I'm not having a go with your ailurophobia, but I think you need to have a conversation with the young lady in the attached video (skip to about 0:40). Perhaps you could both emerge with healthy feline relationships.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTwcCVajAc
Ok, I am having a little fun.
Seriously though, I have a cat that owns me. I also grew up having frequent contact with feral cats; I have sustained my fair share of lacerations (scratches be damned). Don't pick them up. Squat down and let them come to you. If they do, stroke them just behind the skull. If they don't, tell them to fuck off as they strut away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTwcCVajAc
Ok, I am having a little fun.
Seriously though, I have a cat that owns me. I also grew up having frequent contact with feral cats; I have sustained my fair share of lacerations (scratches be damned). Don't pick them up. Squat down and let them come to you. If they do, stroke them just behind the skull. If they don't, tell them to fuck off as they strut away.
