Its cold and I need help

Does he eat food you put out? Even though he no longer lets you pet and hold him, does he get near you? Will he go into a crate to eat if you put a stinky food in there? Close the crate door, bring him inside - and are you in a position to get him to the vet first thing in the morning?



It has been BITTERLY cold here, below zero for several days now. We have shelters out for the ferals, and they aren't using them. Thankfully they obviously have a good alternative, because I see no signs of frostbite, and they're not even shivering or anything. I can't imagine how much we'd be freaking out.

That's very sad. I understand how upsetting it must be. I have no experience with this.

I'd probably try to find a rescue group to help trap him and get him to a vet.

You are doing so much for him by feeding him and offering a shelter.

But I'd be distressed, too.

I wish I could say something to help.

Robin

I feel so sad for this little guy. It's so very cold outside and he must have frostbitten ears.....poor baby. I hope you can get him to a vet.

Just checking in. I was hoping you were able to maybe at least get him inside.

Please let us know if you see him again. I'm thinking about Orange Kitty.



Robin

I'd be ready if he shows up again.... I'd get him into the bathroom (using the crate method rather than picking him up with what's been going on ) and worry about getting him to the vet when you can.



We have five in our core colony, two more we see pretty regularly, and two we think come around regularly, but that we don't see very often. (These two need to be TNRd, but it's just been too cold to trap). We thought that maybe not naming the kitties we TNR would help us become less attached/worried.... but it doesn't help. When you love kitties and they cross your path... it's just impossible not to care!

I hope orange kitty shows up and you manage to get him. I didnt realise it was still that cold over there, so heres hoping all outside kittys find shelter and food.

I would too be very distressed about this. Start putting the food in a crate, make it hot and stinky. That way when he goes in to eat and is comfortable doing that just shut the door but be ready to hold the back of the crate while you latch it. Orange kitty might be strong and turn and push the door out before you can latch it. You have a good heart and I ache for all of the poor cats outside in this cold.

I too have four outside cats I feed in a warming shelter I built. Two are TNRd and the other two I have tried to trap with no success, too smart. I will try again when the weather turns better. I see my two Dixie and Yogi everyday and the other two only periodically. It is amazing to me how they can survive when this year it has been brutally cold. They do use the warming shelter, as it is right outside my family room window and I can peek out and see them coming and going.

Poor Orange kitty! I would go to those people who you think owns them and ask if he is their cat. Maybe they have been just feeding him and trying to care for him because he is a stray? You won't know until you ask. Regardless, he needs rescuing. Also, get on the internet and google Trap-Neuter-Release programs in your area/county where you live. Make some calls, and you will be surprised at how many will reach out to help and even loan a trap if necessary. Bless you for caring.... and keep trying with that crate. He will go in, especially if he already trusts you and he does.

A very big hug to you and prayers you can get orange kitty soon! He is gorgeous and looks like a soft teddy bear. I too worry about all the feral and stray kitties out there in this terrible cold winter. Last week a tabby kitty showed up in our yard and we started putting food out for him. He is a spit image of Laurie's Chumley. If he is around when the weather gets warmer we will TNR him.

I am concerned about your neighbor and I can tell how concerned you are...God, this is all so heartbreaking! I hope, I hope, I hope you can get him to the vet

It's possible that the frostbitten parts just fell off. He still needs to be checked out by a vet if you can catch him to bring him in. for orange kitty.

I second what GoldyCat said. And pllllllbbbbbbbbttt! :P (virtual raspberries) to your neighbors. LOL!

There have been stories in the news here lately about animals freezing to death outside.. .so I wouldn't give a flying leap what the neighbors think if an animal's welfare is at stake. And if he comes onto YOUR property.. well...

[quote=Feralvr;3012463]I would too be very distressed about this. Start putting the food in a crate, make it hot and stinky. That way when he goes in to eat and is comfortable doing that just shut the door but be ready to hold the back of the crate while you latch it. Orange kitty might be strong and turn and push the door out before you can latch it. You have a good heart and I ache for all of the poor cats outside in this cold.

I too have four outside cats I feed in a warming shelter I built. Two are TNRd and the other two I have tried to trap with no success, too smart.

Feralvr- here are a few tips I use on hard to trap cats:

Buy the largest size cat food (dry) you can find- usually have to go to feed stores to find the largest size. Dump the food out into our cat food bin and take the bag and cut it open on the top all the way across. Slip the trap inside the bag and bait it. Set this up in a secluded area. Also see if the feed store will give you a bit of straw and use this straw to pad the wires at the front of the cage.

Buy a small mirror that will fit at the very end of the trap. Put the mirror in the trap so the image will be seen by the cat going into the trap. Bait the trap. Once the cat is inside, take a thin cloth and using a stick, poke the cloth down to cover the mirror until the cat has been vetted and released.

www.nekoflies.com they have these outstanding cat toys. I have used the kittenator to trap the wiley ones. I take the toy off the wand and carefully wrap it so it is dangling down at the very end of the trap. This is ONLY if I am going to stay nearby and watch the trap (because of the string on the toy) Make sure the majority of the string is above the trap- I wrap it around a stick and lay the stick on top of the trap. The kitty sees the "mouse" dangling in mid air and goes for the attack. I pick up the stick (once the trap is engaged) and remove the toy.

[quote=hissy;3012520] Thanks so much Hissy. The large cat food bag is a great idea. Just not on a windy day. And it smells good and will make the trap appear like a den/shelter. I use towels and drap them over the trap before trapping, but these two have seen the other's get trapped and the one is the big daddy tomcat and very sly. About the mirror?? Could that possibly scare off a more timid cat thinking another cat is coming in to fight for the food?? I guess that would work for an agressive and hungry eater to get him over the plate and hurry to the food before the other cat gets it. It is worth a try for sure. I am waiting till the weather is better. I spent three freezing days in December trapping and my hands are still recovering

I'm so sorry that these poor animals have to go through this. I can't offer any better advise than you already have gotten. The advise i've gotten here regarding our stray has been really helpful to me. but I can offer you good wishes!
Good luck with this little guy, and if you can get him in, then you should do that. Forget the neighbors, if they don't come looking for him, then as was mentioned, he may not even be theirs. Do what is best for the cat, and don't worry about them.

Any news on Orange Kitty today? He is a beautiful boy, and bless you for trying so hard to help him. You are his angel.

Yes, any news on this sweet orangie?

How is it going??? Hope orange kitty is alright...

Frostbite... poor baby!!! Can any rescues in the area help you??

Yes, I think you need to contact cat rescue groups in you area and get help. ASAP!

THANK YOU!!!

You are an angel on earth for helping him and caring for him. But you shouldn't have to deal with this alone, and I don't think you have to. You are in Ohio! - a very populated and affluent state. Please get help, for your sake and for Orange Kitty.


At my shelter we have an "Orange Boy" who also has frostbite damage. We all love Orange Boy.

I'm praying you both get help VERY soon.


Robin

That ear!! Poor baby. It almost looks like it has the V clip that some vets do on ferals. Some V tip and some tip straight across but it is always the LEFT ear and in the photo it is the right ear. It is frostbite but almost appears V tipped.

Orange kitty needs you and I hope you can get assistance soon to get him inside somewhere.

Apparently once it's turned black, it will be VERY painful whenever he warms up: http://www.peteducation.com/article....1+1417&aid=288

If it were me, I'd get him into the bathroom, keep him separated, and get him to the vet as soon as possible. He can always be released back outside if you think he's the neighbor's cat. Or you can ask if he's theirs, and let them know you had him treated for the frostbite. If it were us, we'd get him neutered as long as he was going in.

I would call any low cost clinics(cpay/neuter) as some offer basic care at time of neuter. Or if there is any shelters call and see if they can see him...at the very least turn him in as a stray if you can't afford the care. Not the best choice but if it means no pain and no torutre...Poor thing

EdIT Call rescues see if they can help if you foster him/even if its to put him back out at a later point they may be able to help a bit or put them on as a rescue cat at their vet