Feral cats are born in the wild. Abandoned or lost pets are considered strays, but in some instances they will revert to feral behavior. You should always treat feral cats, and even kittens as what they really are, wild animals. Before you take the step of adopting a feral cat or kitten, you need to understand that it is big commitment and there is a lot involved.

Keep your feral kitten in a small cage with a place that he can retreat and feel safe while he observes his new surroundings. Drape a towel over part of the cage to give him the feeling that he has a small niche of privacy where he can still see out. Let him settle down for a day or two before you try to handle him. Talk gently to him through the cage, so he can get used to sound of your voice and your smell. Don't stare directly at him, as cats perceive this as aggressive behavior. Try blinking your eyes at him instead. This is seen as relaxed and non-threatening behavior.

Pay attention to the kitten's body language to decide when it is time to begin handling her. It's important not to rush this step, let her come out of the cage in her own time. Start by taking her out for handling several times a day, but only if she able to tolerate it.

Be careful during the first handling. Use a towel or glove to pick up the kitten, and place him facing away from you. Pet the kitten, but not for too long. Try petting the kitten on it's cheek. During this stage don't introduce contact with other humans.

There is no guarantee that your kitten will become a social butterfly or a cuddly lap cat. Taming a feral kitten takes time and each kittens personality is different. Often feral kittens will retain some of their shyness, even after becoming accustomed to people. Shyness with strangers is also common with domesticated cats who have grown up in the company of humans.

Obviously, the younger the kitten, the better chance that he can be domesticated. The time frame for this process varies, but it is commonly thought that the longer the kitten is living wild, the longer it will take. Patience is the key, and each kitten will be different.