Pumpkin was a very shy, fearful girl who has made huge strides in her social interactions with people, dogs and cats after two years of targeted rehabilitation. She is a prime example of why early socialization of a kitten and proper handling of a cat is so important.
When she came to live with me, I initially set her up in my double car garage that I converted into a heated and air conditioned 'living room" - a place where I can hang out in comfort with the dogs and cats in my care.
It is where all the behavioral work happens. For Pumpkin, that meant creating a safe area that could be completely isolated from other animals yet still accessible to her. I accomplished this by re-purposing an old indoor dog run discarded from a local shelter.
Her rehab was slow and methodical and successful! She began to come out of her area willingly for treats and soon was climbing up on the arm of my chair and then regularly getting in my lap. We continued the same routine every single day for a year - I would toss a treat and call to her then sit down and she would come sit in my lap. (read more below)
When she came to live with me, I initially set her up in my double car garage that I converted into a heated and air conditioned 'living room" - a place where I can hang out in comfort with the dogs and cats in my care.
It is where all the behavioral work happens. For Pumpkin, that meant creating a safe area that could be completely isolated from other animals yet still accessible to her. I accomplished this by re-purposing an old indoor dog run discarded from a local shelter.
Her rehab was slow and methodical and successful! She began to come out of her area willingly for treats and soon was climbing up on the arm of my chair and then regularly getting in my lap. We continued the same routine every single day for a year - I would toss a treat and call to her then sit down and she would come sit in my lap. (read more below)
She and I have developed a trust relationship and she is my 'lap cat', but even when I make sudden movements or move toward her she will startle and flee. Her recovery time is quick nowadays, as you can see in the video below.
Her fear response is the result of what happens when many people over many months tried to 'catch' Pumpkin or chased her down or removed her from her safe spot. Sometimes it was necessary, for her own safety, but I am not talking about those few times done by cat savvy individuals using good techniques.
Undoing the damage is an ongoing process. I just moved Pumpkin to my bedroom. It has no animal traffic and only the people come and go. Amazingly, she has responded quickly and positively to the change. She has allowed almost full body touching since the move and is often out in the open just living her life :-)
*I make the cat food plates the kitchen 3 times a day and I started using her love of food and treats as a lure. She anticipates it now and I know that she will be waiting behind me if I turn around :-)
Her fear response is the result of what happens when many people over many months tried to 'catch' Pumpkin or chased her down or removed her from her safe spot. Sometimes it was necessary, for her own safety, but I am not talking about those few times done by cat savvy individuals using good techniques.
Undoing the damage is an ongoing process. I just moved Pumpkin to my bedroom. It has no animal traffic and only the people come and go. Amazingly, she has responded quickly and positively to the change. She has allowed almost full body touching since the move and is often out in the open just living her life :-)
*I make the cat food plates the kitchen 3 times a day and I started using her love of food and treats as a lure. She anticipates it now and I know that she will be waiting behind me if I turn around :-)