One more word re socializing cats

[Guest guest]

Can I weigh in on the question of socializing cats? As someone who's done A LOT

of trapping of ferals over the last few years (in order to put them through the

free SPCA Feral Fix Program) I agree that it is possible to socialize adult

ferals -- the big questions, however, are: (1) how long will it take (years??)

(2) is it really best for the cat (for some of them, no); and (3) isn't it a

better use of our (very limited) socializing resources to rescue or adopt

another perfectly adoptable, but maybe shy, or old, or not pretty, or injured,

cat who's about to be euthanized in a shelter because the shelter has run out of

space???

I have two very sweet ex-feral cats. I took them in because (a) I thought they

might have socialization possibilities but (b) much more important, they were in

very bad situations out on the street (no regular feeder, dangerous traffic,

hostile people, etc.) In the last 4 years I've trapped over 100 cats -- all the

young kittens have gotten socialized and adopted (including quite a few who were

between 6 months and a year old); we've re-socialized and adopted out quite a

few who weren't feral, but rather, had been abandoned and had reverted to

semi-feral behavior; and yes, I've found homes for cats that were, at the

beginning, quite feral. However, most of the ADULT ferals, after getting

examined, fixed, vaccinated, tested, and after sufficient time for recovery from

spay/neuter surgery, have been released back to the colonies where they came

from -- colonies where responsible colony feeders give them fresh food and water

on a regular basis, and monitor them. Some of those cats would have been

absolutely MISERABLE if I had tried to socialize them. Yes, they might have

come around after years, but those would have been unhappy years for them. Some

ferals would love to be indoor cats, and some of them would absolutely hate it

-- I know, because I've socialized, or tried to socialize, both kinds.

As the last email on the subject said, socializing takes a lot of dedication,

time and patience, and it is very satisfying to see a feral cat begin to trust

people. However, given that animal shelters in the U.S., every year, euthanize

an estimated 6 million cats and dogs (most of whom are very socialized and

adoptable) simply because there are not enough homes for all of them, I have

come to the (very difficult) conclusion that -- given the very limited number of

people willing to take on feral cat socializing or even socializing of cats such

as the 10-month-old mentioned in the original email that we really think,

because of the age, should be given a chance -- I would not try to socialize an

adult cat that is truly feral unless, again, that cat has nowhere else to go and

is in a truly dangerous situation.

By the way, the 10-month-old kitten we originally wanted a socializer for is now

in my living room. I will work with her for a few weeks to really try to see

if she is socializable. If she is, then I'll continue to socialize her or,

better yet, find another socializer to work with her in order to get her

adopted; if she is not socializable, and she's clearly miserable, I will,

reluctantly, release her back into her feral colony where, along with the 15

other cats we have trapped and put through the Feral Fix program, she'll be fed,

given fresh water each day, monitored, and will live out her life in a safe

backyard area where she (hopefully) won't ever have to worry about anyone trying

to do anything cruel to her. Why only a few weeks? -- because to keep her

longer would mean that she might not be able to reintegrate back into her

colony, and would be an outcast.

Sorry for the long message, but there are a lot of misconceptions about feral

cats. If this info has inspired you, if you are ever interested in trying to

socialize a feral cat, or in (even short-term) fostering a tame cat who's about

to be euthanized because the local shelter has run out of space, or would just

like to get information about socializing/fostering to see what it entails,

please please please email me. It's very rewarding, and those of us who do

animal rescue [there are never enough of us] can use ALL the help we can get.

Thanks for reading this!

 

Nadine