- Joined
- May 2, 2010
- Messages
- 42
- Purraise
- 11
I've been feeding a little feral cat since the middle of January. It wasn't until about the middle of February that he had a schedule and came around at the same times every day. At that time I thought he was probably 6 months old or so, and I started thinking about trapping him and bringing him in. I lived in a studio though and already had 2 cats, so I really didn't have room. I ended up moving 2 buildings down the street to a bigger place at the beginning of March. I took food to him there for a few days and thought he'd figure out where I moved to pretty easily; there's just one house in between where I moved to and where I lived. But he wasn't getting it. At that time I decided to try to trap him so I wouldn't have to worry about him and so I wouldn't have to walk down and feed him every morning and night. However, the neighbor's outside cats ruined it for me right as he was getting ready to walk into the trap. A few days after that he learned where I moved to and started his new routine.
I was really busy for a while, so I put off trapping him. Then he disappeared on me for about a week. It wasn't until this happened that I realized how much he meant to me. I couldn't sleep, kept checking outside for him, monitored the food bowl. He didn't show at his normal times, so I just knew something had happened to him. Thursday evening I looked out the window and there he was! I sprung into action, put the trap out, and he went in. I put him in my bathroom, he went wild, but then settled in the cabinet. I got him neutered, tested, vaccinated, microchipped and everything on Saturday.
I have cried and cried over this cat because he is so scared and distressed. He howls and cries off and on. I want to do what is best for him and I feel terrible for scaring him and traumatizing him so badly. I'm more than willing to put the time into gaining his trust and socializing him, but I keep doubting whether or not it's the right thing to do because he's so terrified right now. But I know it's only been 3 days. I guess I just need reassurance from other feral rescuers! I'm also looking for any advice and tips to help him calm down and gain his trust.
I have socialized one other feral before, but he was younger (about 14 weeks) and I didn't trap him and do the initial process with getting him used to the indoors. I just want to make my new little guy's transition as calm and easy and possible, and I want to be sure that I'm doing the right thing.
I was really busy for a while, so I put off trapping him. Then he disappeared on me for about a week. It wasn't until this happened that I realized how much he meant to me. I couldn't sleep, kept checking outside for him, monitored the food bowl. He didn't show at his normal times, so I just knew something had happened to him. Thursday evening I looked out the window and there he was! I sprung into action, put the trap out, and he went in. I put him in my bathroom, he went wild, but then settled in the cabinet. I got him neutered, tested, vaccinated, microchipped and everything on Saturday.
I have cried and cried over this cat because he is so scared and distressed. He howls and cries off and on. I want to do what is best for him and I feel terrible for scaring him and traumatizing him so badly. I'm more than willing to put the time into gaining his trust and socializing him, but I keep doubting whether or not it's the right thing to do because he's so terrified right now. But I know it's only been 3 days. I guess I just need reassurance from other feral rescuers! I'm also looking for any advice and tips to help him calm down and gain his trust.
I have socialized one other feral before, but he was younger (about 14 weeks) and I didn't trap him and do the initial process with getting him used to the indoors. I just want to make my new little guy's transition as calm and easy and possible, and I want to be sure that I'm doing the right thing.