Shana, 7 months isn't a very long time at all. A semi-feral I rescued
in 2001 still doesn't like being picked up or held in my arms. He has
gotten a little more gracious about it in the last year... as long as I
don't hold him for more than 20-30 seconds.

That only came about because I took him outside in my fenced-in back
yard for 'walks'. After 5-10 minutes ourside, I would gently pick him
up and carry him in. At first he struggled in my arms, but after 2-3
times, he got the hint that we had to go back inside and while he never
relaxed, he tolerated my holding him until we got to the door.

He also fights going into the carrier. I bought one where the top
unsnaps and comes off. I take the carrier top off, place him on a towel
inside the carrier bottom, then quickly pop the top on and snap it up.
Be sure that your cats head is facing the back of the carrier so you can
get the door put back on and latched.

Good luck... I think you're doing spendidly with your semi-feral. Time
will win out and I hope she ends up snuggling with you.


"Shana Cooke" wrote in message
om...
: Hello,
:
: I'm trying to find out information on how to teach a semi-feral cat to
: like being picked up (or at least tolerate it).
:
: I adopted a semi-feral from the humane society about seven months ago
: (she is now 13 mo old), and in this time she has stopped hiding, and
: usually comes up to me at night for pets - sitting beside me on the
: sofa, purring her heart out. Occasionally she will step over me to get
: to a better seat, or sit on me if I am lying down covered by a
: blanket. She never sits on my lap if the blanket is not there, though.
: More importantly, she hates being picked up and will hide for a few
: hours when an attempt is made. She also disliked being petted if she
: is not in one of her designated "safe" spots - aka, the sofa, the
: kitty tree, or the bed. If I try to pet her while she walks around on
: the floor, or when she is on the windowsill, she hides from me for an
: hour.
:
: I am trying to get her to adjust by putting my arms around her when
: she's allowing pets, and sometimes adjusting her so she's closer to my
: lap, but it's slow progress. I'd really like some advice on how to get
: her to be pick-up-able, as I'd like to take her to the vet for an
: annual checkup in a month or two and I'd really like for the pick-up
: not to be a traumatic chasing around the house and swoop into a box
: experience. I also worry about putting her back into the box once we
: are at the vet.
:
: She likes treats, but won't come forward for them, I've tried
: sardines, I've tried turkey and chicken meat, she waits until I give
: up and put it down in a dish before she comes out of the hiding spot.
:
: Thanks,
:
: Shana


---
--
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 11/1/2004