There's a stray kitten in my garden...

[Michaela]

There's a little kitten in my back garden, it's young but definitely old enough to be away from mum. It's sooo cute!

It won't get close enough to me to pick it up though, I've been playing with it with some of Moppets old toys (I say old because he's so lazy and doesn't play with them any more ). It does seem to be getting a little more confident though, got quite close this evening.

We're looking for a new kitten, we lost Mitten back in November, mum said she wanted to wait until Summer before getting another. But is it silly trying to socialize this one, could it every be friendly? I get the feeling from it that if it was inside it would relax quickly enough...

Obviously if we did manage to get it in it would have to go to the vets to be checked over, though it seems very healthy, better to be on the safe side. We gave it some food earlier, I'm hoping that will convince it to stay hehe (My mum isn't sure, she says she'd rather have one we know is friendly and healthy, but I feel so sorry for it.)

I'll try and get a few piccies for you to see tomorrow, you'll fall in love hehe Rabbits are top priority in my heart, but cats are up there too, and I'm a real sucker for a kitten!

 

[Becknutt]

He/She should absolutely warm up to you! It's hard to socialize an adult feral cat, but I've found the kittens can be won over quite easily. If you haven't already I would put some food out where it can get to it, and keep trying to get him to come to you. Once he realizes your friendly, and theres food involved he'll never leave!

 

[Michaela]

Well I just lured it into the house with some food, then it sat on my knee for ages! It was very scared, but that's to be understood I guess. Poor little thing, it kept mewing, so I opened the back door for it, it looked out for a few minutes, then went outside, and just sat at the back door mewing at me! hehe

Then my dad came and closed the door on it. :grumpy:

But you know, I think we have a good chance with it! Only thing is, my neighbours' cat has disappeared and they are on holiday, we're not looking after it (we're looking after the bunnies) another neighbour is, and she hasn't seen it around for a few days. If they come home and it isn't back I bet they will take it after all my hard work.:?

 

[Bunnicula]

If the kitten sat on your lap, there is a good chance that it has had human contact in the past. We've socialized quite a few feral kitties here. (Nellie, Koko, & Yum Yum were all "wild" kittens.) It's even possible to socialize adult ferals, though that requires much more work and patience.

You definitely want to get the kitten to the vet if you intend to keep it. If it's been outside for a long time, there is a chance of fleas...which you do not want your bunnies exposed to. Should you decide to take the kitty in before you can get a vet appointment, perhaps you can house it in a garage, basement, or some other spare room for a bit. Make certain to scrub up after handling it.

Oh, I cannot wait to see photos.

Keep me up to date with what you decide. I'd be happy to pass on any experience that might help you.

-Mary Ellen

 

[ellissian]

My Casey was semi feral when I got her, she lived like a stray really in a barn. She was a little spooked when I firstbrought her homebut she soon settled down, she is a very loving cat now. Infact at times she is over affectionate.

Can't wait to see pics of this baby kittie too.

 

[Michaela]

Oh don't worry about keeping the kitten away from the buns, I'm making sure of that.

I get the feeling that this kitten has been dumped here, maybe a week or two ago, because although it was afraid, it wasn't vicious at all, and was purring a bit when I was petting it - suggesting it was a bit used to people.

I wasn't allowed to keep it inside last night. :grumpy:And I haven't noticed it about yet this morning, I hope it's ok. :?I snap some pictures when I see it.

 

[katt]

adapting a feral kitten takes lots of work, but it can be done. . .

this is acorn and spice, 2 female ferral kittens i took in about 2 summers ago that we found in our barn.

when we brought them into our home, they were not happy about it. they didn't want to be touched, or messed with, or held. they would hiss and growl at us when we approached them.

first off we got my partens dog kennel, it is one of those extra largewire dog crates. we adapted it for 2 kittens and that was there safe space. when nobody was home, they were locked in it as we have 2 adult cats and didn't want any confrontation between the babies and our older cats.

then we got them use to the idea that we were the ones to provide the food. . . once they got use to us bringing them food (it took a couple days) we started to simply force bonding. i would sit and watch tv with them in my lap. they would his and growl every time i moved, but after about 2 weeks they were downright lovable fluffies. . . it does take time, but as kittens they will change.

if you got any questions. . . feel free to ask!

 

[Michaela]

Thanks Katie! Those to are so adorable! :bunnyheart

It's great that there are so many willing to offer their help and experience. :groupparty:

I saw it this morning, it ate the food I gave it, but I haven't seen it since. I think there's a family down the road a bit trying to do the same thing, they have a missing cat right now too (a brother of the neighbours' cat I mentioned above, coincidence that they disappeared at the same time?).

I'm still not sure what we're going to do about it, I'll keep working with it if it comes back, but no one other than my little brothers share my enthusiasm. If we don't end up with this one we are definitely getting another, I forgot how much I've missed having a kitten in the house.

 

[Michaela]

Just a quick update...

The kitten still isn't inside with us, we see it about still, but we have decided we won't be keeping it. The reason for this is that the neighbours I mentioned above, turns out their cat didn't run away, it got killed on the road. They've been trying to tame it too, so I don't have the heart to stop them considering they've just lost their own.

Saying that, this doesn't mean I won't stop trying to pick it up and pet it, I may as well help in the socialisation. And we are looking out for a new kitten for ourselves now, so hopefully one will come up for us soon. :biggrin2:

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Aww that is so sad about your neighbours cat.I hope they can tame this one as a new pet.

And I want pictures of your new kitten whenever you get it!