I have two kittens (about 5 or 6 months old now) and the Mom cat that I am "fostering" for the feline rescue league in my area - they were born outside and the mother brought them to my house to eat...and they stayed there ever since.

Well, they've been in my house now for about 2 months and the mother is VERY VERY friendly and affectionate, but the kittens are still so leary of me. For a while I kept them in a large cage and I was able to reach in, pick them up and hold them for short periods of time. They were (and are) VERY afraid of everything. I let them out of the cage and now the three of them have free roam of one room in my house. After letting them out, I've never been able to catch them or pat them, so they remain very afraid of human contact. Recently, they have become more curious about me and no longer hide under things, but any movement and they do run off...

In order for the shelter to take these kittens and attempt to find homes for them, they need to be somewhat friendly - and I'm not having any luck in getting them that way.

My question - how do you "domesticate" cats that have never had human contact and don't seem open to trying to get close?? I would love to get my spare room back sometime...

You know, I think a lot of that has to do with each individual cat's "makeup". I have fostered many many cats. In fact I took care of one for 5 years, raised her from a kitten, and she never ever let me approach her. Yet her kittens normally would come right to me.

And Spooky, my 9 month old kitten is still very skittish around me and bolts at the slightest movement. Yet he hasn't known a moment of abuse or mistreatment.

But I will gladly share my techniques for domesticating a cat. I like to start when they are new borns and I will pick up the kittens every day just so they are accostomed to being touched. Once they are able to walk around I go and sit down in one spot and let them come to me. Of course your kittens are much older so I suggest that you just try the sitting still routine. As soon as one gets into a room quietly walk in and close the door. Then just sit somewhere and be still. Hopefully the kitten will get curious and will come over to you. At that point you can slowly reach out and let the kitten sniff your hand. Then bring your hand back to lap and sit still again. Keep doing this for days until you feel you can reach out and pick up the kitten. The whole process is time consuming and takes patience. But it has always worked for me.

Good luck Lydia.

LOL Georgia - wish you could see me and the kittens...

I do that - I go into the room and sit on the floor, very still...They come out and sit (more than arms length from me)...lie down side by side, put their little paws up under their chest and just lie and stare at me...we have a stare down for about 20 minutes, they get bored, stretch, yawn and go do something else! I try putting my hand out - but as soon as I have to move closer, they're gone...

Lydia and Georgia...the "cat whisperers"

Two suggestions, first try not to stare at the kittens, look down. And secondly, try putting your hand down to your side instead of stretching it out to them. Then maybe they will come over and sniff. Better yet, put a little catfood on your fingertip.

Just want to share what I read in a cat book awhile back...regarding Georgia's "don't stare at them" advice.

Cats are the "stare-ers" - and they don't like to be "stared AT". THIS explains why cats come up to people who don't LIKE cats - because these people are usually looking away from them.

I'm speaking in general terms, of course.