Taming a feral kitten

[tjrusert]

Ive been taming feral cats for a long time now.  I know that the best method (at least for me) is to cause them to be interested in you first of all.  Sometimes all you have to do is sit quietly close to them.  Then you let them come to you.  Gradually you can pet them.  Sometimes I use play and/or food to get them comfortable with me.  I found an absolutely beautiful Siamese looking kitten among some feral kittens in my shed.  We keep a heat lamp on out there when its cold for the animals.  I took her pic and there are ppl really interested in adopting her and making her a house cat if I can tame her.  Ive been working with her once or twice a day for a little less than 2 weeks now.  I did tame her brother.  LOL But I have gotten her to come to me by calling her, I can play with her with twigs and sometimes even my hand and I have touched her several times.  Shes ok with me petting her until she turns and looks at me then she scampers off.  The weather here is getting awful.  The wind chill right now is 10.  Its not really pleasant for either of us out there.  I was wondering if I would ruin all of my work if I just put her in a kennel and brought her in.  And then I could work with her in my bathroom where her hiding places would be limited.  Or should I continue to go out to her?  I will do what it takes to make sure this little one has a better life.  She would be so much better off in someones house than in my shed.  

[CML2014]

WOW! She is one stunning little girl. You and your daughter are very lucky to have her in your lives. Her photo face is amazing. She may be a Himalayan, she has their long coat!

Enjoy every moment with her!

CML

[tjrusert]

I haven't been on here in a while but thought I'd update this story. It had a very happy ending. Lilah became very tame and my 17 year old niece took her and loves her to death. She posted a pic on FB showing that the kitten was sitting on her shoulder while she was trying to brush her teeth. My in-laws think she may be too tame b/c she loves to be on ppl. I made a Siamese lap cat. Lol I couldn't be happier. And they only live 10 miles from me so I get to see her and play with occasionally   She is so beautiful and sweet.

[CRSeaside]

The photos on your Profile page are so nice. I can see where your daughters get their good looks.
     The tiny Siamese. I'm surprised people aren't waiting in line for her. Such a sweet face.
   You may be able to train Ferals for a Rescue Foundation. That's what I do. The leader brings the wild ones & I call her for pick up when I think they are ready to be Adopted into new homes.

[CRSeaside]

You are amazing ! I started a thread here called the cat Whisper-er. Tell us more of your experiences. Pamela

[tjrusert]

BWT I changed my profile pic so now you can see the little part Siamese that I am working with.  :)

[tjrusert]

Im sorry that I havent gotten back to you.  I appreciate the answers that you gave me.  I love cats and dogs both too.  But Im more of a cat person.  Well, I didnt bring her in but I have been going out to play and work with her once or twice per day.  And we have made a lot of progress.  Her brother is so tame now that we even played a chasing game yesterday.  It takes a brave little kitty to have someone run toward you and stand your ground like he did.  When I would get to him, he would jump in the air and land in front of me like a ninja.  Then he would roll over so I could play with his belly.  I think I have found a good home for him.  He is a gray tiger striped kitten.  I have gotten to the point with the little Siamese, that she will come to me and I can pet her.  She is still a little nervous.  And I cant walk up to her yet.  She has to come to me.  But I scratched her back and got the butt in the air motion.  Then I was able to scratch her behind the ears and under the chin.  At this rate, I think I will be able to approach her without scaring her soon.  The weather got a little warmer so it wasnt so bad for us.  I started to rethink bringing her in at this time, because no one wants to take her during the holidays and we are leaving on a week long trip soon.  It is possible that I could finish taming her inside but I dont know how long it will take to get my indoor cats to be ok with her.  I think she is somewhere around 4 or 5 months old and my youngest indoor cat is around 5 years old.  They dont really like strange animals in the house, so I am afraid to leave her alone with them that long.  And as Im sure you know, cats are much more sociable animals than ppl think, so I dont want to tame her and just leave her in a room all alone for over a week.  And the teenager,  that will be caring for my animals while I am gone, isnt that experienced with kittens.  So I will work with her until we leave and then I will bring her in when we get back, so I can socialize her with the indoor animals and my husband before rehoming her.  She seems healthy enough and my dog protects her and helps keep her warm under the heat lamp at night.  My dog is a husky and loves the cold weather.  If we werent leaving, I would have her in the house tonight.  Thanks again for your answers.  I now feel that I can bring her in the house in the carrier when we get back.  You were very helpful.  I love doing this work.  I wish there was a career in taming feral cats for adoption.  I would do it for free, but that would be a job that I would really love. My sister calls me the cat whisperer.  LOL

[CRSeaside]

Hi. What happened w the little part Siamese ?  

[CRSeaside]

Hi. I volunteer for a foundation & work with cats. When they bring ferals, they need to capture & bring to me in cat carriers. It's a bit traumatic, but when they leave here they must travel in cat carriers too.
  Most cats do not like these carriers!
   Really, I don't think you'd be undoing any previous taming you've done. I had a little group of 3 brothers & a sister ferals. I kept them on harnesses & would clip them to the clothes line with long ropes. That way they could run back & forth, & get tuckered out.
They were getting really tame. One morning one got away. I heard my husband yelling. I ran down there & this kitten was a fur ball of teeth & claws.
I said in a stern voice- hey what do you think you're doing ?stop that right now. Walked over to her & picked her up without incident, slung her over my shoulder & walked away!  
  I'm sure you have lots of story's too!  If she's going to be put up for adoption make sure she's tame for someone besides you!
   You are doing a great job. I love both cats & dogs.  Pamela