Semi Feral Taken In

[bethanngrove]

Update on Jimmy, I created a cat corner for him with a tree that has a cubby. I slowly moved the futon away from the wall, a little each day to make it less of a dark place. He now stays in the cubby, occasionally goes under the futon. He's been here 36 days, I'm not sure how to progress. I try to spend time in the room. When do I try to start to reel him in? I got alittle close today for the first time since he's out of the cage and got a nasty hiss..... I have music playing constantly with purring and birds.

 

[VAMama]

Oh yay! I was wondering about Mr Futon.

Get into his comfort zone, let him hiss, and just stay right there in that space. Let him see that nothing bad happens when you get close.

 

[Furballsmom]

Get into his comfort zone, let him hiss, and just stay right there in that space.

But when you do that, don't look directly at him, because direct eye contact feels like aggression to cats like him.

Also, give him a break from the music and sounds now and then, and try some of the other cat music variations that are available on other occasions.

 

[VAMama]

With my girl, I spent a lot of time laying on the floor with her, several inches away, just talking.

 

[bethanngrove]

If anyone is wondering how my "futon hiding" Jimmy is doing....it's been since February. He is trusting me again! No longer hides when I enter his room and is ready to venture out to meet his feline family. I will finally be attempting to have him vaccinated and tested for feline leukemia next Wednesday (medicated). Wish me luck and I am hoping the meds will be enough so I can get him in a carrier. Thank you all for the advice and encouragement along the way. It's been a long haul and I was wondering if he would ever trust me again. I think we may finally be there!

 

[shadowsrescue]

Thank you for the update. I hope the vet visit goes well next week. Keep us posted.

 

[bethanngrove]

Today is the day, I hope! Gave him the meds this morning and will attempt to put him in a carrier in about 1 hour. Please pray for us that I can get him in for the necessary vaccinations and bloodwork. I'm anxious and really wanting this to go smoothly for BOTH of us : )

 

[bethanngrove]

Mission failed. I had him in but he shipped out and then, of course, was suspicious of me and I had to give up. Plan B in the works. I waited this long so what's another month...

 

[shadowsrescue]

Good luck trying again. You might try leaving the carrier set out. Place some treats inside or even a cozy bed with catnip. If you start feeding him inside or putting yummy things inside he may be less suspicious. When I had to get a cat I could not handle to the vet I bought a large carrier. Not the small kind meant for cat. My first one was tall and made of mesh. The cat loved it. It was a zipper close too. On vet day I fed him just a few morsels in his dish in the back of the carrier. He had been eating meals there daily for 2 weeks.
Once he was inside I put a sturdy cushion I had sitting nearby over the entrance while I quickly zipped it shut.

I did the same with a medium sized dog carrier.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[bethanngrove]

Good luck trying again. You might try leaving the carrier set out. Place some treats inside or even a cozy bed with catnip. If you start feeding him inside or putting yummy things inside he may be less suspicious. When I had to get a cat I could not handle to the vet I bought a large carrier. Not the small kind meant for cat. My first one was tall and made of mesh. The cat loved it. It was a zipper close too. On vet day I fed him just a few morsels in his dish in the back of the carrier. He had been eating meals there daily for 2 weeks.
Once he was inside I put a sturdy cushion I had sitting nearby over the entrance while I quickly zipped it shut.

I did the same with a medium sized dog carrier.

Let us know how it goes.

Thank you for the wise advice! I have been feeding him in a larger crate (the same one I originally caught him in). Today he went in with me standing right there so I'm sure it will work when it's time to try again. Just need to get meds again so he doesn't freak out like when I first tried to get him taken care of. Probably next month. I don't want to medicate him again so soon after this last try.