New fosterer - feral kittens.

[Cat_warrior_84]

Hi there.
I've recently started fostering cats for a local rescue. This week they asked me to take on 3 kittens (10-12 weeks) that had been unexpectedly surrendered that day and were in need of socialising. They had been told that the kittens were skittish but not unused to humans.
This turned out to be massively incorrect.

So as a noob to the fostering game, they were let out in a small room (our previous foster is in the cat room, waiting for the new owner to collect) and immediately they ran and hid. So I'm thinking that they've had a stressful day and left them to it for a while. Later that evening I tried to at least identify the sex of the 3. I was wearing one leather work glove 'just in case'. I only managed to identify one as a male, the least aggressive of the 3. The 2nd one attacked me and bit through a nail, the 3rd wedged itself between the curtain pole and the ceiling.

So, after a bit of research online, I went back to the rescue and got a large crate (5ft × 3ft) and as soon as our other foster moves on, they will be relocated in to this. I have slso got a smaller crate or 'social box' where I can transfer them to, to try and get them used to touch.
Currently I am spending time sitting in the room with them, but they are literally shaking whenever I go in.

So my question is, as these cats have been taken from a feral colony, have I missed the window for rehabilitation? Everything I've found online seems to suggest that after 8 weeks their behaviour is pretty much set.

Also what do rescues (in general) do with untamable cats? I know it would be a generalisation, but would they usually be returned to the colony? One of them is very long haired and already matted (priority 1 to sort out) so I don't think he could be out in the wild.

Also any advice about how to go about helping these guys would be most appreciated.

Cheers

[booktigger]

It's hard to say whether they can be brought round or not, I've had some at that age that have and some that haven't - what I have found though, is the more kittens, the harder it is to socialise, I had one litter of 3 kittens that had been brought in as 6 week old kittens, 2 were homed, and then the third went from being standoffish to lying on my chest with her head under my chin as soon as I sat down! I wouldn't make grooming the longhaired one priority 1, as it could set him/her back, do you know what age the rescue neuter kittens? As for what would happen to them if they didn't come round, that depends on the rescue and the circumstances, but the longer they are in a home, the harder it would be for them to be put back outside (part of the reason I had to keep my semi feral foster cats, they seemed to be coming round and once we got to stalemate, the 'kitten' had spent more of her life inside than outside, and is longhaired and doesn't seem to understand grooming).

[Mollycat]

I haven't any helpful experience but just to say there are plenty of cases of adult and even elderly ferals that turn into massive cuddlebugs.

Would it be an option to get the matted one clipped? Just to give you a little breathing space in which he is comfortable.

Also, I would make all contact with you positive and not go straight for physically handling but work towards gaining their trust first.

[Cat_warrior_84]

Thanks for your replies.

I only have them until the 16th and I'm thinking after that they may be split up to continue socialising. The rescue initially thought they would go straight up for adoption after that, but we were all misinformed. I think if they had known, I probably wouldn't have been asked to take them, as I'm so new to this.

I think the one with the long hair has probably got the best chance from what I've observed so far. He is the only one who is showing interest in food while I'm in the room.
He seems similar to the one you mentioned as he doesn't seem to understand grooming - I can't imagine he'd do well as a farm / colony cat.

They have all started exploring the room, but only when I'm not in there, so hopefully becoming a little more comfortable with the environment.

I'm STILL waiting to hear from the new owner of the other kitten (bizarre), so they haven't been moved to the crate yet. All interaction is to do with food so far - hopefully creating a positive association.

Once moved to the crate, I will give them at least a day or so to chill in there, before even attempting to touch.

I'm just soooo out of my depth with them, but wanting to give them the best possible chance.

[Cat_warrior_84]

Oh, regarding neutering. I think they would be neutered before going to their new homes. They picked up a number of adults from the same colony, when the kittens came in, for CNR.

[booktigger]

The reason I asked about age of neutering is that if they neuter 4 months or earlier, it might be best to let him/her be shaved when they go for neutering, so you aren't associated with that, as it could be quite painful. Moving them again on the 16th might not be a wise idea, even confident cats/kittens would find 3 moves in such a short space of time hard, but even worse for these kind of kittens

[Cat_warrior_84]

I know the move isn't ideal, but we are away for Xmas. It's one of the reasons I would have been reluctant to take them if we had know how feral they were. It was also agreed with the rescue, so I'm going to do the best I can with the time we have.

Good news is I heard them playing with a ping pong ball last night. They stopped when I entered the room but they did watch the toys rather than keeping their eyes on me, so little baby steps.

The fluff ball is definitely the least fearful and I'm hoping his fur is just messy rather than properly matted. If it is, I will leave it for the rescue to shave. I don't want to stress him unduly and I know it would be painful, if it is truly matted.

Thanks for your support guys. The other kitten should go to his new home today, so we should be able to move them to the crate. I will give them a day or so to settle before trying to interact physically with them.

Wish me luck!