Saying that an older feral cat cannot be tamed is really not true. It actually depends on the cat. We had a feral kitten in the yard when we moved here. Although at the time we thought she was someone's pet. We still fed her, and little by little she hung out here. She also had one kitten the first year - who we could not get near. No matter what she did, she could not get that kitten to leave her side. It was amazing!
The following spring she had a litter of 4. By then I was able to borrow traps, and with the help of my local shelter, set up a small TNR program. I caught Dad, and the first kitten - also now an adult and sent them to the clinic to be fixed.
I caught Kitten Number 1 at about 14 weeks old. She hissed and spat - but within a week inside she was allowing me to pet her. Kitten Number 2 sadly was hit by a car. Kitten Number 3 disapeared, and shows up every few months for a quick meal. Kitten Number 4 by now was 6 months old, and hanging out with Dad and his Aunt. He must have gone 3/4 into the trap at least 20 times - and Dad would always show up.
But persistence paid off.
I was finally able to catch him, and off he went to be neutered. When he got back he spent a week inside, and ended up with a very high fever. A few days on IVs and he was healthy. He was so wonderful at the vet - gentle and sweet. I picked him up, and although timid - he slowly came around.
Now he and his sister live inside with 2 older cats, 2 dogs, prairie dogs, ferrets, ground squirrels, guinea pigs, a bunny and a hamster. Both are shy with strangers - but love to be petted and beg for treats. Yesterday for the first time - Apache jumped on my lap. She is 1 1/2 years old now.
Their Mom now lives next door, and although still shy with others, allows my neighbor to pick her up, and she follows him everywhere.
Dad and the Aunt still live outside, and although I can't touch them, they love to sit on the roof and look inside the windows. Apache and her Aunt box through the windows.
They have 3 dog houses loaded up with warm fresh hay that they sleep in. They've survived 3 awful snowy Northeast Winters - and we love them for who they are.
Dallas
The following spring she had a litter of 4. By then I was able to borrow traps, and with the help of my local shelter, set up a small TNR program. I caught Dad, and the first kitten - also now an adult and sent them to the clinic to be fixed.
I caught Kitten Number 1 at about 14 weeks old. She hissed and spat - but within a week inside she was allowing me to pet her. Kitten Number 2 sadly was hit by a car. Kitten Number 3 disapeared, and shows up every few months for a quick meal. Kitten Number 4 by now was 6 months old, and hanging out with Dad and his Aunt. He must have gone 3/4 into the trap at least 20 times - and Dad would always show up.
But persistence paid off.
Now he and his sister live inside with 2 older cats, 2 dogs, prairie dogs, ferrets, ground squirrels, guinea pigs, a bunny and a hamster. Both are shy with strangers - but love to be petted and beg for treats. Yesterday for the first time - Apache jumped on my lap. She is 1 1/2 years old now.
Their Mom now lives next door, and although still shy with others, allows my neighbor to pick her up, and she follows him everywhere.
Dad and the Aunt still live outside, and although I can't touch them, they love to sit on the roof and look inside the windows. Apache and her Aunt box through the windows.
They have 3 dog houses loaded up with warm fresh hay that they sleep in. They've survived 3 awful snowy Northeast Winters - and we love them for who they are.
Dallas