TAMING THE WILD BEAST WORKING WITH FERAL KITTENS
TAMING THE WILD BEAST WORKING WITH FERAL KITTENS 3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105 (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
FERAL, UNDER SOCIALIZED, FEARFUL, SEMI FERAL… ARE THESE THE SAME? 3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105 (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
Under-socialized, as defined by Webster’s dictionary • Insufficiently assimilated into society, antisocial Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
One last definition… Fearful • • Inclined to feel anxiety or apprehension Timid, nervous Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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
Do these definitions matter? NOPE!! We’ll approach every kitten the same way and respond solely to their behavior and cues!!
Too Old? • • Up to eight weeks Quite variable Generationally feral Life experience
Behaviors to look for: • Hissing • Spitting • Growling • Whole body tension • Shaking • Staring, pupils wide • Ears flat • Piloerection • Immobile • Feign sleep Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
Behaviors to look for: • Defensive: • Swatting • Biting • FLEE • • Fight or flight Very few coping mechanisms Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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!! Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
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 Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
Outside Stimulus • • Friendly novel people Letting them explore Helper cats/ dogs Kids Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
Foster VS Shelter: • Immersion • Multiple handlers • Can be really scary for them • Illness Foster: • Less stress!! • More consistency • Return is hard Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
Feral Adults • • • Remember our definitions Stray does not equal feral Resources needed TNR RTF Barn adoption Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662 -5585 | www. hshv. org
Questions?
- Slides: 22