while my Smoky isn't feral, if you're lounging on the couch and he's up in the crow's nest on the living room tree and you ignore him, he'll come to snuggle with you, but if you call him or watch him, he won't
Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
MC,
I've learned so much by quietly and closely observing how kitties interact with each other. Spending time in their space pretending that you're not all that interested in them really works to pique their interest. And of course food is a wonderful motivator! Your line about "making a complete fool" of yourself made me laugh. I've been known to slink to the ground and slowly roll, belly to the sky, arms outstretched, enticing anyone who might be interested to come closer and check out the extremely large ungraceful cat!
Nina
TenHouseCats wrote:
one of the things i learned from FirstCat, who thought her job was to mother the world, was to pet ferals/unfriendlies WHILE they were eating.... cats who wouldn't let her near them would get so absorbed in eating that she'd groom them the whole time! i also have found sitting in the same space with them, with a good book, works--they WILL come up to explore you, and if you seem to ignore them, that piques their curiousity.... once one lets you touch them, if there are others, they watch the trusting one and that seems to make them more willing to give you a chance, too. i sing to them, sometimes read aloud, and often make a complete fool out of myself rolling balls back and forth between my hands, playing with feather toys on my own, etc.... leaving EVERYTHING up to them... i also very specifically TELL them that they are safe, that no one will ever hurt them again, that i am very sorry that they are scared and have had bad experiences with humans in their past... it seems to work, tho perhaps it's just that they feel sorry for this obviously deranged human.... http://www.athomevet.org/ is the website for the american association of housecall veterinarians. i don't know how comprehensive it is, but might be worthwhile checking out. i'm in an area with SIX housecall vets so i'm incredibly spoiled. in addition, i know of a couple of fixed-location vets in town who regularly do housecalls for clients with rescue populations--they just don't admit it publicly! the housecall vets here are no more expensive than regular vets, and in many cases much less as they don't have the same overhead. likewise, the fixed-location vets who do housecalls for large groups do not tend to charge a premium for that--when it's not an emergency situation. it can't hurt to ask your vet about it if they know your situation..... for ferals and scaredy-cats, you just need to herd them into a smaller space a few hours in advance! On 5/4/05, MacKenzie, Kerry N. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Thanks Nina--it's funny, they'll come up really close to me, touch me, when I'm sitting still as a statue, but the second I even slightly move--whoosh, they're gone. Last night, I sat with the dry food that they love right next to me. They did eat, but very warily, heads in the bowl. As son as I made the tiniest move, they flet. The boldest one, Flavia, came back, but this time she used her paw to get the food out ---so she could carry it off and eat it in peace. Very smart, but not progress! Kerry -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Nina Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 5:22 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: Two Door Deluxe Pet Porters for Cats/Kerry Kerry, That's what I do. Sit next to them while they eat in there until they get comfortable with your presence. Then start by just touching the door without actually moving it. If they scoot out, tell them they're silly for being such scaredy cats! Keep this up till they let you touch the door, then until they let you move the door, then till they let you shut the door. I know, I know, this all takes time and patience. When you first start shutting the door, they'll probably be pretty upset about it. Almost immediately open the door and let them run if they want. They'll come back to eat and won't be as spooked the next time you shut the door. Remember, all beings are individuals, if this doesn't seem like it's going to work, we'll have to come up with something else! Keep me informed about your progress. Nina MacKenzie, Kerry N. wrote: Thanks for that Patti. I have a Petsmart just 2 blocks from me. Have you used them for ferals? If so, is there any trick you use to shut the door REALLY quickly once they're in? That's been my big problem in the past---soon as my hand goes out to shut the door, whoosh, they're outa there.<>I guess I'm going to have to try and get them used to me sitting right next to the carriers while they eat. kerry This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail.
Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito
"My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile."
- Anonymous
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