This will take time and patience. I think she should be placed in a
comfortable room of her own with litter, water, food and a bed. Gradually,
sit in the room with her while she eats so she will associate you with food.
Slowly have her get to know you and the other cat by small exposures. This
cat is very frightened and should be socialized very slowly. The often make
the best pets when they grow to trust.
GAil
"jimperrin" wrote in message
.cable.rogers.com...
Hi:

About two months ago I got a "free-to-a-good-home" four-year-old tabby
cat.
Ever since it arrived, it sits on a shelf in the basement and except for
nocternal eating rarely comes out.

It has been getting friendlier, craves attention, but does give me a
fairly
vicious bite occassionally when I'm petting her, trying to gain her trust.
(My right arm and hand is shredded, I'm thinking of amputating it!)

I got a second cat in the hopes of drawing the first one out. (The second
is
marvellous - moved in a took over!) No luck, the second won't have
anything
to do with the first.

I read about the petting/attack issues and now wear heavy gloves and I
scold
her verbally when she bites me. I'm actually having a love/fear
relationship
with this critter.

Any ideas on how I can draw this beast out of her lion's den and turn her
into a sociable cat, or should I quit while I'm ahead and have her sent to
the SPCA?

Jim
Orillia, Ontario, Cananda