Cat folks: any way to train a stray?

[PeterB]

1) I haven't been able to pick her up -- at all. The few times I've tried, even just trying to put a hand under her belly, she's made it clear in no uncertain terms that she doesn't want to be held. :RollingEyesSmiley5:

2) She is, however, seemingly totally comfortable around me. I suspect it has something to do with my being a reliable food source... :emoticon-animal-004:

3) She has shown signs of wanting to come in, but I'm not thrilled about that idea... since I can't have her as a pet. She is also quite vocal and makes lots of different vocalizations.

4) I presume she was checked for a chip when she was TNR'd... that's SOP for TNR. (For those who don't know about TNR, here is the local organization who I've been in contact with ... great people: https://www.trapdatcat.org)

5) I also forgot to mention that there are several other cats in the neighborhood, including one big black male who is NOT at all friendly and who chases all the other cats away... I've thusly nicknamed him "El Jerko". El Jerko will cry because the young female is getting fed, but he won't get any food because she knows that he will not approach me.

6) I can provide a pic or two, if anyone is curious about what these kitties look like.

[Speedy]

"El Jerko"? You’re right next to the longest river in the country…

[Janit]

This pick-up issue sounds like a realistic prediction by the TNR rather than an actual policy.

People who come to a shelter looking for a pet often want the "perfect" cat and will likely prefer one that they can pick up if there is a choice. Never mind that the needy cat they adopt as a kitten may grow up to develop fierce and idiosyncratic boundaries.

Hence it seems like your supplicant will be happier where she is right now rather than living indefinitely in a shelter. Even if she eventually lets you pick her up, she may not let anyone else do it. I am acquainted with quite a few cats, adopted as kittens, who nevertheless would allow only one person to pick them up.

The challenge is finding someone who would be happy to take a cat with this kind of personality. For now, if you have a porch or yard, you might try providing her with a padded sheltered space where she can hang out and be fed.

[PeterB]

Janit wrote:
This pick-up issue sounds like a realistic prediction by the TNR rather than an actual policy.

People who come to a shelter looking for a pet often want the "perfect" cat and will likely prefer one that they can pick up if there is a choice. Never mind that the needy cat they adopt as a kitten may grow up to develop fierce and idiosyncratic boundaries.

Hence it seems like your supplicant will be happier where she is right now rather than living indefinitely in a shelter. Even if she eventually lets you pick her up, she may not let anyone else do it. I am acquainted with quite a few cats, adopted as kittens, who nevertheless would allow only one person to pick them up.

The challenge is finding someone who would be happy to take a cat with this kind of personality. For now, if you have a porch or yard, you might try providing her with a padded sheltered space where she can hang out and be fed.

Yes, it's a realistic prediction rather than an actual policy.

She already routinely hangs out on my porch, along with El Jerko, but I hesitate to leave anything of value out on the porch. I've already had two bowls (NOT worth much of anything!) stolen off my porch... that's the kind of neighborhood I'm in.

[btfc]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c...-1.6849824