We just acquired two feral kittens which we are attempting to tame. So far, it has been going very well. In case you don't know, feral cats are ones that are wild-- they've had no real interaction with humans, and live completely independent and on their own. Feral cats typically have very short lifespans due to the dangers of disease and the perils of the outside world (including humans). They are untrusting and adult cats are generally considered untamable. However, feral kittens, if caught young enough, can still be socialized and tamed-- but it is not for the uncommitted or the faint-of-heart! It's tough work (and we've only been trying a short time)!
We tried to do some research before committing to such a venture, and I am grateful to have found some great resources that were very helpful. One was a book titled The Stray Cat Handbook. It is full of incredible practical information and some wonderful stories about people's adopted cat experiences. Another valuable resource was a guide to Taming Feral Kittens located in the great site for the organization known as AlleyCat Allies.
Our kittens are probably about 5 or 6 weeks old-- based upon when they first appeared outside, their size, their walking abilities, and the guess of our upstairs neighbor (who seems to know whereof she speaks). They are known as Sweetie and Tabby.
Sweetie was caught first by our neighbor who came and knocked at our door. "Look at what I found!" We had actually been planning on trying to catch a kitten ourselves (and even bought leather gloves and set up a kitty safe-zone in our guest bath), so when she appeared, we took the pretrified little critter in. She was incredible scared and lonely, but by the end of the next day, she was eating and even purring. Now she is a super-active insano kitten!
Tabby came the next night. Keith and I had been discussing the possibility of a second kitten. All of the books say that it can be a happy thing for kittens to have a playmate, and that it can help keep them out of trouble later on if they have somebody to play with. As we came home from dinner, there was Tabby, on the stairwell. It was fate! I ran inside to get the gloves as Keith stood there making sure Tabby didn't bolt and then-- KITTY CAPTURE! However, Tabby has not been as docile as Sweetie turned out to be. Tabby is a hissy kitty... but there's progress every day, and now even Tabby purrs. :)