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Fellow Rescuers Unite – Cat Folks Give Advice For Socializing Scared Strays

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  • 1

    How Adorable Is She?

    Here we see the cat in question, and isn't she just a doll? She's still not ready for belly rubs, and hisses if her owners get too comfortable with her, but at least she's letting them scratch her little head. Still, with a cat this cute, you're going to want to cuddle eventually. So, OP had to turn to Reddit, and what you'll see next is some of the best advice they received. 

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  • 2

    It Just Takes Time

    Font - skullyfrost40 +2 1 day ago It takes months. With mine I just sat next to him a few hours each day talking to him and crocheting or reading. Gave him treats, which he eventually ate. Be patient. Try playing with her too. But it takes awhile. Eventually he came to me on his own and now he only likes me. Lol. So I would suggest each member of the family take turns just sitting with her wherever she is. I also have one that only likes her head touched and no where else. She occasionally socia

    It sounds like OP needs to take up crocheting or knitting by the looks of it! Or, they could just take a deep breath, and wait for their kitty to get more comfortable. It can be a daunting task, and a frustrating wait, but since this pet owner was caring enough to turn to the internet for advice, we think they'll wind up being just fine. 

  • 3

    We Agree As Well!

    Font - B AsFarAsTheStars_. 1 day ago I can agree with this! My husband sat with our new cat (who was clearly traumatized from wherever she came from) everyday for a solid month. He would just lay down next to her quietly. And now she constantly follows him and will sit on his lap whenever she possibly can. We still can't pick her up, but she absolutely loves cuddles now. 64 Reply Give Award Share Report Save Follow
  • 4

    Free Feeding Is Counterintuitive!

    Font - Downtown-Swing9470 +1 - 1 day ago 1. don't free feed. Scheduled meals so she has to come out. 2. don't reach over her to pet her, use your finger to rub her chin or cheeks from the sides. 3. time nd patience. My feral rescue took over 1 years before he was comfortable with me. Abd 2 years before he was super chill and jumping into my lap. 93 Reply Give Award Share Report Save Follow SelfDepricator OP +2 - 1 day ago I just wanted to add that we are doing this at a PetSmart shelter. Obvious
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  • 5

    More Like Let Her Come To You

    Rectangle - GnomeMode +3 - 1 day ago Stop touching her. Make her come to you. Spend time in the same room as her but ignore her. It puts the ball in her court. If she goes to you, she's getting affection on her terms and it gives her control and security 97 Reply Give Award Share Report Save Follow
  • 6

    Time, Time, Time

    Human body - 91 External-Storage-435+1 · 1 day ago Time, treats, don't push it... its a wonderful thing when she will trust you. You don't know her history with us humans. 6 Reply Give Award Share Report Save Follow
  • 7

    Just Make Her Happy!

    Rectangle - The_Spyre +2 - 1 day ago Keep petting her on the head where she likes it. She was liking the gentle rubs in that video. Give her space. Give her treats. Give her toys. Let her make her own way. 4 Reply Give Award Share Report Save Follow
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  • 8

    Man, Kitten Lady Is The Best

    Human body - Cold_Valkyrie +1 23 hr. ago Check out the videos from the Kitten Lady, she has tons on this 3 Reply Give Award Share Report Save Follow
  • 9

    Patience, Consistency, Time

    Font - mxxxxxs_ +2. 1 day ago Took couple years. Consistency is key. Pet under chin helps boost confidence. Treats n playing.
  • 10

    Keep On Trucking!

    Font - You MustWakeUp - 23 hr. ago Just keep doing it. You will need to acclimatize her to it. She'll come around. I've grown up with cats, and so when it came to adopting a few years ago, I decided to pick the human-hating, "unadoptable" cat. I figured no regular person would ever pick him, so I might as well. He was a cat who was deathly afraid of "Hands" because he had been hit and abused by the previous owner. Getting him used to "me" wasn't too bad. Took about 3 months. But if I showed him

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