We moved, update on Lucas and the kitties

Hello everyone:

I moved and I still don't have internet service and that is driving me insane, I'm using my brother's computer today.  But there have been worse things happening here.  There are good news too, I'm happy to say that Lucas is doing better at the new house, the first week ge got sick and wouldn't come out of the closet, but now he is happy and he is not scratching that much, so that's good.  Fuzzy and Nena are also doing wonderfully, but with Flaqui, there's another story that is breaking my heart and is killing me.

As I've said before Flaqui was a feral cat  and I'm been trying to tame her for years and I was happy because she was doing better, she would let me pet her and even pick her up from the floor, but she always acts nervous, I don;t think Flaqui will ever be  a complete tame cat.  Anyway, she spent most of her time in our old family room, but she also spent lots of time outside, she had to.  Whe she started noticing that things were different in the house because we were moving she refused to come inside and I had to feed her outside, when the day of the move came, she dissapeared and I couldn't take her with me.  I cried all night and the next morning went back and she was there, but she wouldn't come inside the carrier, it was heartbreaking for me.

I've been going there everyday since I moved to spend time with her and feed her, I try putting the food inside the carried but she refuses to get in. I thank God that nobody lives there for now, but soon someone will and I have to take her home befor that happens.   She still lets me pet her, but she acts like she is scared on me.  I'm so sad I just want to take Flaqui home now! I don't know what's come over her. I know she will not like the new house, but she has to be with me,  I can't live like this, I haven't even been able to enjoy the new house because of this.

I know Flaquis situation is subject of another section , like cat behavior, so please forgive me for posting it here.

 I pray to God that I"m able to have Flaqui with me today, I need my Flaqui, this has beeen the most stressing situation ever and still is.

'Hugs to all

Tammy

Oh Tammy Im sorry, I have been following Lucas's story and im so pleased to read theres less scratching since you have moved.

Im adding some get in the carrier vibes   for Flaqui.

This must be so stressful. I hope you're able to catch her soon and take her home. At least you have this window of time before the new owners move in. Cats can be too smart for their own good sometimes, especially a scaredy former feral.

Sending you and Flaqui as many vibes as you need.  So glad Lucas is doing well too.  Keep us posted! 

I hope you can catch her. Glad to hear Lucas is doing well.

Oh Tammy
Can you borrow a trap from a shelter or a vet? I am afraid that's the only way you will be able to get her..... You can then put some food in there at night, or at the time she is most supposed to be around, and go there to pick her up - the trap shuts the door by itself, so she is much more likely to go inside than with someone standing by it.... There are also some ways you can disguise a trap.....
for all of you

If she lets you pet her, I would just grab her by the scruff and put her in the carrier real fast. That's how I brought one of my ferals inside. She'll be mad and it will probably take a while for her to trust you again, but you need to get her before someone else moves in! You can work on regaining her trust once she's safely at your new house.

If that doesn't work, I agree that a trap will be the only option. Call around to every vet, shelter, rescue group, etc. to see if anyone has one you can borrow.

Willowy said:

If she lets you pet her, I would just grab her by the scruff and put her in the carrier real fast. That's how I brought one of my ferals inside. She'll be mad and it will probably take a while for her to trust you again, but you need to get her before someone else moves in! You can work on regaining her trust once she's safely at your new house.
If that doesn't work, I agree that a trap will be the only option. Call around to every vet, shelter, rescue group, etc. to see if anyone has one you can borrow.

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:doh3: That is a good point! Go there to feed here..... Don't put the food inside of the carrier..... Just do business as always..... pet and love her.... then grab her quickly and in the carrier she goes!
Gracie was on the feral side too, and for the longest time, when I couldn't touch her, I would do just that - including pulling her from under furniture and such - she was not happy..... but needed vet care - she was fine afterwards.
Remember, she will need time adjusting to her surroundings when she first moves in, so she will have to go inside first, or will have to be outside, but confined for several days :nod:

Thank you all for all the suggestions, i haven't been able to trap her yet,but i talked to the neighbors to let them know what im doing there and they are very supportive. At least i can go there freely . I talked to two vets and there were no help for us and i don't think they have traps at the shelters but i'll ask. She gets so happy when she sees me there, and she lets me pet her, i know i'll be able to catch hersoon

Momto4kitties said:

Thank you all for all the suggestions, i haven't been able to trap her yet,but i talked to the neighbors to let them know what im doing there and they are very supportive. At least i can go there freely . I talked to two vets and there were no help for us and i don't think they have traps at the shelters but i'll ask. She gets so happy when she sees me there, and she lets me pet her, i know i'll be able to catch hersoon

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Tammy, if she lets you pet her, just grab her by the scruff and toss her in the carrier quickly....

Oh Tammy! I'm SO happy to hear about Lucas, but obviously the situation with Flaqui is really distressing!

However, and whenever you do get her into a carrier or a trap, when you release her in your new home, it MUST be inside (best if just one room you can keep the door closed), no matter how upset she is by this. Unless there is NO WAY for her to escape some outside enclosure, she'll need to stay inside for at least three weeks, or most likely she'll try to turn away and return to the territory she knows. :heart3:

Tammy... First, I am happy to hear Lucas is better :rub:. You certainly have had a rough road of late... So sorry about Flaqui :shame:. I am sure you are having many sleepless nights too. Do you happen t have a carrier more on the medium side.... Or could you borrow one? With a larger door, you will have much more luck with the "scruff and shove" as I call it :lol3:. Set the crate on it's back side so the door is facing upwards. If you have some gloves.... Not bulky gloves..... And a pair that won't startle Flaqui as you go to pet her first... Just wear them in case she squirms and fights you a little bit. Do this quickly and swiftly....don't give her time to think about anything. That is what I would do. Have used this method many times with cat's in various situations and even at the shelter in the cat room with a fearful cat that needs vet attention and transport.

Sending you and Flaqui loads of vibes. I pray tonight that you will get her right away in that crate. Also, agree with Laurie's advice..... Keep her indoors. And confine her to one room for as long as it takes for her to be completely adjusted. Basically, start over as if you just trapped a feral cat... You know what I mean.....

Thank you all! We are making an enclosure for flaqui and fuzzy outside and once i have flaqui here she will never be let out again never because she will get lost, she will be in the enclosure. But as soon as i trap her she will be inside a room on the house until the enclosure is done. Thank u all for the vibes. I cant wait to have her with me. She gets so happy when she sees me, it is so pAinful .

Hi Tammy
Hope all is well!
Have you gotten Flaqui? How is Lucas? Keep us posted

Hello Carolina, hello everyone!  Sorry for not updating sooner, I've been through so much this week that I don;t even know how to begin.  First, about Flaqui, I still haven't been able to get her, but I'm going everyday to spend time with her and I feed her everyday, she is eating well and she is always super happy to see her.  Now ,  there is a  reason why I haven't gotten Flaqui yet.  I had an incident with my Fuzzy, he began to get desperate to go outside and since the enclosure is not ready yet, he has to stay inside, he doesn't know the neighborhood.  So, we left a little window, a little bit opened by mistake, but it was just a little ,I  had no idea he could fit through there and yes, he escaped on Saturday night when all of us were sleeping.

I wen't insane when I noticed he was  gone, I had a panick attack and my brother and sister in law came to help me look for him, we couldn't find him for two days.  Can you all imagine how desperate I was??? He doesn't know the neighborhood, he can't see well because he is cross-eyed and he his pupils are dilated permanently.  I went and made fliers, put them everywhere, ask everyone and nothing, I cried like crazy, I thought it was hopeless.

Then came Tuesday night, my sister in law was here and we were talking in the living room and I was feeling as low as ever.  We heard a noise on the window, I was so paranoid that I thought it was a robber or something, I look out the window and there is my beautiful Fuzzy crawling on the window trying to get in, I opened the window and in he came, not a scratch on him.  He was nervous and hungry but that was it.

Can you all believe this?  Fuzzy doesnt know this house, he left for two days, he must have gotten lost and then he returned and somehow knew this was his home. it is amazing! He is such a smart boy and I"m the happiest cat mom ever for having him back,he is being spoiled rotten.  I thank God every minute for helping him come back home.  Now we are taking all the precautions so this doesn't happen again.

Now, I'm waiting for the enclosure to be ready to bring Flaqui home, everyone is against me for wanting to bring Flaqui here, they say she will run away and I won't be able to get her back because she is not tame as Fuzzy.  They all want me to let her be in her neighborhood and to stop feeding her.  NO WAY!  I will feed Flaqui everyday until the enclosure is ready.  I  have to admit Im terrified of Flaqui getting lost  if she escapes here, I just don;t know what else to do.   I know she won't like it here and that she will be happier if she stays in the area she knows and if she escapes here she will get lost.....but I will be extra careful.

Lucas is so sick right now, he has pulled all the hair off his back and belly, he looks awful and he trembles at night, it is scary, the anxiety relief medicine helps , but sometimes I think he needs something stronger.  The stress of the move didn't seem to affect him at first, but now , he is doing worse.

I will keep you all possted on what happens.

Hugs

Tammy

So sorry about Lucas!!  I thought he was doing so much better.  Your latest issue with the window must have been a huge scare but I am relieved the situation resolved itself. Sending vibes to all of you!  Things will get better soon... 

I wonder of Lucas is picking up your stress about Flaqui and most recently, Fuzzy?  Cats are very sensitive that way. 

OMG Tammy - thank GOD Fuzzy came back I can't imagine how you would be going on if that had not happened. Please keep windows closed :lol3: Honestly IF a cat can get their head in a space - they can get their whole body through..... if they are not toooo fat. I really hope you can get Flaqui very, very soon. She needs to be at her new home and safe from living outdoors. Mega vibes for this to come true

I am sad to hear that Lucas is not doing well at the moment. Loads more vibes to him. I am sure moving, Fuzzy's breakout, and the stress of Flaqui missing has him a little on edge. A lot going on all at once with many changes. Hang in there LUCAS :rub: :rub: :rub:

Thank you all so much, I know Lucas must be picking on my stress, it is very possible, I couldn't help it.  Yes Lauren, i thank God Fuzzy return, i think God send him to me because he knew I couldn't deal with that , it is too much for me, i love that Fuzzball to death and the thought of loosing him like that would have been devastating for me.

Having our kitties bring us so much joy and at the same time so much pain, but every tear is worth it, they deserve the best from us.

About Flaqui, that  is still a situation I have to deal with, I went this morning to feed her and she was just so sweet to me, I put the carrier on the floor with the food inside and it was useless, she wouldn't eat, I waited and waited and I gave up, she was hungry, so I gave her her food.  A friend of mine is letting me borrow a bigger carrier so I can try tomorrow.

Everybody is against me bringing Flaqui here, they say if she escapes I will be guilty for taking her off the area she knows. I KNOW if Flaqui escapes I won;t be able to get her back because she is not as tame as the others. sometimes I don;t even know what to do.  This is the worst  thing I've been through, but I will try to keep it together for my kitties.

Tammy

Major vibes to you Tammy, you are going through so much. Hopefully Lucas is only being affected by your stress so he'll get better once you catch Flaqui. I wouldn't wait for the enclosure to be built though. I'm afraid that she may get scared away by a dog or caught by some other person while you are away and you will show up to feed her and she won't be there. If you aren't to the point where you are desperate enough to scruff her yet, when you go to feed her, give it a longer period of time before you give in (when she won't get in the cage) and try to feed her less. I know it'll be hard, but if she feels a bit hungry a couple days, maybe she'll change her mind and get in and then she and you are home free.
And like others have said, when you let her out in your house, do it in a bedroom or bathroom with a door, and maybe even block off the hallway with a baby gate. As long as you do that, she cannot escape and you have nothing to worry about.
Best of luck.. *hugs*