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Simple Simon Met a Pieman
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External
Since: Dec 12, 2005
Posts: 4
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:45 pm
Post subject: making friends with a stray/homeless
Archived from groups: rec>pets>cats>rescue (more info?)
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Hello everybody. I hope someone can give me some advice about getting a
stray to be friendly towards me. Firstly, I've not had a pet cat since I was
four years old but now after a long career away from home, I'm ready to
start living normally again, that includes having pets.
There's this stray kitty I've seen hanging around my neighborhood for months
now (I've asked all the neighbors and all say it must be a stray-no collar).
So far, the cat appears to be only afraid of humans, not the dogs across the
street (the cat likes to come around in the evening and just sit and "stare"
at the dogs for a long time). The cat has eaten the tuna I've left out for
him, but only only after I've placed it a fair distance away. The cat has
also shared my meals of sausage links and fried chicken , but only after
I've tossed it to him from 50 ft. away. I've only given him a total of four
meals so far. As I've said, the cat seems afraid of humans, but not of other
animals including dogs, so what's wrong?
I'm hoping to get this cat wanting to hang around my place and if he likes
it here, then I'd like to keep him as a pet. Any ideas how to get this shy
kitty to see me as a "good guy"? |
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External
Since: Dec 26, 2003
Posts: 101
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:45 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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I've been working with homeless cats for a long time, and I recommend that
you live-trap the cat, get him to the vet for an exam (include combo-test
to rule out FeLV/FIV), vaccination, worming, spay/neuter, flea treatment
-- and don't forget to look for an id chip in case a current owner is
involved), then confine him inside (cage or in a room of his own). If he
is someone's abandoned/lost pet, he will soon begin relating to you in a
friendlier way and will bond with you. If he is an outright feral and
wants no part of you, he can still live out his days in your backyard with
regular feedings from you.
This may sound like a pretty aggressive way to make friends, but it is in
the best interest of the cat. He will be vetted and safe while you make
his acquaintance with food and shelter and hands-on contact. Work with
your vet on evaluating the cat's temperment; try to find someone who has
experience with feral cats and a reputation for humane handling.
Campus Cats has an article of socializing shy cats (Taming the Tiger), but
our website is not in good shape right now. I could try to find that for
you if you are interested. I can also give you lots more advice on
catching the cat and getting is safely to your vet if you are interested.
Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats
Seattle |
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External
Since: Jun 10, 2005
Posts: 1507
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:33 am
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:45:49 +0000, Simple Simon Met a Pieman Going to the
Fair wrote:
> Hello everybody. I hope someone can give me some advice about getting a
> stray to be friendly towards me. Firstly, I've not had a pet cat since I
> was four years old but now after a long career away from home, I'm ready
> to start living normally again, that includes having pets.
>
> There's this stray kitty I've seen hanging around my neighborhood for
> months now (I've asked all the neighbors and all say it must be a stray-no
> collar). So far, the cat appears to be only afraid of humans, not the dogs
> across the street (the cat likes to come around in the evening and just
> sit and "stare" at the dogs for a long time). The cat has eaten the tuna
> I've left out for him, but only only after I've placed it a fair distance
> away. The cat has also shared my meals of sausage links and fried chicken
> , but only after I've tossed it to him from 50 ft. away. I've only given
> him a total of four meals so far. As I've said, the cat seems afraid of
> humans, but not of other animals including dogs, so what's wrong?
>
> I'm hoping to get this cat wanting to hang around my place and if he likes
> it here, then I'd like to keep him as a pet. Any ideas how to get this
> shy kitty to see me as a "good guy"?
Step I Keep good food and water coming. It will happen in time if
he/she feels safe. Good luck. MLB >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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Simple Simon Met a Pieman
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External
Since: Dec 12, 2005
Posts: 4
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:56 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Pleased to hear from you, mlbriggs. Will do on the f&w. Any idea how long
this usually takes? The cat sometimes looks at me as if he's trying to make
up his mind to come closer, but always opts to go away after eating; once he
meowed at me very quietly from his safe distance but I could barely hear it.
is this a good sign?
"mlbriggs" <mlbriggs.TakeThisOut@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.12.13.01.33.32.865004@nospam.com...
> Step I Keep good food and water coming. It will happen in time if
> he/she feels safe. Good luck. MLB >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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Simple Simon Met a Pieman
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External
Since: Dec 12, 2005
Posts: 4
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:26 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Thx for the helpful tips! I'm considering eventually resorting to using a
trap if I have to, but first, do you think there's much of a chance that
this cat might someday want to come to me of his own free will so that he
won't mind if I pick him up peacefully and drive him to the vet?
I'm unable to determine whether he's feral or not, but he looks well-groomed
and at a healthy weight, and seems self-reliant. He must have been living on
his own for a long time. Maybe some family left him behind when they moved?
I've seen him in an empty wooded lot near my home, socializing with another
cat, and eating from a discarded burger bag.
"Sharon Talbert" <stalbert.TakeThisOut@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.64.0512121305230.21971@homer23.u.washington.edu...
>
> I've been working with homeless cats for a long time, and I recommend that
> you live-trap the cat, get him to the vet for an exam (include combo-test
> to rule out FeLV/FIV), vaccination, worming, spay/neuter, flea treatment
> -- and don't forget to look for an id chip in case a current owner is
> involved), then confine him inside (cage or in a room of his own). If he
> is someone's abandoned/lost pet, he will soon begin relating to you in a
> friendlier way and will bond with you. If he is an outright feral and
> wants no part of you, he can still live out his days in your backyard with
> regular feedings from you.
>
> This may sound like a pretty aggressive way to make friends, but it is in
> the best interest of the cat. He will be vetted and safe while you make
> his acquaintance with food and shelter and hands-on contact. Work with
> your vet on evaluating the cat's temperment; try to find someone who has
> experience with feral cats and a reputation for humane handling.
>
> Campus Cats has an article of socializing shy cats (Taming the Tiger), but
> our website is not in good shape right now. I could try to find that for
> you if you are interested. I can also give you lots more advice on
> catching the cat and getting is safely to your vet if you are interested.
>
> Sharon Talbert
> Friends of Campus Cats
> Seattle
>
> >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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External
Since: Apr 14, 2005
Posts: 42
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:38 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Sharon Talbert" <stalbert DeleteThis @u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.64.0512121305230.21971@homer23.u.washington.edu...
>
> I've been working with homeless cats for a long time, and I recommend that
> you live-trap the cat, get him to the vet for an exam (include combo-test
> to rule out FeLV/FIV), vaccination, worming, spay/neuter, flea treatment
> -- and don't forget to look for an id chip in case a current owner is
> involved), then confine him inside (cage or in a room of his own). If he
> is someone's abandoned/lost pet, he will soon begin relating to you in a
> friendlier way and will bond with you. If he is an outright feral and
> wants no part of you, he can still live out his days in your backyard with
> regular feedings from you.
Or you could make him an indoor feral; I have several mixed in with my tame
ones. As Sharon has said, you do have to keep him in a room with no hiding
places until he gets used to being out in the open. Once he gets used to
sunning himself by the window and eating in the middle of the floor with you
in the room you can "release" him into the rest of the house. I accidentally
left my sliding glass door wide open for an hour once and not one of my
indoor ferals bother to get up off the sofa and walk across the room to
freedom. They learn where it's warm, dry, and soft.
ron
>
> This may sound like a pretty aggressive way to make friends, but it is in
> the best interest of the cat. He will be vetted and safe while you make
> his acquaintance with food and shelter and hands-on contact. Work with
> your vet on evaluating the cat's temperment; try to find someone who has
> experience with feral cats and a reputation for humane handling.
>
> Campus Cats has an article of socializing shy cats (Taming the Tiger), but
> our website is not in good shape right now. I could try to find that for
> you if you are interested. I can also give you lots more advice on
> catching the cat and getting is safely to your vet if you are interested.
>
> Sharon Talbert
> Friends of Campus Cats
> Seattle
>
> >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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External
Since: Jul 03, 2003
Posts: 660
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:14 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Fri, 16 Dec 2005 01:33:52 +0000, mlbriggs <mlbriggs RemoveThis @nospam.com>
wrote:
>This is a very interesting story. I can't help wonder what became of the
>little mother. MLB
I still think about her from time to time. I *really* wonder why she
brought us her kittens - she could have just moved them a few feet to
someplace dry, but instead, she gave them to *humans*. I wonder if
somehow she knew something was going to happen to her, and soon.
--
T.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu) >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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External
Since: Dec 26, 2003
Posts: 101
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 1:16 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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>
> Or you could make him an indoor feral; I have several mixed in with my tame
> ones. As Sharon has said, you do have to keep him in a room with no hiding
> places until he gets used to being out in the open. Once he gets used to
> sunning himself by the window and eating in the middle of the floor with you
> in the room you can "release" him into the rest of the house. I accidentally
> left my sliding glass door wide open for an hour once and not one of my
> indoor ferals bother to get up off the sofa and walk across the room to
> freedom. They learn where it's warm, dry, and soft.
>
Hey, Ron! Glad to see you haven't come to your senses yet and are still
rescuing cats.
Yes, the house feral is a fine feline; Campus Cats has a number of them.
(As tended outdoor ferals age, we bring them inside for retirement.)
I gently disagree about housing the house-feral-in-training in a room with
no hiding place, though. The cat needs a roofed hidey hole, one we can
get to if needed. A simple cat cube does the trick. (We have one with
a removable top, which comes in handy from time to time.) A tame cat
companion is a help, too, in most cases. That is, if you don't mind
playing second fiddle to your own cat.
Sharon Talbert
Campus Cats >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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External
Since: Oct 14, 2005
Posts: 2
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:13 am
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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in article Pine.LNX.4.64.0512291310310.10695 RemoveThis @homer24.u.washington.edu,
Sharon Talbert at stalbert RemoveThis @u.washington.edu wrote on 12/29/05 4:16 PM:
>
>>
>> Or you could make him an indoor feral; I have several mixed in with my tame
>> ones. As Sharon has said, you do have to keep him in a room with no hiding
>> places until he gets used to being out in the open. Once he gets used to
>> sunning himself by the window and eating in the middle of the floor with you
>> in the room you can "release" him into the rest of the house. I accidentally
>> left my sliding glass door wide open for an hour once and not one of my
>> indoor ferals bother to get up off the sofa and walk across the room to
>> freedom. They learn where it's warm, dry, and soft.
>>
>
>
> Hey, Ron! Glad to see you haven't come to your senses yet and are still
> rescuing cats.
>
> Yes, the house feral is a fine feline; Campus Cats has a number of them.
> (As tended outdoor ferals age, we bring them inside for retirement.)
>
> I gently disagree about housing the house-feral-in-training in a room with
> no hiding place, though. The cat needs a roofed hidey hole, one we can
> get to if needed. A simple cat cube does the trick. (We have one with
> a removable top, which comes in handy from time to time.) A tame cat
> companion is a help, too, in most cases. That is, if you don't mind
> playing second fiddle to your own cat.
>
> Sharon Talbert
> Campus Cats
I didn't describe that too well. I agree that a new indoor feral needs
"roofed hidey holes". What's bad is places where I can't get to them or even
find them. A bed is the worst. I reach under one side but they just scoot
out the other, when I switch sides, they just run under the bed to the other
side.
Would cat carriers make good hiding places? You could put a cat bed in them
(my cats love cat beds), and they might not feel so traumitized when they
got locked in and carted to the vet.
--
Ron Herfurth
Charlottesville, VA >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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External
Since: Jan 02, 2006
Posts: 6
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:38 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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It is not hard to understand why she brought you her kittens.
Cats can show amazing intelligence far beyond what we as humans expect from
them.
She was looking for a good home for her kittens and she found one.
Who can know why?
She and the kittens were very lucky to find someone like you.
Willee
"Ted Davis" <tdavis.RemoveThis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu> wrote in message
news:4j84q15nfv8v4r4l2gukcalv9mqr06ceoh@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 16 Dec 2005 01:33:52 +0000, mlbriggs <mlbriggs.RemoveThis@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>>This is a very interesting story. I can't help wonder what became of the
>>little mother. MLB
>
> I still think about her from time to time. I *really* wonder why she
> brought us her kittens - she could have just moved them a few feet to
> someplace dry, but instead, she gave them to *humans*. I wonder if
> somehow she knew something was going to happen to her, and soon.
>
> --
> T.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu) >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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External
Since: Dec 26, 2003
Posts: 101
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(Msg. 11) Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 2:41 pm
Post subject: Re: making friends with a stray/homeless [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Heh. When I look under my bed (in the House of Many Cats), I see a row of
shining eyes...
A carrier sometimes serves as a hidey hole. We often cage cats/kittens in
dog-sized carriers/crates to start them off, then put the crate on the
floor of the foster room and remove the door.
Sharon
Campus Cats
>
> I didn't describe that too well. I agree that a new indoor feral needs
> "roofed hidey holes". What's bad is places where I can't get to them or even
> find them. A bed is the worst. I reach under one side but they just scoot
> out the other, when I switch sides, they just run under the bed to the other
> side.
>
> Would cat carriers make good hiding places? You could put a cat bed in them
> (my cats love cat beds), and they might not feel so traumitized when they
> got locked in and carted to the vet.
>
> --
> Ron Herfurth
> Charlottesville, VA
>
> >> Stay informed about: making friends with a stray/homeless |
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