help with wild cat

Cretia · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 05:21 AM

Someone on here was talking about ferral cats one day. Is it a cat that has strictly wild blood in it, like from barns and farms and woods and whatnot, or does that also catagorize a domesticated cat that was just dropped off as a kitten and has become aggressive? Anyways, there is a young cat that has been hanging out at the restaurant I work at and it's been attacking customers and stuff. It acts sweet, will come up and smell your hand, and when it sees that you don't have food it bats you with its claws. They are going to have animal control come and get it and put it down if I don't grab it first. Its still young so I'm sure it can still be calmed down, and if so I already have a home for it, but the question is how do I go about taming it down once I get it?

SaraNBud · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 06:22 AM

Man good luck! I would say once you get the cat lock it in the bathroom (with the tolit paper under the sink and the shower cutrains put up because a "wild cat" will have a field day destroying your house. So I would keep it limited to one room for maybe a day so it calms down) The cat will have to adjust to you and it's new home but you have to keep in mind that this cat has always done it's own thing and it might be quite a hassle trying to tame it and keep everything at your house intact. Both of my cats have been strays and thay adjusted pretty quick, it just took some time for them to get used to me and accepting the fact that they have to stay in the house, but now they have no desire to even go outside. Good luck with your kitty!

CC · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 06:31 AM

Approximately how young are we talking?

Cretia · #4 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 07:26 AM

I have no idea. When it first showed up about two months or so ago, it was a larger type kitten size. Its grown a little but not a lot. It can't be too old. I have a kennel to keep it in at first, then once it chills out I'll keep it in our porch. I don't think it can be destroyed any further. I'm only keeping it until it calms down enough for my co-worker to take care of w/o gloves and sleeves and a shield. If it absolutely will not chill out for me then I'll get in touch with the people I gave my grandmothers squirrel to to rehabilitate. If they have people for squirells, they've gotta have somthing for wild stray cats right!

I'd hope so at least.

ironkladd · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 10:09 AM

my sister has two bengal cats and one is okay but the other once gave me stiches, so if you think it might be a "wild cat" in that sense be very careful.

ann0306 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 02:20 PM

A feral cat is one that comes from a line that was once domesticated. This cat may well be a third or fourth generation "wild" cat. Good luck with this. Clearly, this cat needs to get away from the restaurant, but may never become a house cat. The best way to tame it is to feed it, but as a former horse barn manager I can tell you that there are many cats that will never be pets. Is there a farm around you that could use a mouser?

Cretia · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 10:30 PM

No, there's no farms in the area. Thats why I think it's parents, or at least one or something was domesticated. It's a gorgeous color. It was dumped off so young it acts just like a wild cat though. Its been staying in the woods surrounding the restaurant, Burger King, and the river. It's not thick woods so its not like there is a family of cats in it or anything. The more I think about it I dont think it will be too terribly hard to do this. That lil' thing is still mean as H though!

LMarshall · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 10:43 PM

"operation catnip" might be able to help with the spay/neuter part. you know that smelly dirty shirt that somehow did not get washed? give it to the 'kitten' to sleep with etc. i had one 'wild cat' that would NOT let anyone else handle. you may have yourself a new kitty

GOOD luck

Cretia · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 09:57 PM

I finally researched feral cats elsewhere and saw that it catagorizes any abandoned domesticated or wild cat that has wild behavior and is scared of humans and bites and scratches and whatnot. It suggested getting a humane trap, but for a workplace that would be too tedious. I'm just going to wear thick long sleeves and gloves we used to use to handle our squirrel, and I'll get it too come up to me and feed it a bit, then while its distracted by the food I'll grab it and put in in the cat carrier. It'll freak out horribly but it won't be able to get through the gloves if a squirrel couldn't, and that'll be the fastest way. Wish me luck!

Wrasse · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 01:14 AM

ROFLMAO

I wish I could be there to see that! If this cat is wild, it will rip you to pieces the moment you grab it, then, when it gets free, you will never catch it again, too smart to fall for that trick twice. The trap is seriously a much better option.

Have betadine or chlorhexidine on hand, cat bites are nasty, 9 times out of 10 they go to the bone and they usually infect badly.

Sorry to be so negative, but years of experience has taught me to be when dealing with wild cats.

lethargiic · #11 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 01:36 AM

[quote=Cretia]No, there's no farms in the area. [quote]

isnt that the truth....

my cat that i have now was a feral kitten and she's as sweet and loving as a domesticated cat...but she's annoying as a 5 year old brat..lol your gonna need lots of patience with this one since it sounds like that cat is a juvi..

here are a couple of links that should help..

http://www.catskittysgatos2.homestead.com/feral.html
www.feralcatcaretakers.org

Good Luck!

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