Cats are by nature wild animals; they can succeed in lulling us into thinking we care for them and are responsible for them, but this is not the case. At all.

Sure, treecat seems like a helpless kitten, but he instinctively knows to move out of the way of snakes, gators and not to lick the frogs. Dogs may take a swipe or two with their tongues.... but cats know better.

Even Zoe the Dachshund -as a puppy- knew the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, and how to handle them. The kitten's got even more of that instinct built in.

From my experience, it takes years to become friends with a feral cat. And even then it's an uneasy friendship on the cat's part. Maybe it'll be an easier/faster deal with a kitten... but not if keep trying to capture it. :D
Have you tried one of the humane traps?

Sounds like the kitten/cat has had a bad time, so just give it time. It can and will look after itself quite well, and with patience and care, it may decide to adopt you one day. :) Meantime, just keep making sure it has additional food, water, and such. Stopping efforts to catch it will also help it to trust you. Good luck, and enjoy it on its independent terms.

I'd be tempted to bait the cat with another cat. Kittens will sometimes let older cats mentor them in stuff - for instance, I had a kitten that wouldn't eat food out of a bowl until an older cat demonstrated the technique.

Val:

Pam's right; our wonderful Jenkin spent eight years or so on the street before my wife got her loving arms around her, and it shows; she'll always be a little distant, I think; but she's always there with us in bed, too.

I have a name suggestion from my recent research, which I hope is not an insult:

Bozal.

From what I've read, its most current meaning is tough stuff.

Val: Go to www.sharieweedee.com It is a wonderful site that has everything you probably ever wanted to know about cats and then some.

If I ever make it to ManCamp you'll have to be sure to keep the cat locked away. Unless of course you'd like to see me with swollen red eyes like a goldfish high on crack and an inflamed, red, itchy neck...I didn't think so.

What's the Cuban word for "Survivor"...?

As for getting him / her to come to you, it may take some time. If it comes down to it, it might be a good idea to have your veterinarian trank the kitten, and then both of you can slowly rehabilitate it. That way the vet can also check it over for parasites and general health, plus giving it the standard round of shots. Then you can slowly work on getting it accustomed to human handling. Cats aren't stupid--once they figure out that they're being treated well, they'll reciprocate. And with the kitten still being very young, you have a lot of time to undo the damage that has been done.

Good luck--keep us updated on the progress! I was wondering how the little fellow was doing...

--TwoDragons

I like the name "cuba." Talk about being a survivor.

Patience, Val...

I have befriended feral cats on jobsites where most of the other workers derived pleasure from flinging things at them.

Try leaving a bit of food near your cat's hang-out for a few days, the same time each day. He will associate your scent with food. After a few days, you'l have him used to YOU providing food and will begin to be lurking near-by at the time he KNOWS you're bringing food. After a while, he'll start letting you see him. Then he'll start easing into your presence, but staying out of range. He'll keep getting closer, and if you move slowly and talk gently, you'll eventually get to reach ahnd toward him without him running away. And finally, one day, he will eat in your presence, and after that, you may be able to pet him while he is eating...

And one day, you'll have a premanent friend. Maybe never a house-cat, but a friend...

You could name him Greystoke. :) Or Tarzan.

Did you get the humane trap?? What happened to Tarzan?

Try maybe luring tyhe kitty out with catnip or some lukewarm milk. You can always try to gain it's trust establishing a feeding schedule and allow the kitty to associate you with the smell of food.

Be careful though. Taking in stray cats is like heroin. It feels good and then you want more. I now have seven cats--all but one was a "rescue" in some way.

Not that my cat addiction bothers me, mind you. ;)

"Saddam" or "Cheney"