Stray with issues

Question
I have fostered, socialized, and otherwise cared for many stray/relinquished cats over the years.  I also share my home with five rescues, a few with PTSD issues.  I am aware of much in the behavior of cats, but I'm a little stymied by this latest problem.  God has apparently seen fit to grace me with (another) stray in my garage.  This DSH doesn't appear to have an illness or injury, and my initial attempts at drawing her out were met with the most fierce attacks I've ever experienced.  She's been in my garage for several days with the door closed (with a fan, food, water, litter box that she uses), and over that time she's allowed me to rub her head and halfway down her back and under her chin.  She's attacked me enough that I am very brief with my contact.  When I break off, she backs away and rolls around on the garage floor, like she has an itchy back.  But the difference is, she seems to be self-soothing, patting her own face and using her paws to rub her head and chin herself.  

Is this anything you've experienced?  I've never seen a cat who attacks once I've made positive contact fairly consistently -- they usually lap it up like cream.  This girl doesn't, and I'm very wary.

I don't want to call animal control -- most certainly she'll be put down -- but none of the humane societies have any room right now.  And I can't take on another cat.  Is there something more I can do to try and socialize her better, so that there could be the possiblity of adoption in the near future?

Answer
Tere,

I completely understand how you feel at this point. This baby is definitely not sure of what you're trying to do when you reach out to offer attention and affection - she may have been badly treated or neglected prior to finding you. I would suggest that she gets medically checked up just to be sure that there isn't a hidden medical reason (such as dental disease which can be quite painful) for her to be extra guarded as a start.

The behaviour you describe with her rubbing her paws against her face is self soothing - the scent glands in her cheeks release pheremones when rubbed which will help to soothe her anxiety at being touched. It sounds like she may need a Feliway diffuser or a calming collar to help her be somewhat less anxious during her rehabilitation process. Fearful kitties can sometimes best be drawn out with play using toys such as Neko Flies or Da Bird because these toys allow for interaction without contact. Treats are another good way to guage just how fearful this kitty is - a truly fearful or just plain aggressive cat may strike out at you rather than take a treat that's offered.

If she is fearful or aggressive the situation is far from hopeless, she will just take more time, TLC and patience to help bring around. You could also consult a holistic veterinarian with training in homeopathic medicine to determine which homeopathic remedies would be useful to help her overcome her issues. My recommendation at this point as far as homeopathic remedies goes would be to hold off until she is more easily handled and then try for a Bach Flower Remedy called Rescue Remedy which is a great overall remedy for fear, trauma, etc.

I would also suggest spending as much time as possible just sitting quietly in her temporary home - allowing her to come to you and solicit attention by rubbing her scent on you will help her to see that you aren't scary or threatening. I can't put a time limit on how long it will take to rehab her because ultimately this varies from cat to cat based on a number of factors including past experiences with people, temperament, how safe they feel in their current situation, etc. Rehabilitation and socialization are processes which take time and patience. She may need a couple of weeks, she may need a few months depending on how threatened she really feels by human contact.

If you can't commit that kind of time then it may not be a bad idea to contact Alley Cat Allies about potentially having her spayed, vaccinated, checked for a microchip (in case she's a lost pet) and either placed with a foster family for rehabilitation or released near your home. If she is released near your home you can then continue to provide food and clean water for her on a regular basis without the fear that she will bring home hopelessly adorable babies that you will have to find homes for. Alley Cat Allies will assess her and determine what is best if she is not microchipped.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me again at any time. I'm more than happy to help in any way that I can.

Kind regards,

Ali