Terrified, they sought refuge in the corners of their nursery pen, their eyes darting around in search of an escape route. When Emilie offered them treats, they responded by swatting with fully extended claws.
Bert, in particular, was exceptionally frightened, hissing and spitting with unsheathed claws, his back arched, and his hindquarters pressed against the pen. Emilie left the cat treat that Bert had fiercely bitten into and allowed him more time to decompress.
While Ernie began to show interest in human touch and started to come around, Bert remained steadfast in his defiance, refusing to let his guard down. Recognizing Ernie’s progress, Emilie decided to focus on one-on-one socialization with Bert.
Bert initially cowered at the sight of humans, lurching at them with aggression even during mealtime. After several days of intense socialization, Emilie noticed a change in Bert’s demeanor. She remarked, “He began to relax and accepted treats from my hand.”
