Cat folks: any way to train a stray?

[PeterB]

Hi everyone,

I have another stray who has been consistently hanging out on my porch (we have a lot of strays around here, especially after Hurricanes Ida, Zeta, Gustav, Katrina, etc., etc.) ... this appears to be a young female, who is quite friendly... consistently runs up to me, seems to answer when called, rubs up against my legs, enjoys a thorough petting, seems to want to be played with, etc.

I've thought about trying to get her adopted out, but the local TNR organization here tells me that if a cat can't be picked up, there's no way it'll be adopted out... all the shelters are full, and it's also kitten season. She's ear-tipped, so must have been TNR'd at some point. I've tried picking her up, but she is NOT at all amenable to this... didn't bite or scratch me though.

I hate to see friendly cats on the streets around here... the last one who was friendly like this, I ended up finding him dead in the alleyway between my and my neighbor's house. It was probably last summer's heatwave that did him in. (I consistently fed him, but he seemed to have no interest in water when I provided it to him.) Life on the streets for cats here is not a good life.

So... ideally I would get her to the point of allowing herself to be picked up so she can be adopted out. Any ideas? (And NO, I cannot adopt her out myself, I already have too many mouths to feed, and not enough time to properly devote to a cat...)

TiA

[Rolando]

Honestly, I think your best bet is to get a cat trap from a local cat society that will spay the cat and return her to you.

[PeterB]

Rolando wrote:
Honestly, I think your best bet is to get a cat trap from a local cat society that will spay the cat and return her to you.

She's already been TNR'd... see above

[Fritz]

Owen is an adoptee, as are all the furries we've had. We've had him for 10 years or so. He still will not put up with being handled for more than 30 secs, and only by me.
No idea if he was a stray, or a dump or a feral or what.

The local adopt-a-cat places, we have 3 close by, don't have a pick up rule. They take in the unadoptable and hope for the best.
We are suckers for that lot.
Fortunately, unlike a town dog pound, they are well funded. If one doesn't get adopted, they live their life there.

Owen came home to being one of 2 instead of one of 40, and mellowed with time. We can now get him to the vet without 20 minutes of screaming after a week of tricking him into the carrier.

If the cat will lay on your lap, or sleep on top of you, that is a good start.
Few strays can be trained without lots of time.
All those before Owen took a month or more of constant playing and attention.

Best of luck.

[mattkime]

She sounds like she’s ready for life with humans, it’s only the very long line in front of her that’s preventing her from being adopted.

If you yourself can’t bring her into your home, then you can at least provide her with a box and a blanket to sleep in outside. And semi regular feedings.

[wave rider]

Repetition. Pick her up to knee height for just a second and gently return her to the ground with copious petting and stroking afterwards. Repeat later.

You do talk to her and tell her how lovely she is, yes? Maybe get a brush for her too. Few cats can resist a gentle brushing…

I agree with mattkime, she sounds ready for human staff.

[DP]

She sounds like she had a home. Can you at least check to see if she's chipped? Or is that what TNR means?

[anonymouse1]

You could try Craigslist?

[vision63]

I tamed Fuzzy. No cat was more stray than she was (rip).

In the beginning your relationship isn't picking her up. It's being near each other. It's being a consistent resource. After a while it's about her letting you touch her. Eventually, when I know she knows me, I'll put my gloves on and pick her ass up and hold her for a bit. She'll skitter off but cats forget almost right away.

Cats always measure safety. Once they trust you, then you can just go ahead and keep her indoors if you want.

I always wished her ear wasn't tipped.

[Fritz]

Fuzzy