Potential Stray?

oliverbinx

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Hello Everyone...I just joined TheCatSite and hopefully someone can give me some advice on what to do. :)

Okay, so I've been living in my apartment complex for about 6 months. I've seen this roughly medium size cat before hunting a frog around the pond in front of my apartment at night, one time. Then, periodically I would see it just at night, I figured it was good at staying out of sight. For whatever reason, this week I have been seeing it a lot. Recently, the weather started getting colder too maybe that's why?  I came home from work yesterday and was startled to see it by my sliding glass door, which it ran away as soon as it saw me. I assumed it was interacting with my cats, who always are looking out the window. I was afraid maybe it was a stray, so of course, I put food and water out just in case. This morning I was leaving for work and saw it laying around the bank of the pond. It was dark when I left, so I couldn't see if it had ate anything. When I came home the food was basically gone, so I put more out today in hopes of catching a closer look at it. This evening, I went to close my curtains and the cat was coming up to eat, saw me and stared for a bit then ran off. Probably 10 minutes later, it was back eating the food. I distracted my cats away from the window because the cat seemed afraid of them, which I could understand because they are part Maine Coon and about double its' size.

So here is my problem, I cannot tell if this is someone's cat in my complex or a stray. The cat doesn't seem too skinny at all, however I cannot tell if it is a stray female cat that is pregnant or just an outdoor cat. When I have interaction with it, it runs but it has a long stare at me first and then takes off. Not quite sure why that is. I did see a part on its back that looks like the fur is a bit shorter than the rest of its' fur, I figured maybe it's a healing wound. It does look dirty, but it has short hair so I don't know if it's just a dirty outdoor cat or stray. Plus, I don't want to gain the cat's trust, capture it and take it to the vet just to find out I captured someone's cat.  Any possible information would be greatly appreciated.
 

p3 and the king

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It is probably a stray/feral being dirty, wounds healing and distrustful of humans.  Either that, or it has a very neglectful human that doesn't care.  I would ask your neighbors... Then do a trap and neuter.  I would do it anyway, the trap and neuter.  Perhaps there is hope he/she can be socialized or is just dumped off making it a stray. 
 
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oliverbinx

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Yeah you are probably right. It came by last night and it seemed to have a good interaction with my cats. I think I heard it meow very softly and it arched it's back and curled its tail up....like most cats do when they rub up on someone. I went outside but it ran away, not too far but just enough so that it wasn't near me. Although it watched me the whole time, probably trying to figure me out. After that I went inside and sure enough, it came back ate the food I put out. Then proceeded to go to the bathroom and play in my yard. I think those are good signs! Thanks for your advice! I will be talking to some neighbors.
 

catmom5

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I agree, too, that this cat needs some help. Either lost/stray/abandoned, but does not sound truly feral to me. Trap and vet if at all possible, especially if there is a wound that needs to be looked at.

Keep us posted, okay?
 
 
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oliverbinx

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Oh I definitely will keep you posted. The wound looks healed to me because the hair is growing back in but you can tell something was there because the hair is shorter than the rest of its coat. Of course, I am no vet so I can't say for sure. I will see what I can do tonight, since that's the only time it comes out. I wonder where it goes during the day? I'm sure there are plenty of hiding place in my apartment complex.
 

catmom5

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Don't want to scare you and I need to say I am not a vet or vet tech, but I do know that they can get abscesses from bites that will heal over, but cause great damage if left untreated. (My angel boy had a terrible fight with a foster and that's what the vets were most concerned about)

Thanks for taking care of this little cat.

My strays/ferals tend to be somewhere else during the day, too, and I mostly see them at dusk. Not sure why, I'm just learning about outside kitties.
 
 
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oliverbinx

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I appreciate the information. Seems like I'm really going to have go keep a close eye on it. As soon as I can capture it, I will be bringing it to the vet. Hopefully time is on my side. I wish I could figure out if it was a girl or boy, I hate referring to it as it. It's good to see that it is getting along with my two boys, even if it's through a window. :)
 

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Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!! And I think you DO have a new friend :nod: It is alright to call him/her an "it" But sometimes we just pick one or the other until we know for sure. It sounds like a young cat. If it were an older male cat, it would have the telltale tomcat jowels/cheeks. Unless it is female. The spot you are describing on this cats back could be a "hot spot". Not sure where you live, but many ferals and strays have developed these along the top and side of their backs due to the unseasonably extreme hot temps we had in March. One of my feral cats has the same healing area on his back. The hair is now growing back. It could also be a healing abscess from a bite which could be bad IF the bite healed over and trapped the bacteria underneath. BUT since you say it is healing and the hair is growing back then it is most likely a hot spot. :cross: I would not hesitate to trap this cat and take it to the vet to be checked for a microchip. IF no chip, then I would then proceed forward and get the cat fixed. See if you can find a TNR organization in your area and get the name of one of their vets who will local. I would get that set up first so you know where to bring this kitty. He sounds really sweet and seems to enjoy watching you. Slowly beginning to trust you. Do keep us posted :) :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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oliverbinx

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I live in Florida and March was hot! So I would much rather that be a hot spot than a wound. I think my little friend is a female, so I guess until I am proven wrong I will go with that.

So this is somewhat of an important update to everyone who has been so helpful! I saw my little friend today and I was able to follow her. She is living on the side of my apartment building by the A/C units and bushes. Sad thing, but I am working on a way to capture her. I would like to get her by next week so I can get her to the vet and confirm that she is healthy or not and doesn't have a microchip. If everything works out, my little boys will have another family member. If anyone has a good idea on how to trap her, I am open ears! I don't mind getting a trap but I don't want her to be any more afraid of people than she already is.
 
 

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I am so happy to hear that you will be helping this cat. I don't have wonderful luck with trapping, but I would put a trap near where she "lives" and either feed her in it at about the same time for a few days with the trap unset or if she is really hungry, put the food in the trap (with the floor covered with newspaper and something over the top) and set it. At any rate, once you set the trap, be sure to check back very often to get her as soon as she is trapped. Cover the trap and get her to a safe place until she can get to the vets. She will probably be nervous and scared, but getting her is the first step - and until that happens you can't help her other than feed her. It's hard (at least it is for me) but so necessary. You can do it!
 
 
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oliverbinx

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Thanks for the pointers. I'm looking for traps today, so I can get this thing going. I went by her "home" and she wasn't there so I don't know if she is hiding somewhere else or not. She keeps coming back to eat, but I didn't see her last night. I just know she ate. I worry about her during the day, so the sooner I get her, the better I will feel because I don't want anything bad happening to her.
 

feralvr

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I am sure she has many different hiding places in your area. You could try to borrow a trap from your local shelter or humane society. Or even animal control. OR better yet, find a local TNR organization and get a trap from them. That way you can have a vet already lined up and a standing appointment to bring her to the vet straight away after you trap her. Make sure you make the trap appealing by covering it with a towel or use a large empty dog food bag and slide the trap in that. YOu can cut off the end of the bag if you want. The smell makes it even more appealing. I would use tuna and sardines. Dribble some of the tuna or sardine juice in front of the trap and in the trap leading to the bait food in the back. You can put some leaves or sprinkle grass on the inside of the bottom of the trap to make it more comfortable for the cat to walk on. It makes trapping much easier if the cat comes on a regular feeding schedule every day at the same time. Just keep trying and I hope you have a successful trapping very soon. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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oliverbinx

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I was looking into TNR the other day. I didn't know Harbor Freight sold humane traps. Thank you both! I will definitely look into both options.

Just a little update: She continues to come by every night around 10:30 to eat. So at least she is consistent. She still won't allow me to get close to her, but has no problem going to the bathroom all over my yard. Such a funny little kitty she is. Hopefully, I can get a humane trap this week and get this rescue on the way. Thank you again to everyone for all the helpful posts and encouraging words. I will keep the updates coming.
 
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oliverbinx

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Well my little girl came to eat early tonight. She watches my cats and me through the window, which was really interesting to see. I went outside before she finished eating to see if I could bring her closer to me with some wet food. She stared at me when I came out the door and didn't run from me until I started to walk in her direction. I sat there for a bit until my neighbor came out with her dog. Figured my chances were over at that point. At least some progress is being made with her! YAY!
 

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That is certainly a very positive sign that she just sat there watching you. Take it slow on the front on approaches. I usually crouch down and move sideways not looking at the cat :lol3: I know this sounds weird and funny but it does work to try to get a little closer. I have had no luck with my TNRd ferals though. They allow me t get about 20 feet and that is the limit before they dash off. Please do keep the updates coming :wavey:
 
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oliverbinx

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Okay I have a positive update for everyone. I was leaving my apartment yesterday and I heard some noise in the bushes. It was my little girl. :) She stared at me and I knelt down so that I wouldn't seem so scary (thank you Feralvr!!). She looked at me, walked away a couple feet and then laid down. So we have made huge progress! I was so happy she didn't run from me. I haven't seen her today, but hopefully I will be able to actually have contact with her soon.
 

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Okay I have a positive update for everyone. I was leaving my apartment yesterday and I heard some noise in the bushes. It was my little girl. :) She stared at me and I knelt down so that I wouldn't seem so scary (thank you Feralvr!!). She looked at me, walked away a couple feet and then laid down. So we have made huge progress! I was so happy she didn't run from me. I haven't seen her today, but hopefully I will be able to actually have contact with her soon.
:clap::clap::clap::clap: Positive progress :D !!!!!!!!! Laying down near you like that is the beginning of her trusting you !!! :vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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oliverbinx

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She was a couple feet away from me, but it is progress! Definitely beats the whole running away bit.
 

feralvr

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She was a couple feet away from me, but it is progress! Definitely beats the whole running away bit.
Absolutely HUGE progress. I am thinking that this kitty might be an abandoned, frightened kitty and might surprise you once she is trapped :nod: We can hope :D :D
 
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