Stray ran away after move

dhinged

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I have been feeding a stray for almost a year, and it got to the point where he would park outside my balcony and pay more attention to me than the food. He would stick around and be petted and just waltz into the place and lay down like he lived there. It seemed to me he wanted to be part of the home but I kept him outside because I couldn't afford to get him shots, de-wormed, or washed.

So I moved and I brought him with me. He warmed up to the place so fast that I let him out to explore the balcony but he ended up getting the call of the wild and jumped out the fence. He froze and turned to me with this look in his eye like "Where am I?" and then slinked off. I walked outside the front door and he turned and ran the other way and I haven't seen him since.

I moved about 2 miles from where I lived and there is a nicer apartment complex and a restaurant (across a canal) nearby and I'm thinking he's eating there and heading back to the old place. He's very anti-people with anyone but me, and I'm not sure he's going to cross the roads to get back to the old place.

What are the chances he's sticking around, scrounging around somewhere else, or heading back to the old place? I've left out hot tunafish with no results... should I leave food out by the fence or leave traps at my old place? I have no idea if I'll ever see this cat again.
 

catsallaround

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I would think if hes not fixed theres a good chance hes been in that neighborhood a time or two and may be trying to go back "home-old one" Do you know any neighbors where you used to live that could give you a heads up if he comes around again?
 
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dhinged

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Originally Posted by catsallaround

I would think if hes not fixed theres a good chance hes been in that neighborhood a time or two and may be trying to go back "home-old one" Do you know any neighbors where you used to live that could give you a heads up if he comes around again?
He is fixed and he's been living in the apartment complex his entire life. He was feral and just recently became acclimated to me about a year ago. He wouldn't let anyone approach him except for me, and he acted like an ordinary housecat when he was indoors. He'd even stop eating when he was outside to come see me, and hung around the porch long after. I was going to get him de-wormed, bathed, and shots but I put it off because of the cost.

If he went back to the old place, he would have to cross three roads and walk the sidewalks to get around the canal. I'm not sure if he would do that or just wander around trying to find food. There's plenty of apartment complexes and parks with plenty of trees but I'm afraid he will get hurt or not fed. He really was my best friend at the time and I feel like I just took this young cat and booted him out the window to save some money. Even with the money I'm saving at this new place, I don't feel it was worth losing the opportunity to take care of this cat who had it so hard (he got part of his shoulder torn off by a dog) and was so grateful just to get fed every night.

Maybe I'm not that familiar with strays but do you think he will warm up to another human being who feeds him?
 

jimmylegs

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it's hard to say if he will try to return to your old place, 2 miles is not super far but most likely beyond his usual range. i lost a cat after a move across the country, in a similar fashion. what i know now is i should have kept walking around the general vicinity of where he got lost to see if he would appear. i did this initially but gave up and assumed the worst. 9 weeks later i got a call that he was seen and i found him on my very own block! he probably never left the area, so maybe your guy is just spooked and not coming out into the open. so keep looking around the area, make yourself visible and he might respond. the good news is he knows a thing or two about living outside. good luck!
 

krz

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Keep looking and don't give up on him. Is there any way you can go back and check on your old place or have someone let you know if he goes back?

I was taking care of a cat that was a stray and seemed wild most of the time. I had to leave the place he was being cared for and moved him also. Twice he escaped and went back to the old place. It was over 4 miles and he crossed 2 very busy roads. I was so happy and relieved to have him back I brought him home even though I was so worried how he would get along with my cats after having lived so long outside.

Needless to say, he is the one sleeping on my pillow every night and I am so glad he is. Keep checking your old place and keep looking for him where you are now.

Good luck and please keep us updated.
 

motoko9

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Originally Posted by KRZ

Keep looking and don't give up on him. Is there any way you can go back and check on your old place or have someone let you know if he goes back?
IMO this is good advice. He could be nearby, but as the OP has already suggested, he could also be trying to get back to his old place. Cats are very territorial and take a little while to adjust to a new location.

Good luck; I hope he is found soon.
 
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