Orphans Adopted me and my pack!

[edickison78]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and had a couple questions. A Siamese cat, we named her Little Mama, and her baby boy, we named him Coy because he is so shy, have adopted my family and me. We think Little Mama was thrown away because she's even gotten to like our German Shepherd, Stanton, but Coy is still a little shy. When we leave our back door open, they both come in and inspect our house a little more each time. Coy has gotten very brave but he is still really shy. Mama's a little hand shy at times as well. What is the best way to get them to trust us so we can take them to the vet and get them checked out? Any advice would be greatly appreciated because I also adopted a little kitten, Turtle, and wouldn't mind advice on how to care for cats. I've taken Turtle for all her shots and the vet said we could get her neutered in Nov.

[Traci]

If your kitten is kept indoors only, you shouldn't be exposing her to the outdoor cats, regardless if she had vaccinations or not, chances are she has not had her full series of vaccinations yet...and you don't know the health history/vaccination history of the mother and kitten.

Trap the mother and kitten by placing a large cat carrier inside the door (with carrier door open), and leave tempting food inside the carrier (like canned cat food or cooked white chicken, etc). If they are familiarizing with your home, it should be fairly easy to grab them up and get them in a carrier and to your vet. Be careful to not get scratched, but do make every attempt to get them captured immediately.

Once at the vet for examinations, get them tested for FELV/FIV, checked over thoroughly, dewormed and vaccinated accordingly (providing they are both in excellent health)....schedule spays and neuters as your vet advises.

I assume your current kitten has been tested for FELV/FIV??

When they are deemed healthy by your vet, provide a room in your home with cat toys, a special sleeping area, and leave the door slightly ajar, let them investigate their environment at their own leisure but do spend time with them often and encourage them to venture out, etc. During quiet times, get on the floor level with them and be quiet and still, then invite playtime, or treats etc. Do not force them to be held or handled, they will allow handling at their own pace. Be prepared to spend alot of time with them so they can get adjusted to you and their environment. You have to earn their trust, let them come to you at their own pace. In the meantime, make sure their environment is calm, safe, secure, and inviting and interesting.

First things first, capture them and get them to your vet for exams, etc immediately. Once they are safely back inside your home, keep them Indoors ONLY.

[edickison78]

Hi, When we let the cats in to investigate, I'll either hold Turtle or put her in another room so they do not come into contact. I once got Coy into a cage and lured Little Mama into the house with a saucer of milk. When I closed the door, Little Mama went abolutely insane, so I let them both go because I didn't want to scare them so much. But we set the cage outside and made it comfortable with towels and put their food in it, so I think they are becoming more comfortable with it.

[Traci]

If none of the cats are vaccinated, (and if your kitten hasn't received all of her boosters yet) you are putting them at risk by contact through you and your clothes. So, when handling the outdoor cats, wash your hands and change your clothes before handling your indoor kitten.

Don't let the fact that the outdoor cats get scared, hinder you when you try to capture them. It's more important they are seen by your vet right away. They will get over being scared, the important thing is getting them to the vet.