on 18-11-2009 08:00 PM
Solved! Go to Solution.
on 19-02-2016 01:37 PM
Gary was a feral but we were able to socialise him quite quickly, but I do agree that it is not always easy to do so with all cats who have gone wild.
I'd love to try with those two though, they are gorgeous.
on 19-02-2016 01:41 PM
19-02-2016 01:54 PM - edited 19-02-2016 01:55 PM
I think it just takes a lot of patience and perserverance CC. The 2 we have came to us the same way. Their mum appeared in the garden one day and then she brought along her 2 kittens.. before we could catch her she was having another litter All of them we managed to tame from being feral cats, except the mum even after a year , though she trusted me, she stayed feral.
Once the 2nd litter of 3 littens were caught and trained to accept people.. we took them to the RSPCA where they promptly found homes for them.. but the the mum sadly had to be put down.. we named her "Bambi"
there is one 'feral' thing our 2 still do... they like to sleep high up on cupboards etc. and instead of using the floor they jump across the furniture but they are also lap cats now
I didn't meant to type 'me daughter' back there, it should be 'my daughter"
on 19-02-2016 02:03 PM
on 19-02-2016 02:10 PM
It does indeed take a lot of dedication and work, I agree. It might depend too on the personality and character of a feral cat/kitten as to whether they can be socialised and trusting again.
We spent a lot of time with Gary (real name 'Garage') winning him over. What really helped though, was we had had dealings with 'wild' cats before so were lucky to have gained some experience.
The Vet we had at the time was more than helpful in Gary's rehabilitation and we had friends who worked in a cat shelter, so it all came together thankfully.
on 19-02-2016 02:22 PM
@debra9275 wrote:morning all
hope you've gone back to bed freddie.
would they contact the people concerned do you think??
Deb, I didn't go back to bed I had an early start on things here - From what they are saying they have contacted those still living. More than likely some of the country patients staying at the place we stayed at would have been among those who received the chemo because Mr F was operated on at the end November 2012 and returned for 6 weeks radiation January 2013.
Deb the little kitten has a cute face, I can just imagine you and your Daughter doing the sneaky dinner run to feed them so your hubby doesn't see
on 19-02-2016 02:31 PM
@tasfleur wrote:It does indeed take a lot of dedication and work, I agree. It might depend too on the personality and character of a feral cat/kitten as to whether they can be socialised and trusting again.
We spent a lot of time with Gary (real name 'Garage') winning him over. What really helped though, was we had had dealings with 'wild' cats before so were lucky to have gained some experience.
The Vet we had at the time was more than helpful in Gary's rehabilitation and we had friends who worked in a cat shelter, so it all came together thankfully.
Possibly explained too by the fact I'm more a dog person. I took these kittens because some children had found them and were trying to sell them at the local shops. I dreaded to think what was going to happene to them so I bought them and took them to my vet he wanted to euthenase them but I'm stubborn and took them hom but it was alosing battle.
I've always felt bad that I didn't succeed..
on 19-02-2016 02:44 PM
By the look of the kitten it wouldn't be hard to gain it's trust, the fact it didn't scamper away and if it's allowing your daughter to touch it it would seem you are halfway there already.
on 19-02-2016 02:46 PM
Don't feel bad, you can only do what is possible and if it didn't succed, it wasn't because you didn't try your hardest, the world is a better place with you in it for what you did for them xx
We're going to get a dog when we can. For a long time now, we've been only cat people, so we've been studying up on what and how to care for a dog. Have to choose carefully because of our cats, not that they mind little dogs when friends bring them on a visit, but a resident dog will have to be chosen so carefully.
At this time, we are considering a Maltese cross, or a miniature Labradoodle or perhaps a dog that is not much bigger than a big cat. We're looking at rescue dogs first though to see what's available.
on 19-02-2016 02:49 PM
Back later, have a friend coming, they might bring their cat friendly Border Collie puppy with them; they call him "Stanley" ...