If you would like to take care of a feline colony one of the things you will have to do is earn their trustThis doesn't happen overnight; it takes time. So it's very important to be patient and, above all, let the animals themselves guide you and show you where they feel comfortable at any given moment.
Besides the desire to pet those very special street cats, you should ask yourself if that approach will really be beneficial for the felineMany stray cats are wary, and rightly so: for them, it's safer to keep your distance. Some will never let you touch them, even if they see you every day, so it's essential that your main motivation is improve your well-being (food, security, colony control…) and not just fulfill a human whim.
To make it easier for you, we are going to offer you a series of tips on how to gain the trust of street cats. Discover how can you get them to accept your presence in their group and how you can become a positive role model for them without causing them fear or stress.
Respect their safety space
Stray cats, like any other animal including humans, have their own safety space The risk will be higher the less contact they have had with humans or if they have suffered bad experiences in the past. For this reason, when we decided to care for a group of cats living on the street During the first few times, we will have to avoid getting close to them.And we shouldn't even stare at them for too long, as otherwise they might feel intimidated.
Keep in mind that the predominant emotion of many street cats towards people is fear and mistrustIf you try to approach too soon, speak too loudly, or move nervously, the cat will interpret this as danger. On the other hand, if you remain relaxed, respect the distance, and behave calmly, you will gradually convey... a feeling of calm and security.
It's important that you always allow the cat to have one Escape routeNever corner him between walls, cars, or in corners, and never block any possible escape routes. If the cat senses he can escape when needed, he'll feel much more confident staying close to you while he eats or watches you.
You should also remember that every cat is an individual. Some will approach you out of curiosity within a few days, while others need more time. weeks or months to tolerate your presence just a few feet away. Respecting that rhythm, without forcing it, is one of the keys to making the relationship progress.
Feed them at the same time each day
Without saying anything or making sudden movements, report to the place every day around the same time with a feeder (or several, if there are many cats that live in that area) full of food. Leave him / her on the ground and walk away a few meters. The furry ones are sure to eat quickly.
Food is one of their most valuable resources. In the wild, many cats can invest many hours hunting small prey To feed themselves, they expend a huge amount of energy. Having a person constantly offer them food is a great relief, and the cat associates this help with something positive. To further reinforce this association, you can choose to wet food or pieces of meatwhich are usually more appealing than dry food due to their smell and texture.
Do this for two or three weeks. After that time, you can stop hiding, but you'll need to keep your distance for a while longer. It's crucial that when you leave food for the cat... I see you arriveListening to your soft voice if you decide to greet him, he can then eat peacefully without you getting too close.
If you see that the cat isn't approaching the food bowl while you're present, step back and avoid staring. When it starts eating what you've left, you'll know it's creating a food source. positive association between your smell, your presence, and foodRepeating this ritual every day helps to gradually replace fear with curiosity.
Over time, many cats will learn to wait for the person who feeds them, sitting near the food area at the same time each day. This change in behavior, going from hiding to remain visible around youIt indicates that the bond is strengthening, although they still don't let each other touch.
Come closer little by little
Don't be in a rush to get their trust. You have to know that there are some cats that, even if they come to trust you, will not let you hold them. The relationship you can have with them will usually be based on feeding and caressing them only when they allow themselves to be pampered.
Also, it is very important approach little by little And take a step back when they feel insecure and/or intend to flee. You can gradually reduce the distance by a few centimeters every few days, always observing the cat's body language: if it stops eating, tenses up, stares at you, or keeps all four paws ready to run, it's time to stop or back away.
Keep in mind that the cat identifies you by the the smell and the sound of your voice more than your appearance. Even if you keep your distance, your dog is already learning who you are. Every time you get your dog to eat while you're a little closer, you're reinforcing a positive behavior. positive emotion associated with your presence (what in feline behavior is known as positively framing the situation).
Some cats will eventually come close enough to rub against your legs or sit just inches away, while others will always stay at a safe distance. In both cases, if the animal eats peacefully and tolerates your presence, it means you've reached a level of... valuable trust for your well-beingeven if there is no physical contact.
If at any point you notice that the cat freezes, that progress stalls, or that it hides again when it sees you, you can slightly increase the distance and reinforce with especially tasty food (snacks or wet food that they only receive from you). Extra patience is often key with cats that have had negative experiences with other people.
Speak cat language
No, it's not about turning into a cat  , but rather behaving like one. Since you want to gain a feline's trust, here's what you need to do:
- Blink slowly when you see themFor example, blink two or three times in the morning and another two or three times in the afternoon. This tells them they can feel safe with you, since in feline language a slow blink is equivalent to a calm signal and absence of threat.
- Walk away when they feel nervousOr crouch down to ease its fears. If the cat stares, lowers its tail, or twitches it uncomfortably, it's best to... reduce pressure increasing the distance or making your silhouette smaller by squatting.
- Pet them when they least expect itFor example, during mealtimes. The strokes should be gentle, slow, and brief. You should only attempt this when the cat approaches on its own, rubs against you, or shows clear signs of distress. contact search (like bumping their head against your hand or leg).
- Take a rope to playShow it to the cat, especially to younger cats, to pique their interest. Playing with an intermediate object allows the cat to maintain its balance. safety distance while interacting with you and associating you with pleasant experiences.
In addition, it's important to pay attention to other aspects of feline language: avoid direct, fixed staresSpeak in a soft, slightly high-pitched tone of voice, observe the position of the tail (a jerky movement usually indicates discomfort), and always respect when the cat decides to move away. Forcing contact at that point can undo days of progress.
If there are already other caregivers in the neighborhood who have earned their trust, asking them for help can also make a difference. The call social facilitation This makes some cats more willing to approach new people if they see other cats in their colony interacting with them without fear. You can introduce yourself alongside that trusted caregiver so the cat associates you with someone it already considers safe.
With these tips, you're sure to be accepted into their group. Perhaps some will approach you to rub against you, others will only watch you from a distance while they eat, and a few will even enjoy your caresses; in all these cases, you will have achieved something very valuable: that associate people with safety, respect, and well-being, significantly improving their quality of life on the street.