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- Dec 22, 2017
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Hoping to get some guidance and tips about what to do next with my three adopted feral kitties. I think they are somewhere between 5-6 months old at this point. They showed up in our yard mid-August and Mama (also feral) would come around and allow them to nurse -- but they were very active and growing fast. There were four originally and now we have three -- one went to rescue.
A little background of how we got here: I have always loved cats but developed an allergy to them years ago and sadly have kept my distance ever since. I figured the best I could do for these kitties was get them into rescue so they could go to a good home and have a happy life. All the shelters I checked were full so while we waited for an opening -- they basically lived in our backyard (kitty cave in our berry bushes), kept them fed/watered but fearing my allergies - I also kept a safe distance. They would run on sight so that was easy to do. I was fortunate to network with a local lady who volunteered with feral cat rescue. She urged me to get the kitties trapped and to the vet for spay/neuter ASAP and she would help get them placed in rescue. I lured the four kitties into carriers with food and the mission was a success! She also urged me to start working with the kitties to get them socialized so they could be successfully adopted. I had been avoiding contact (my allergies) but since I hadn't been overcome with symptoms -- maybe it would be possible for me to manage contact and keep them outdoors. Not sure if my allergies have lessened or even subsided -- but so far so good.
Since food was our link -- I figured I could build from there so I started feeding sessions with the babies ... sitting on a yoga mat on the patio floor - I offered them food from my hand. It worked! I kept up with this morning and evening but since there were four kitties - decided a bowl would work better. Gradually, I started petting them while they were feeding and kept that up so all of them were involved. Even with the yoga mat - that ground was hard -- I wanted to make it more comfy so I could stay longer with them. I set up in my patio chair and coaxed them into my lap to eat and have petting sessions. The trust is building and they are pretty used to this now. So much so that they run to our spot and start getting into position before I am even ready.
They all have names and distinct personalities for sure. Squeaky (was the runt) and she is the most attached to me at this point. She comes to the back sliding door throughout the day and looks for me - if I go out there for another feeding session - she will happily get in my lap to eat even when there is already food in their bowl (I put food in their bowl after we finish with our lap sessions). I realize she is seeking my attention and that really warms my heart. She is very vocal and was the first one to talk for the group (asking for food in the morning). Our little boy Bowie - who has always been the shyest one - is starting to do the same and he likes to talk too. He tends to follow his sister Squeaky's lead. These two are my tiger babies. And then there is Furbie who is an exotic looking longhair female who the vet said is a dilute tortie. She has always been the most outgoing - comfortable in our presence and the first to try everything. She has never made a sound -- not one peep - so odd! She doesn't crave petting as much as the other two but will tolerate it. I think she senses the growing connection between me and the other two though -- and I have noticed she is more attentive lately. Maybe a little jealousy? There was a fourth little boy named TuTu but we did place him with rescue ... Bowie was planned to go too but I could not get him in the carrier!
(L-R: Squeaky, Furbie and Bowie)
My husband and I first decided we would keep Furbie ... and then Squeaky to keep her company. After Bowie wouldn't get in the carrier that day, we decided he should stay too. They are so used to being together -- I'm glad not to put them through another separation -- they were really out of sorts when TuTu disappeared (and I was sad too). Since I work from home ... I can spend time throughout the day with the kitties - so I have primarily been the one making contact and my husband is not as much in our circle of trust - yet. He does spend time playing with them in the evening - they love the teasing wands - especially Furbie (seen below spying on me through the dining room window).
Anyway, I'm hoping to keep progressing with building our relationship and eventually be able to handle them, pick them up, etc. with ease and fully overcome their shyness of being feral born. Should I keep going with the lap feeding and somehow try to graduate to picking them up?? I've heard of grabbing them (with gloves) and clutching them to your chest -- but I feel like that is a tactic for a smaller kitten rather than one that would work well at the size they are now?? That sounds so extreme and I fear it would be a set back ... I hope there is a way to accomplish that more gently and naturally.
Sorry - guess this got a bit long - I hope it helps though to have the background and progress story. Any tips, insight, etc. are greatly appreciated! Thanks for listening ...
A little background of how we got here: I have always loved cats but developed an allergy to them years ago and sadly have kept my distance ever since. I figured the best I could do for these kitties was get them into rescue so they could go to a good home and have a happy life. All the shelters I checked were full so while we waited for an opening -- they basically lived in our backyard (kitty cave in our berry bushes), kept them fed/watered but fearing my allergies - I also kept a safe distance. They would run on sight so that was easy to do. I was fortunate to network with a local lady who volunteered with feral cat rescue. She urged me to get the kitties trapped and to the vet for spay/neuter ASAP and she would help get them placed in rescue. I lured the four kitties into carriers with food and the mission was a success! She also urged me to start working with the kitties to get them socialized so they could be successfully adopted. I had been avoiding contact (my allergies) but since I hadn't been overcome with symptoms -- maybe it would be possible for me to manage contact and keep them outdoors. Not sure if my allergies have lessened or even subsided -- but so far so good.
Since food was our link -- I figured I could build from there so I started feeding sessions with the babies ... sitting on a yoga mat on the patio floor - I offered them food from my hand. It worked! I kept up with this morning and evening but since there were four kitties - decided a bowl would work better. Gradually, I started petting them while they were feeding and kept that up so all of them were involved. Even with the yoga mat - that ground was hard -- I wanted to make it more comfy so I could stay longer with them. I set up in my patio chair and coaxed them into my lap to eat and have petting sessions. The trust is building and they are pretty used to this now. So much so that they run to our spot and start getting into position before I am even ready.
They all have names and distinct personalities for sure. Squeaky (was the runt) and she is the most attached to me at this point. She comes to the back sliding door throughout the day and looks for me - if I go out there for another feeding session - she will happily get in my lap to eat even when there is already food in their bowl (I put food in their bowl after we finish with our lap sessions). I realize she is seeking my attention and that really warms my heart. She is very vocal and was the first one to talk for the group (asking for food in the morning). Our little boy Bowie - who has always been the shyest one - is starting to do the same and he likes to talk too. He tends to follow his sister Squeaky's lead. These two are my tiger babies. And then there is Furbie who is an exotic looking longhair female who the vet said is a dilute tortie. She has always been the most outgoing - comfortable in our presence and the first to try everything. She has never made a sound -- not one peep - so odd! She doesn't crave petting as much as the other two but will tolerate it. I think she senses the growing connection between me and the other two though -- and I have noticed she is more attentive lately. Maybe a little jealousy? There was a fourth little boy named TuTu but we did place him with rescue ... Bowie was planned to go too but I could not get him in the carrier!
(L-R: Squeaky, Furbie and Bowie)
My husband and I first decided we would keep Furbie ... and then Squeaky to keep her company. After Bowie wouldn't get in the carrier that day, we decided he should stay too. They are so used to being together -- I'm glad not to put them through another separation -- they were really out of sorts when TuTu disappeared (and I was sad too). Since I work from home ... I can spend time throughout the day with the kitties - so I have primarily been the one making contact and my husband is not as much in our circle of trust - yet. He does spend time playing with them in the evening - they love the teasing wands - especially Furbie (seen below spying on me through the dining room window).
Anyway, I'm hoping to keep progressing with building our relationship and eventually be able to handle them, pick them up, etc. with ease and fully overcome their shyness of being feral born. Should I keep going with the lap feeding and somehow try to graduate to picking them up?? I've heard of grabbing them (with gloves) and clutching them to your chest -- but I feel like that is a tactic for a smaller kitten rather than one that would work well at the size they are now?? That sounds so extreme and I fear it would be a set back ... I hope there is a way to accomplish that more gently and naturally.
Sorry - guess this got a bit long - I hope it helps though to have the background and progress story. Any tips, insight, etc. are greatly appreciated! Thanks for listening ...
