Blizzard Nemo- Long Island, my 2 cats have not been seen since Thurs Night so worried!

tiger cat

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I posted this as a reply to another post but someone suggested I repost here.  I take care of two ferals- actually transported the colony (there was 3 of them but only 2 stuck around) end of December- long story but no one was taking care of them at the old location.  They got used to the area since the Dec move but I have an acre here and there are horses and barns and sometimes little foxes. The old location they just had dogs and raccoons to worry about. The thing is they come around everyday at 6pm to eat and they hang out for a little bit and then go somewhere to sleep. I put up shelters bought them off of amazon and made one out of the rubbermaid contained and also, i leave my shed door open but they don't stay on my property. I need to put up a fence which I'm planning to do soon (I think they're too wary of the dogs next door- and my neighbor doesn't have a fence so sometimes his dog will trot over).  Even the shed which I left open they won't go in b/c when I transported them here I kept them confined in the shed for a couple of days so they don't like going in there now.  Friday night at 6pm they never came out but it was very bad here, massive snow flakes and about 3 inches an hour. I would typically feed them in the back but also put food in the front and dug a path in my backyard. We got about 27 inches. I'm so worried they're snowed in somewhere. If they got stuck in a shed somewhere would they be able to dig themselves out? I just have no idea where they could be, it's a long block here, big yards lots of spaces to go.  Yesterday was day 2 that they went without eating here. I fed them a lot when I brought them here so they quickly put on some weight but worried that they didn't eat here now today will be 3 days if they don't show again.  Does the snow confuse them? Are they able to smell/find their way back or is it a more dire situation that they're trapped somewhere?  my 2 ferals are mommy and son about 6 and 4 I estimate.  The momma, oreo has been through a couple of snowstorms, but this was really bad. I think in 2010 we got a couple of feet.  I'm so incredibly worried and don't know what to do.  I put food out but the birds eat it but the cats would always come around 5/6pm but none- not my ferals or the other I have seen at my doorstep (2-3 other cats) have shown up. No footprints. I shoveled a path in my backyard but dont know where they'd be coming from they might have to jump through a lot of snow to get here depending where they hid.  How many days can they go without eating? Can they jump through this snow? Dig themselves out of a hole?  They say by Monday/Tues it should be almost 50 degrees. hopefully the snow will melt. So worried about them, if I don't see them soon I have to accept the worst, because this constant worrying has made me so sad. I pray they find their way but was hoping others have had some insight or have gone through a similar situation to offer some advice. 
 

ritz

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First thank you for taking care of these cats.

Cats can dig themselves a hole, like an igloo, and keep warm that way.  Also, if a cat can fit his head into an opening, he can fit his entire body.  What became "Ritz" and her litter mates and mother cat survived a 20 inch snow storm.

I would leave food out in several places, several times a day; the smellier the food the better.  Wet food this time if you have it/can afford it.  Or any kind of fish.  The snow doesn't really confuse them; they can smell their way out. 

PS:  if you are afraid of flooding, make sure there are plenty of drainage ditches along the paths the cats normally use.
 
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tiger cat

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Thank you so much Ritz for your response, I put out wet food but it freezes. I think tomorrow I'll get sardines and put that out- they like that best.  Tomorrow it should get up to 42 so hopefully some snow melts.  Are they just afraid of the snow? Like clockwork every day at 6pm they would come and wait to be fed.  Even one time when I was driving up the block I saw oreo (the momma) crossing the street- I called her name and she ran all the way back to my house and backyard to where they get fed.  I saw on facebook a group- Guardians of Rescue digging out cats in their little shelters (made out of rubbermaid plastic) cats actually ran out after they digged them out.  I don't know where my cats are or I'd go there myself to dig them out. For now I will just pray for warm weather to melt this snow and leave smelly fish for them- the sparrows and birds eat all the dry cat food I leave out and the canned food freezes easily in this weather with the high water content.  But I read a lot of cats hide. My worst fear is they freeze to death or are buried and can't get out and starve.  I'm driving myself crazy with these thoughts.
 

ritz

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Try not to worry (easier said than done).  Cats are incredibly resourceful.  I don't think they're afraid of snow, wind maybe, not snow. 

Do you know from which direction your cats come from--dig that area out first.

Yeah I know wet food freezes easily.  If you heat it, it may last longer. 

Keep us posted.
 
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tiger cat

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thank you Ritz! I just saw what I believe to be another feral- he got in a fight with my oreo the first night I brought her here and she ran up a tree, he was eating the food I left out in the same spot just 30 min ago. This gives me a little hope that if he's out and about then my cats still have a chance.  They usually run into my neighbors yard b/c they keep so much junk lying around and they usually run behind the shed. But all the cats run this way. We dug a path from our front driveway all along the side of our house to the feeding station but because literally every house is an acre plot that's just too much to shovel and I don't know for sure where they'll be coming from. There was a small hole in my neighbor's shed but I walked there yesterday and called for oreo and didn't hear anything. We did dig a path all the way back to that corner though.  Will continue to pray and update if I have any good news. 
 

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I live in New Hampshire and have the same worry about a couple ferals Ive been feeding for a few years. In live in a city and usually Muffin and Gandolf come around every morning and night like clockwork for their meals. I feed both wet/canned and dry (I use SnuggleSafe discs under food dishes to keep canned food from freezing-works like a charm); I saw gandolf the day before yesterday but haven't seen the others and the food isn't getting eaten. As I said, I live in the city and there are plenty of places to hide. Even though I have several shelters for them (two are heated), they never seem to stick around after their meal. I am so afraid they sought shelter from the blizzard and are holed up somewhere and can't get out. I am sick with worry and don't know what to do. Hopefully the warmer temperatures melts enough snow so they can find their way out. Any advice?
 
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tiger cat

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I live in New Hampshire and have the same worry about a couple ferals Ive been feeding for a few years. In live in a city and usually Muffin and Gandolf come around every morning and night like clockwork for their meals. I feed both wet/canned and dry (I use SnuggleSafe discs under food dishes to keep canned food from freezing-works like a charm); I saw gandolf the day before yesterday but haven't seen the others and the food isn't getting eaten. As I said, I live in the city and there are plenty of places to hide. Even though I have several shelters for them (two are heated), they never seem to stick around after their meal. I am so afraid they sought shelter from the blizzard and are holed up somewhere and can't get out. I am sick with worry and don't know what to do. Hopefully the warmer temperatures melts enough snow so they can find their way out. Any advice?
Hi Nursingcats, I was reading in another forum too and people were saying how their cats were missing for 2 weeks and then just showed up one day, we had a lot of melting here on LI today between the rain and the 42 degree temp.  I saw 1 cat today the son the momma I'm not sure if she was here, some food was missing after her son left (we put more out) and when I checked again it was gone.  It could've been momma or some of the other neighborhood cats that know of this spot.  I think people were saying that these cats hide out for a while, or sometimes they are stuck but with the melting they come out.  Are the temps still very cold near you?  I dug a couple of paths leading up to the food station.  we just have to pray that they have good survival instincts.  here's the other post that might give you some hope and advice! http://www.thecatsite.com/t/254536/help-snow-storm-coming/30#post_3309187
 

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Just to share a tip and if you can do it, I guarantee it works. Set up a large piece of plywood on top of the snow. Go to the store and buy all different kinds of wild bird seed- cracked corn- sunflower seeds and spread ALL the bags on the plywood. The birds will be searching for food and nothing gets cats out of hiding than a lot of bird activity.  By the way, this process also works to get cats out of trees.

MA
 
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tiger cat

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Thank you so much for that tip. With all the construction going on in our house we definitely have plywood lying around all I need is birdseed. I will definitely try that tip. I saw one oftwo cats last night. Would be awesome if i could get then all out of hiding! Thank you so much!
 
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tiger cat

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I am so glad you posted here.  I knew there would be members with great advice.
thank you for the advice! Oreo came back tonight with her son at feeding time. I've never been so elated.  If they only knew how much I care about them!  I'm going to try my hardest to continue to socialize them. Oreo responds to her name but there's a bully cat that's taunting her, they just got in a fight over food- he chased her. first night she was relocated here- he chased her up a tree. Not sure why this is occurring I put plenty of food out always, but they could all be really hungry with not eating for a few days.  I'm so glad I found this forum on the cat site- definitely very useful advice!
 

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Just to share a tip and if you can do it, I guarantee it works. Set up a large piece of plywood on top of the snow. Go to the store and buy all different kinds of wild bird seed- cracked corn- sunflower seeds and spread ALL the bags on the plywood. The birds will be searching for food and nothing gets cats out of hiding than a lot of bird activity.  By the way, this process also works to get cats out of trees.

MA
Hi MA! :hugs: I always appreciate your advice/suggestions. This is an excellent tip. I just filed that one away. :thanks:

Tiger Cat. I know it is hard not to worry as I have been in your shoes many a storms. They will go into "hibernation" mode and hunker down and be quite warm under a blanket of snow. All of that snow makes for a nice cozy den for them. Feral cats amaze me as to how well they perservere through storms such as these. Try not to worry. Feral cats are incredibly well adept at keeping themselves safe during storms. You will see them again, and soon. Hang in there!! :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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tiger cat

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Hi MA!
I always appreciate your advice/suggestions. This is an excellent tip. I just filed that one away.


Tiger Cat. I know it is hard not to worry as I have been in your shoes many a storms. They will go into "hibernation" mode and hunker down and be quite warm under a blanket of snow. All of that snow makes for a nice cozy den for them. Feral cats amaze me as to how well they perservere through storms such as these. Try not to worry. Feral cats are incredibly well adept at keeping themselves safe during storms. You will see them again, and soon. Hang in there!!
they are home. all kitties have been accounted for. Oreo and Jeff. Even bully cat, who I now know needs to get fixed, he's starting fights with all the other cats (and most importantly my 2 kitties)  and chased my Oreo off tonight and I heard them screaming in the distance. bully cat is the next challenge ahead, looks like I have to TNR a new village. (oreo & jeff were fixed several years ago)
 

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they are home. all kitties have been accounted for. Oreo and Jeff. Even bully cat, who I now know needs to get fixed, he's starting fights with all the other cats (and most importantly my 2 kitties)  and chased my Oreo off tonight and I heard them screaming in the distance. bully cat is the next challenge ahead, looks like I have to TNR a new village. (oreo & jeff were fixed several years ago)
:woohoo: OK - no woohoo on Bully cat chasing them off, but I'm so glad they weathered the storm just fine and are back home! :clap: :clap: :heart2: :D
 

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They're both adorable. Glad they're home and safe. I'm sure you're so relieved.
 
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tiger cat

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They're both adorable. Glad they're home and safe. I'm sure you're so relieved.
Thanks Vball91, I am super relieved.  Some snow tonight coming 2-4 inches. but after 28 inches from last snowstorm, hopefully the cats won't even notice this. So ready for spring! ;)
 
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tiger cat

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I'm glad they're safe!!
 

Where on LI are you? I am in Mineola
bohemia area now but my kitties used to live in plainview are. out here there are horses and fox,and I'm pretty sure they're experiencing these animals for the first time.  It's been a traumatic couple of months for them.  
 

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they are home. all kitties have been accounted for. Oreo and Jeff. Even bully cat, who I now know needs to get fixed, he's starting fights with all the other cats (and most importantly my 2 kitties)  and chased my Oreo off tonight and I heard them screaming in the distance. bully cat is the next challenge ahead, looks like I have to TNR a new village. (oreo & jeff were fixed several years ago)
Wonderful news! 
 
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