Feral cat experts - I need your advice.

[IdaBriggs]

36. We did puppies - orphaned, abandoned, abused and neglected.

Over 80 went through our home.

Keeping in mind that puppies are not kittens, we had to "socialize" some pretty traumatized babies so they could become family pets. We used the "de-sensitizing" method: we completely ignored any signs of fear, and calmly continued to behave with love, touching, and petting. This was *NOT* always easy; some of the puppies were initially absolutely terrified due to the trauma levels.



However, those babies were treated to *extra* treatments of "pick up, pet/caress, speak soothingly, touch everywhere, give nibble treats" with us "ignoring" any signs of fear, biting, trembling, peeing, etc. (and in one case, we did it nearly hourly). We did not do eye contact (with puppies, it is a sign of dominance) in the beginning, just kind of "ignored/held/cuddled/loved" without making it a drama or making our voices "squeak" with the whole "aren't you the cutest?" stuff that was *really* hard not to (especially when you wanted to "squee!" at them, if you know what I mean).

We also "tortured" them (as they calmed down) by gently massaging them/playing with their ears, tails, mouths, bellies, etc. and even gently "tugging" at those spots so the puppies would be "vet and child safe". We also quickly exposed them to as many types of people as possible - men, women, children, sizes, colors, uniformed, etc. - as possible, especially during their fifth week if we could, or as quickly as they got comfortable that we were going to keep them safe (which let them develop their natural puppy curiosity to explore/investigate/learn). Discipline was pure "mama dog" - gentle, but firm "tug/nip" on the scruff of their neck because *we* were alpha/mama/daddy.

We got extremely good at it - yeah, because we were able to help, and whimper, because we *had* to get good at it because so many needed us.

The burnout for rescue work is high - we managed to do it for several years before we hit it. I cried every time one of my fur babies went to their forever home.

As I said, the method worked very well for puppies; I have to assume that it or a variant on the theme would also work on brain washing your little kitten as to what the "new normal" is - absolute safety in your loving arms.

Good luck!