Advice from all you lovely cat people please..

moggymutt

southcoastrgi wrote: »

keep them in a cage, yeh right that's really gonna make them more loving towards you isn't it !! geeze

Oh well that's several hundred ex feral kittens that don't realise that they should not have tamed up. And that was with me having very limited time to spend on them. Funny how the ones being tamed up at the moment happily run back to their cage to be fed.

moggymutt

Debsue, whatever you do, it is an amazing thing that you are doing, many people would give up without trying.

heartbreak_star

I'd second a Feliway, and also gentle touches with a brush until they are used to being touched

HBS x

debsue

They are doing well, very playfull! They remain very clean which I am pleased about! We are taking it very slowely and this morning they let me gently strrike them when I fed them. They now come close to us and seem interested in what we are doing. I have ordered some feliway and have taken on board your comments. Thank you so much for your replies, I will keep you updated x

Tiglath

We rescued 2 semi-feral kittens at about 10 weeks; they were part of a colony living under a house, and they were absolutely terrified of people. I still don't know how DH managed to grab them but he was with the local cat rescue people who I think managed to get the lot. The girl lived in our garden and shed for several months and was fed on the back step before she became happy coming indoors. We didn't even know she was a girl for several months but fortunately we managed to get her spayed before she produced any kittens. The boy we managed to shut in our bedroom for 2 months; he spent 2 weeks under the bed but eventually became confident enough to play with a toy on a string. Each night I played with the string and bumped the toy along his back; while he was playing with it I'd gently stroke him with my other hand. He'd run back under the bed as soon as he realised it was a hand but would come back out to play, and then turned into a right fuss-monster. 5 years later they're both VERY affectionate now, and no different to our other cats. Both are very confident around other cats - I guess that's a benefit from having come from a 'large' family.

Whenever we take in new cats, we shut them in the bedroom with us - they get used to us quite quickly. Introducing them to the rest of the household can be quite dramatic though! Number 9 still isn't accepted by the others after nearly 2 years but he's quite a wuss; he bangs the letterbox to come in (thank you - yes we're ALWAYS up at 5am) but we have to carry him through to the kitchen in case one of the others looks at him. He's started to use the catflap at the back at times. Basically they all come and go as they please, and all have a favourite spot in the house.

debsue

Tiglath thats a lovely story and gives me hope. They have the run of the house as there is only my dh and myself and no other pets. they appear to become more confident each day and although they wont ley us touch them it is a pleasure to watch them play and explore.

moggymutt

Sounds like they are doing well. Well done and thank you again- glad tey are giving you so much pleasure.

spike241

I volunteer for a rescue and we had a couple of semi-feral cats come in.

One was rehomed months ago and I haven't heard anything more so I assume she's doing well.

The male, however, was terrified of people. He'd hide his head whenever we went near him and cowered when I tried to stroke him.
He's a completely different cat now. Over the months he just started to enjoy strokes. It started with a little purr and he seems so much happier now.

The photos aren't brilliant as I haven't seen him venture out of his bedroom yet but the top left photo was taken a few weeks ago.
http://www.tagpetrescue.org.uk/?p=9540

It might take some time but I'm sure they'll settle down. It's a shame they weren't socialised when they were younger though.

gunsandbanjos

Should not have clicked that link Spike! I want all the kitties, I'm definitely going to be a crazy cat lady when I'm older...

spike241

Sorry

I plan to foster when I retire. That way the rescue can have some control over how many cats I have and I can't be tempted!