Will a feral kitten become friendly?
Feral kittens can usually be tamed if they are rescued young enough AND they are socialized properly. Feral kittens should begin their socialization as young as possible (before 6 weeks of age). These kittens typically become wonderful, loving pets.
How to get rid of older feral kittens?
For info about taming older feral kittens, see the three-part video, Tough Love: Socializing Feral Kittens, or consult Urban Cat League’s Taming Ferals! page. Mike Phillips, LVT, is the Community Outreach Coordinator for the NYC Feral Cat Initiative of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.
Is it possible to tame a feral kitten?
Those adult stray cats that were once owned, or feral cats of quiet temperament, may sometimes be tamed with patience. But a feral kitten is often easily tamed if it is captured young enough. Considering the short, miserable lives that feral cats suffer, those kittens that can be tamed and adopted by humans are indeed lucky.
Where can I find a feral kitten in my backyard?
These kittens may be anywhere — out in the country, in a suburban backyard or a city street. While taming an adult feral is a difficult if not impossible task, feral kittens can grow up to be tame cats if socialized promptly. To begin the taming process, you first have to catch the kitten.
When is the best time to adopt a feral cat?
Feral cats tend to bond with one human, so they best adjust to a new home if they are socialized with other humans before being adopted out. Kittens can be adopted out at 8 weeks or so if tamed and socialized to humans. When screening prospective “parents,” remember that the kitten will do best if there are no small children in the home.
What should I do if I find a feral cat?
Make sure that if you trap them, you get all of the kittens and the mother cat if possible. Use TNR in order to trap all of them so that they can get neutered and release, and prevent the colony from growing. When looking for the feral kittens, make sure to get them within the quiet, unseen spots, since that’s where the mom keeps them.
Those adult stray cats that were once owned, or feral cats of quiet temperament, may sometimes be tamed with patience. But a feral kitten is often easily tamed if it is captured young enough. Considering the short, miserable lives that feral cats suffer, those kittens that can be tamed and adopted by humans are indeed lucky.
Who is the best person to trap feral cats?
As a lifelong animal lover and cat owner, Rochelle has over 30 years of experience with our feline companions. She is a cat behavior expert, a colony caretaker, community cat advocate, and is often found TNRing local colonies. She once trapped, neutered and vaccinated, and relocated over 40 cats with only one volunteer to help her.
Why are feral cats better off in the wild?
When we allow feral mothers and kittens to remain in their accustomed habitat instead of confining them in the shelter, we have an opportunity to support the mother cat and her family in ways that are aligned with her needs.