Feral rescue

[Eurocat]

Super!
Now that‘s a majestic, alert and inquisitive looking cat. He almost has a smile on his face.
And he has also learned and experienced that a bit of upheaval doesn‘t mean that anything sinister or threatening will happen. Quite on the contrary, his life has improved through this. I think he’s in the process of grasping that you‘re there to help him and give him a comfortable life as his humble human servant !

 

[Kwik]

Hi J Julest

Fantastic!Don't you just love the enclosure?I absolutely loved mine,it killed me to dispose of it because I would've loved to keep it if I had a yard but it was worth every penny- Billy can stay in there until he's ready to explore further and then you just leave the door open for him..... I kept the enclosure up until Timmy just didn't use it anymore plus it was a great aid in training him " go inside" and " come" which is extremely beneficial since he started joining the others outside in the caged in patio- understanding " go inside " is important when it's time for everyone to go where you need them to be

See,no big deal- he is exactly where he's been and quickly established a bigger territory,he'll eventually do the same with the office and on to as far as you allow him to be..

This will be great when you decide to start introductions- you can begin some scent swapping now too- start with toys,a small blanket,little beds.....get them familiar with each other's scent way before " sight"

No doubt you feel like a great weight has been lifted and I'm sure you love seeing him content and having this much needed space to enjoy-- I'm so happy Billy has vertical space and is living the good life

 

[fluffpaws]

Hi J Julest ,
Billy sure does look content in his new home.Like a King in his Palace

 

[fluffpaws]

Hi J Julest
Billy sure does look content in his new home.Like a King in his Palace

 

[Julest]

A question - maybe you can answer it Kwik or someone else who has socialized a feral in a catio.

Now that Billy is out of his double crates and in his catio I have to actually lean right in there to feed him, change his litter tray and clean out the catio. With the old set up there were two crates and I used to feed him when he was in one side and change his litter when he was in the other side.

The problem is that when he sees me with his food he leaps over and is immediately standing directly at the catio door waiting for me to give it to him. He then swipes at my hands as I am putting it down and tries to eat it as I am putting the dish down. He is swiping with his claws out and has scratched me to the point of blood. He still blinks his eyes at me afterwards but hisses and wants to get at my hands while I am trying to put his food bowl down. Occasionally he will sit up high and stay there but he usually jumps straight down now to greet me however he is still afraid of me and particularly afraid of my hands so will lash out at them.

What is the best way to work with this? I dont think he would bite me and he doesn't try to attack me - just swipes at me but his claws are unbelievable sharp. They are like little blades.

When I change his litter he is okay - he just watches me and he is fine when I am brushing up the floor but feeding is becoming an issue as he is so desperate to get at his food he can't wait, but tries to go for my hands as he wants them out of there and away from him.

 

[Kwik]

Hi Julest

Well this is why I always begin with my finger tapping method from the get go,leaving the back of my hand by the bowl so I can graze their face and make contact asap- Colony cats are usually very grabby having been brought food with little or no physical contact so with those I always free feed ,basically overfeeding the unsocialized ferals unless they are very timid and not overly swatting

I see you don't have an upper door or a feeding door - at the shelter when I ran the socialization program for adult ferals I had my girls use a small board to block the swatty cats from rushing over if they were fearful in their enclosures but basically I removed a mesh panel and installed hinged doors for feed, had 6- 72" enclosures and 2 - 48"..the 72" inch were walk ins,very aggressive ferals had kibble dispensers for a constant food source

Since you have a feeding schedule( twice a day? Three times?) I'd suggest removing a portion of your welded wire or a small side panel next to your bottom shelf where you have your food bowl for your safety( it's simple to do with a piece of plywood)

Maybe I can find a photo- I'll try to find one.....but feeding is always how I make contact initially,I always stay by the bowl,arms hanging next to my legs with closed back of hand by dish so they get used to being next to my hands- it sort of backfired with Timmy a little because it took quite some time for him to get used to eating without my hand on his dish or getting petted- but he wasn't being readied and socialized for adoption so it's fine- Billy will likely be just as dependant on you because your his only contact as well- anyone else vist with him or feed?

 

[Kwik]

This is what I used in the 4 food enclosures without feed doors

And you can purchase feed doors but just as easy to make one with plywood

 

[Julest]

Hi Julest

Well this is why I always begin with my finger tapping method from the get go,leaving the back of my hand by the bowl so I can graze their face and make contact asap- Colony cats are usually very grabby having been brought food with little or no physical contact so with those I always free feed ,basically overfeeding the unsocialized ferals unless they are very timid and not overly swatting

I see you don't have an upper door or a feeding door - at the shelter when I ran the socialization program for adult ferals I had my girls use a small board to block the swatty cats from rushing over if they were fearful in their enclosures but basically I removed a mesh panel and installed hinged doors for feed, had 6- 72" enclosures and 2 - 48"..the 72" inch were walk ins,very aggressive ferals had kibble dispensers for a constant food source

Since you have a feeding schedule( twice a day? Three times?) I'd suggest removing a portion of your welded wire or a small side panel next to your bottom shelf where you have your food bowl for your safety( it's simple to do with a piece of plywood)

Maybe I can find a photo- I'll try to find one.....but feeding is always how I make contact initially,I always stay by the bowl,arms hanging next to my legs with closed back of hand by dish so they get used to being next to my hands- it sort of backfired with Timmy a little because it took quite some time for him to get used to eating without my hand on his dish or getting petted- but he wasn't being readied and socialized for adoption so it's fine- Billy will likely be just as dependant on you because your his only contact as well- anyone else vist with him or feed?

No, no-one else visits with him or feeds him but I really want to start to introduce this so that I dont need to be here every day for Billy. It is becoming really restrictive but I have been afraid to allow anyone else access to him in case they were bitten as Billy is still supposedly in rabies quarantine. I am not remotely concerned about rabies but I have been wary of putting anyone else or Billy in a compromising situation. He may go for someone else as it has taken 4 months for him to be good around me and even then he still swats for his food. He is fine with cleaning and everything else - just the feeding that he swats for. With everything else he watches me but doesn't rush over

 

[Julest]

This is what I used in the 4 food enclosures without feed doors
View attachment 486498

Thank you. That looks like a good option.

 

[Julest]

He really is becoming so friendly and sweet in many ways. I know he wants to be communicative and I think one of the issues is that he is partly socialized but is so feral that it will take time for him to undo the learnings of the past 3 years. He meows a lot now, is incredibly playful and is out of his little baskets and cubby's every time I am in the room. He sits close to me and watches me but in a gentle way with lots of blinks and meows. Before he used to stare at me with evil eyes -now they are curious, interested eyes. He still reacts on instinct when my hands are close though and hisses and tries to swat them if I move too close for his comfort. I feed him regularly with churros on a spoon and slowly inch my hand up as he is eating. If I get within potential touching distance though he immediately hisses, stops eating and swipes. I will keep going and hopefully over time he will get better. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[Kwik]

And I understand about his daggers- thats really an issue with the ferals,I don't know if I'll be able to trim MrTimmys claws by the year 2030 at the rate we're going so even on my lap he stabs me,they are ridiculously long and lethal -I've even tried the sandpaper for the litter box and it just makes scooping difficult

 

[Kwik]

And I understand about his daggers- thats really an issue with the ferals,I don't know if I'll be able to trim MrTimmys claws by the year 2030 at the rate we're going so even on my lap he stabs me,they are ridiculously long and lethal -I've even tried the sandpaper for the litter box and it just makes scooping difficult

Food is really a great way to get " close" but as I mentioned about the aggressive ferals and free feeding before that doesn't take away that opportunity

Like you I also use Churu,it's just irresistible to cats and is an excellent tool to use for them to get used to your hand....I put Churu on the back of my hand at first for the kitties terrified of fingers( our claws,lol) before I put it on my fingers..... boy they love that stuff

 

[Eurocat]

Hi again
I have no experience of dealing with a feral cat in a catio, but way back in my youth in the depth of the British countryside I was feeding a very unhappy feral cat outside who used to lunge at me when I put the food down.
I started wearing leather gloves and rubber boots and hissed at the cat when he lunged (This cat had previously inflicted some nasty bites on my cat (she subsequently refused to go out) and on me, sending me to the ER)) .
My hissing got the cats attention and he retreated and wellies and gloves allowed me to stand my ground. I did not put the food down until he had backed off for a second and was quiet.

This worked quickly, the cat backed off at feeding time, learned to wait, and we were consequently able to trap him easily (he was found to have health issues which obviously had made him feel very uncomfortable and thus more threatened) .

Of course Billy is in a confined environment in a catio which is a double edged sword depending on the situation. On the one hand it gives him security and a place to retreat on the other hand if you are in it with him he has nowhere to go.

It‘ll be interesting how he reacts when he‘s out of the crate, but I think now, if at all possible, is a time to start showing him what kind of behaviour is desirable in a reward oriented way.

Best of luck going forward. And I‘m sure some others here will have more suitable tips too!

 

[Kwik]

No, no-one else visits with him or feeds him but I really want to start to introduce this so that I dont need to be here every day for Billy. It is becoming really restrictive but I have been afraid to allow anyone else access to him in case they were bitten as Billy is still supposedly in rabies quarantine. I am not remotely concerned about rabies but I have been wary of putting anyone else or Billy in a compromising situation. He may go for someone else as it has taken 4 months for him to be good around me and even then he still swats for his food. He is fine with cleaning and everything else - just the feeding that he swats for. With everything else he watches me but doesn't rush over

It'd be a good time to start little visits,just ignoring him completely at first until he peeks out of his cubbies to have a look- just so he can see,hear and smell other humans come in the room and are not a threat.....it's very difficult with your own and by yourself . In the facility I had many volunteers because they were being socialized for adoption- it's hard with adult ferals but not as difficult in a permanent home with help...strangers,hmm that's another story- rofl

I do understand J Julest ,when I went in for surgery I was much more comfortable with food & water dispensers than I'd be with a cat sitter- I showed someone where Timmy would go hide and told her to just give the other 4 wet food at meal times and showed her where to leave a dish for him if I call her to go to my house,..... I chose to come home next day rather than have the sitter.

No doubt Timmy would just go hide and remain out of sight because I rarely get any visitors so there is zero opportunity to socialize him.... my little love bug,hes sound asleep with his head on my lap,love this boy

 

[fluffpaws]

Hi@Julest,
I have never socialized a cat in a catio before, but my outside colony used to swat at my hands and scratch me when I was trying to put food down for them.I got a long handled laddle and used that ,it worked really well and eventually got rid of the laddle and they stopped swatting at my hand and I could pet all of them over time.
I know W walli socialized her feral in a catio maybe she will have some advice in addition to the other great suggestions you received.Maybe you could toss a few treats away from where you are to keep him busy while you are putting his food down?
He will eventually realize that you're hands only bring him yummy food and are not a threat.

 

[fluffpaws]

Please disregard my laddle suggestion as I realized afterwards that you most likely already have his dish of food ready before opening the door. That's what I get for trying to respond while I am still half asleep

 

[Kwik]

Please disregard my laddle suggestion as I realized afterwards that you most likely already have his dish of food ready before opening the door. That's what I get for trying to respond while I am still half asleep

Lol- I was wondering what the ladle had to do with it---- I even tried to picture 2 ladles like chopsticks to hold the dish

 

[Julest]

And I understand about his daggers- thats really an issue with the ferals,I don't know if I'll be able to trim MrTimmys claws by the year 2030 at the rate we're going so even on my lap he stabs me,they are ridiculously long and lethal -I've even tried the sandpaper for the litter box and it just makes scooping difficult

yes. I was reading your posts about clipping Timmy's claws one by one and imagining how that would feel. My other cats have never had their claws trimmed but they go out and in and scratch on trees and rocks during the day. They never have them out with me either so I wouldn't know if they are sharp. Billy is a totally different story. He is happily rolling on his back playing with his mouse right now though so seems very settled in his new space.
Today I fed him no problem. When I opened the crate I just said no in a calm firm voice when he started to jump towards the food and he waited until I had put the bowl down and moved away. As it worked I said that again the next few times and he was totally fine. I am shocked.

 

[Julest]

It'd be a good time to start little visits,just ignoring him completely at first until he peeks out of his cubbies to have a look- just so he can see,hear and smell other humans come in the room and are not a threat.....it's very difficult with your own and by yourself . In the facility I had many volunteers because they were being socialized for adoption- it's hard with adult ferals but not as difficult in a permanent home with help...strangers,hmm that's another story- rofl

I do understand J Julest ,when I went in for surgery I was much more comfortable with food & water dispensers than I'd be with a cat sitter- I showed someone where Timmy would go hide and told her to just give the other 4 wet food at meal times and showed her where to leave a dish for him if I call her to go to my house,..... I chose to come home next day rather than have the sitter.

No doubt Timmy would just go hide and remain out of sight because I rarely get any visitors so there is zero opportunity to socialize him.... my little love bug,hes sound asleep with his head on my lap,love this boy

I brought my husband in to visit Billy today. I opened the crate door and showed him how to feed him and take out the litter box if I wasn't around. Billy was good. He just sat in his little box at the top of the crate while we were both there. No hissing but also no hiding. He watched us but didn't jump down. I am hopeful that if need be my husband could sort him out as long as he waits until Billy is in his cubby at the top of the crate.

 

[Julest]

Hi again
I have no experience of dealing with a feral cat in a catio, but way back in my youth in the depth of the British countryside I was feeding a very unhappy feral cat outside who used to lunge at me when I put the food down.
I started wearing leather gloves and rubber boots and hissed at the cat when he lunged (This cat had previously inflicted some nasty bites on my cat (she subsequently refused to go out) and on me, sending me to the ER)) .
My hissing got the cats attention and he retreated and wellies and gloves allowed me to stand my ground. I did not put the food down until he had backed off for a second and was quiet.

This worked quickly, the cat backed off at feeding time, learned to wait, and we were consequently able to trap him easily (he was found to have health issues which obviously had made him feel very uncomfortable and thus more threatened) .

Of course Billy is in a confined environment in a catio which is a double edged sword depending on the situation. On the one hand it gives him security and a place to retreat on the other hand if you are in it with him he has nowhere to go.

It‘ll be interesting how he reacts when he‘s out of the crate, but I think now, if at all possible, is a time to start showing him what kind of behaviour is desirable in a reward oriented way.

Best of luck going forward. And I‘m sure some others here will have more suitable tips too!

I said no today in a firm voice and Billy stayed where he was. I think he understood that I didn't want him jumping at me. As it worked the first time I said it each time I opened the crate and I had no problems. Fingers crossed he will be okay. I really dont want to be getting scratched as his claws are so sharp.