HELP! MY NEW CAT IS EXTREMLY AFRAID OF PEOPLE!!

:!: Recently, my next door neighbor friend brought her Grandmothers to adult cats to their house, because her Grandmother had just died. The cats had been in one room their entire lives and so they were very nervous when they arrived in their new home. They were under my neighbors bed, and only come out when no one was there. Then slowly over time they began to wander out of doors for short periods of time until it was not an unusual site to see them outside on your porch. Now that the cats are not afraid of being outside my neighbor and I decided that we would split cat duties and keep the female together, whilst we found another home for the male. But the problem is that he will not let anyone near her! When you go to see her during the day, she will only let you get so close before she heads for the basement window. All I want to know is this... How can I bafriend her so she know it is OK; how can I get her trained to come when I call; how can I get her to where we can pet her and make her feel loved. I could really use some advice!

 

keep them inside until you can get the female then take her home (I think that's what you intend to do)....I have a friend who adopted a kitten from the shelter a couple of years ago and she keeps her locked (even with a freak'in lock on the door) in a room - this poor little cat stays in this room like she's being protected in an ivory tower. Why I ask...cause my friend has a stupid mean little dog so I suggested she lock the damned dog up since it bites. That poor little cat is so afraid of everything cause she's never had exposure to so many situations.

I'd get the cat inside one room then put her in a carrier - maybe put some Bach's Rescue Remedy in her drinking water and leave her all day so it has a chance to work enough to get her calm. Put her in a carrier and take her home - leave her inside so she has a chance to develop a relationship with you.

 

I compeletly agree with everything Mary said.
It will be very difficult to build a trusting relationship between you and the cat if she is outside and always has the ability to run from you.

 

I also agree with Mary_NH. Just one more product to add would be Feliway with ComfortZone. It's a plug in and helps cats to be more calm and relaxed (Rescue remedy does this also).

Mary, I feel so sad for your friend's kitty. What a lonely and sad life. They have done a lot of studies on animals kept in isolation like this and they all have a lot of mental problems (even if they have contact with another human now and again).

 

oh.. i wish u the best of luck... love, paitence and understanding...

 

:m23: You have lots of wonderful advice here. I just want to say good luck and when things settle down we'd love to see their pics!