OT:: Gypsy Cat update

13 years ago

Well, my cat wrangling is starting to pay off a bit. Space Cowboy had a big breakthrough yesterday. I tried to play with him, and he actually played with my gardening glove. Then he played with cat toy that had feathers. I was so thrilled that he was playing with me, I forgot to check my Lily Auction and lost Bella Isabella. Today, Cowboy initiated play with me again. He's really coming around.

SPACE COWBOY playing in the raised bed.

I've been watching videos online about how to tame feral kittens. The tips and tricks seem to be working. Different cats progress at different rates. Here's where we now stand on the taming process.

Mama Tuxie would like to move inside. She frequently tries to get in the door. As of yesterday, she submitted to being picked up, which is a good thing since I need to pick her up to take her to be spayed SOON. She will play with cat toys and is no longer afraid of my husband.

Tuxie with Zuzu in a pot

Space Cowboy will tolerate petting on the head and under the belly while eating. He can be lifted and repositioned around the plate. And he plays with me!!!

Columbus tolerates being petted on the head, back and belly while eating, but still runs from me sometimes. He is interested in the play, and watches Space Cowboy. But, so far, he cannot be enticed to join in the fun.

Columbus chews on the idea of playing with me.

As of last night, Zuzu will tolerate being petted on the head while feeding. She still runs and hides a lot.

Zuzu meowing for food.

Midnight is the hardest nut to crack. He even has trouble making eye contact with me. He will not come to the feeding bowl while I am on the porch. Because he hides longer, he gets less to eat. I worry about him.

Midnight does not have a recent photo, so I'll post this older shot.

Thanks for reading!

Debra

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Comments (15)

Waitforspring
13 years ago
I think I came in somewhere near the middle of this saga, but I've been enjoying your posts about this group. I think it's great of you to take on this challenge and to let us all in on the unfolding story. They are all such cuties. Hope that Midnight comes around soon.
Val
baileycat
13 years ago
I am enjoying the kittens as much as the daylily pictures; and that's saying a lot.
Thanks for sharing and keep it up.
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organic_kitten
13 years ago
Good for you Debra. It is possible to tame ferals, it just takes the time and patience you are putting in to it.

You might try to entice Midnight closer by tossing little bits of extra special food like turkey or chicken toward him. We successfully did this when we tamed the three abandoned kittens at our house. Good luck to you. (And they are all fixed too)
kay
numama
13 years ago
Oh Debra, I sure wished I could have one of them kittens, but you are too far away from me :(
I've been looking around for a new garden buddy in the newspaper and craig's list, but have not found one yet. I'm sure it won't be much longer, until then I can enjoy yours!
They are SO CUTE...I just LOVE the names you've picked!
Nancy
buyorsell888
13 years ago
Precious! I love garden kitties. Good for you to tame ferals.
conniemcghee
13 years ago
It sounds like you are doing such a great job of socializing them Debra! I don't know much about cats, but I do train dogs and it seems like you are doing a lot of the same things one would do to work with a dog to help him become less fearful of humans. It takes so much patience, and I imagine it takes even more patience with cats, what with them being more independent by nature.

Are you going to try to socialize the kittens for adoption or placement with an organization who rescues kitties?

I wonder if Mama Tuxie used to be a house cat at one point in her life?

I'm worried about little Midnight too. He has become my favorite. I love an underdog (cat).

I think you need to keep Space Cowboy. :D hee!
maximus7116
13 years ago
I think it's great that you're helping out the critters, too. It sounds like they're all coming around just fine.

We adopted a kitten that was born outdoors and was pretty much wild, and he's turned out to be my favorite (of eight cats). He's been an indoor cat since we adopted him, which helps a lot. We pretty much waited for him to get used to us. He's a chicken around strangers and hates to be picked up, but he's still a snuggler when it's just me. Enticing him with bites of hamburger while I was eating helped!
newyorkrita
13 years ago
You sure are doing a great job and have lots of patience. I love the fact that moma Tuxie now wants to move inside. She seems to know were the good life is to be found. I love all the kitten phots and updates. My favorite of the Kittens is Cowboy. He is pretty and spunky.
rarejem
13 years ago
They are just adorable Debra, and I am glad that they are coming around for you. I hope Midnight gets less skitish before it becomes a problem for him. I agree that you might try tossing some bit of food his direction. I am working with a feral cat that has adopted me, and she will now beg at the back door in the morning, but still runs as soon as I open it. I have started tossing bits of treats towards her as I am feeding my cat, and she has finally realized that I am not throwing things at her, so has started to at least stand and wait for her treat to be tossed rather than running under the house. Baby steps...

Best of luck with your little family.

Julie
Nancy
13 years ago
I look for your updates on the kittens & love the pictures. The kittens all look bright eyed & healthy. I'm sure even Midnight will come around soon. I think you've done really well with them in a relatively short time. It is so good of you to get her spayed.
shive
Original Author
13 years ago
Connie - Originally I though I would socialize the kittens and give at least two of them away. I always planned to keep Tuxie, the mama. I was partial to Columbus and Cowboy from the beginning. Now the only one I haven't bonded with is Midnight. But he isn't anywhere close to being socialized, and black kittens are harder to place for adoption. So we'll just see what happens.

Kay - I followed your suggestion and tossed Midnight a piece of chicken tonight. It didn't make him any less fearful, but at least he got some nourishment.

Thanks to everyone else for your comments and encouragement!

Debra
opnjmprs
13 years ago
I love seeing the kitten review. I was a little concerned about Cowboy in one of your last posts, as you hadn't seen him. I deal with outcast cats a lot here on our farm as we get so many strays and drop offs. It's sad to see how many people will just dump animals. It's nice to see that there are still people willing to deal with the unwanted strays. It's sad that people won't except responsibility for their animals and in some cases their own children.

Linda
jean_ar
13 years ago
haha Ilove the kitties.They are all so cute.I like seeing your pictures of them, and telling us about them..

Jean
Julia WV (6b)
13 years ago
Thanks for the update. Love the pics and story. Been following the saga and hope you are able to figure out how to get Midnight more nourishment.

Julia
katlynn719
13 years ago
Love the kitty saga! Keep us posted.
Kathy

OT:: Gypsy Cat update

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