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Horrible news

post #1 of 12
12/5/09 at 7:08am
Thread Starter 
I feel so horrible, I woke up and came to see Bella and she escaped.

Stupid me. I opened the window just a quarter inch to get some air circulating. She found a way out. The window was about 3 1/2 inches open when I came in and the screen pushed out. And white hair.

I am so upset. I don't even know what to do. I'm going outside, I guess with tempting food, but I can't imagine her coming. I wonder if she'd let us trap her again. I feel so bad!!!!
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post #2 of 12
12/5/09 at 7:32am
Thread Starter 
bah, I'm so upset. We didn't even have her eating in front of me, when I was close.

Will she most likely just run for it or go back to where she used to hang out?

I'm planning on creating a structure. This sounds stupid, but it should probably be something different than the carrier we were using at home, right? I feel like she wasn't always upset or scared inside, especially near the end. She might associate it with comfort because that is where she hid all the time. And I know she associates me with food.

I didn't catch her initially, a neighbor did, but should I be trying to feed her in cage?

This is probably the worst thing that could happen, I think. I'm so worried about her already. Will this reverse all the work we've done? How soon till I try to trap her again, granted she stays in the area.
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post #3 of 12
12/5/09 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
So, I didn't know what to do and I have to go to work, in a minute. I climbed up on top of our parking garage where I know she USED to hang out. There is an area where I put some smelly food out and her carrier, same blanket covered with a towel. I hope at least she'll use the shelter.

We live in CA, so its not as cold as other areas, but its cold to us.

I still can't figure out how she opened the window. We have no ledge or anything. I am mad at myself. Anyone following Bella's story is probably upset with me too. Any advice is appreciated!!!

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post #4 of 12
12/5/09 at 8:04am
Poor baby. She's probably somewhere close by just really scared. Bella, come home.

I don't have any experience with trapping cats or finding runaways. However, Since she seemed to be comfortable in the carrier, I think I would put that out with a blanket and some food in it.

for finding Bella quickly.
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post #5 of 12
12/5/09 at 9:16am
Oh sweetie I'm so sorry!

Of course no one's upset with you! Things happen. Working with ferals can be difficult, and stuff like this just happens. FYI, sometimes when they're retrapped and re-released back inside, they seem happier about it.

I'm not so sure I'd leave the carrier out there. Cats are all about smell and territory, and though it was a place of comfort inside, it does smell like the place she (thought she) wanted to leave.

What we'd do is just start putting out food for a limited period of time regularly (like morning and evening - whenever you could do trapping). If you see her or the food is being eaten, DO NOT APPROACH HER. The best way to bring her back home is to trap her.

I'd work on finding a trap to borrow or rent. Often local vets or rescue groups/shelters have them. Sometimes they just want a deposit you get back when you return the trap.

Wash the trap with a light bleach solution to get the smell of other cats and fear off of it.

When you're ready to trap, spray it with Feliway. This helps it to smell friendly. If you're going to be trapping on the roof - is it flat? It must be if her carrier sits on it, right? When you're ready to trap, either use potting soil and pour it over the bottom of the trap (so she doesn't have to walk on the wires) or lay newpaper down over them or something. Neither interferes with the trap tripping. If you're going to trap in the morning, skip the meal the night before (assuming you've got her eating on a schedule). The point is - make sure she's hungry, then use a super stinky food.

Some people feed in the trap without setting it for a few days before setting the trap to make sure kitty's going in there. You can do that too.



I doubt she went far, especially if her territory was right around there to begin with.

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post #6 of 12
12/5/09 at 3:59pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for your feedback. It is good to know we are not alone in this. I feel like such a failure. The neighbors saw her this morning eating the food on the roof. She is around!!! We need to get a hold of a live trap. Then we will put the food in there for several days before trapping her again. God willing it works. She's a smart little girl.
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post #7 of 12
12/5/09 at 4:10pm
to you that Bella comes home. xx
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post #8 of 12
12/5/09 at 6:24pm
Where are you located? If you're near a city, Harbor Freight sells live traps. Most shelters have them available, too.

Poor Bella. It's amazing how they can escape when it seems impossible.
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post #9 of 12
12/5/09 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Mr. Blanche. My local humane society actually directed me to them. It was only $31 for a live trap, much better than being on a waiting list or even renting it.

The live trap is there as we speak.

I should have been more careful for sure with the window, now I Know. I am so glad though that she is eating and staying around!!!!
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post #10 of 12
12/5/09 at 10:30pm
She will come home! For her safe return!
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post #11 of 12
12/5/09 at 10:48pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you everyone!!! I am on here so much because I feel so rattled. One moment, I feel hopeful that she will come back, but I'm scared to hope too much, the next I have no hope at all and I feel like I will scare her away with the trap. I'll let you guys know in a couple days how it's going. :fingers crossed:
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post #12 of 12
12/6/09 at 10:56am
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...41#post2780641
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