I trapped a feral cat in the beginning of October after seeing her around since August. She had 3 kittens with her back then, who I saw once or twice and never again (I assume they didn't make it unfortunately... Lots of coyotes and other predators in the area). In September mama cat started coming back around, and I began feeding her dinner every night until we trapped her.
She's gone to the vet and is perfectly healthy, suspected to be about 1 year old, and-- according to the vet-- is apparently a Balinese! Not a usual breed for a feral cat, which is what initially gave me hope that I could socialize her.
We brought her in on October 5th and have since then had her in a closed off room. She started off in a cage, a couple weeks in we opened the door to the cage to give her free-roam of the room. The cage has food, litter box, and carrier inside. She only ever comes out to eat or use the litter box at night (she will also run around and try to escape through the window at night) and stays curled up inside the carrier ALL day.
I know it takes lots of time and patience, and right now I am at the point in the process where I sit with her on the floor during the day and just get her used to my company. I'm playing classical/harp music on a low volume and I periodically offer treats inside the carrier where she hides (she eats them if I leave the room). I just started spending time in the room with her a few days ago. For the first couple weeks I just left her alone but even alone in the room all day she still wouldn't leave the carrier.
Is there anything else I should be doing, or am I doing anything wrong? Or is it just a waiting game until she learns she can get out of the carrier in the day? Should I go back to leaving her alone and wait for her to come out on her own?
She's gone to the vet and is perfectly healthy, suspected to be about 1 year old, and-- according to the vet-- is apparently a Balinese! Not a usual breed for a feral cat, which is what initially gave me hope that I could socialize her.
We brought her in on October 5th and have since then had her in a closed off room. She started off in a cage, a couple weeks in we opened the door to the cage to give her free-roam of the room. The cage has food, litter box, and carrier inside. She only ever comes out to eat or use the litter box at night (she will also run around and try to escape through the window at night) and stays curled up inside the carrier ALL day.
I know it takes lots of time and patience, and right now I am at the point in the process where I sit with her on the floor during the day and just get her used to my company. I'm playing classical/harp music on a low volume and I periodically offer treats inside the carrier where she hides (she eats them if I leave the room). I just started spending time in the room with her a few days ago. For the first couple weeks I just left her alone but even alone in the room all day she still wouldn't leave the carrier.
Is there anything else I should be doing, or am I doing anything wrong? Or is it just a waiting game until she learns she can get out of the carrier in the day? Should I go back to leaving her alone and wait for her to come out on her own?