Tough Love: Socializing Feral Kittens (Part 1 of 3)

[elrenaud888]

Thank you so much for this video series. I've been losing the battle with 3 feral kittens I've had for over a month. I just didn't know what to do. This morning I started with the food on my finger & all 3 took it off my finger. The wildest one even let me pet him/her after a couple of hours. Incredible progress. I was so discouraged but after such rapid progress this morning, I think my 3 kittens will adjust. Thanks so much for the info and encouragement you gave me!!

[TheAnimallover81]

Everything in this video is all true!!! :-). Your an awesome vet!!!! Thank you for doing what you do, your have a soft heart :-)

[MrsAliminiaentli]

Thank you SO MUCH for these videos! We adopted a three-month semi-feral a week ago and were worried he might never come around, as the animal shelter lied to us about his history (only found out after the adoption) and he would not come out of his hidey hole all day. With your tips we've already got him at the "petting while he eats" stage and have new hope that he might still be young enough to be socialized! Thank you sooo much for the brilliant advice, and bless you for the work you do!!!

[79barkingspider]

This video is a terrific service. Some of the viewers may think that feral cats are unhealthy, but while they may suffer from health problems, they are often very well fed. If kittens/cats don't socialize well enough to adopt them out, an alternative (maybe not in NYC ;-) ) is to make barn cats out of them. Spay/neuter, medically check out, try to socialize them, and then adopt them to somebody on a farm or ranch who is willing to care for them, but leave them outside.

[puffledude101]

me and my friend are getting feral kittens, we are going to my other friends naberhood which has a ton of kittens. We are getting to, my friend has a big cage where wild animals like coyotes and hawks and stuff cant get it, or my dog. Her worker person is making a mini house with heaters and its like a dog house for kittens. We are keeping them at my house. We are just planning right now put we know people who can give them shots for free and i think this plan will actually work!! Cant wait!

[dahianamorilla]

aww

[johntitorlives]

I really hope lots of cat lovers will watch these videos. There needs to be more emphasis on adopting feral,semi-feral and shy kittens-teens and adult cats and let the ADOPTERS do the socializing. In the right home with enough time and patience, these cats can end up being like any other house cat . I am an avid rescuer/TNR person and I think people like me should not be spending our time taming a lot of these cats, the teens and adults, when we could be out there doing more TNR.

[LadyLatias]

We got a little stray kitten a few years ago, I don't think he was feral, but more likely abandoned. Anyway, he has NEVER really been comfortable using a litter box but was more comfortable to do his business in the shower or outside. Why is that?

[NecessaryKnowledge]

You can’t beat OFF® around cats with fleas!

[amaddb04]

Thanks for this video! Just trapped and saved 4 feral kittens this weekend after their mother was hit by a car and killed.

[GirLInSecondLife]

Bless you for this charitable effort on behalf of poor starving animals.

[LadyLatias]

@jessica56786789 Saddly, yes, willing hunting and killing the animals would help reduce population numbers... A lot of rescue agencies are often forced to put down the older animals if they can't find homes for them as well.

[MyMoppet52]

Your video is wonderful!!! I have a different area so have had to come up with a few different things. I had an extraordinary colony & many 'went tame' on me. I even had 2 one & half year olds come in! They decided. All were vetted, chipped, fixed & those who wanted socialized were taken in. Eventually placed. Thank you for this video. Thank you for your work. The animals thank you also!

[pamelapap]

MEOWTASTIC!!!

[krnxpridex]

i got cocky and tried to touch a 3 week old and it bit the shit outta me

[JessClearwater]

I just took in 4 ferals lastnight. They're about 6weeks old and they shake every time I get close to them. I'll be watching this video a LOT I think! Thanks so much for posting this!

[MyMoppet52]

@JessClearwater I always put them in my bathroom & fed them there also. That was their room until they got comfortable. When feeding, sit with legs up and hand hanging down, palm out. Stay still. Soon they will come check you out. Soon as in a day or 3. When they start rubbing on back of your hand as it still is hanging, they will soon like petting & will be crawling over you for love. Only problem. They think the WC is a special bonding place & will visit you. Baby talk & no eye contact at 1st

[gaydanzig]

these feral kittens are very adorable. and you are obviously a very kind and patient person. not everyone can do what you do.

[Lakis177]

2 hours per day ? no wonder it took so long.

just sitting in the cage and look the other way would help

[TheRivalConcept]

detergent and in dishliquid? but doesnt that cause skin allergies in animals that can be permement?

[mooncat1965]

last summer I was feeding a neighborhood mama and her 3 kittens. I spent quite a bit of time working with them, and successfully socialized the two female kittens. One of them is asleep on my bed right now! I looked for her sister but she's out and about tonight. Watching him hand feed the kitties reminded me of the doing the same over the summer. It can be done! Hoping to find them forever homes ASAP.

[MrJoedonbaker1]

You are a caring person. Thanks for sharing. i've cared for 2 liters and got them adopted to good homes and cared for the moms (and got them fixed humanely).

[mystiqueboutique]

i love people like You...wow You re an angel.....fixing up a mess after other irresponsible idiots who do not spay and neuter so  there is 3 milions cats everywhere

thank YOu so much !!!!

[deniseguzzardo]

we found a litter in our barn years ago.. One kitten bit through my fingernail LOL

I put them one by one in a dry bathtub because then they couldnt get away ..They calmed down when the food supply arrived LOL no biting after that

[LeahWrigley]

Wow! I am fostering 3 feral kittens right now with PAWS Chicago and this video was extremely helpful! Thank you! :)

[naeria]

I have a feral kitten in my bedroom right now. She's about 7 weeks old and very afraid of humans. We have been doing steps similar to what is in the video. However, when we try to feed the kitty with food on our finger, she doesn't know that she is supposed to lick the food and will end up biting us (not on purpose) but both I and my boyfriend have been accidentally bit. Does anyone have any advice?

[bridgendesar]

Yes, excellent video(s), I loved the "crack cocaine" (vid 3) reference.

I found my own version which is chicken in white sauce.

But be warned, they like it so much that they try and eat your finger too !!

[BallPythons98877]

Thanks for posting this video i just rescued a stray feral kitten your lucky yours were like eeeeeehhh mine hissed and scratched but i am just going to keep her/him in a huge dog carrier for now please respond if you have any tips

[lovebirds360]

awwww

[uschimyers]

I wish I had this video when I socialized my ferals. But I was successful anyway. I fed them daily and just stood there every day and slowly came a little closer. One day the hisses turned to sniffs and that's when I started to "accidentally" brush my hand by them. Make a long story short: I have 3 love bugs at home who use me as a couch. One adopted at 6 months, the other 1 year, the next at 4 years!! All sisters but they took their own time. It can be done!

[henleyst]

I just came across your EXCELLENT video!! I will share with all my friends on Face Book. I took on a rescue project of a large feral colony in February of this year (have rescued/removed 63 so far) and only wish I knew of this video sooner. I've begun a Face Book profile entitled, "Save Leadwell Kitties" and the support is growing. THANK YOU for all you do to help these beautiful creatures.

[manyca]

@henleyst Good work! Thank you for everything you're doing to help those cats. Google "NYC Feral Cat Initiative" for more info and resources on TNR and feral cat colony care.

[henleyst]

@manyca Thank you, I will & share with others!

Just a friendly F.Y.I.

I've been doing something that is very similar to what Ceasar Milan does with timid/scared dogs. While I'm working with them, socializing, getting them to eat from my hand, then on my lap, then touching while they're eating, I actually lift their tails up because they're usually tucked tightly under their bellies for protection. Sometimes I hold them straight up and the cat is confused and keeps looking back.

[henleyst]

@manyca

I'll even follow them around holding it up and they're not sure what to make of it. But, would you believe, within a very short period of time, they begin to like it and openly demonstrate more trust. I think their tails are up when they're playing alone in the bathroom, for example, with all their pals, and feel safe & carefree. So, I try to recreate that feeling while they're with me. Guess what? No more tucked-under tails! ;)

~Rhae in LA <3

[jessica56786789]

@manyca i found a kitten i adopted shes now 4 months old shes very feral and its hard for her to get use to me i spend time with her and bring in treats and she still hates me what do i do

[mostviralvideos]

My gf and I have been able to socialize 5 wonderful kittens in great part due to this video. Thank you UCL and the vet guy in the video.

[MelnStarscream]

That is a awesome vid, very instructive. Thank you for the awesome works you are doing for those kitties. It's great of you.

[NiagaraAnimalAllies]

awesome! Thank you!

[2ndrowsista]

Thank you so much for creating & posting these videos. I had a feral mom & her 3 kittens under our deck and didn't have a clue what to do. I was feeding them outside but they would run when they saw me. Finally caught them all with a catch/release cage, had the mom spayed, & she has been adopted by a very patient friend :-) Moved the 3 mo. old kittens into a bathroom. After 4 days one even lets me hold her! This process works! The key is to use a catch/release cage & remove the mom.

[eddieinbeddie]

i had a cat today off this woman nwho said she was anice fussy clean cat, lying bitch! the cats very agreesive and first thing she did was wee and poo on my bed. my other 2 cats were never like that so im in two minds what to do i cant have a nasty cat around my son. and i exspecially have a dirty cat. im going to give it a few days but does anyone know what i should do?

[manyca]

@eddieinbeddie Your first step should be to contact the woman you adopted this cat from and ask for her advice. Find out the cat's history. Has she done this before? Has she ever used a litterbox or was she from outside? If you currently have other cats you should give the cats time to adjust to each other and maybe keep this cat in one room with a seperate litterbox just for her. Your other cats and her can sniff each other from under the door and gradually get comfortable with each other.

[manyca]

@eddieinbeddie Do you have dogs? She may have been afraid of your dogs or other cats and was afraid to go in the litter box. Is she feral or can you pet and pick her up? When she pooped on your bed was it diarreah? If so she may need a few days or longer adjusting to the new cat food or if it continues she may be sick and will need to go to a vet. Do not yell at her or raise your hands, this will only make her more scared.

[manyca]

@eddieinbeddie I suggest giving her time to settle in and being gentle with her, speak in a soothing, kind voice. If you have other cats in the household, she may need her own litterbox if they bother her when she goes to the box. Or else you can try putting the box in a location or behind a screen so she feels some privacy and no other cats or dogs can get to her or notice her and bother her when she is trying to go.

[jessica56786789]

@manyca i need help this white feral kitten i found in july she was like 5 weeks old i believe stubbled in my yard because i have a female cat thats 2 years old and probly thought it was her mom i took her in and took her to the vet shes fixed and well but its very feral she hisses alot when i pet her and its very hard to tame its now september and shes still not use to me

[jessica56786789]

@manyca i need help this white feral kitten i found in july she was like 5 weeks old i believe stubbled in my yard because i have a female cat thats 2 years old and probly thought it was her mom i took her in and took her to the vet shes fixed and well but its very feral hisses alot what do i do

[jessica56786789]

i found this feral kitten i adopted shes fixed and well but she hisses alot and idk what to do shes more like bipolar shes now 4 months old

[manyca]

@eddieinbeddie If another animal disturbs her when she is trying to use the box, she may look for other locations to go. But your first step is contacting the woman you adopted this cat from.

[MyMoppet52]

@manyca I placed many ferals and over 30 feral kittens in 14 months. My area is much different than the city so I had a few different tips. I always fed my cats and kittens in my bathroom. (I live in an apartment and am not allowed more than one pet. One time I had 11 babies in my bathroom!) I would have a separate litter box for her in the bathroom. I would keep her in a separate area...such as a bathroom...for several days to a week. When I fed them, I would prop up my legs & let my hand ...

[MyMoppet52]

@manyca pt. 2...I would let my hand dangle down as they would eat. When they started coming to me and rubbing on the back of my hand, I knew they were close to a big social break through. They wanted human affection!!! I never had any animal not use the litter box. We did TNR and I would have perhaps 8 or more totally feral cats in my place at once, after their surgery. None of them had bad potty habits! They were vetted and micro chipped. Try the private room for feeding & living. Vet her.

[wachakid]

Hey dude i found these cat family in my friends back yard.. they kittens are starving.The mom cat scratches and bites every time we try to get close. what should i do to help them?

[manyca]

@wachakid The mother cat may be feral or she could be a friendly cat protecting her kittens. Your first step should be to contact your local humane society and see what programs and assistance they offer for outdoor cats and kittens.

You should provide plenty of food and clean water for the mother cat and a warm shelter with straw if possible.

[manyca]

@wachakid If they seem skinny to you, they may just be very young, they may be sick or the mother cat may not be getting enough food or making enough milk, I could not tell by an email. You could take them to the veterinarian but then you would have to keep them and not put them back and if they are too young to eat and defecate on their own you would have to do this all day and night until they are old enough to do this.

[manyca]

@wachakid Staying with the mother cat is their best option. I would take them in and socialize them at six weeks and get the mother get spayed and put back if she is feral or adopted if she is friendly. You should contact your local animal shelters to see who they have working with feral and outdoor cats and see what assistance they can offer you.

[manyca]

@wachakid You can also find people on the feral network section of the Alley Cat Allies website.

[stavvve]

Thank you god for people like you!! Thank you, thank you for doing what you do!!

[mariastorto]

I found a feral cat, rather a feral cat found me. I've been feeding him and building a bond. He now comes when I call him, waits for me to get home, allows me to pet him as much as I want, eats off my fingers, etc.. This is a big step considering I"m slightly scared of cats. I plan on taking him into the human society to be spayed and released. However, my fiance is getting re-stationed in 3 months and I hate to think what will become of my little buddy once I leave. Any suggestions?

[manyca]

@mariastorto Can you take the cat with you? Is he tame enough to move indoors?

[mariastorto]

@manyca We are both allergic to cats and will be abroad for 2 months. I think he is tame enough to move indoors. But I have to admit, while I'm an expert dog owner, I have no clue when it comes to cats. PS - These videos have been very insightful and a great help! Thanks MANYCA.

[Goochie12345678]

Great Video,

We are fostering feral kittens from the SPCA and I was wondering if it is ok to keep them in a bathroom? We go in the bathroom and give them attention frequently, they are around 6 or 7 weeks old.

There are two of them and they are female. Thanks

[ctbatboy]

These videos were invaluable to me when I caught a feral kitten a year ago and I had no idea of how to tame it. Between watching these videos and advice that Mike gave me through email, I was able to win Newt's trust and make her a happy and sociable part of our family. I recommend these videos to anyone who is trying to gentle a feral cat- and the techniques outlined really do work!

[equarg]

I captured a wild tom (about 5 years) in a cat trap. After a week in a basement bathroom and socializing I had him neutered. I planned to release him ASAP but he had a benevolent mass in his ear and so I have to medicate it for 7 to 10 days. But now he is locked in my room so he can get used to my presence and calm down till release. He learned to purr yesterday and today I learned that blankets are nicer then under the bed.

[butterfly50119]

Thank you so much for the work you do. Having people like you, makes the world

a better place!

[Thewolf421]

6:48 to 6:53 cats like hey give that back!

[RoseMaddison]

I socialized feral kittens at 3 weeks. Their mother (now spayed) was and is feral. My current batch of kittens has had no contact for the first 2 months of their lives, but their mother knows me and loves me. I've held one of the five kittens. He squirmed, but no biting or scratching. The others will get close to me, but mostly they're still watching me. I think I'll be able to handle them, though.

I'm hoping to find them homes. The shelters around here are all full.

[narsissiques]

We're in the process of working with a local organization to trap and neuter a litter of 10 that we're hoping will be adoptable with time. This video helps immensely, thank you!

[Celestia424]

My cat was about 3 1/2 months old when I found him. About the same size as these kittens. He became "socialized" quite quickly, within a couple days, but when I found him he was so starving and ill (he had kitty flu, tons of fleas, worms, and ear mites) that he basically wolfed down some food and then slept for almost 24 hours. After that, I think he decided to trust me, and now he's the most wonderful pet! I really admire people like you who can save kittens like him all the time!

[onewomanandsomesongs]

I have two adult ferals who took up residence in my yard a year ago. They will NOT let you pet them, hehe. But I've gotten used to it...they are true ferals. If they were kittens, I might have had a chance with them. I feed them every day and provide water...they are very timid and sweet. One of them is now allowing me to sit near her though, and she meows at me, so I've made a bit of progress. :)

[twocentsCanada]

Great video - thank you for making it . It's great that you're helping to get kittens adopted.

[xsilentguy23x]

my feral cat along with me and he think i am his mother ..i found him outside street all four so thin bone ..i feed them then one keep is mine other 3 kitten to humane place ..every 3 hour feed milk to kitten grow fine with me ..he seem no problem at all.

[Rubystars1000]

I tamed Casey, Tiger, Serena, and Miss Kitty with lots of gentle handling.

[Dymanska]

I had a 3mnth old feral kitten come into my yard. After a month of feeding I closed the door and let it get used to living inside with us. He was scared of our footsteps and hissed when I tried to pick him up or pat him. After watching this video and adopting the tips shown, he is hardly scared of us. He is now 5mnths and LOVES when I pat him and comes when I call him. He jumps on my lap and lets me kiss his face and even hangs around with the dog now!

[MinaMcKay]

You really are a hero. I have a cat who was born semi-feral (not sure what the semi means) and she was put in foster care (by Vokra) and socialised. Shes a loving cat to me but to this day, she wont let anyone else near her or touch her EXCEPT me. Shes also fairly intolerant of other cats. She wont fight with them but she just hisses. Do you think theres anyway my cat can learn to accept other people touching her besides me, so she doesnt yowl or hiss? Shes 7. I just wish she was fearless.

[mmjamie18]

Thank you so much for these videos! This is great information, and really helped me when I pulled three feral kittens to foster. And I can't even explain how great that meat baby food works!

[MuSiCdOgFuNnY]

heyy Mayor's Alliance, my name is Alex and i just found a kitten who is about 5 weeks out, it has an infection in his left eye, and i don't know if he has fleas....do you have any suggestions on what i should do??i have been keeping the eye clean....but i don't really know what i should be doing...

[manyca]

Please take the kitten to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

[MuSiCdOgFuNnY]

heyy Mayor's Alliance, my name is Alex and i just found a kitten who is about 5 weeks out, it has an infection in his left eye, and i don't know if he has fleas....do you have any suggestions on what i should do??i have been keeping the eye clean....but i don't really know what i should be doing...

[eddiekonczal]

This video was a huge help when I fostered a little kitten rescued from a feral colony. It was not easy, but I stayed with it, and we ended up adopting her!

[UnsociableZombieFoxx]

You sir, are an everyday hero.

[peytongirl]

You're fantastic to take care of innocent cats! Loved the video. Very helpful. Thank you!

[FallingLikeAlice]

What a lovely idea for a set of educational videos.

Keep up the good work!

My little darling was a rescue cat, so rewarding to adopt. He gives me endless love, and is a great companion.

[Twilightgurl25]

i need advice we have had this mother cat living in ou backyard with her older son/or daughter a few days ago i saw tht she has concieved 3 more kittens but yesturday morning one of the kittens drowned in our pool how do i get in contact with the mom or kittens

[sonyawinder]

My family and I just took in a feral kitten. It's only been two days since we brought him in and he's already trusting me enough to eat near me. We've had our moments of trying to hold him, but after watching this video we've realized that we need to wait and let him trust us more before picking him up.

Thank you so much for this video.

[manyca]

What are you worried about?

[AlienDragon]

Good advice, those kittens are cute.

But...were those cats just exposed to DEET in the beginning when he sprayed himself with OFF?

[Egag2000]

be careful feral cats can become wild again after taming it.....

[couturefruityy96]

egag2000, i believe that is only with wild animals. feral cats are just regular domesticated cats that just happened to be raised stray and wild. they won't become wild again after being tamed. imagine your own cat or the cat of somebody you know... if they were feral, they'd be like that to. didn't it require training to get a well-behaved cat? this is not much different.

[Gloc998]

hmmmh... just askin... what is the food at 2:24... is that ground beef..???

[omgmypony]

It's canned cat food.

[TexazABN91]

what is a "feral" cat exactly?

sry may b a dumb question...

[JacketTalent]

Feral means "wild" or "untamed" and feral cat refers to wild house cats. In other words, they grew up in the wild and were taught by their mother to fear humans.

[busafwine]

do you try to capture the adult cats and socialize them and get them off the streets? It is possible.

[nowpitching22]

God Bless you for your hard work with these precious creatures.

[soccerinjuly]

my cat grow up very well!

[TheOobster]

I have 3 under a year old ferals in my yard now. I only managed to get one of a litter of 4 when they were about 5 or 6 weeks. She came out of the woodpile sweet and loving, but the others I could not catch. I have been feeding them, and they come right up to me and let me tap their noses or scratch the top of their heads a little....but they wont allow any other touching. Is it too late for them to be tamed?

PS - Dawn dish detergent is DEATH to fleas!! Its the best

[smetlogik]

i know this is a late comment, but if you didn't get a chance to tame them, you should definitely trap/spay/neuter, then re-release.

[Jessiqua42]

Thank you.

[metspride2121]

what a good job. People like you should be rewarded. You should post more info about yourself and your groups to draw and alret more people to your cause.

Simply,

good job my friend

[lkijju]

Lovely video. I so admire people like you and your team. Keep up the good work.

[puffpuff1013]

Hi, I just wanted to say thanks for putting out this video. My boyfriend and I found four kittens that were very feral that were a couple of months old. I think the best thing we did was only feeding them by hand. They especially liked the Gerber food you suggested. Also, one thing we found that rapidly changed their behaviors was by picking them up by their necks and pulling their necks while being fed. Once we did this they were all purring and loving it! Thanks for the tips!

[kristenklo]

I enjoyed this video. I have 6 feral kittens I have captured in my sun porch. I am working with them but have no idea what I'm doing. Hoping to make more progress daily

[xoxoilybaby]

awe. i just found 4 kittens under

my shed today. they are very tiny. they can

eat solids, they clean themselves and each other & they are playing. i think theyre between 5-6 weeks. ive got one that loves being pet already but the other 3 for kinda pissy. i hope to find good homes.

[Dragonoftheball]

Helpful vid thanks :)

[limitedplay]

I have some in my garage. I caught two and one squeezed through the bars in the cage and the other one bit me. I dunno what to do they are all locked up in my garage!!!!!!!!!!!

[marydet89]

What kind of bleach should I use?

[catclaud]

Hey, that's part of my job too at the shelter I work!!!

Great to demonstrate this, these cats can find nice homes after socializing.

[747er6]

That makes me wanna cry );