Momma 2 years old was part of colony well fed by an acquaintance. She is daughter of feral. She's had two litters I know of. The second litter of 5 kittens is when I became involved.
Took 2 at 2 months spayed at 4 months integrated well with my pet store 2 that are 2 yrs old.
A third kitten was taken at 4 months spayed and my FIL finally integrated her.
She had rough time.
Fourth taken at 5 months is still adjusting with my FIL still hiding -not good.
Brings me to present. Took momma. Never been socialized save for colony feedings because of which she now waits for me to feed her and tap her bowl in her cage. She responds to pats on the head however it is very difficult for her to be calm enough to pet her. She has begun to lie down comfortably in her bed at intervals. She has begun to use the litter box. She will eat about a quarter cup of food and a quarter of wet food. At times she will be agitated with stimulation and will reach out And Hiss and bat at me as a warning. I am concerned because although I was able to reach in and treat her fleas when she was very scared I cannot brush her out obviously cannot clip her nails and it does not appear at this time that I can take her out of her cage situation and put her into the bathroom. I usually put the kittens in the bathroom to roam around and have some space before giving them a large room to roam around in. She does show signs of wanting to come out of the cage. I did have two cages together to give her a larger space. I try and play with her with toys but I she is not familiar and she does not use the toys. She has stopped giving me the hooded eyes and at times she will groom herself and show her belly and blink. I am curious as to whether showing her belly and kneading are signs that she wants to kill me or signs that she actually has a relationship with me.
She is to be spayed on Thursday which is a week from now and she will have to be in a cage before and after this. I hope she will calm down with the spay but there are no guarantees. I've been told that ferals work well with other cats and that it is us humans that she is more afraid of and less interactive with. Is this true? I introduced her to her two babies via cage but I think both were too scared to have any real interaction. I do not want them to have any real interaction until after she is spayed. I want to at least be able to get her into a small room or bathroom if possible. Do you think she will ever be rehabbed?
The person who feeds the colony I got her from does not believe in TNR. She believes in finding the cats homes. I know it is a long difficult road that I have gone down on with her. And I am willing to do so. However I want her to have a happiest fear free life she can. I don't want her in the cold winters we have here. I do understand that she may not be an interactive cat that she may end up being "the cat that we have in our basement." I just don't want this for her. I want her to have joyful interaction like my other cats. I am just that kind of cat mother. I feel that I nurture my cats. I do some degree of forced-interaction with them to socialize them. With the kittens I would hold them and hold their food and pet them as I fed them. I never want them to be standoffish cats. I visit other peoples houses who have standoffish cats and I think it's very sad. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Please help!
Took 2 at 2 months spayed at 4 months integrated well with my pet store 2 that are 2 yrs old.
A third kitten was taken at 4 months spayed and my FIL finally integrated her.
She had rough time.
Fourth taken at 5 months is still adjusting with my FIL still hiding -not good.
Brings me to present. Took momma. Never been socialized save for colony feedings because of which she now waits for me to feed her and tap her bowl in her cage. She responds to pats on the head however it is very difficult for her to be calm enough to pet her. She has begun to lie down comfortably in her bed at intervals. She has begun to use the litter box. She will eat about a quarter cup of food and a quarter of wet food. At times she will be agitated with stimulation and will reach out And Hiss and bat at me as a warning. I am concerned because although I was able to reach in and treat her fleas when she was very scared I cannot brush her out obviously cannot clip her nails and it does not appear at this time that I can take her out of her cage situation and put her into the bathroom. I usually put the kittens in the bathroom to roam around and have some space before giving them a large room to roam around in. She does show signs of wanting to come out of the cage. I did have two cages together to give her a larger space. I try and play with her with toys but I she is not familiar and she does not use the toys. She has stopped giving me the hooded eyes and at times she will groom herself and show her belly and blink. I am curious as to whether showing her belly and kneading are signs that she wants to kill me or signs that she actually has a relationship with me.
She is to be spayed on Thursday which is a week from now and she will have to be in a cage before and after this. I hope she will calm down with the spay but there are no guarantees. I've been told that ferals work well with other cats and that it is us humans that she is more afraid of and less interactive with. Is this true? I introduced her to her two babies via cage but I think both were too scared to have any real interaction. I do not want them to have any real interaction until after she is spayed. I want to at least be able to get her into a small room or bathroom if possible. Do you think she will ever be rehabbed?
The person who feeds the colony I got her from does not believe in TNR. She believes in finding the cats homes. I know it is a long difficult road that I have gone down on with her. And I am willing to do so. However I want her to have a happiest fear free life she can. I don't want her in the cold winters we have here. I do understand that she may not be an interactive cat that she may end up being "the cat that we have in our basement." I just don't want this for her. I want her to have joyful interaction like my other cats. I am just that kind of cat mother. I feel that I nurture my cats. I do some degree of forced-interaction with them to socialize them. With the kittens I would hold them and hold their food and pet them as I fed them. I never want them to be standoffish cats. I visit other peoples houses who have standoffish cats and I think it's very sad. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Please help!
