Colette the cat was a stray (almost feral) for at least her first
6 months before we rescued her. Unfortunately her first year
was especially difficult (the timing was just awful) because we
had an older cat who was very loyal to us, very trerritorial and
unfortunately very sick. Colette stayed away from us and hissed,
scratched and bit when w picked her up or just petted her. She
also had times when she didn't use the litterbox. After our older
cat died, she would still hiss and bite and I started "socialization
exercises". At different times, I would get close to her, but not
touch her. If she hissed and started to bite, I used the squirt gun.
I progressed slowly to petting her and picking her up; if she hissed
or bit, I used the sqiurt gun. We also gave her treats and lots of fur
mice and other fun toys during this period. Over a period of 6 to 9
months,  the hissing and biting stopped and she would just grumble
or run away when she didn't want any attention. At 4 years old, she
still doesn't like to be picked up (she grumbles after 5 - 10 seconds),
but she does sleep most nights on the bed with us and often sits on
our laps for brushing, petting and napping. She has also accepted the
new kitten Blaise. She grumbles at him too and they play fight, but
then they touch noses and sleep on the bed together.

Ann