Can't decide which direction to go in with this kitten

[spinbaby]

I’ve been trapping and spaying two cats a week at a nearby house where the situation can only be described as Grey Gardens with cats. It’s a completely feral group of cats—I have no idea how many—being fed by old people in a crumbling mansion. One of last week’s catch was a kitten three or four months old who was barely big enough to spay and miraculously did not turn into Cujo when she was handled. She was spayed Tuesday and I’ve been working with her since Thursday— petting, cuddling, carrying her every spare minute. She doesn’t offer any resistance, but is still absolutely petrified. I’ve had feral kittens before who turned around, but fear it may be too late for this one and wonder if I’m doing her a favor. I may wind up returning her to Grey Gardens.

[hlthe2b]

1. My vote is to give her more time. I have found that fearful young ones are reassured by giving some

control over their situation... i.e., creating a safe space for her to retreat to, knowing you are nearby and continue to feed and fulfill her needs. No matter how gently the surgical care might have been, that was a major escalation in her fear so she needs time to readjust to her new safe environment. My guess is she will begin to seek you out, if you let her. Good luck. A kind thing you are doing.

[applegrove]

2. Get her a buddy to play with who is not afraid? Maybe even a grown cat.

And play hard with your kitty.

[spinbaby]

3. She's going for a combo test in the morning

That will probably be the deciding factor. If she’s negative, she can go into the guest room with my fosters, who are now about 10 weeks old. If positive, I have no place to keep her except the crate she’s living in now, so she’ll probably go home.

[3catwoman3]

4. Do let us know how her test turns out.

I think it sounds like she has the potential to be "converted."

[spinbaby]

5. I turned her loose

She allowed herself to be handled, but was clearly terrified. Yesterday I turned her loose in my mostly empty garage, so she could get out of her cage for a bit. After she huddled morosely in a corner for a couple of hours, I decided enough with tormenting a kitten, I’m not subjecting her to a car ride to get tested. She seemed quite happy to get back to Grey Gardens. I’m heading out to trap two more tonight.