Wondering the best way to help Mr. Jinx

Hi everyone,

Hoping for some advice...

Many moons ago, I used to work with feral cats and have adopted them before as well. It's been a long time, but it seems one found me, and now I want to help him before things get too cold and wet.

I met Mr. Jinx a couple of months ago. Turns out he was living under a house I had just started renting. Of course, every time I came near, he'd run under the house, so I simply put food out so he could eat and didn't think much more of it.

A few weeks ago, he decided I wasn't the terrible threat he once thought I was. He started hanging out in the yard, even in the day. He then began to let me bring him food, and even ate with me near him. Eventually he came even closer, and although he hissed (and popped me a nice claw) when I tried to pet him, he now rubs up against me and gives me serious head butts. He will even walk directly into the kitchen and sit by an open door (he did freak when I closed it - but it's cold out!). 

He definitely has an eye infection and needs to have what appears to be an old head injury looked at. I want to get him to the vet but I'm wondering what would be least traumatic to do - have him train to walk into a carrier, or trap.

I think he might have been a pet at one very early point, but is still very wild (but so sweet, you can tell). He does spend literally all day and night outside my door.

What do you guys suggest? Was even thinking of getting one of those XL cages that also open from the top and placing his food in it every day...

Thank you!

I have a boy feral kitty very much like the one you describe, although my guy is probably more tame than yours- but he does live outside since his wife is 100% feral. Anyhow when I have to take him to the vet I use a very large carrier, put a huge plate of smelly fish in it, and shut the door. I think your plan to get him used to it is excellent. And I agree, the more you are out there with him, talking and bonding, the more he will trust you and not even think about going into a very large carrier. You may as well be out there with him talking when you put the carrier out there, and get closer and closer each time you feed him, since you will have to close the door at some point.

The first time I did this with my boy cat, I ran into two problems. One, the cage was very big, so it was hard for me to get it into the car and I tilted it so my boy slid around a lot- I felt so bad :-(. Second, he was so freaked out he peed/sprayed in the carrier in the car, not sure which. It took me forever to get that smell out of the car, even though it was just a little bit on the door frame and back seat belt.

So I suggest as part of your plan, make sure the large carrier already has something on the bottom that will keep your cat from sliding around too much once you shut him in, and then have some sort of heavy cover in case he pees or sprays or whatever. 

Yes, I agree that the crate method might work for this cat. If you start feeding in the crate and the cat gets used to you sitting there while he eats and is comfortable with you near, then this method will work. You just quietly shut the door once he is comfortable with you sitting there while he goes in to eat. This could take a few days though. He might need just to be trapped if he needs the vet right away for that eye infection. I might just opt for using the trap and get the cat into the vet right away. Good luck and how sweet of you to want to rescue and save this cat :heart4:

Thank you so much guys! I'm definitely going to try it. He's getting a bit more brave (he now lets me lift my elbow and rubs himself under it, so he's initiating some kind of petting - and he comes in the house a few more feet each day, but slowly). I've been feeding him kibble outside and "good stuff" inside, like tuna, to lure him in.

I think what will be best will be to try and place the big carrier outside the door with me next to it and placing the food in the back. And yes, thank you! I'll definitely put a thick towel or crate cozy in there for him - so good to know!

I can't imagine how anyone could not help this little guy - he's the best.

AWWW , sound's like LOVE to me :heart3: !!!! Best of luck with catching this little fellow. I am sure you will have no trouble with the crate method. He does sound really sweet and starting to trust you AND need you

Haha, it's true!

We ordered his big carrier today, so as soon as I get it, I'll start placing his morning food inside. Seems like he'll go anywhere in the morning to eat, he practically eats me! He's let me pet him now, and we have a place we both agree on where he feels okay enough to be scratched on the head and back. He still swipes my husband if he does this, but it's a start.

The strane thing I've had with him that I didn't have with any others is that he'll come into the kitchen to eat, but seems to have zero curiosity when it comes to exploring the house. He comes in, eats, and immediately goes back to the door and sits just inside. Sammy (another feral from this yard who is sitting next to me right now) was scared, but so compelled to look around.

So Mr. Jinx is quite the mystery! Perhaps once he's been to the vet and has his own "room" he'll be more relaxed to be inside. Hopefully.

Aw, he sounds like a love! And aren't you the love for taking care of him. :heart3: for all to work out!

Yes, more good luck vibes And don't worry, I suspect that Mr. Jinx will SO appreciate being inside, cared for and well fed. Keep us updated on how things are going

Thanks you guys!

I've been working with him a ton these last couple of day,s just sitting outside with him and letting him rub on me (and keeping him in a good supply of salmon and tuna LOL). He's now coming to look for ME, which is a nice sign. Fingers crossed, and I'll keep you posted on his progress.

YAY this is great progress. Good for you and good work You are well on your way to the goal of getting him neutered and inside where he belongs :nod: Isn't is just the best feeling when they start to trust and come looking for YOU

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the encouragement. I have some good news!

Today Mr. Jinx decided I was nice enough to head butt my head, and he's been sleeping next to me often when we're outside. And since it's getting cold, and he's always dirty from living in my yard, my husband and I tricked him (I hate that part) by luring him into the kitchen while hubby remained outside, then he closed the door. So success - Mr. Jinx is now sleeping under my couch! LOL

He's not happy - he's pretty mad at me and he's definitely scared, so it may be a while before I get any love from him again *sigh - I was really starting to like it*, but at least he's safe and warm inside, and if he does have a terrible cold and eye infection, it won't be made worse from being in the dirt and weather.

Hoping he's in a good place within the next week or two so I can square him off to the vet for his big and hopefully pretty good checkup/neuter/etc.

Well, bad news this morning. It appears that he found a hole in the floorboard in a closet and got out last night. He's no longer in my yard, and he doesn't respond to my calls now. I'm so worried that he's traumatized now and won't return. Sigh.

hno: I feel so sorry for you and Mr. Jinx I really DO think he will be back, don't worry too much. The best thing to do - next time - is to keep him in a small room/bathroom with no place for escape. He probably just panicked, the house was too big for him to have free roam and found a way back out . Just keep calling to him, putting food out, and waiting outside during your usual times :nod:. I won't be surprised if you say he is back very soon. Are you SURE he got out of the house completely?? :dk: This concerns me. Could he be stuck under the floor boards in the closet, hiding out? I would make sure of this, I hope that is not the case. :cross:

It isn't that I didn't want to place him in a small room, it's that he ran directly under the couch immediately, and I didn't want to pull him out, I thought the best thing was to leave him be and open the bedroom door directly next to the couch. I figured maybe he'd go under the bed at some point, and then I could have him in a safety room. I'm sure he's out, because the door was open, and the hole leads directly into the crawl space, which is where he used to live before I started working with him.

I am so worried right now, I can't believe he's gone.

Quote:

mrjinx said:

I can't believe he's gone.

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I hope your cat returns; I am sure he will. BTW, don't be surprised he doesn't explore the entire house at this time. We have had a cat for about 15 years who sleeps in the basement, but will not go anywhere else in our house. She will go to the top of the basement stairs, but no further.

And if you ever get your cat in the crate and are taking him to a vet, cover the crate with a towel. My husband does this and he finds it calms down the cat whilst traveling in the car.

 

Chances are he'll be back soon, because he considers your property his territory. It's a setback, but you should be able to manage to coax him into trusting you again. You'll just have to let him set the pace.

We took in an 8-year-old feral, and it took us around a year to get him to move into our cellar in bad weather. He went from the yard into the garage over a period of several months, and from there into our laundry room - we left the window wide open, and eventually replaced a pane with a cat flap. I fed him in a large dog carrier (without the door at first) and finally managed to catch him in there and get him neutered.

He was never really tame. I could occasionally touch his head (only), and he used to like to follow my husband around the backyard at a distance. In really bitter cold weather he would spend a couple of hours upstairs in the spare bedoom.

Lots and lots of that he comes back soon and you can eventually get him some vet care.

Thanks everyone.

Before we leave today my husband and I are going to check the crawlspace under the house. If he's there and he's safe, that's what I care about. I just want to make sure he didn't go too far because we live in a big city in an urban area, so I don't want anything happening to him.

We are moving in 3 months, so I have to work with him at that pace, unfortunately, or I have no choice but to leave him behind, which to me is not an option. So if worse comes to worse, I'll set a trap, but I'd rather not do that.

We were so far along - headbutts, petting, purring, cuddling. I hope he does come back.

I left some tuna out in his usual eating spot.

He hasn't returned, even for food at night, which is very very unlike him. I'm a little concerned, so my husband and I are going to ask our neighbors if we may take a look in their yards. The neighbors all have open sheds and MANY cats go in there, so we're hoping he's there.

If he's mad at me or hates me that's one thing - I'm just concerned that maybe he hurt himself leaving the house, and is curled up somewhere wounded. If that's the case, I'll be braving the bites and scratches and taking him to the vet ASAP.

Thanks for the support, and I'll let you know how it goes.

I am sad for you that he has not returned yet, but don't give up hope yet!!!!! I think getting a trap set out is a good idea too, since you will be moving in three months. I would start now and try to get him back inside and to the vet. Just loads more vibes that Mr. Jinx returns SOON :cross:

Good luck! I'd recommend having some relatively thick leather gloves handy in case you do find him injured and have to pick him up. They were my "best friends" when dealing with Straycat.