- Joined
- Aug 9, 2021
- Messages
- 12
- Purraise
- 22
Hello! I am the proud mom of a 6 y.o. feral cat named Jane. I adopted this sweet girl 5 months ago, today, from a local rescue. She'd been trapped and spayed as a kitten, but not released. All but one of her siblings were socialized and adopted out. My goal, at the time, was to find an elderly cat in need of affection, preferably one that'd been overlooked. I came across this sweet girl by accident and inquired about her story. She's lived most of her life in a large cage, located in an outbuilding. I knew, in my heart, this was meant to be, though she wasn't elderly.
Jane spent the first couple of months in a small room on the second floor of my house. Though I heard what sounded like elephants in the room, after the first week (I may have given her too many toys?), she always hid when I entered the room. That was expected, of course. After those two months, I opened the entire second floor to her, left one litter box in that room, put the other in my office, and moved the food/water to my bedroom.
To make a long story short, my little princess has adapted so well in such a short time. She is understandably still very nocturnal. The elephants tear through the second floor for hours at night and she naps most of the day. She even plays on my bed while I'm in it. She loves the laser pointer! When I leave the house, I find her peering out at me from one of her towers in the window or my office desk in another. When I return, she is waiting; when I enter the house, she runs to the top of the stairs to greet me.
She communicates beautifully with me. If she calls out from another room and I respond, she'll come running. The other day I presented her with a favorite toy and she said, "Mrrrt." My heart melted, of course.
I still cannot touch her and that's okay. I have no expectations other than making sure she is happy and safe. Petting her would just be a bonus for me.
The only quandary I have is that all this progress (eating, drinking, playing with toys, bathing, lounging, etc.) in my presence only happens if I am on my bed. The minute my toes hit the floor, she panics and hides. It appears my bed is Switzerland since she'll get up on it with me.
Any suggestions are more than welcome!
Photo: too tired to stay awake while waiting for Mama to return b/c the elephants were up ALL night.
Jane spent the first couple of months in a small room on the second floor of my house. Though I heard what sounded like elephants in the room, after the first week (I may have given her too many toys?), she always hid when I entered the room. That was expected, of course. After those two months, I opened the entire second floor to her, left one litter box in that room, put the other in my office, and moved the food/water to my bedroom.
To make a long story short, my little princess has adapted so well in such a short time. She is understandably still very nocturnal. The elephants tear through the second floor for hours at night and she naps most of the day. She even plays on my bed while I'm in it. She loves the laser pointer! When I leave the house, I find her peering out at me from one of her towers in the window or my office desk in another. When I return, she is waiting; when I enter the house, she runs to the top of the stairs to greet me.
She communicates beautifully with me. If she calls out from another room and I respond, she'll come running. The other day I presented her with a favorite toy and she said, "Mrrrt." My heart melted, of course.
I still cannot touch her and that's okay. I have no expectations other than making sure she is happy and safe. Petting her would just be a bonus for me.
The only quandary I have is that all this progress (eating, drinking, playing with toys, bathing, lounging, etc.) in my presence only happens if I am on my bed. The minute my toes hit the floor, she panics and hides. It appears my bed is Switzerland since she'll get up on it with me.
Any suggestions are more than welcome!
Photo: too tired to stay awake while waiting for Mama to return b/c the elephants were up ALL night.