newbie here needs serious help

catmom5

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I was sent to this site for help with my feral/semi-feral/stray cat, Lucy (that's her in my avatar). She started coming for food and shelter several months ago, but had always been very shy and took off if she saw me. Last Thursday I was able to trap her, get her to the humane society for vetting and spaying. She was pregnant, but we decided to spay her anyway. I assumed she would go back outside, had her ear-tipped, etc, but found that she was more shy and scared than anything.

So I brought her home on Friday and set her up in a large dog cage in my den, out of sight of my 4 resident cats. She has allowed me to pet her and would even purr when I stroked her back. She hasn't been eating all that well, mostly at night and never when I'm around. I've been able to give her burprenorphine for pain and to look at her incision. So this morning I left the cage door open so she could get out and move around. Not surprisingly, she hid right away.

When I got home from work I attempted to get her to put her back in her cage and she went ballistic - hissing, growling and lunging at me. I was able to use a towel to get her and put her back in her cage, but she went straight to the litter box - as far away from me as she could. I've since been able to pet her through the cage, but she is not a happy cat.

I guess I need to know whether keeping her in a small cage is best right now. I could afford to purchase a larger 3 level condo that would give her some climbing, moving around room and also allow her litter box to be at a distance from everything else.

I've learned a lot just reading some of your posts. I am willing to do what I can for her and she is not going back outside. BUT I am concerned because she seems so sad and depressed in her cage. I know that she's had a lot to deal with in a short time, between the spay (when pregnant) and the vaccinations/worming/etc and just having her whole world turned upside down.

I cannot keep her, though. I have 4 others, all seniors and a couple with special medical needs. They do not do well with other cats, even outside and two of them will have major fighting/aggression issues if I even let them see Lucy.

So, I guess, since I've never done this before, I'm asking for any help you might give me. Lucy is so deserving of something better - she was clearly owned at some point because she had on a ratty old flea collar when she was trapped. But she also was covered in scabs, scars and has not had an easy go of it.

Thank you so much,

catmom5
 

StefanZ

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You can have her in this dog cage for the time being. She is recovering from spaying and the shots, so she surely doesnt mind at all.

I will wrote more tomorrow, others will fill in.

In the meantime, you can play some nice relaxing and calming music for her. Classical harp is best, but almost any soft, relaxing, works.

Also talk a lot to her with a friendly voice when you can....

Keep telling & asking, send pics!

Welcome to the TCS site and our Forums!

Good luck!   *vibes*
 

feralvr

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Welcome to TCS and thank you for rescuing Lucy. She was surely someones pet at one time since you were able to pet her and she was purring and accepting of your touch so easily. She has been through quite an ordeal with the surgery and this new way of life, so much all at once, but she WILL be fine! She knows you care for her and that will help her get through this. :eek:hno: Sorry about the stressful episode and I am amazed you got her back in that crate. I do use a large cat cage, it is a Midwest Cat Playpen until such time as the cat is totally trusting of me. Then I will move the cat (and cage) to a small room with no hiding places that you cannot still reach in and pet the cat. Have the room set up with all the necessities and leave the cage open after you have secured the room. She will leave the cage on her own and venture out into the room. Have some kitty cubbies for her to hide in. Then take the cage away. If you don't have a room to put her in, them the large cage will do. It is better that than being in a shelter cage..... She is still in a home environment and she will see her cage as her safe place until such time you can find her a home. She really does have a sweet side to her and it shouldn't be a problem to bring even more of her sweetness out in the days to come. Feral cat's can be surprisingly forgiving of our little mistakes, so don't worry, Lucy will trust you quickly again. I think what you are doing for this kitty is wonderful and you are preparing her for a life indoors. So if she has to be in a crate for a bit, that is perfectly alright! Keep us updated on Lucy :D :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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catmom5

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Thank you for your kind welcome. It has been a long night with little sleep. Lucy cried and cried, she is so miserable being crated. Since I had time to think, I made a couple of decisions. First, I cancelled the order for the larger cage and will set her up some hiding places right in the den. She will be able to go in and out of the smaller cage, but will also get to be out of it when she needs to. I'm not going to force anything and see what happens.

I also am looking into managed colonies with experienced caregivers/barn cat programs to see if I can find a good place for her if I can't find an adopter. She hates being confined and even though she allows me to pet her and stroke her (even after the episode yesterday) she will have to be where people understand her and allow her to determine the relationship. I know that a couple of the local rescues/humane societies offer good placements.

She can be here for as long as it takes to find the right spot for her. I'm not going to put her back out in my neighborhood because, even though it might be familiar to her, it's not really safe. I have neighbors who hate cats (swears a feral killed her yorkie so now sets traps all over her yard to "get rid of the cats") and high-traffic streets. I do have a true feral who seems to do just fine "out there" and I will continue to care for him.

If you have any thoughts about what to do, where to go from here, let me know. I will continue to socialize Lucy to the best of my ability and pray for someone who will love HER.

catmom5
 
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catmom5

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Somehow Lucy got the screen off of the window and has gone. She sat across the street and watched me and then took off. I am just sick about this. I just don't know what to do . . .
 

StefanZ

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Oh, my... Problem solved by Gods and her will?

If she returns or you can trap her, good. Otherwise, she is better off now than before the spaying. She will now be like any other TNR cat, no?

So whatever your disappointment, your deed was for the full value and no cent less.

*vibes*
 

feralvr

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Somehow Lucy got the screen off of the window and has gone. She sat across the street and watched me and then took off. I am just sick about this. I just don't know what to do . . .
OH hun..... :sniffle: My heart goes out to you tonight - seriously so. I know this must be killing you inside - the worry about Lucy. :alright: I have heard of this happening many times. It is just so unbelievable how these feral kitties can break out of the house. Please don't be hard on yourself..... I am thankful that she found you and she is now spayed !!!!!!!!! So that is the good news and she is recovered since it has been a week now :nod: SO this is not the worst news BECAUSE she knows where you live - right!!!!! I am positive she will be back - just certain of it. Many times we release TNRs back outside and they always stay in their usual territory. Sometimes, confinement and close human contact can be very detrimental to some of these feral adult cats and the best thing for them IS to be released and cared for as an outdoor TNRd feral cat. BUT, if you want to relocate her and try to work with her again inside, then I would have a trap ready to go when you see her come back. In the meantime, you can still make those calls and try to find a place for her. I think thing's WILL work out. Try not to worry - I know hard not to :hugs: Just keep putting food out where you always did before. I will be waiting for your next update and I am sure you will see her again soon. :nod: :heart3: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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iris

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I trap and TNR cats..everyone seems to think that you can tame down a cat..and I so understand your feelings..but she made her decision. As humans we always think they will be better off if they were tame..You got her neutered..she knows how to survive..and most likely she might return for food. You did a good thing getting her fixed. She knew what she needed to be happy. Please be okay with it.
 
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catmom5

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Thank you, all. Lucy was owned at some time because had an old flea collar on when I trapped her. I was able to pet her, brush her and give her treats. Although I am sure it felt scary and strange, in less than a week she was making progress. I simply wanted to give her some time, a chance to be comfortable with people again. My initial thought was to do TNR until I realized that she was able to be handled. I do realize that not all cats can be tamed (I have a true feral, also) but I believe that if possible they should be given a chance.
I will continue to care for Lucy in whatever way she allows.
It still hurts to think about her being outdoors all the time and dealing with all of the "dangers" out there.
 

ritz

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I take care of a community cat colony composed of ferals, stray (once owned and now semi-feral) and abandoned cats.  Ive TNRd aroudn 30 cats since November 2010 and around 10 cats have stayed.    I haven't seen "Kimba" in about a week, and I am worried about him.  Lots of cars around.  Each cat has his/her own acceptance level of me, not necessarily co-related to how long I've been feeding them.

In January 2011 a friend and I removed four cats (in October 2011 another cat) because I was getting complaints about all the cats.  We moved them into a room in friend's house that she converted to a cattery.  If not spayed/neutered already, they were shortly thereafter.

Of the five cats, three have been adopted into a Forever Home, one will go into a FH next week.  The fifth cat, Mystique, is still more feral than not.  She was pregnant when trapped.   If she does not 'turn' in a couple of months, we will probably return her to my colony where she will be looked after by me, and I will make sure (to the extent possible) that she gets her fair share of food.

One of the three cats is an interesting story.  Buckley was trapped in January 2011 and make great progress, although he was always a little aloof.  He was ready to go into a Forever Home in October, but freaked out when put into a cat carrier, escaped into the eves, escaped from the house  Two weeks later he showed up at my colony.  He recognized me.  About seven to days later, I was able to scruff (not trap) him, put him into a carrier, and returned him to the cattery.  (At this time, only Mystique was in the cattery, and she was showing signs of depression.  We thought another cat would help.)

Buckley was much more affectionate this time, head butting, inviting petting, and a pure delight.  Living on the streets for three weeks changed him for the better; he realized humans are okay.  He was adopted into a Forever Home about a month later and is doing well. 

My point is, every cat is different.  Most cats learn (by necessity) how to survive on the streets.  You might try feeding Lucy, see how close (emotionally and physically) she gets to you.  And consider handling her again. It's hard.  I know.
 

feralvr

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Thank you, all. Lucy was owned at some time because had an old flea collar on when I trapped her. I was able to pet her, brush her and give her treats. Although I am sure it felt scary and strange, in less than a week she was making progress. I simply wanted to give her some time, a chance to be comfortable with people again. My initial thought was to do TNR until I realized that she was able to be handled. I do realize that not all cats can be tamed (I have a true feral, also) but I believe that if possible they should be given a chance.
I will continue to care for Lucy in whatever way she allows.
It still hurts to think about her being outdoors all the time and dealing with all of the "dangers" out there.
Hun - :hugs: I do hope that Lucy returns and that you will be successful in trapping her again. I say this - because I think you are right in that she was owned and abandoned :nod: She is not a feral cat. Any cat, feral or not, can freak out and act out completely frenzied. Believe me, I have seen this in completely tamed, human-raised kitties :nod: I will keep checking here to see how things are and pray that Lucy will return very soon. I DO think she will be an excellent candidate for adoption. :nod: Much luck to you :cross: Your a wonderful person :hugs: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

iris

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Hummm..if she had a flea collar then I also believe she is not feral. I do remember helping these folks last summner..there was about 12 ferals. One small little boy named Sneakers...I trapped him..got him fixed and returned him to these nice people. Well they were trying very hard to socialize most of these cats. They kept Sneakers inside for about a week. Seems he scratched a screen and went back outside. He stayed out all summer..but when it got cold they found him on the doorstep..as if to say "Hummm remember me..I used to be inside there and I want back in". LOL. They moved across country and Sneakers went with them. So I guess it's possible Lucy will return.
 

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My heart goes out to you!!  I know how attached you can get to feral kitties even if you haven't touched them yet.  Just keep food and water out for her, and I'm sure she'll be back. And as far as her freaking out, my Baby Kitty, who is feral, I just live trapped her and got her fixed  a couple of weeks ago.  At first she let me pet her. Then she freaked one day, and wouldn't come near me for a few days.  And now just today, when she saw me come in the room she jumped up on the bed and greeted me! Like everyone told me.....one step forward and 2 steps back.  She'll come home and everything will work out!  GOOD VIBES.....
!!!
 
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catmom5

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Now that Lucy is back out and back on the old schedule (food, water and shelter here) do you all have any thoughts for keeping her healthy (ie fleas, etc) that I can manage without "up close and personal" requirements? When I trapped her she was full of fleas and had scabs and some scars from flea bites, I assume. I had a rescue who ended up with bartonella from flea bites and I almost lost her. So I'm concerned about such things for Lucy.

I will NEVER give up. If we have to have a different kind of relationship for the time being, so be it. But I will offer her what I can.

Thanks everyone!

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feralvr

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Now that Lucy is back out and back on the old schedule (food, water and shelter here) do you all have any thoughts for keeping her healthy (ie fleas, etc) that I can manage without "up close and personal" requirements? When I trapped her she was full of fleas and had scabs and some scars from flea bites, I assume. I had a rescue who ended up with bartonella from flea bites and I almost lost her. So I'm concerned about such things for Lucy.
I will NEVER give up. If we have to have a different kind of relationship for the time being, so be it. But I will offer her what I can.
Thanks everyone!
catmom5
OH IS LUCY BACK???? Have you seen her? :cross: For fleas, there is a pill form http://www.jefferspet.com/capstar/p/0027945/ called Capstar that you could get from the vet or order it on-line. IF you can roll the pill in some really, really irresistible wet food - pea size ball - so she will eat it right up. Don't mix it into a full wet meal, then you can't be assured that she ate it. Only offer the pea-sized ball with the pill inside first on a plate. Then give her the rest of her meal. Of course, if you can pet her outside :dk: then you can just apply the Frontline, Advantage or Revolution on the back of her head. Not lower than the back of her head - where she can reach the product and lick it off :eek: I really hope that she is back and you have seen her. :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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catmom5

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No, I haven't seen her, but the food is disappearing and much of the water is gone. I'm moving the feeding station to an area of my back yard where I can watch more easily. I just hope that it's Lucy (although there is another black cat who is definitely feral who has been here longer than Lucy). Thanks for the information on the Capstar. Wouldn't hurt to give it to both of my outdoor kitties, I'm sure.

I will keep you posted, but would be very happy to get a good look at Lucy just to see for myself that she's okay.

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Capstar works fine and very quick killing off all the adult fleas. The drawback is there is no long term effect, so the flea eggs survive. So in reality you must also use some other anti-flea remedies.

But Capstar is very useful if you say catch a homeless fleashy cat outside, give it the capstar at once, and while you have carried the cat home - the adult fleas are dead, no need to deflease the quarantine room nor your home. .Just to put on the  frontline or revolution to kill off the eggs too, and the earmites..
 
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catmom5

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Okay, I have created a spot where I can watch the eating situation - but I need to put mulch or bark or something on the ground. What do you all suggest for ground cover (it's just in an area of a perennial bed that is visible to me but a safe distance for the cats)? I would love to put down something that is safe for cats but repels fleas and other insects. Do you know of any such thing? I do know that the cocoa mulch is toxic for dogs so won't use that.

Thanks!

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feralvr

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Okay, I have created a spot where I can watch the eating situation - but I need to put mulch or bark or something on the ground. What do you all suggest for ground cover (it's just in an area of a perennial bed that is visible to me but a safe distance for the cats)? I would love to put down something that is safe for cats but repels fleas and other insects. Do you know of any such thing? I do know that the cocoa mulch is toxic for dogs so won't use that.

Thanks!
catmom5
I have heard pine shavings work very, very well at repelling fleas. This link might be very helpful to you http://www.ehow.com/how_4869992_kill-fleas-cats-naturally.html

I hope it is Lucy eating up that food :cross: Good luck and keep us posted :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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catmom5

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I haven't had  Lucy-sighting, but the big black feral boy was here and finished off 2 cans of wet food before he was done. I've seen him chase Lucy off once before (I've got to get him trapped and make sure he's neutered and vetted) so I don't know if that's what's happened or if she is just staying away after her ordeal. Wish I could get a good look at her to see that she's okay.

Taking care of these guys is so much harder than my rescue indoor cats . . . so much we can't control! And I love them just as much.

catmom5
 
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