It's much safer to hide all of the time, or to hiss and swat to keep people at a distance. But those behaviors don't really make for a very adoptable kitty.
This is where GPSPCA's KIT Kat program comes in. KIT Kats - or Kitties In Training - are these very shy and fearful animals who need special handling before they are ready for the adoption floor. KIT Kat volunteers have gone through extra training to learn how to best help socialize these cats. I personally don't have the patience for it, but I greatly admire those who work with our under-socialized felines. The results of this program are amazing.
For example, Scooter here has been at the shelter for 359 days. She's just under two years old, so she has basically spent half her life in a shelter environment.
For a long time, Scooter would just hide. She wanted nothing to do with anyone. Everything was just too scary for her. After many days, much patience, and lots of treats, Scooter started coming out of her shell.
First she would come to you for treats. Then she would come out for attention. After being moved into a colony room of her own, Scooter even started coming out to sit on laps.
All of this work really paid off: Scooter went home today.
Dribbles and Lyndon are two more KIT Kat graduates. Both have been at the shelter since August 2015. Dribbles was just four months old when she was brought in; Lyndon was six months old.
For the first few weeks, they would hiss at anyone who came near their kennels. Lyndon would hide in his box if he even saw you looking at him from across the room. If you approached her kennel, Dribbles would climb the back wall trying to get away.
After a couple of months, Dribbles would stay near the front of the kennel when you opened it...as long as you didn't get your hand too close to her. Lyndon still hid if you came near. Some clever soul had the idea of putting them in a kennel together and the results were magical.
The two quickly bonded with one another, and simply having a playmate built confidence in each of our shy kitties. Though Lyndon would still run for his box when the kennel door opened, he saw Dribbles becoming more and more bold and started following her example. Hands became sources of food and treats and toys rather than fear.
At the beginning of the year, Dribbles and Lyndon were finally moved to the adoption floor. I think their video speaks to the progress they have made.
KIT Kats require a serious commitment, not just of time, but also of love. However, watching these fearful kitties blossom into affectionate pets constantly shows the value of the program. There is nothing like having that hider come out and settle into your lap for the first time. Those purrs are extra sweet.
