Socialization Saves Lives
Method
Thank you for your commitment to socialize your fearful, feral, or otherwise unsocialized cat.
You’ve come to the right place! We practice a step-by-step method that is cat-led and consent-based. Regardless of what you’ve been told, any cat of any age can be socialized to humans. While we started by coaching one-on-one, we’ve built this site to help as many people as possible. Please check out our materials to help yourself in socializing your feline friend.
This site is for rescuers, fosterers and adopters—anyone who wants to help a scared or “feral” cat blossom, find a forever family and live a happy life.
How it all started
A long time ago, a little black and white cat named Molly taught me that I needed to approach socialization differently than what everyone and “the internet” advised. I was new to fostering and had no clue what I was doing, but I finally listened to her and that resulted in developing this empathetic, cat-led approach to socialization.
This content will always be free
I want to help as many scared and “feral” cats as possible so this content will always be free. If you want to help my hands-on rescue work, you can donate to my nonprofit Hopewell Rescue, a 501(c)3.
Yes! Socialized cats can get adopted
As long the cat graduates the SSL program before adoption and you provide proper post adoption support, the cat will acclimate to new people and a new home usually within 3 - 4 weeks (sometimes in 1 - 2 weeks). I’ve adopted out many socialized cats and their adopters are so happy to have a cuddly, loving companion! Refer to the Adoption section of the guide for information on how to create a compelling adoption listing, how to find a right match and how to provide post adoption support.
About Hazel
Hazel developed this method over 10 years of trial and error because the traditional advice didn’t work. This method is so successful because it is built on a foundation of empathy with the scared cat—for every step, she considered what the cat is seeing from his viewpoint and experiencing in the moment. Hazel has guided fosters of multiple rescue groups, adopters, and rescuers across the globe including the US, Canada, UK, France, Kuwait, The Netherlands and Singapore.
Hundreds of cats have successfully gone from cowering in the corner to loving laps and pets through 1:1 and group coaching that Hazel and SSL guides have run, and from instructions and content that they have shared through the years.
Hazel also runs a non-profit rescue organization, Hopewell Rescue through which she rescues, medically rehabilitates, socializes and finds forever homes for cats.
Get Involved
Would you like to train to guide others in this method?
Are you a rescue group or shelter that wants to set up a virtual group training program for your foster parents?
Reach out using the contact link below and we’ll be in touch.
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