[donkey]

Apologies if this has been asked many times but I am looking for some advice on taming a stray kitten.

My boyfriend lives on a farm and last thursday we noticed a kitten (we think 5+ months old) wondering around. We think has been abandoned along the road and found its way onto the farm - there haven't been any cats around for a good few months. On Saturday it came looking round the house, I left the back door open and when I came out to close it the cat was standing in the hall but when it saw me it ran off.

Since then we've been leaving some milk out on the door step and in the hay shed where it seems to sleep at night. we've seen it drinking the milk but when we approach it runs off a bit and stands and looks at us.

So basically my question is - we'd like to take it in and look after it. how would you recommend going about gaining its trust. would you keep feeding it and trying to get closer or would you trap it? is there much hope of taming an older kitten - alot of the things I read say it's v difficult after 8 weeks.

I should say - we've already made enquiries about getting it spayed/neutered if we catch it!

thank you in advance of your help!

[Angelkiss]

This is a tricky one.
You are right about the age and how difficult it could be to rehabilitate this kitten. You may never be able to pet this kitten if he has been born feral. You can still care for it though by providing regular meals it may begin to trust you. Please don't leave out milk as they cannot digest it properly and it could give him diarrhoea.
It is probably best to contact a animal rescue service. They can trap and neuter the cat. If they are aware of your intention to care for the cat and if they agree it would be in the cats best interest they would possibly release him where they captured him. You may need to contact a few organizations to find out their procedures in these matters.
Sorry I can't be more possitive, I would not want to build your hopes up as you never can tell!
Good luck & all the best,
Angelkiss x

[catman]

sit still not to far away from it and with a little food and or milk,it may take awhile but eventualy it will slowly come to you .as i said it may take some time,hang in there it works ,ive done it with feral cats and strays and eventually they always learn to trust you .just be patient and loveing no matter what it does,
best of luck,catman,australia.

[kirarathekittycat]

i have 5 feral cats that i have been trying to tame for over a year sometimes i get to pet them but then they freak out and run away with its age it will be hard to tame but if you have the time and patience for it trap it it will take some time but with some love and a good pair of gloves it will start to come around