I am sure that if you are a representative of KBAF you have probably rescued an animal at one time or another that seemed to wild to adopt out. This is my worst fear. Being fairly new at fostering, I dread the time that I would have to give up on an animal and take it to Animal Control to be destroyed. I knew that when the time came when I had a wild animal that I would be 100% sure that there was no way that it could be adopted.
Then my first wild kitty came (see Happy Stories, The Little Tramp). I don't think that he ever came in contact with any human and for the longest time he hissed and swiped at me (got me good too). He crouched in the corner of the cage, terrified and unapproachable. EVERYONE was telling me he will never be a good pet, take him to AC, he is too wild. I was so torn on what to do.
I guess it was a blessing that he was younger and it probably would have been a different story if he was older, but even if he was older, it would not have slowed my determination in taking as much time needed to be sure he was untameable.
Well, as the story goes, many hours sitting on the cold floor by the cage talking and working with the little guy paid off. People were amazed at the progress I made with him, and I thanked God that I didn't listen to their advice and that He gave me the patience I needed to prove them wrong. Whew...
Besides, I don't think that I could of handled making that trip to AC. I would of been so tramatized. It goes against everything I believe in and I know some KBAF would look down on this, but I would of paid for him to be fixed myself and then let him go on my friends farm. But it didn't come to that.
I don't ever want to have to end up making a decision like that again. So I am looking into taming an older feral cat. Believe it or not, it has been done. I am not sure I want to be tested but it is good to know it has been done. Like "Horse Whisperers" maybe there will be "Cat Whisperers" someday.
But I wanted to say to not give in so quickly when it comes to wild cats/dogs. I am sure that a decision to take an animal to AC is as heartwretching a decision for you as it would be for me. Button (pictured) is now established happily in his new home and was worth all the time it took to get him there.