A neighbor's cat had been coming over and I would give him something to eat. Then a small cat would come. She was "great with child" this spring and then showed up soooo tiny and starving. Started feeding her. She is quite skittish. She has brought her 5 kittens to live in my back shed. They are pretty wild and run fast. I would really like to tame them and give them away. They are absolutely gorgeous and look to be super healthy. (How this 5 pound cat carried these kittens to full term is beyond me). They are about 2 months old I am guessing. Any suggestions on how to best work with them. I sit outside on the patio and they will come within about 3 feet to get something to eat. 1|1|maybe move the food dish a little closer each day|LindaOh|Martinl3@roadrunner.com|19:14:25|08/19/2011|
that's how I tamed a wild cat that came to my house once, it may take a while but their need for food will over take their fear hopefully Linda 2|1|Patience is the key. Two of our three cats have been feral cats and with patience they turned into the sweetest little cats. Keep leaving food out...leave it closer to you everyday. Eventually they will come to you.|Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|20:38:16|08/19/2011|
It's a great thing that you are taking care of them too :)
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa
3|2|We had some feral kittens too over the years...|sunriver|sunriver@gmail.com|22:14:44|08/19/2011|
The trick is to get them away from mama as fast as possible so do not delay! They need to unlearn what she has taught them about people. Since they are about 2 months old I might even consider borrowing a live trap from the humane society (or cat rescue) and catching them that way. They need to be brought indoors and kept inside for the best outcome.
I remember one mama feral cat that bit my leg when I tried to catch her babies once many years ago. So be careful. Her kittens wound up all being sweet (one lived with us for a whole lot of years, another went to my mother in law and a third to a friend.) All of them had long terrific lives. We moved away from the area, but I always wished I had also taken the mama in even though they would have put her down. She had a very hard life!
Lots of luck with your kitties! I hope they bring you lots of joy!
4|1|You have to earn their trust|destiny|destinyroger@yahoo.com|09:41:24|08/21/2011|
And they may never really be comfortable with you or trust you completely, it depends on how wild they are and what they've already been thru... Food is number one. Leave it and sit at a distance real quiet so that they can see you.. Get a little closer every day and never touch and then when you are able to actually sit next to them real quiet while they eat, maybe you can then just touch real slowly and then back off.. touch a little more gradually... just go slow so that they realize you aren't a threat... This has worked for me but it takes time and patience.
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