by Carla White

Created on: March 04, 2011

Taming our feral kitten was a fascinating experience. A carefully timed combination of patience, gentle persuasion and humor did the trick. You will learn a lot about your feral cat’s personality through observing, trying one thing, noting the reaction, and employing new strategies as progress is made. Discovering that this cat had a sense of humor was a thoroughly delightful surprise, revealed her innate intelligence, and remains an aspect of her personality that we enjoy every day.

A co-worker had discovered a very young kitten flitting about her porch, got her vaccinated, and provided her with food and a cozy cage while searching for someone interested in adopting her. All of the kitten's litter mates were found dead nearby, with odd little holes in their necks. It seemed this remaining kitten had strong survival instincts.

Luna weighed 2.2 pounds and was about 7 weeks old, by the veterinarian's estimation, when we brought her home. The first order of business was to show her the litter box (always). But she was terrified and immediately raced into the living room and set up camp behind the couch, completely out of the reach of human hands.  I have read plenty of recommendations that you set up an enclosed area for such cats when first bringing them home, but I have never ascribed to that. They choose they’re own lairs.

We had kept a couple of toys her rescuer had given her, so I put those near the couch where she could see them, and placed food and water bowls there as well.  Over the first day or two it was clear she was eating when we weren’t around, since the food was disappearing.  There was also activity in the litter box.

My husband had only ever had one cat before – a wild adult cat who moved into my husband’s office in a barn many years back. He was disturbed to have a kitten who seemed like she would never become socialized. I encouraged him to be patient - she just needed time and the right combination of privacy and attention.

Over the days I began moving her food and toys farther and farther from the couch. She progressed to the point where she was willing to tip toe out to eat while we were near by. Loud noises and sudden movements would send her flying back to the couch, so we found ourselves sliding silently through the house for a couple days, not playing music, afraid to sneeze. This became tiresome, and bit by bit we resumed our normal movements and habits. Luna progressed (relaxed) enough that

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