Lion Taming: Dakin Style

It’s summer, and Dakin is receiving large numbers of kittens in need of adoption. Many are docile little nuggets who turn on the charm for everyone for a cuddle, a treat or some playtime. Some, however have flattened ears, dilated pupils and a hiss for anyone who ventures near them. They are Tiny Spirit Kittens, or Lions; soon to meet our Lion Tamers.

Dakin’s Lion Tamers program, which began this past June, socializes feral, scared and undersocialized kittens who have had no interactions with people, and fear them. They’re typically 7-9 weeks old and most are brought to us by the Kitten Street Team, who find them hiding alone or with littermates under bushes or porches, in sheds, garages, barns, or virtually anywhere that might provide some form of shelter.

With careful, methodical steps, the Lion Tamers interact with the kittens. They take their cues from the kittens regarding the pace of interactions. If a kitten seems calm, or even approaches the front of the cage, eager to interact, those are positive signs. If a kitten retreats to the back of the cage, hisses, or turns away from the Lion Tamer, showing no desire to interact, more time and attention is focused on building their trust.  The Lion Tamers take detailed notes about each of the kittens for their fellow Tamers who will encounter them next.

According to Animal Resource Counselor Eliza Fischer, who cofounded the program with Veterinary Services Manager Mary Jane McGuire, the program’s goal is to reduce stress and help the kittens associate good things with people, as well as reduce the medical issues associated with stress that kittens face, and that often delay their ability to become adopted.

The idea for the program sprang from a conversation Eliza had with a fellow animal welfare professional who was a co-host of the Jackson Galaxy Cat Pawsitive 360 event at Dakin earlier this year. “We spoke at length about feral kittens,” recalled Eliza. “She recommended that we work with them differently than we have in the past and focus on meeting them where they are. When I told Mary Jane about this conversation, she said we should try and create a program using volunteers to help tame these kittens.” The pair assembled their Tamers, and trained them to help the kitties, baby step by baby step.

After just a few weeks in operation, the Lion Tamers program has already helped 70 tiny kittens take some giant steps toward much brighter futures, with more to come. “It's an amazing thing to see these kittens behaving like ‘normal’ kittens; playing with toys, kneading, and playing with each other in the cage,” said Eliza. “Since I care for these kittens every day I'm here, I get to know them and can offer adopters a specific story about them which also feels really good.”