After 3 days...

[Lacey]

I finally caught the little orangie! He's a little wild child! Mowgli is definitely a fitting name for him!

And without further ado, here he is!



I just took one picture because the little guy is definitely not a happy camper at the moment. Hopefully that'll change soon. Any tips on socializing him?

[jazzcat]

Yeah! I'm glad you caught him but he does look pretty wild.

Is his back end wet?? Did he have a slip in the toliet already? LOL.

[Lacey]

Actually, that's anchovy oil from the bait I was using... He kinda knocked the plate over while he was in the carrier.

[jazzcat]

Originally posted by Lacey
Actually, that's anchovy oil from the bait I was using... He kinda knocked the plate over while he was in the carrier.

LOL!! I guess he'll have a good time cleaning himself. Call it a little gift for getting trapped.

[Laura's Babies]

Awe! Poor baby, it looks so scared.. Will drive itself crazy smelling itself until it is cleaned of that oder....Lick! Lick! Lick! Yum! Yum!

[catnapper]

Awww.. he's a cutie! Poor thing is probably scared out of his mind! Good luck, and keep us updated on any progress he makes!

[Lacey]

Yep, he is fairly scared right now - all huddled up in the corner of the bathroom counter. I've been in there a few times to try and sweet talk him, but he hisses at me when I move. That's a slight improvement though. When he was trying to hide in the tub, he went bonkers while I was in there and hopped up on the counter and kept jumping at the mirror like he could get away through that. I'm definitely going to have to get a pair of work gloves before I make him a vet appointment, otherwise I'll never get him back in the pet carrier.

[RedHedd]

AWWW! Mowgli is the PERFECT name for him! Give him time to settle down. It might take a while because he looks pretty scared right now, although having "anchovy butt" might keep him occupied for a while He's SO cute!

[Lacey]

I slipped into the bathroom for one more pic of the little guy.



He's calmed down a little bit at least.

[QueenScoopalot]

He is adorable! Do you have access to a cage at all? I keep my new ferals in cages with sheets covering everything but the front door. This gives them a sense of security, and makes it sooo much easier to handle them! I always put the litterpan and food right by the door until I can gauge the temperment. I have several large cotton laundry bags with cinch cords in which I can contain the kitties, and get them in a carrier or trap to take them to the vets. He looks easily 6 months! Not an easy age to socialize, but I have done it. Are there more in the litter or just him?

[Lacey]

No cage at the moment. But I could get one at Walmart tomorrow! Currently I just have everything breakable taken out of the bathroom and just kitty stuff in there (with litterbox and foodbowls right by the door for easy grabbing and filling or emptying).

I think he's the only one in the litter - at least, he's the only one I've seen hanging around.

[rg_girlca]

Awww poor scared little baby. Thank you for taking in and caring for him.

[kimlovescats]

How precious, yet so scared ... poor little fella! Looks like you trapped him just in time. He will come around eventually, thank you for giving him a chance!

[Lacey]

I hope so, Kim! Mowgli's still huddled on the bathroom counter. I'm not sure he moved at all last night, so I just put his food bowl up there with him (which he ended up knocking down - bowl is back on the floor). He hissed at me, but didn't try to run and hide. I would've thought he'd hang out behind the toilet since it's really the only hiding place in the bathroom. But nope! He's right on the counter.

[catcrazylady]

What a wonderful thing your doing Lacey! he is a cutie pie and I bet he will turn into a real love bug! My ferals are the sweetest cats in the world to me. They don't like strangers but with time and patience you can have a wonderful and loving cat.

I have a few suggestions that I used for trying to calm mine down. I would go and sit with mine off and on for long periods of time and I would just talk and talk to them. Don't make eye contact as they take that as threatening in the beginning. Every move you make do slow and easy. If you have time then don't try to pet him or anything just yet. Let him calm down for a few days before you approach the touching. When I did touch mine it was while they were eating some good ol' stinky canned food. I would make sure they weren't looking at me and I would gently scratch that famous spot on the back right above the tail. Pretty soon the trust started but it will take time. Lots and lots of patience and time. My last step was the shoestring! Once the kitty begins to be calm when your present then start dragging a string or toy . Eventually the young ones can't stand and start chasing and over time I pulled it closer and closer to me and would sneak in a pet or two as they went by. Eventually they ended up in my lap with a little forced petting and then back to play. They soon learned that if they "endured" the touching then we would play some more! Finally they figured out the liked it and now I can't keep them out of my lap!!!
I promise the pay off is worth the effort!!! I hope I have been of some help and there are many approaches to taming ferals. This is how I handled mine.