Hi,
I trapped two approx. 4 or 5 month old feral kittens 3 days ago. They were living in the crawl space under my house. I have been feeding them as well as their mom since they appeared. Mom left about two weeks ago. One of the kittens had been comfortable watching me in the yard as well as eating in front of me prior to trapping. The other was much more shy and would bolt under the house anytime it saw me. I purchased a cat tube and had been feeding them inside it. I moved it into my Florida room and after the first night of hiding under the sofa they moved into it. They didn't eat or drink anything for two days. Last night they ate and drank and dug in the litter box. I have not disturbed them while they are in their hiding spot because I want them to feel it is safe. I sit in the room and have read out loud to them and played some soft classical music for them. I knock lightly before entering the room and use the same expressions I used when feeding them outdoors before trapping. They are really scared. How long should it take before they will come out? I would like to get them to trust me enough to be able to have them checked by a vet as soon as possible. I don't want to retraumatize them by trapping them again. Don't really know if they would fall for it again anyway. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I trapped two approx. 4 or 5 month old feral kittens 3 days ago. They were living in the crawl space under my house. I have been feeding them as well as their mom since they appeared. Mom left about two weeks ago. One of the kittens had been comfortable watching me in the yard as well as eating in front of me prior to trapping. The other was much more shy and would bolt under the house anytime it saw me. I purchased a cat tube and had been feeding them inside it. I moved it into my Florida room and after the first night of hiding under the sofa they moved into it. They didn't eat or drink anything for two days. Last night they ate and drank and dug in the litter box. I have not disturbed them while they are in their hiding spot because I want them to feel it is safe. I sit in the room and have read out loud to them and played some soft classical music for them. I knock lightly before entering the room and use the same expressions I used when feeding them outdoors before trapping. They are really scared. How long should it take before they will come out? I would like to get them to trust me enough to be able to have them checked by a vet as soon as possible. I don't want to retraumatize them by trapping them again. Don't really know if they would fall for it again anyway. Any suggestions would be appreciated.