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I did something really stupid

post #1 of 25
11/20/10 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 
Yesterday I brought home a feral mom cat, her kittens have been caught already. I picked her up from the spay clinic and brought her to my house for a few days before I return her. She will be well taken care of and her caretaker would love to eventually bring her inside.

She was fine, I put her into a dog crate to give her some room. This morning I went to give her some wet food and when I opened the crate door, she just shot right past me! I immediately disconnected the garage doors so they won't go up, so she is safe inside. But she went under my car and up into it.

I should have known better. I am so grateful that she is still inside, as this is not the area she is used to, but I don't know how long she can stay in the car. I reset the trap and am hoping she will go into it again. It is the only place for her to get food. I am praying she goes in and then I can take her back.

Does anyone have any other ideas on how to coax her out?
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post #2 of 25
11/20/10 at 5:03pm
So she's in the garage? I would stay away, keep the area as quiet as possible and don't go near the garage doors. When she gets hungry and things are quiet and seem safe she will probably come out. If you hang around you may just scare her more so she'll stay under the car longer. Be sure to leave water where she can get it.
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post #3 of 25
11/20/10 at 6:39pm
Been there, done that.
Get into the cat and beep the horn repeatedly. Chances are good that she will flee. Start the car. She will likely bolt.
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post #4 of 25
11/20/10 at 7:03pm
Is she in the undercarriage area, or in the engine compartment? If the engine compartment, don't start the car because she could be jammed against a belt or some other rapidly moving part. I second the horn honking, but only after you try to coax her out with food. I believe all other options should be exhausted before you willingly traumatize an already scared feral cat, even if it's just loud noises.
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post #5 of 25
11/20/10 at 8:39pm
Thread Starter 
I am too afraid to start the car as I don't know exactly where she is. My kids know the doors are disconnected and locked, no one can open them. I have set the trap and pray she gets hungry enough to go in.

I do feel so sorry for her, I know she is just afraid. She was beginning to warm up to mr friend who has been caring for her and her kittens. I just wanted to get her spayed now before it gets too cold. My friend would gladly let her come inside if she wanted.

I am just a nervous wreck wondering how long she can stay in the car. It would be a miracle if she were in the trap in the morning. I will make sure she has water too,thanks.
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post #6 of 25
11/20/10 at 9:48pm
Serenity was just like that. She is a feral baby who I brought inside over 3 weeks ago and let me tell you she was NOT a happy camper. I first got her into the garage and well, she decided that going under the car in the engine part was her safest route of escape, so I ended up lifting up the hood and slamming it closed to get her out. She didn't like that one bit but I finally got her into the house and like I said, it's been over three weeks, and she's spayed and recovering, in the spare room SLOWLY being introduced to the 6 others we already have.
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post #7 of 25
11/21/10 at 9:55am
Oh sweetie, I'm sorry! Thinks like this happen, there's not much to do about it but what you are already. I don't know about blowing the horn - but slamming the hood (if she's not in the trap today) may work. Being without the car... just hope you can wait until she's out of it!
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post #8 of 25
11/21/10 at 11:33am
I think it may with some luck be enough just to open the hood. If the roof in her hideout is opened and you are there - she will perhaps retire from there...

Prepare the trap so it looks like a nice cosy hideout. Lay somehting on it, only the doors are seen as an welcoming opening in...


With a little luck it may work.


Otherwise I agree, NOT start the motor at all. Slamming and horn - only if nothing other works. Although you may perhaps try with knocking on the hood.


Good luck, and dont accuse yourself!
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post #9 of 25
11/21/10 at 1:03pm
could be dangerous too - my car horn won't work unless I turn on the ignition - and, YIKES - I could turn the ignition too far and turn on the engine too!!!!

I like the idea of raising the hood - but not before you give her a safe place to run to - like StefanZ said.

Meanwhile, I hope you have other transportation.

Be sure and let us know the outcome - we're all pulling for both you and the precious frightened little cat - who has just had surgery(?). ugh!
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post #10 of 25
11/21/10 at 1:04pm
Any luck? How long before you need car?
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post #11 of 25
11/21/10 at 8:30pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, everyone. I am off of work tomorrow, so I don't need the car, although I could certainly use it. But her safety is more important to me.

She must have come out during the night, the food in the trap was eaten, despite the trap not closing. She even went into the dog crate and used the litter box. The trap is set again with water and food in the back, I pray she goes in again and it closes. I don't know why it didn't. I have a blanket over it and I used fresh tuna to coax her in. My husband opened the hood and she bolted under the car. I have the hood closed for tonight so she feels safe and warm.

I would never start the engine, I have heard some horrible stories. And I don't want to frighten her anymore than she already is. The weather here tomorrow is going to be very warm, it would be a perfect day to release her.

I hope she isn't too traumatized by all of this, my intentions were to just have her spayed and just be inside for a few days. Now I am just worried that if I ever do get her into the trap and release her back where she was, she may never return. My friend who has her kittens has a very nice set up for her. I hope she will stay around.
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post #12 of 25
11/21/10 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KRZ View Post
Now I am just worried that if I ever do get her into the trap and release her back where she was, she may never return. My friend who has her kittens has a very nice set up for her. I hope she will stay around.
She'll come back. . .sometimes they run off for a week or so because they're traumatized about being trapped and "tortured", but they always come back. They know where they live.

I hope she goes in the trap! I let my ferals loose in the basement while I was waiting for their appointment. It sure was hard catching them, LOL.
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post #13 of 25
11/22/10 at 9:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willowy View Post
She'll come back. . .sometimes they run off for a week or so because they're traumatized about being trapped and "tortured", but they always come back. They know where they live.
We were freaking out because we just recently released "Mommy" (didn't get her trapped in time earlier this year) - and she disappeared for over a week. But she's back.

the trap trips this time!
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post #14 of 25
11/22/10 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post
We were freaking out because we just recently released "Mommy" (didn't get her trapped in time earlier this year) - and she disappeared for over a week. But she's back.

the trap trips this time!
hope she's not pregnant!
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post #15 of 25
11/22/10 at 3:25pm
I meant she disappeared for over a week after releasing her after having trapped her and having her spayed. We didn't get her trapped before she had a litter... (thus her name, "Mommy,") but the kitties all got neutered and adopted out.

Back to the thread.... Did the trap trip?

Continued !!!!
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post #16 of 25
11/22/10 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
No, again last night she went in and it did not trip. When I touch it, it closes so I know it is working. I am going to try again tonight and then a friend who is a "great trapper" is going to let me borrow one of hers.

I don't mind her in the garage, I know she is safe and won't be in there forever, but I think my husband would like this resolved sooner than later. So I guess I am a little more on edge than I normally am. Between this and my oldest cat, Isabelle, and her medical issues, I need to relax. I am going to borrow a car for work tomorrow, thank goodness it is a short work week!!

But please say a prayer, she goes in the trap and it trips tonight!!
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post #17 of 25
11/23/10 at 11:41am
!!!!!!! I think you all would like this resolved sooner rather than later - kitty too.

You're a love (DH too despite understandable impatience!) for borrowing a car to use.
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post #18 of 25
11/23/10 at 1:28pm
have kfc around you? heard its good(just remove bone...

If you try something different maybe she will let guard down a bit more and trip it. Good luck Glad you were able to borrow a car! Also are you feeding on a plate-could be jamming the trip plate. and is the ground even where traps set?
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post #19 of 25
11/24/10 at 1:28pm
Any luck?
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post #20 of 25
11/24/10 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 
Yes!!!!!!! After last night's failure with two different traps, I didn't think we were going to get her. But my kids said it wasn't fair for her to live in my car!

So this afternoon they coaxed her out, threw a towel over her, and put her back in the dog crate. She was quiet after I put a blanket over the crate, so we took her back to her original place. I opened the crate and she took off to her hiding place. She has food, water, and a nice warm shelter, and possibly a home if she wants to.

I am so relieved. I will be checking on her over the weekend until her caretaker returns on Wednesday.


Thanks to everyone for advice and concer
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post #21 of 25
11/25/10 at 9:54am
How wonderful of you, DH, and the kids to care, to help - and I'm so glad she's back where she belongs.
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post #22 of 25
11/25/10 at 10:01am
Success Story!! That's the kind of cat stories I like to hear!
At least she had time to heal before she was released.
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post #23 of 25
11/25/10 at 11:59am
I wish we could retitle this thread "You did something Kind!"

People who work with ferals humble and amaze me. You get nothing back personally as the feral isn't going to show you appreciation and have to put in so much work but the effects of your work will be felt for numerous years. Thank you for making sure this cat had access to a warm shelter, steady food and, best of all, won't procreate for the years to come.
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post #24 of 25
11/25/10 at 12:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iunipera View Post
I wish we could retitle this thread "You did something Kind!"

People who work with ferals humble and amaze me. You get nothing back personally as the feral isn't going to show you appreciation and have to put in so much work but the effects of your work will be felt for numerous years. Thank you for making sure this cat had access to a warm shelter, steady food and, best of all, won't procreate for the years to come.
Welcome to TCS, iunipera!

This is God's work - making a difference, one cat at a time.

g
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post #25 of 25
11/26/10 at 7:01pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone. Today after work I went to see if she was around. It is pretty cold and windy so I was hoping she would be in the shelter. She wasn't, but I left her some wet food.


My friend also keeps a box on her porch and as I was walking away I saw another cat in the box! Very friendly tabby with a collar. When my friend returns I am going to check on this cat and if she isn't spayed, she soon will be. At least this one is friendly!!
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