belly rubs were really nice. They still are, but after a month, can be enjoyed on top of the platform instead of hiding beneath it.
Two weeks ago, I took her in for shots and spay, and she was pronounced free of disease and parasites. The ordeal was terrifying for her. I was so sure I was going to have to start back at the beginning with her. To my complete surprise, instead of staying at the back of her carrier on the ride home, she came to the door and stayed as close to me as she could. Such a great little girl.
We have come a long way in a month, and she is really trying hard. She's still terrified of hands: one hand is mostly okay, but two hands means flight. She hates to be picked up, so I just don't do it. I do have a family member bring her a meal now and then, but for the most part, I am her only contact. I've started leaving the door to her room open now, and she has started to very carefully explore the rest of the house. She would not play with the toys in the room, and in fact, did not know what they were until two days ago, when she finally figured it out and started playing some during her waking hours. She still won't play with a wand and feather with me holding it. Last night was the first night that she jumped up on my bed and checked out the space. I believe this was more just to see where I was. She decided not to stay and went back to her room and her hammock on the tree, which has become her favorite place to sleep, and finally, groom. Again, not hiding! Progress.
I'm wondering if it would be ok to introduce a new kitten into her world. I believe if she hadn't been so completelly traumatized at the time of the birth of her kittens she would not have rejected the one that wasn't stillborn. I'm wondering if observing a trusting interaction between me and another cat could bolster her confidence and help with her trust issues. I know it's going to take a lot of time before she's not "slinking" when she moves through the house, but she has all the time in the world as far as I'm concerned. I will eventually bring a kitten into the house, and possibly two. However, I don't have a lot of experience with multiple cats, and her situation is unique. I don't think she will ever socialize to the point where she can be adopted out, but then again, you never know. Still, I feel like it would be a terrible blow to the trust she has already given me, and I don't think I can bring myself to betray that. So, I'm taking my time with her now, and I think she will be fine here. I'm just not sure how to know when to bring in another cat or two. I'm afraid if I bring one in too soon, she will stop interacting with me completely and focus solely on the new kitten, and possibly even cause her to reject human contact. Or, on the other hand, if I wait too long, that boundaries will be set to the point that she will not accept the new kitty. I realize this is a "just have to wait and see how she does" situation, that all cats are different and will react according to who they are, but I'd love to hear some others' experiences and maybe get a feel for signs and signals. So far, I've relied on instinct and my love of cats to guide me, and it seems to be working well. The "multiple cat" thing is new to me though, and I would like to do what I can to make sure it's a successful integration.
I love the articles here and wish I had found them sooner. I read the one on taking in strays and ferals just today, and was gratified in knowing that my instincts seem to be on the right track so far.
I'd love to hear others' experiences and welcome all advice.
My office had already been set up as "The Cat Room", with my computer desk on one side (which places me with my back to her) and a large tree on the other, situated in front of a big window, so it was the perfect place for her. I left her alone for the most part for the first 48 hours or so, inside her carrier with the door open. I set out food and water for her, refreshing it 3 times a day. She refused all of it except for the broths. On the third day, she began to eat solid food. She also began to explore the tree and found refuge between the top of the "house" and the bottom of the top platform. She is 6 pounds now, and squeezes nicely into the space, which is right at my eye level when standing. This has become her "safe spot".
The first week was spent calling for her kittens and trying to figure out how to get out the window once she started moving around more. The trauma was finally lessening. She began letting me touch her as long as she was in her safe spot. We both discovered that belly rubs were really nice. They still are, but after a month, can be enjoyed on top of the platform instead of hiding beneath it.
Two weeks ago, I took her in for shots and spay, and she was pronounced free of disease and parasites. The ordeal was terrifying for her. I was so sure I was going to have to start back at the beginning with her. To my complete surprise, instead of staying at the back of her carrier on the ride home, she came to the door and stayed as close to me as she could. Such a great little girl.
We have come a long way in a month, and she is really trying hard. She's still terrified of hands: one hand is mostly okay, but two hands means flight. She hates to be picked up, so I just don't do it. I do have a family member bring her a meal now and then, but for the most part, I am her only contact. I've started leaving the door to her room open now, and she has started to very carefully explore the rest of the house. She would not play with the toys in the room, and in fact, did not know what they were until two days ago, when she finally figured it out and started playing some during her waking hours. She still won't play with a wand and feather with me holding it. Last night was the first night that she jumped up on my bed and checked out the space. I believe this was more just to see where I was. She decided not to stay and went back to her room and her hammock on the tree, which has become her favorite place to sleep, and finally, groom. Again, not hiding! Progress.
I'm wondering if it would be ok to introduce a new kitten into her world. I believe if she hadn't been so completelly traumatized at the time of the birth of her kittens she would not have rejected the one that wasn't stillborn. I'm wondering if observing a trusting interaction between me and another cat could bolster her confidence and help with her trust issues. I know it's going to take a lot of time before she's not "slinking" when she moves through the house, but she has all the time in the world as far as I'm concerned. I will eventually bring a kitten into the house, and possibly two. However, I don't have a lot of experience with multiple cats, and her situation is unique. I don't think she will ever socialize to the point where she can be adopted out, but then again, you never know. Still, I feel like it would be a terrible blow to the trust she has already given me, and I don't think I can bring myself to betray that. So, I'm taking my time with her now, and I think she will be fine here. I'm just not sure how to know when to bring in another cat or two. I'm afraid if I bring one in too soon, she will stop interacting with me completely and focus solely on the new kitten, and possibly even cause her to reject human contact. Or, on the other hand, if I wait too long, that boundaries will be set to the point that she will not accept the new kitty. I realize this is a "just have to wait and see how she does" situation, that all cats are different and will react according to who they are, but I'd love to hear some others' experiences and maybe get a feel for signs and signals. So far, I've relied on instinct and my love of cats to guide me, and it seems to be working well. The "multiple cat" thing is new to me though, and I would like to do what I can to make sure it's a successful integration.
I love the articles here and wish I had found them sooner. I read the one on taking in strays and ferals just today, and was gratified in knowing that my instincts seem to be on the right track so far.
I'd love to hear others' experiences and welcome all advice.
And congratulations on the progress you've made with (does she have a name yet?). 
Really to come that far in only a month is pretty miraculous. I wonder if she is actually a former house pet? Strays can turn somewhat feral once they're deserted and left to survive on their own.
Though for the fostered cat that got a fur-ever home, I doubt it would ever be considered a failure. 
), and TNRing/socializing ferals, adult and kitten, when possible. And despite all my experience - - - I depend often on this wonderful site and its amazing members to keep me sane! So I'm SOOOO happy you're here! There's also SO much info in the articles gathered in that portion of the site (
. You're right to recognize that she's been through so much already - - even healthy, well-adjusted cats often have a very hard time mentally when taken to a shelter. It's a shock to their system (I always say "how would you like it if you were grabbed and dropped into a cage in a building you didn't know, with people and cats you didn't know, and no one could explain what you'd "done wrong" to be there!).
