We've been caring for a female feral for four years. We first found MaMa in our backyard shed with kittens four years ago in May. We trapped her with a humane trap and had her fixed after the second litter.
For 2 1/2 years she hid under the deck and only came out after we put food in the shed. Then she began to stay in the shed but up in the rafters. She began to "talk" to us when we put the food down. About a year ago she surprised us by coming down and watching us put the food on the counter. Approximately six months ago she started to actually come over to where the food was while we were putting it down. Then my husband decided to leave his hand on the dish while she ate. We've done that for a while now...just holding our hand perfectly still while she ate. Once in a while she'd stop and sniff our hand. Sometimes she'd realize what we were doing and get freaked and run to the other side of the counter. We constantly "talked" to her. Finally, about two months ago my husband started petting her while she ate. She'd get freaked from time to time, but he never gave up. He'd wait for her to come back to the dish. Now we can pet her every morning while she eats. I never thought we'd ever get this far with her. It's taken four years, but we now consider her our outside cat. I think she would have been a wonderful pet if she had only been socialized at a young age. We both love her and consider her "our" cat. I think she considers us "her" humans.
Don't every give up on these cats. Right now I don't think we'll ever be able to pick her up or hold her on our laps, but I never thought we'd ever be able to pet her either. What do I know?
Betty
For 2 1/2 years she hid under the deck and only came out after we put food in the shed. Then she began to stay in the shed but up in the rafters. She began to "talk" to us when we put the food down. About a year ago she surprised us by coming down and watching us put the food on the counter. Approximately six months ago she started to actually come over to where the food was while we were putting it down. Then my husband decided to leave his hand on the dish while she ate. We've done that for a while now...just holding our hand perfectly still while she ate. Once in a while she'd stop and sniff our hand. Sometimes she'd realize what we were doing and get freaked and run to the other side of the counter. We constantly "talked" to her. Finally, about two months ago my husband started petting her while she ate. She'd get freaked from time to time, but he never gave up. He'd wait for her to come back to the dish. Now we can pet her every morning while she eats. I never thought we'd ever get this far with her. It's taken four years, but we now consider her our outside cat. I think she would have been a wonderful pet if she had only been socialized at a young age. We both love her and consider her "our" cat. I think she considers us "her" humans.
Don't every give up on these cats. Right now I don't think we'll ever be able to pick her up or hold her on our laps, but I never thought we'd ever be able to pet her either. What do I know?