How to socialize older kittens outdoors

[@LKeet6]

I respect this video so much. It's not a "sad" ending, but it's not the perfect scenario basically every other channel shows you. (Although it was pretty darn good.) We need to see the truth. There are thousands upon thousands of street cats out there. They live very tough lives, and often suffer. It's nice to imagine ending all their suffering by rehoming them, but the real way we'll achieve it is by TNR.

[@kittyhutadventures]

It is very transparent and very true. We can improve the lives of so many with TNR.

[@carolynlong514]

Yes what u say is diffinetly true every word of it BUT is all the Carmen's out there going to feed the cats u release for the next 12 or more years. I knew a man who had been doing the feeding for 25 years he said. I new him about 5 or so years. He finally got tired of it & retrapped them & sent them to a shelter Md. One day I will drive to Md to check this out.

[@wuw385]

What's tnr?

[@LKeet6]

@@carolynlong514 we don't have enough people or shelter space to house all the cats. Therefore they suffer and die. The way to solve this is to stop so many being born.

[@wuw385]

Got it: trap, neuter, return

[@ayannababii]

"It's gonna take so long to get the other two kittens to trust us-" "NO. I'M GONNA DO IT." Bless this woman.

[@shep9231]

All one needs is a little love, a little trust and a little faith.... time takes care of the rest. :) I've rescued four street cats now... one of those during a major winter storm...

[@kayhenry6293]

I have the utmost respect and admiration for the cat caregivers of the world. I donate as much and as often as I financially can.

[@emills767]

Same and same. 💜

[@miipmiipmiip]

Thank you for everything you do!

[@Timelost_Techpriest]

Carmen, I hope you read this. Your determination and kindness are an inspiration. Thank you for believing in these babies. You were there when they needed you.

[@insertnamehere6659]

Seeing a tech priest comment this is surreal.

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

A lot of street cats crave affection more than food. The most feral cat I've dealt with took two weeks to trust me feeding him in the yard and in order to get him socialized and adopted quickly, I started petting his neck while he ate at that point. He quickly got addicted to pets and followed me inside to eat and sleep. I expected it to take months but he got adopted just in time before I moved.

[@choosehope8729]

Carmen and family did a great job socializing the spicy pack. Hopefully your network of fosters will include more people that will do outdoor socializing if they can’t have animals indoors.

[@lissiejohnson5538]

We socialized our girl outside, took a year, but now she's a happy indoor kitty.

[@Ali-7676]

Please elaborate, how did you do it?

[@sammylove14]

Yes please give any advice you have. I’m about to try to socialize a 7 mo old kitten who lives under my house with her mother.

[@genieinthepot2455]

@@sammylove14 Have you been trying? Any improvement in them?

[@pamelar4224]

It’s so heart breaking how easy it is to socialize feral kittens and yet I know there is so much need . It’s so awesome that Carmen was determined to socialize all of her colony. That’s wonderful ! 😊

[@colleenmayes1537]

I once rescued an absolutely feral kitten this age from certain death in a large outdoor garbage can that had about 10" of water in it. It took a week before she would let me out of her sight. From that moment, I was hers!

[@Phlimbob]

My sister just got some spicy kittens last night so I was very curious about this video. Her plan is to socialize them as best she can. Kudos to all the fosterers out there!

[@_NewtonMeter]

1:55 hearing upset tone in your voice really says something about how really hard it is and we thank you for your service helping cats and kittens across Brooklyn

[@hannahh6793]

"Even mister slapity spice couldn't resist being held like a baby" I agree. We do all need and DESERVE love. ♥️

[@78ABates]

I'm so pleased you demonstrated that spicy panthers can be mild mannered love bugs with a little patience and time. Great work Carmen and Flatbush!

[@kiute.c]

My boys weren’t rescued until they were 7 months old, but they turned out friendly because their caretakers loved them so much. I’m so grateful to that family ❤

[@gtrguyinaz]

I took a 2 year old ferrel cat, brought her inside and she after 2 months was socialized. Yes it took daily work but 1 year inside and she is now happy..

[@jacksonheathen2092]

I admire your love for cats.

[@MissIncorrigibleOfOz]

Sounds like we should all be making friends with the cats we see in our neighbourhoods in order to help them socialise!

[@IceStormGale]

Your timing for this video couldn’t be more perfect for dealing with a situation I’ve found myself in at my new apartment. I have cats already, And not enough room to foster at the moment. But the cat and the kitten outside that I’m trying to help are very food motivated, so this gives me hope. I’ll continue trying to help them as best I can.

[@665Kattt]

You all are angels to these poor kitties!

[@shadylane8672]

For me, fostering has it's highs and low - the post adoption email that a kitten has found their forever home or the call that one needs to be put down. I will say that knowing the animals are getting a second chance, basically right after birth, makes it worth it.

[@SKinSKorea]

My 3rd cat was abandoned on the street and TNRed. He was so ready to move back inside! I wasn’t planning on a 3rd cat, but he insisted. Now I do TNR (here in Korea). It’s not cheap, but I do what I can. I get all my TNRs a round of vaccines also.

[@elaineculbert8594]

@SKinSKorea: Thank you for all your help! 🇨🇦

[@SKinSKorea]

@@elaineculbert8594 I ended up being that old cat lady! Not a bad way to spend extra time and money! I see so many feral cats here- many in colonies with cat moms. Some going through TNR programs. They all need TNR!! Also vaccines!

[@Rat2rrj]

Thats what I did for my girl Dulce; got her and her brother to trust, then fixed, then as the loyal pets they are

[@sagittariusbeauty]

It's Friday, just had a good day at work, now a video about socializing kittens, and hearing Good Life being played in the background? Love it! 💖

[@emuevalrandomised9129]

Most of my cats, older or younger, have been former ferals. Real ferals though, not just friendly strays. It takes a long time to break through to them but when the wall comes down and they begin to trust you it's a feeling like no other. You build a special bond with them and they will truly be your cat by choice. It takes a lot of work and they might be hiding for many months until one day they just come out.

[@Jakubescu]

your coment gives me some hope. 2 months ago I rescued so about 3-4 month old feral kitten, a girl, she is still very shy , plays with me but if I want to pet her she always run off and hides under the bed. My friend rescused her brother but he is very cuddly from the first moment and he is bigger that she.

[@NymphieJP]

Massive respect to the woman who helped those cats come around to the VIP life!

[@someonekenobi]

Nothing makes my heart melt like watching spicy kittens turning into loving lap cats. Thank you Carmen for giving them so much love!

[@jdillon3035]

Thanks for your honesty. Not all everyone will say the hard truths.

[@anndeltredici3129]

Great, great video and narration--and big shout-out to Carmen for socializing the kittens! We took in 4 street kittens three years ago. 3 of them were "easy" to socialize. The 4th is happy but still very skittish--but we're making slow but good progress.

[@cassandraralph5906]

All due respect and honor to all the volunteers who work with stray and feral cats at Flatbush Cats.

[@Littabethy]

Mr slappity spice! Love that he was reaching for a petting eventually! Just goes to show patience is truly a virtue! And the easiest path isn't always the way. Some times the long road is rewarding as well.

[@y0u5uf]

These videos are like soup for my soul.. These guys are doing such good work. I envy your job.

[@tomokoz300]

There's one feral cat that has been coming to eat every day for the past 1 1/2 years and I started brushing him with a long-handled brush about 5 months ago and yesterday I was finally able to feed him a Churu while holding in my hand but I did not move my hand at all. He's still far away from being totally socialized but I hope to take him with me when I move next year.

[@bookbunny9]

Wow!! So much respect to Carmen for continuing to believe in herself and those kitties, and of course to Flatbush Cats for all the wonderful work you do and keep pushing to do!

[@CharlotteIssyvoo]

I'm so grateful to the woman who rescued the mother of my two cats, Chuti and Ketsl, when she realized mama was pregnant. She brought the mama in and took very good care of her and the kittens. When the kittens were old enough, she found a home for mama, and then gave the kittens to a rescue group. I was told that the kittens were in the best shape of any kittens that had ever been surrendered to them. Now they're four and just lovely. If left in the wild, Chuti would have wandered off on some adventure and been caught by a coyote, and Ketsl would have hidden somewhere in fear and not been able to feed himself. They'd probably both be gone already. Now they get to live long, healthy, happy lives. I wish I could find the woman who rescued them and thank her.

[@kayaker9912]

Again, thank you for all that you do Flatbush Cats. A big thank you to Carmen as well, for doing what she can. I hope that the people of Brooklyn and perhaps some of the other NYC boroughs are responsive to TNR and helping feed these poor kitties.

[@midwestgal9931]

Knowing that Flatbush Cats exists in this world just makes me so damn happy and hopeful.

[@Moneytane1976]

0:51 - That kitten's eyes are priceless. Pupils that wide are pure fear. Poor thing did not know what was happening to her, yet its all good - she had probably never known anything but cruelty and deprivation to this point. They are cute though! But that is not enough with some cats, those ones were untamable, when a kitten is still hissing and swiping at you after several days, its too feral and spicy. No one wants a cat that will attack them all the time (Believe me I have had a couple as a kid). They are hard choices, but the right one was made, it is spayed or fixed and the animal is fed and I am sure you can bring them in if they get real ill. Plus these cats will not reproduce which is the best thing. You guys do the best work.

[@SoleaGalilei]

Thank you, Carmen!

[@DiamondNet2009]

I especially love Slappity Spicy Kitten! Lol Thanks for the good news it is all possible to socialize them.

[@DrSticktrick]

OMG... they are so cute. I'm literally dying 😻 You guys are doing an incredible job.

[@RangerOfTheEast00]

At present all I can do is share this video with my friends so this cause may gain more exposure However, I feel once my own economic situation improves I plan to donate.

[@greedy_muppet]

Because I watched one of your videos about how to socialize kittens, I took on a 4 month old kitten that was found outside. I fostered him with three already semi-socialized kittens. Boy, that was rough, but he is the sweetest cat now. It took months of forced cuddles, slow movement, and spoon/hand feeding. He ended up being the nicest cat out of all of them and we adopted him a year ago. He is the most affectionate out of all our cats. He definitely doesn’t like strangers, though, and only trusts us.

[@mphillips4324]

Thank you SO MUCH for your time and effort. I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!

[@Axiniana]

You are amazing. Thank you and your team for what you're doing. I've never been to USA, let alone Brooklyn, but I'm sure you're making it (already great) an even better place, one step at a time.

[@dianehobbs]

Those are some beautiful cats! That one tabby was very spicy. It's adorable how he came around 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@donna1716]

Thank you for helping the poor cats

[@Alex-wv6co]

Aww 🥰 so cute. I wish I could adopt them all.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

I love Carmen! Her caring and determination to help this little family of kittens made all the difference.

[@nalasimba]

From "Spicy" to Sugar and Spice and all things nice! Great job.👌💯❤

[@kittyhutadventures]

This is so true. TNR is often times the only solution. Some cats don't acclimate well indoors. I have 9. Our older cats came when they were used to being outdoors and were not really kittens. They also came at a time I did not have suitable place indoors for them. I also had dogs at the time that did not take to cats. My younger group came as very small, vulnerable kittens and at a time I could fix up a special room for them and build a catio as well. So, this is why I have indoor and outdoor cats. Thanks for all you do. People need to understand that there are just too many stray cats to provide the ultimate dream situation for them. I wish we had a TNR program here.

[@DiamondNet2009]

This was awesome. Thank you! Thank you for a fun, informative clip for all of us!🐾😻❤

[@ladyaudrey9976]

Thank you for all you do. 💚💚💚💚. My comment for the youtube algorithms. 💚💚💚💚

[@valveneul3958]

Doing Gods work, donated around 400 maybe, I’ll drop 100 a month or so. Wasn’t the best to my two cats when I was younger, so that’s what I donate. Can’t change the past unfortunately

[@lorraineschaden430]

Here in Montreal Quebec Canada and the surrounding areas,it is free to have stray cats fixed and then released. The SPCA will loan you the traps and will arrange the pick up of the cat and organize the appointment with the vet. We are very lucky ❤ for all the work and effort everyone does to try and help the situation. With out this free service we would be in a much more difficult situation. Thank you for doing everything that you do for the people of NY but,especially for the kittens and cats of NY.

[@Solhai]

There's some farms west of here that try to help with that compromise of being the outdoor social cat that has regular food and someone will do their best to keep an eye of them and keep them safe. It's not a bad life. It's not the dream, but it's something. Was able to help a new friend of mine struggling with his rescued tomcat to get him neutered. Rides, calling others to let them know there's a need. It adds up. Thank you for making so much good add up with your communication and videos and examples and transparency.

[@rachelgilbert3164]

She did such a great job outdoor fostering until indoor fosters could be established! Lucky kitties to be living where someone cared about them 💚💙💜

[@benwilton5307]

Love and patience

[@RedZeshinX]

All cats no matter how young, old or feral can be socialized and turned into loving cuddle bugs, however it takes an incredibly LONG time and vast reserves of patience to do so. One such spicy feral mama cat took me half a year to let me even pet her and now she just runs up to me falling over looking up with eyes filled with love and playfulness, but it took forever to get there of daily work, scratches, bites, hissing, sitting together, etc. before she learned I was not just safe but an ally. Knowing that every cat is capable of a deep and wonderful love truly makes the cruel reality that there simply isn't enough time or resources to help all of them transition from that defensive survival shell to becoming a happy, trusting forever home kitty, just that much more painful. Bless your hearts for undertaking such absolutely heartwrenching work.

[@sooz9433]

God Bless you for all you do. I haven't forgotten about you.

[@wildflower9041]

Forever is typically 2-3 yrs. My cat was 6 years feral, was tnr and treated for other health issues. A HS worker wanted to give her a chance. 1 and a half years in shelter. 6 months with me, she loves love and her housecat life. Feral cats need time and patience maybe more than kittens but the result is a tremendous bond. And longer life. My 3rd by the way.

[@roxysimmons]

You are doing such an amazing job - all of you 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@fearofthechippan]

I wasn’t able to give much, and I don’t even live in New York, but I was moved to donate by this. You’re doing amazing work and I hope my little donation will save some kitties 🖤🐱

[@angrycannibal6625]

Blessings to you and Carmen and family.

[@bobkohl6779]

I was lucky I had months to socialize a very young feral cat outdoors. She's been a fantastic house cat for 12 years now! Very smart and very rowdy and fun

[@robincampochiaro7741]

You are right, it's a tough decision to put back kittens but fortunately this cat family had a wonderful person who fed them and was patient with them and there was a happy ending. I wish the outcome could be like this for all the kitties but we know you and helpful people do the best they can. Donated

[@SundaysSound]

You and the community of cat caregivers do incredible work! Thank you so much!

[@tyn999]

This is awesome! Thanks Carmen!

[@TheMoogoescow]

Thank you so much for everything you do!

[@tothelighthouse9843]

Flatbush Cats is such a fantastic project.

[@onedge30]

Yes, yes, yes. I have this conversation all the time. Thanks

[@roseangela2797]

You are GOD SENT...cats need Love, Food, Patience and MORE LOVE. Thank you.

[@jovicrazed]

Awww, such a great story. Thank you.

[@megsley]

wet food is a great tool for socializing outdoors! I've gotten two community cats to accept affection using wet food as a negotiating tool 😂

[@thisorthat7626]

@meg, Thank you for the suggestion. We feed dry because it is easier. I will try wet food in the future. And I have found that catnip helps to calm them down. Blessings.

[@Wexster94]

kittens look the cutest when they're trying to look mean.

[@averynelson1186]

yoooo Carmen is so great! Amazing.

[@alexasfunworld1954]

There is this one cat at my house that was a stray and I spent many hours outside socializing the cat. Soon she got comfortable with me but is still wary about other people, mostly because we also have a dog that chases both of my cats. She know is more comfortable with being with me without food and with a few people around.

[@melissamax3129]

Thank you so much! With TNR I was able to Fix 2 Adult Males and 2 Adult Females. There were 6 kittens but only 2 were friendly enough and adopted! The rest we let back outside. Its been 2 years and Lost only 1 hit by a car. I felt so Guilty but at least tried to get them adopted in the begging!

[@UrbCn]

everything is amazing in this video.

[@patriciahammondsongs]

"Mr Slappety-Spice" hahahaha love it

[@howling_starr]

This gives me hope for some of the older kittens in my neighborhood. We have a huge feral problem, and while we're doing our best to TNR the adults and get the kittens out before they're too old, there always seems to be some slipping through the cracks. I always thought the older kittens might just end up the same as the adults, but watching this gave me a bit more determination to work with both the older kittens and the adults. Maybe someday some of them will come around to us and we can find them homes.

[@NamPham-jk5zc]

You guys are doing great work and my heart melts at all the success stories.🎉

[@Andrew_Erickson]

Thank you so much!

[@maramakesjournals2319]

I loved the video. Thanks! I believe your work is very important. I promise to donate again when I can. I think of you often. 💕

[@redandblue1013]

Flatbush bingo (4x4): Chicken baby food ; Spicy ; Socialisation window ; scritches Vet ; TNR ; 3 months old ; on the streets Forever home ; Foster ; Brooklyn ; litter Play time ; bathroom ; feral ; abandoned

[@Vanastar]

Just don't make it a drinking game.

[@tetricacy]

🤣

[@amenandhis7kids724]

And we got you guys till the end

[@kiwi5162]

My experiences havn't involved many "feral" cats. However living with and adopting strays over the last 30 years has given me enough where I am advocating now for rehoming as many cats as every community is capable of doing. All cats need to be considered a resource. Why? There is ample evidence and research backing up "animal-assisted therapy". I have seen it in my own life. Cats are true emotional support/therapy animals. Recently a YT video explored this. It was titled: "The impact of a cat's presence on mental health." LOVE. PEACE. God Bless

[@cassandraralph5906]

God bless you abundantly for your wonderful work.

[@lindanorris2455]

I never ever give up on older kittens, they can be socialized!

[@jasminbatzakis9276]

Amazing work. 💚And donate as much as I can.

[@VanillaBizcotti]

Georgio is so pretty

[@herrgable9787]

Great work

[@pinadevos]

What a sweet family. 🤗

[@kpepperl319]

I have done it... It's not easy, but it can be done. I started socializing outside like this video said, and one day I opened the backyard door, two came in, and I closed the door. They still freaked out, but I ended up convincing both that it's fun to be inside too. THE KEY TO FIRST PETTING IS A WAND TOY WITH A FLUFFY TAIL TOY. Start stroking them while they eat, and slowly switch the hand in a week or so. Depending on spiciness. I have done that for all the kittens I have rescued from my yard... 6 kittens in total. They were adopted once they went to a no kill shelter.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Mr Slappity Spice 🌶 I loved that. I’d also seen him in another video slapping away the baby food and I wondered what had become of that particular spicy 🌶 kitten. Thanks to Carmen and her family, and thanks to you and yours ❤

[@elinannestad5320]

Flat bush and friends: I love and admire you, from the other side of the pACIFIC ocean.

[@feargripper]

This is a big way cats are socialized in warmer climates in the Mediterranean. Due to culture and attention very few outdoor cats in some places are feral!!

[@Goatsandducks]

Go Geirgio! We luv u. 💕💕🕺🕺👍 Respect to all the hard work you do. Thank you for helping the little ones. 🙏🤟😻😻😻😻😻🤙😎

[@サムライ-f2e]

Aww so cute. I wish I could adopt them all.

[@TeamCat1128]

Love this!😻 Edit: Mr Slappity Spice 😂

[@theappler9516]

have a couple of barn cats, a mama and two sets of kitties. the older two were really shy and wouldnt let you touch them, but now that we have the younger two enjoying being held and pet, one of them is coming around, we can pick her up and she'll stay in our laps. getting the older one whos friendly spayed soon and keeping an eye on the little kitties for neutering. hopefully we can get the mama and other older kitty in some traps but its a bit doubtful considering we havent seen them for a bit