Had a family stop by earlier to adopt a kitty. They came completely prepared, kitty carrier, kitty toys, and a blanket. They neglected to even call me first! When they arrived they were all smiles and excitement. The kids were running around and yelling, and yep, those in the know, you guessed it. My cats/kittens all vanished. They leaped out into the tunnels and vanished into the enclosure.
The kids wanted to follow them down the tunnels! I was thankful that Mike had blocked the opening inside the dining room with wood, so only the cats can fit through the holes, or else we would have kids sliding down the tunnels and really scaring the cats!
They were a bit put off that my cats vanished, so they said they would go out to the enclosure and look at them there. I tried to tell them that all that is going to happen is the cats are going to scramble up the tunnels back into the house, but they wouldn’t hear it. So out we went and once we stepped into the enclosure, the cats all took off back in the house!
I sat down with the family and explained the cats to them. I told them that most of the cats had been either abused or abandoned, and even though they have bonded with Mike and I, they are not going to take to strangers automatically.
Once everyone was sitting down in the enclosure and talking quietly, Prowler and Oliver did come out to see us. They were supremely disappointed that those two were not up for adoption.
They left with shattered hopes and empty arms. I am thankful they are gone. Feral cats are special, they are not for everyone.
I think it is hard for any human to learn to think cat. Even a friendly cat will run when pursued! The best way to attract a cat is to turn your back on it and walk away!
It’s too bad that family wasn’t willing to take the time to learn about your kitties. They missed a great opportunity!
Back in the days when I had barn cats reproducing, a friend’s daughter had chosen a cute little orange kitten. When the kittens were old enough to take home, she ran screaming through the yard looking for “Ginger”. Finally, she caught the Momma cat, and wanted to take her home!!! She ended up with a gray tiger kitten, since the orange baby stayed hidden. So she had with a gray kitty named Ginger!
I have learned a lot since then. Now all my kitties are spayed or neutered, unless I have fosters. I still get the fun of kittens, without adding to the kitty overpopulation!