1. Taming the wild beast working with feral kittens
3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105
(734) |

2. Feral, under socialized, fearful, Semi feral… are these the same?

3. Feral, as defined by Webster’s dictionary:
Existing in a natural state, not domesticated or cultivated, wild
Having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication
Characteristic of a wild animal; brutal; ferocious
Characteristic of a wild animal; brutal; ferocious 3

4. Under-socialized, as defined by Webster’s dictionary
Insufficiently assimilated into society, antisocial

5. One last definition… Fearful
Inclined to feel anxiety or apprehension
Timid, nervous

6. Semi Feral… a flawed concept?
Refers to an animal that is feral but comes in contact with humans on occasion
May have been domesticated and became feral
May be feral and rely on humans to some degree for care
Had social parentage at some point
Will give birth to feral offspring

7. Do these definitions matter?
NOPE!!
We’ll approach every kitten the same way and respond solely to their behavior and cues!!

8. Up to eight weeks Quite variable Generationally feral Life experience
Too Old?
Up to eight weeks
Quite variable
Generationally feral
Life experience

9. Behaviors to look for: Hissing Spitting Growling Whole body tension
Shaking
Staring, pupils wide
Ears flat
Piloerection
Immobile
Feign sleep

10. Behaviors to look for: Defensive: Swatting Biting FLEE Fight or flight
Very few coping mechanisms

11. Where to start? Good old science: Counter conditioning Desensitization
Food motivators at sub-threshold distance
Toys at sub-threshold distance
Looking forward, instead of moving back into fear state

12. Flooding Expose to trigger regardless of response
Learn there is no danger
Behavior will change naturally
No longer widely used… except…. A tiny bit of this is needed for kittens!!

13. Where to start Tools: Food motivators Toys, of all varieties
Towel or small blanket
A good book
Radio/ TV
Eventually, other people!
Allow them to hide

14. Starting Out Talk only Radio/ TV Reading aloud Practice your karaoke
Just sitting with them
Somewhere to hide
Resources close by
Establish routine
Don’t push for interaction

15. Working With Food
Once routine is established and kitten is eating well:
Become their source of the good stuff
High value, not just wet food
Offer on spoon or tongue depressor
Tempt into your space
No touch!
Step back if too fearful

16. Working With Toys Concurrent with wet food work, or on it’s own
At an arm’s reach
Wand toys/ feathers
Things that roll
No touch!
Step back if too fearful

17. Handling This is where flooding comes in:
Consistently comes close enough to touch
Offer hand
Touch head/ cheeks
Resume play/ feeding
Repeat
Cat pet with a soft toy or towel

18. Picking up More flooding… All other steps need to be met first
Draw kitten in with food/toy
Slowly wrap in towel
Offer wet food/ toy while in towel
Release if struggles
Repeat

19. Outside Stimulus
Friendly novel people
Letting them explore
Helper cats/ dogs
Kids

20. Foster VS Shelter Shelter: Immersion Multiple handlers
Can be really scary for them
Illness
Foster:
Less stress!!
More consistency
Return is hard

21. Feral Adults Remember our definitions Stray does not equal feral
Resources needed
TNR
RTF
Barn adoption

22. Questions?