Relating to cat caring for cat

Relating to cat caring for cat: "If I adopt a new cat who is very nervous and timid, how can I help him to relax?
This partly depends on the reasons why he is nervous - which of course you may not always know. I took on a two-year-old cat who had been ill-treated, and for the first three weeks he hid under the sofa or behind a piece of furniture. He would come out at night to eat his food or use his litter-tray. Gradually he started to come out a bit more and a bit more, but if I tried to touch him he would cower away as if he expected me to hit him. After three weeks he suddenly came to me of his own accord, and now we are trmendous pals! If he appears very nervous, keep him shut in one room at first and just let him take his own time.
A cat may have had a very frightening experience which makes him just want to hide away. Some people advise the use of kittening pens in the main family living room. If the cat continues to hide he will never learn to face life, whereas being in a pen he knows he is safe while seeing the life of the family going on round him.
If a cat is feral - i.e. has never been socialised to mix with humans - it can be extremely hard to get him to settle in your home if he is an adult. Some experts advise that the best thing to do may be to neuter him and let him go back to where he came from. Having said that, I do know people who have successfully brought round feral cats, but it takes huge patience and perseverance."