Desperately Needing Advice on how to Catch my Cat

Hi. I need any tips I can get on how to get my kitty back into my house. First I'll give you a little back history. 

Almost a year ago, I found a group of cats that had been abandoned on the road by my house. I ended up keeping 3 of them; 2 from the same litter, and another one, Mikey, from another. At first, I wasn't prepared to bring these guys into my house, as I had never had a pet before and wasn't set up for them, so I ended up looking after them (feeding them and such) during the summer months, before finally bringing them inside in September. Since the beginning, Mike has always been very skittish around us, yet very comfortable with his kitty brothers. He's definitely gotten better, allowing us the occasional petting session, but he still hates being picked up. I've always had the feeling that he had a little bit of feral-ness in him. All in all though, once he was inside, he always seemed very content, and never tried to get out. He has never been outside since he was brought in last September.  Long story short, over the weekend, on Fathers Day, Mikey was spooked by my aunts puppies, and ended up getting out through the back door. I am so upset by all of this, because I know that it is not going to be easy getting him back inside. I've tried a few different (unsuccessful) methods so far, and have slept about 4 hours in the last 3 days. All 3 nights so far, he's showed up on my doorstep, (so I know he hasn't gone too far) as I've had food sitting out for him, but he's been scared off by me as I try to get him to come in. He's scared easily by noises, but I don't know any other way to get him inside, other than waiting until I see him then opening my door. Leaving it open isn't really an option, because I live in the woods, and who knows what else could get in. Just last night, I also saw on the surveillance cameras I have set up, that there is now another cat in the area, who came up and ate them food I had set up.

Another long story short, I am just looking for any good tips from those with experience, on how I can get this timid, skittish kitty back into my house, so I can give him kisses and then take away his phone privileges for the week for making me worry so much. I just worry that he prefers the outside to my house, and doesn't want to come back, which is NOT AN OPTION whether he likes it or not.

To anyone who actually read all that, THANK YOU, and I look forward to hearing any ideas!

     xoxo Melissa

Also, this is a pic of my little Mikey. See how cute he is. Who wouldn't want him back ASAP.

Check out Tips for finding a lost cat. A trap might be the best way to catch him rather than trying to grab him or herd him into the house. Call your local shelter or animal control. They might have a trap they can loan you.

:cross: that you get him back in soon.

Thanks for the advice! I have a trap set up now, and am settling in for an evening of waiting and watching!!  I just hope he comes back tonight. Last night was the first night he didn't make an appearance

anything? 

Mikey hasn't shown up on my doorstep the last 4 nights. I routinely walk around the property, calling his name or making other familiar noises, but he still does not show up. I am becoming more and more discouraged every day, but I will not stop looking. From experience, what do you guys think? A former outdoor cat turned indoor cat - outside for 8 days/no sightings for 4 - do you think he will still come back?

The thing that concerns me most of all is that you live in the woods, meaning predators.

However, didn't he live out there before he became an inside cat? If so then at least he knows the ropes.

If not, well time is a-wastin, and I would be concerned that he hasn't been around in 4 nights.

My suggestion in getting him in?

Do not put much food outside, maybe just a tease, although any other critter could eat it too.

When he shows up at the door, open it and turn and walk away, but still be able to see him from a distance. Don't even talk to him, I know it's tempting but trust me on that. There is something mentally that connects your voice and his being contained again.

You will have a pre-rigged door, tie a string to the doorknob, run the string to just the outer side of the door jam and hang a nail or something, to where it will act as a pulley, and then the string comes in with you.

Make it so that when you open the door for him, you only open it a small amt, and have tuna or wet food inside the door, by several feet. If he sees you left, or are out of sight/reach, when he goes inside to eat, wait for him to really get comfy and chowing down, then pull the string, door will shut and that's that!

Make SURE you only open the door enough for him to come inside, otherwise in the time it takes the door to close from an all the way open position, he will be gone!

I have this set up as I type!! I have a string rigged to a cage in my cat room which is a seperate house behind mine, hooked high so the string is not seen (cats are too smart!) thru the cat room door, thru my backyard gate, up the steps and into my house, and I have a monitor where I can see the cat room and cage clearly. When she goes in to eat, I pull the string, it shuts the door and voiala

melso32 said:

Mikey hasn't shown up on my doorstep the last 4 nights. I routinely walk around the property, calling his name or making other familiar noises, but he still does not show up. I am becoming more and more discouraged every day, but I will not stop looking. From experience, what do you guys think? A former outdoor cat turned indoor cat - outside for 8 days/no sightings for 4 - do you think he will still come back?

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I forgot to ask you...has he been neutered?  that might make a world of difference!  If not, he may very well be out "catting around". 

We had a cat get out once who was missing for 3 weeks, and we never once saw her in all that time.  And I went out every morning and every evening callng her and looking every where I could think of.  Suddenly one day we heard her meow and there she was, right next door.  So goes to show you just never know. 

that your boy comes back soon

Mikey came back last night!! At around 10:45, I turned on my outdoors light and he was just there on the doorstep. I called his name and he meowed. I slowly opened my front door and propped it open and walked away. He walked right in, meowing all the way. You can tell he was not enjoying his time outside. This boy is extremely skittish, but since he came back inside, he's been the most affectionate cat ever. I hope I have the right one. Haha jk. Thanks again for the advice guys!! I'm soooooo happppppy

Yay!  I'm so happy he's back  home with you

Hi we have a new cat.  Our son went to get a cat our of the car as there where 3 11 week old cats in a box that where being taking to cat welfare. When he went to get the cat the cat jumped out of his arms and is still running loose in our neighborhood.  We are getting a trap from our vets.  Or you can buy a trap but the cheapest and good quality ones start at 50.00 dollars.  I read you can rent the trap for 7.00 dollars a day and then  3.00 dollars a day after that.  I hope you can get you kitty to come back inside.  I hope this info helps.  Sincerely, Teri of Columbus Ohio
 

Oh I didn't see the post.. You got your cat back.  Awesome.. so happy for you.. we are still trying to get ours.  Again great job..

Yes! Thankfully my Mikey came back after 10 days. I hope you have the same luck. It's a terrible feeling