Help! Kitty stuck Inside washing machine!!!

needcathelp

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Hello, we are first timers to the forum.  We have joined you here today because we have an urgent situation with our kitty and we need advice from the experts on how to handle.  Fear not, I have already contacted my friend who is a vet and she assures me there is no urgent need to involve her, and she recommended I come to a cat forum to exchange ideas about how to trouble-shoot this particular problem.  Anyway, what happened is as follow...

Our cat was just adopted 2 days ago.  She is a rescue cat, about 8-12 months old having lived on the streets for most of her life.  We are from Israel, so being a street cat isn't quite the same as it is elsewhere in the world; she had dozens of locals feedings and playing with her on a daily basis, and is a very sweet cat.

Anyway, after we brought her home we set her up with her carrying cage in the bathroom with a liter box, food and water.  We wanted her to be in a small quiet space so that she could acclimate to our apartment slowly and get comfortable in her new environment.  After about a 30 minute freak-out session where she jumped over and destroyed nearly everything, she discovered the space behind our washing machine and hid there for the last 36 hours or so.  We would periodically come in to check on her and see if she moved, leaving out new food and water for her.  Today we noticed that her food had been eaten even though she was still behind the washer, so that is good I suppose.

Unfortunately the situation got more complicated about an hour ago.  I went into to see her and noticed the room smelled of urine and poop, and she had not used the liter box.  She was apparently so afraid behind the washing machine that she just went back there and was sitting in her own filth.  I wanted to give her more space so maybe she would come out, and I moved the washing machine forward.  Apparently while I was doing so I had the machine tilted at an angle, and I wasn't aware that the bottom of the machine was not covered!  The cat saw the opening and dove in, and is now hiding in the INSIDE of the washing machine.  Obviously I immediately disconnected the electric and water lines from the machine so she wouldn't get hurt by them.

Anyway, we have no idea what to do, and we came here looking to get advice from the experts.  We thank you in advance for all the help you can give us.

Just to be clear though, our cat is ~NOT~ inside the loading area of the washing machine (where the clothing goes).  She is inside the actual box between the pieces and components of the machine.
 

mces97

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I would say if she does not come out by later today you might have to call a washing machine tech to disassemble the machine and cat proof the rest of your house. Cats love to hide and will find any new hiding place for comfort and security. 
 
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arlo haarsma

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wherever she got in she can get out.  I was told that by a smart cat person when my Cher hid under a bedside dresser.  I would start by trying to coax her out with your soothing voice.  I know that sounds trite so let me expound.  Go sit in the bathroom for a while...a long while...bring a book...and just talk to her.  She will grow accustom to your voice and if you had ever had a good relationship she will try to get out. I do not know a lot about cats but I know some golden kernals....it is always better to let the cat decide what to do than to make it happen for that cat.  Maybe this does not work...then leave a radio in there.  I grew up on a farm and was trained on how to break wild horses.  There is one method that is tried and true although it does not sound great.  I only recommend this in a last ditch effort however it will bond the cat to you too.  I will tell you after I tell you about idea I just had...since you cannot use the washer in it's current state why not set it on its side...possibly allow for better access.  Also makes the cubicle kitty is in rotate by 90degrees forcing her to move something and maybe even out.  try that first and if that does not work I will share the last ditch effort with you.  I am hesitant to tell you in here now because some will frown upon it even though the animal is NOT hurt in any way shape or form.  I would never suggest anything to hurt a precious kitty - i hate when people are mean to them.  Good Luck!!!
 
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needcathelp

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Thanks Arlo.  I should have specified before but the washer is on it's side and has been for a long while now.  I will try to sit in there for a bit and update you.  Thanks!
 

arlo haarsma

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hmmm...sounds like you are far beyond where I would know to go...right now the kitty is being traumatized...it is scared...I am not sure if it is appropriate to just get kitty out yourself but I know that is what I would do.  I can always but a new washer - they are not alive.  There are screws all over the back..I would just loosen them until parts come off then keep on going until kitty comes out.  Look at it this way - you are going to have to call a tech no matter what...why not call them to put the washer back together meantime spend some time loving the kitty and getting them out of a traumatizing situation.
 

ldg

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Awwww..... :heart3: Your hearts are certainly in the right place! :hugs: Before you do anything to get her out of there, you should get a safe room set up for her. One that is cat proof and has safe hiding places. Poor thing has NO CLUE what is happening to her! So before you get her out, you need to know where you're going with her! And she NEEDS to be confined to a "safe" territory that she can make her own before she even begins to feel comfortable being inside. :nod:

Here's an article that may help you with that: http://www.catnipchronicles.com/may2012/laurie.htm

Once you have that room set up, I think you are going to have to use a live trap for her. Sitting there coaxing her out will likely not work. She may have been friendly and wonderful outside - but her whole world has just been turned upside down and she is freaking out - and you did this to her (in her mind).

So I'd set up a live trap with some really wonderful strong smelling food in it, and let her be. Has she been spayed? If not, I'd take her to a vet or clinic to get that taken care of. While she's under anesthesia, they can clean her up. She probably needs to be de-wormed, maybe treated for fleas and other parasites? :dk: When you bring her back home, release her into the SAFE ROOM. :) :rub:
 

feralvr

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OH poor baby.... this is not the first time I have heard of this happening. A feral cat hiding inside the back of the washer. I will tell you, they do come out on their own, only at night to eat and use the litter box. OH the litter box should be soil, Cat Attract litter, and the Cat Attract Herbal litter attractant - . In my experience, that herbal litter additive is a must for feral cats, draws them right to the box. :nod: This cat is completely traumatized now :sniffle: but don't give up hope. With these types of cats, I use a very, large cat playpen with cubby hiding places, a litter box on the bottom, it has shelves and food bowl area. Only when they have settled and realize you are not going to kill and eat them, do I move them into a safe room with NO hiding places that you cannot reach the cat. Put the mattress on the floor is there is one. If you do not allow yourself to get close access to the feral cat and they are able to hide from you completely, then there will never be any progress made OR at the very least, it will take a very, very long time. You have to push yourself on them but there is a fine line to that as well. First things first, you really should re-trap this kitty and start over with a very large cat enclosure or a very small safe room with no way to escape. Make sure you offer the cat a place to hide completely in that safe room so the cat will not try to dash out the door when you come in. It will go to it's safe, hiding place where the cat will think you cannot find her. Once you get this kitty re-trapped and in a secure location, we will be very HAPPY :D to help you further your relationship with this wonderful new darlin' :heart3: :rub: Let us know how it goes :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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