Topic: Picking up 3 Feral Kittens tonight (Read 4507 times)

deniseb90 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2007, 10:29:07 AM »

Hi - sorry haven't been on line - have had the lurgy! Two of the three kittens are getting more used to me coming in and chattnig and feeding them. I have managed to touch one of them - but she (I'm assuming she as she has a lot of ginger in her - so possibly a tortie and white?) was terrified so I left her and will try over the weekend to pick her up in a towel. One of them is still spitting at me - they're eating well and using the litter box and I leave a radio on (some talky one) so they're used to Radio 4!!! It's been a week today - so still early days but I'm optimistic!!! They haven't attacked just hissed a lot!

D
x

Ellie · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2007, 19:43:17 PM »

Hi Denise how are you and the kittens xx

Liz · « **Reply #23 on:** January 09, 2007, 14:52:11 PM »

Couple of tips for you - try to ge to floor level us humans are awfully scarey to he little spitty things, also go with treats am a firm believer in Bernard Mathews American fried chicken - it hasn't failed in 75 ferals of various ages we have done in the last 7 years in fact thats how I worm my 20 ferals and give them other tablets as required.

Try and get them in to the cage with food ensuring you have a litter tray and hidey place for them we find a hooded bed works then try the clip on water bowl - very good as they can't tip it or walk though it.

Also if you can pick one up - scarey part get it wrapped in a towel and sit down wuith it on your lap and stroke it through the towel also with the chicken handy so that they associate it you with a treat as opposed to the big scarey human!

We currently have 20 feral adults ranging from nice to nasty - but treats work on them all but a couple are still suspicous sice we drugged them to move 150 miles! pls pm if you want to talk it is scarey to start with but the first purr is the best reward.

Try a feral aged 15 in 19 months this old hissy lady is turning in to an old dribble chops and has her own chair and wooly balnkie in our bedroom that non of the others dare sleep on and a hooded grit box with blankie in for when we have visitors she's not quite that brave with strangers but does love her food. her son in 4 and he has at least stopped flying off curtain poles and has discovered treats at bedtime with me when I cut up their meat for breakfast - yup 37 saucers every morning!

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2007, 11:14:44 AM »

Told ya i hadnt looked properly !!!

Denise this might help you - how you getting on ??

http://www.cat77.org.uk/articles/feral3.htm

Millys Mum · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2007, 17:21:12 PM »

If they are hungry put the food inside and wait til they go in, voila! They willl soon start to see the cage as a place of safety so dont feel bad about them being in there.
Its funny how something so small & cute can make you nervous! Thick gloves and confidence

Handfeeding tasty snacks like chicken will help and try to touch them whilst eating. 12 weeks is still young, its 6 months when it gets more scary, they look big enough to eat an arm!

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2007, 15:13:18 PM »

I am about 20mins up the A2 from you - Bromley

deniseb90 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:27:46 PM »

D'oh, sorry I see that your name's Michelle! I'm so blind!

deniseb90 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:20:43 PM »

Thanks so much Furbabystar (although I'm guessing that's not your real name!) - will definitely let you know. Whereabouts do you live?

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:16:15 PM »

Well the offer is there -

I am busy Tomorrow but any other day or evening would be ok
Email if you want some help x

deniseb90 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:12:54 PM »

Thanks for that - only thing is I don't know when I'll be able to get the cage!!

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:09:39 PM »

I am not to far from you -
When do you want to get them in the cage ? I would come and help you if you could wait till sunday ?

deniseb90 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:05:33 PM »

I'm in Sole Street. About 5 mins from Gravesend.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:04:38 PM »

Quote from: deniseb90 on January 05, 2007, 14:01:13 PM

Don't suppose you live anywhere in Kent do you!!! Might need a few pair of hands! It's only me and my 9 year old son, and I don't think he'll be up to the job!!!

Where abouts in Kent are you Denise?

deniseb90 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:04:04 PM »

Thanks for that - and in the meantime I shall try my best because they are soooo pretty - and must have had a rotten start - they ate like they'd never eaten before!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:02:47 PM »

Sadly not, or I would have gladly helped!! Will let Teresa and Dawn know about this, hopefully they will have some tips.

deniseb90 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2007, 14:01:13 PM »

Don't suppose you live anywhere in Kent do you!!! Might need a few pair of hands! It's only me and my 9 year old son, and I don't think he'll be up to the job!!!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2007, 13:58:13 PM »

Hmm, tricky one, will have to think about that, as I haven't had to do it!!

deniseb90 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2007, 13:54:32 PM »

I know what you mean and I wish when I picked them up last night that I had got the puppy pen too! I will definitely get one, but how on earth do I get them in it without having my eyes scratched out! Must admit, they frightened the life out of me this morning when they started spitting and hissing at me!! Remember I'm only used to Flora's kittens and they were obviously born in my bedroom and socialised!!! I'm determined to crack it though!!!

D
x

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2007, 12:39:06 PM »

Denise, I hate the thought of a cage too, but it really is the best thing for feral kittens, they have to get used to you then. I ignored the advice with my scaredy adult foster the other year, and he just hid somewhere inacessible all the time, so I wish I had the advice. And it will be a lot harder to catch them now. The rescue I foster for also advised me to have Shadow in the front room in a cage, even though my cat room was empty at the time, that way they get used to things like the TV, people walking round etc.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2007, 11:54:45 AM »

I would have thought at 12wks old you have a very good chance of taming them.

I would spend alot of time just sitting in the room with them and talking or even read a book so that they just get used to you being there.

It is prob going to be hard work and slow but fingers crossed for you xxxx

deniseb90 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2007, 09:42:52 AM »

I can get a cage - I'll see how they go over the weekend and get a cage next week. As you can imagine they're terrified and as the room isn't big at all I felt that sticking them in a cage and leaving them all day while I was at work would be a bit horrid for them (only work 3 days a week - but today's one of them!).

Ela · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2007, 09:32:19 AM »

You really will have the best chance of taming them quickly if you have a pen/dog crate. They are not very expensive and worth their weight in gold. We have loads and often lend them to people. Our local RSPCA also loans them out for about £5 a week.

deniseb90 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2007, 09:24:53 AM »

Haven't got a cage - they're in their own room (it's only a smallish room) and have settled behind some cat carriers - in fact this morning one of them was in a cat carrier. They obviously hiss and spit when they see me but when they see the food they're ok - they were obviously starving and wolfed down the food I first put down and then used the litter trays bless them.

They are ever so pretty - obviously don't know what sex they are (and won't for a while I imagine!) - I did read the messybeast article and it was great - printed it off and have been referring to it - have got thick gardening gloves at the ready!

I really hope that in time they will come round - obviously over the weekend I will have more time to sit in there with them and see how they react - I won't be touching them for a while, that's for sure!

D

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2007, 17:04:10 PM »

Denise, 12 weeks isn't too late, but it could take longer than with younger kittens. Messybeast has an excellent article on taming kittens, well worth a read. Do you have a cage you could put them in, it will be easier taming them in a cage than a room. Fingers crossed Dawn or Teresa notice this, they are the experts.

deniseb90 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2007, 11:49:32 AM »

Hi (sorry I've gone posting crazy!)

Picking up 3 feral kittens tonight. They are approx 12 weeks old (but look younger as they are quite small). I've never fostered ferals before, so any advice would be very warmly received!

I've got the indoor room ready for them - thought it best not to put them outside yet. Fingers crossed that it's not too late to try to tame them.

D

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