My semi feral cat has disappeared

[calicosrspecial]

That is great. I am sure he is looking forward to your visits!!

I think it is great that you wrote the guy a note, most people appreciate an explanation. Hopefully it will temper any emotions.

I think it is awesome you would help the caretaker with the ferals. You really are terrific.

Good luck, you'll get Redford. Stay positive. 

 

[alex134]

CalicosRSpecial,
I am happy to say that the guy did call me and we had a great conversation. He explained a lot of background regarding the strays/ferals around the property and that helped me to understand his concerns. He does want me tto recover Redford, and he asked that I just let everyone know what my plans for recovery are so they can know what is going on. I assured him I would. I also assured him that if I had to resort to trapping I would never leave the traps unattended.

So, that was great progress for yesterday. I saw Redford twice, tested out human tuna on his appetite in case I need to trap him. I will likely have three traps available by tomorrow or Saturday. He is hanging around with two other cats that largely interfere in the feeding process, though I think they are learning that I come there only for Redford.

Yesterday Redford devoured an entire can of tuna cat food in the evening. I also saw the cats caretaker and offered to buy her a case of food to thank her for taking care of Redford these last few weeks. She was very happy for the offer. I will deliver the food this evening on my dinner visit.

Thank you so much for the continued support!

 

[calicosrspecial]

Alex134,

That is terrific. So glad he understands. Communication really is helpful, so glad you did what you did.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get Redford soon. Would be nice for him to go back home.

It is so nice you are helping that group out.  That goes a long way.

Good luck.

 

[alex134]

When I think of how much I have donated to animal organizations over the years, not knowing how the money is used, it feels good to know I can help out a group of animals directly, no middleman, no administrative costs. There is one cat in the group, one of two that hang out with Redford, that the caretaker said a friend of hers is interested in adopting. She is a cute black and white long hair, 2 years old. The woman is trying her best. She even feeds the squirrels in the area and said they all get along with the cats.

I pray the weather holds out for the next few days.

 

[calicosrspecial]

I know exactly what you mean. You are making a tangible difference, it really makes an impact. If one can't donate the time a cash donation is great. If one can donate the time it is even greater than the equivalent dollars.

I think it is great what the caretaker is doing. She can be proud though I am sure she is not looking for my praise. She is doing it out of selfless love.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the black and white long hair could find a home as well....................... Fingers crossed.

Thank you so much for all you are doing, it really is important and it really does make a difference. 

 

[alex134]

Thank you for your kind comments, CalicosRSpecial. I don't feel I do any more than anyone else on this site. We are all in this together

Saw Redford twice today, and he seemed a bit agitated. I figured out it was the dog next door, his big black nose was poking through a hole in the fence, sniffing the air for the food I brought. Redford noticed it long before I did, LOL.

Redford was surrounded by kitties this evening, so I was only able to give him a couple spoonfuls of food. I am thinking I may gather up the friendly ones and put them In carriers temporarily when I attempt trapping. They are so sweet and cute and have absolutely no idea the chaos they are causing.

 

[Norachan]

I'm glad to hear everything is going well. It must be a relief to have spoken to people in the area and explained the situation, I can understand their concerns about shelters and traps suddenly appearing and being left overnight. It sounds like Redford has found himself a lovely cat-friendly neighborhood to hang out in.

Good luck with the trapping.

BTW, what happened with the tom cat you had neutered that was hanging around your place? Is he still showing up to eat?

 

[alex134]

Yes, Norachan, Redford,is safe where he is for now, and I am grateful to even have located him. It is now one week. And yes, the Tom shows up, late.at night for food, i saw him yesterday.

 

[di and bob]

I pray you are blessed for you love and concern, and that good things will come your way, we need more people like you in this world!

 

[alex134]

Thank you so much, this means a great deal to me.

 

[alex134]

Feeling a little sad and discouraged today. Late last night/early morning I set up two traps to try and coax Redford into one of them. Little did I know he was watching me. When I headed back to my car to wait it out, he emerged from the side of the house, ate the trail of tuna leading to one trap, then stopped short of entering. I waited a while, but he never went in. Neither did the cat that he hangs out with.

This is a situation where I must remove the traps at each attempt, because of sensitive neighbors. I cannot leave them there so the cats get used to them.

I am not giving up, but I am wondering if he will ever take the bait?

He clearly remembers me, and came over to see if I was going to offer any more food. By dawn I had to pick up the traps and leave.

I am thinking of trying a slightly different location, on :cross:the side of the adjoining property, which has more greenery and I may be able to disguise the trap with some ivy. Any other ideas are welcome.

 

[zed xyzed]

Here are a few really good pointers. Good luck I hope you can bring him home soon http://feralcatfocus.org/humane-trapping-tips-for-hard-to-catch-cats/ 

 

[alex134]

Thank you, Zed Xyzed, I will try out some of these ideas.

 

[alex134]

Good morning all,
I am in a real dilemma and need advice. Late Saturday night I attempted trapping Redofrd again. I set up 3 traps on a grassy area close to the usual feeding station at the place he is staying. He approached and I saw him enter one trap, but his tail was out. After a minute or so he backed out of the trap and sat under a car. Two other cats were trapped and I released them. He never went back near the traps once he saw the other cats in there.

I was so disappointed, tired, frustrated. I decided to take a day off from visiting him yesterday, to decompress. I am also afraid that Redford is going to associate me with negative behaviors and start avoiding me.

I am trying to see things from his perspective. Perhaps he does not want to come "home" or is not yet ready to leave. He seems to have made friends, and I am shocked to observe him being very friendly with an intact male that the caretaker tells me has been there for about a year and a half.

I also see that he has traveled quite a distance, over 6 miles, with nary a scratch to show for it. Clearly he is quite skillful and savvy, and I am seeing him in a different light. He is a good guy and never has provoked fights or displayed aggression. Yet, he clearly possesses strong survival instincts.

If I do succeed in trapping Redford at some point and bring him home and indoors, and begin to re socialize, am I doing him an injustice? What if keeping him exclusively indoors will make him unhappy? I have 4 other cats so it is not like he will be lacking for company.

I am willing to keep trying and do what I can to bring Redford home. I am just not sure if he wants this, or if I really will be giving him the best quality of life if I force him to be an indoor cat. I really want to try, if he will let me, to engage and interact with him. Redford is not a young cat, he is at least 6 years old by my estimate. He has been adverse to being touched, though he continually followed me around the garden and watched us do outdoor chores.

The frustrating part of all of this is that people observe Redford sitting around looking calm and sweet and they cannot understand why I just don't walk over and pick him up, even the caretaker has told me to just grab him.

Is it possible that he will make the 6 1/2 mile trek back home on his own at some point?

I have a room all ready, just in case Redford returns, or allows me to take him home.

What are your thoughts on all of this? Please help!

 

[calicosrspecial]

Alex,

I know what you mean. I am a true believer that the best place for a cat is in a loving home. The streets are dangerous and there is no question cats live longer indoors rather than on the streets. I have ferals only, they were on the streets for years and they love life indoors. They like having their family of humans and cats and food and no predators. They like looking out but don't seem to have a desire to go outside. If I could take them all in I personally would.

I don't think Redford would associate you with negative behaviors. You give him food he loves, that trumps a lot of stuff. He sounds pretty trap savvy though. A drop trap might be needed.

Given what you have written, unless he is disrupted in his current home (which is possible) he probably will not make the trek home. But you never know and how long it might take. Personally I think it would be best if you can continue to try to trap him but that is entirely up to you. It is good to know Redford is safe and happy at least for now.

It sounds like he is very diplomatic which is helpful in integrating him with the other cats.

I know you are going through so much. This is such an emotional thing we go through. And the questions you have we all go through. It is very hard and draining. It is not easy loving.

Are the two trapped cats friends of Redford? If not, make sure you get their scent off the trap.

Try to trap him where he is most comfortable. He will be trapped he just needs to not fear the trap. If he is 6+ he has avoided a lot of traps. He will take the bait though.

You may want to be there with him leading him into the trap. So you have his favorite food in the back of the trap then you give pieces to him nearer the trap and into it. I am assuming he is friendly so do not do this if you feel like you could be hurt. I have done this will ferals I have known and it has worked. It takes time sometimes though. It associates the trap with you and food (good things).

I personally would not try to grab him. I have ferals that I know well and I can't pick them up. Even one of my ferals indoors really doesn't allow me to pick her up. Some ferals really do not accept that even though they love you. You could get hurt.

Hang in there, I know exactly what you are going through. It is easy to know what is best when a cat is injured and needs help and tougher when they seem happy. 

Just really try to show Redford love and trust and give him his food he loves. And just try to stay positive and do what you feel is best.

 

[alex134]

Thank you CalicosRSpecial,

Knowing your experiences has helped me a great deal. I have heard numerous times from people who have adopted ferals that they love being indoors. This is encouraging.

The four other cats I have are all indoors. They are all rescues of some sort. My oldest is 19, adopted from a feral mom at 7 weeks. 

I have seen many sides of Redford over the past two years. I know the side that is friendly and playful and interested in humans. I know the boy who would hear my voice and emerge from a hiding place in the bushes. The one who watched me garden, shovel snow, plant flowers. Who waited for my car and followed me to the front door for his dinner, never complaining that I was late from work again. 

Now I see a wilder side. Independent. Distant from humans. He does not interact with the current caretaker the same way he interacted with me, she is kind but keeps a bit distant.  He seems content to be around cats for now. 

I do wish to continue to try and trap Redford. That is good advice about getting the scent off of the traps. I will clean them with odor neutralizer.

It did not occur to me to be present and to lead him into a trap. I always thought it was best to be out of sight. I will try anything.

It means a great deal to me to hear your advice, experiences, and to have your encouragement.  I feel optomistic that there will be the right time and I will bring Redford home. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

[kittychick]

I agree with @CalicosRSpecial  - it's a difficult and emotional situation. We currently have a steady TNR'd small colony of five, of which 2 arrived slightly friendly (as in - perhaps handled as kittens at a VERY young age, but both are over 2 now). I've worked daily with this group, since our colony is in our backyard and I work from home. So several times a day normally I can go out and give treats, resulting in 2 of them actually being able to even briefly be picked up. I do a lot of work with a no-kill cat shelter, and I've talked with them about bringing them in there and they've agreed that when I'm/the cats are ready, they'll do what they can to make admission possible (for various reasons, bringing them in our home is not really possible). But I struggle greatly with bringing both in - almost daily. The colony (at least 4 of them) have become a very, very happy little group (they're actually all related), often walking with tails intertwined. And in our yard they have heated shelters in our garage, food with heated water bowls, daily treat delivery by me, and a suburban neighborhood to wander at will. I'm 100% aware that indoor cats live longer. And I will admit, very cold winter days tilt me a little in the "bring them in" direction (as my husband reminds me though - heated, in a garage, shelters). But then a day like yesterday - watching them roll around in the sun, grooming each other, playing in pairs with butterflies in the sun, bellies full, a very happy family unit - - I can't pull the trigger.

I doubt he'll make the 6 mile trip back - although if you'd ask me if he'd end up 6 miles away in the first place I would have doubted it - so you never know! 

So would Redford be safer inside? Very probably yes. But is he unsafe and unhappy where he is? It doesn't necessarily mean so. It sounds like he now has a happy family unit. And he's got you to give him major chicken treats periodically, and human contact when he wants it. And should you see him injured, you could always renew the trapping effort in earnest. I guess I'm saying (even though we all do) try not to beat yourself up over this. Certainly keep trying to trap him if you feel you should. I don't think, in the end, he'd be unhappy with that outcome (we have indoor ferals also - and they're now VERY happy!) although it definitely takes time and work. But hopefully, if you just time-wise and emotionally, need to take a trapping break, do. It doesn't mean you're not there for Redford. 

 

[kittychick]

Meant to also say - whatever you do - I wouldn't try to bring him in by grabbing him. Even socialized cats fight when grabbed, and I doubt very seriously you could hold onto him AND get him into a carrier. You'd end up probably scratched, bitten, quite torn up - and dropping him. Which then would likely make him (at least temporarily) more fearful of you directly. The traps he doesn't see as "you." So please - don't grab. It's a recipe for disaster.

 

[shadowsrescue]

I had a feral years ago that would not go into a trap for anything.  I sat outside with him and lured him into the trap by dropping tuna into the trap.  He started at the front and eased his way back.  I had a wooden spoon that was sitting on the trip plate so all I had to do was hit it and the trap closed.  It worked.  I was able to get him.  Just be sure you have a blanket to immediately cover the trap. 

 

[kittychick]

@ShadowsRescue  Just when I think I can't come up with another way to work this trap thing.....you've got one! Cracked me up!