2nd Day With Semi-feral Kitties

[kamitchell6]

I just started fostering and plan to permanently care for 3 semi-feral 1 year old cats yesterday. They are all sweet cats, just rather

This website and it's forums have been such a wealth of information. I have been reading for days now. You were the reason I decided my 3 kids and I could possibly help these kitties after reading so many great, touching, sometimes sad but generally positive stories. So thank you all for giving new people like me a great source for guidance in a new and otherwise unknown experience.

The cats a were found at 7 weeks old and have since been placed in 5 other homes. Based on what I've heard of their history I don't think anyone dedicated much consistent time trying to socialize them.

They are in my finished basement with a drop ceiling. I bet you can guess what I am going to say next. Yes, two found their way up to the ceiling and I have managed to get one down. The second is a little overweight so he managed to wedge himself in a spot that only took a few minutes to catch.

I can't find the third yet but she has to be up there as the room has not been left open and I spent all day searching.

Right now the other two are together in a large dog carrier with food and blankets.

I am not quite sure what to do with them until the last one comes out of hiding as I can't close the exit up and don't want the first two finding their way back up again.

I've read some of the msgs here about others that had a cat in their ceiling or attic so I have some tips about trying to get the last one to come down.

Should I leave them in the carrier or try to isolate them in a smaller spot such as a bathroom until I have a secure spot for them again?

 

[kamitchell6]

Phew! I just found the third. Of course now that the stores are closed for the evening I cannot find my replacement ceiling tile box. Huge lesson learned. Glad they are all safe at least.

 

[Norachan]

So, they're all down now? Cats have a way of finding these spots, don't they? Glad to hear they're all safe and sound.

Let us know how it goes with socialising them. I don't think it's too late to get them used to human contact. They might not ever be lap cats, but they will become more trusting and friendly over time.

Thanks for giving them all a chance.

 

[kamitchell6]

I haven't checked yet. She wouldn't come down and was too agitated by my attempt so instead I blocked access to the rest of the ceiling with foam cushions, blankets and anything else I could find. Leaving her no where to go as she is in a corner that is against the wall and completely blocked by wood. I was able to let the other two out of the dog carrier. Before hiding she was always with her sister hiding together so I figured with some food on the ground and her brother and sister roaming down below she would probably just come down.

I've been able to hold two of the three on the first night for five minutes each twice. The third will only allow you to touch her briefly.

I will follow up with the socializing. Like I said I am pretty sure no one previously spent the time to do it. I' know they are considered feral still but they really seem like normal timid cats that will come around.

They are quiet too. I haven't read up on that yet. I haven't heard a single meow out of them. I also have a 19 year old that lives only in my bedroom. She's didn't find her voice until she was a few years old so maybe it's normal.

 

[Norachan]

Is it easy enough for her to get down on her own? I think she'll soon come down to where her friends and the food is.

If no one has bothered talking to them they probably haven't learnt to chat back to people yet. Cats aren't really that vocal with each other, but they learn to meow at people because we talk to them. You could try sitting in the room with them and reading to them or just chatting away. You could also leave a radio on to try and get them used to the sound of human voices.

 

[kamitchell6]

Yes, she has several spots open to come out easily. The lady from the organization I got them from is more worried then I am. The ceiling doesn't extend beyond the room and there are no exits to the outside. The cat has just been chilling all day. At one point she was near enough to watch her siblings chasing a laser dot and she looks like she wants to join but is to afraid. I am setting up a cat tree and am armed with sardines, tuna and liver wurst. Hoping she'll smell the grossness and go on the tree to eat if she doesn't know I am watching from around the corner. I have a call to our local shelter in case I need to resort to putting a trap up there. I don't know if they have traps available yet though.