Suddenly everyone's gone-& in this weather! Help/thoughts appreciated!,,,,

We had 2 shelters outside for the 3 ferals we see consistently (there is a cat colony not far away we're working on TNRing- 13 so far!).....one of the cats "Flick" has lived consistently in 1 for months, & eats when we call out & place foodevery morning & evening w/o fail. The 2 others trade off on using the other shelter (a dogloo that-although they go everywhere together, the dogloo seems to be "first come first served" despite tons of room-several nights we've seen one or the other huddled next to its doorway as the other slept inside. These 2 also come generally twice a day to eat.

My husband & I got so concerned when we heard about thus storm Friday (we got almost 8") so we built another "double Rubbermaid with straw" before the snow really came down. I did all my tricks-acatnip sock inside the new one, even a tiny bowl of warmed mackerel in front of it & the dogloo. Now it didn't stun me that it didn't get used yet (though its now been 2 very snowy, freezing nights(....the shocker is that, after Flick ate Saturday morning....no one's come to eat at all. We provide a covered feeding station, soft & hard food, & water in a heated bowl. The dogloo & flick's Rubbermaid abode both have outdoor heating pads & straw. We can't put a heating pad in the third one (cost & no outlet)-------but any idea why suddenly everything's been abandoned when it seems they'd need it the most? My husband says I'm taking it too personally (probably true!) is it probably just something as simple as someone's taken pity in this weather & done something like open their garage? Any ideas on how I can further tempt them back to food-& even into the new shelter? I know I shouldn't be so worried-ferals are fickle. But we had such a good little family going that I felt like I was making as comfy, cozy & full as possible (my husband even shoveled "walks" from the shelters so they wouldn't have to struggle through 8" of snow!).

Thoughts appreciated-I'm way more upset than I should be, I know

The first winter I had 2 of my ferals I went through something very similar.  I had a wonderful set up for the.  There were rubbermaid shelters and even a feral villa.  I also had 2 feeding stations.  Without fail they would come to eat many times each day.  The shelters mostly went unused, but I did discover they were sleeping and staying warm under my neighbors screened in porch.  I followed the kitty tracks in the snow.  My neighbor loved my cats too.  He allowed me to place bowls of food right where the tracks went under the screened in porch.  I waited and saw 2 little kitty heads pop out to eat.  When we had awful snow and cold, there were times they didn't come to eat.  I would place a bowl by the neighbors and it went uneaten.  I could not figure it out.  Here when they needed to eat the most, they were gone.  I even had shoveled a path from the neighbors to my my deck.  They would always come back after a day or two, but I learned they were doing just fine.  It broke my heart and I worried all night long.  This is what lead to my DH buying me outdoor wireless cameras!!  I was able to view them on my ipad at night.  I could wake up and check to see if they were in their shelter and the next morning I could wake to watch their movement I had sent to my email.  Get yourself a few cameras.  It will truly ease your mind!!  They make great Christmas gifts!!! 

You are doing everything you can for the cats, but they still have a mind of their own.  Since they may be getting food elsewhere they don't have an urgent need to come to you.  They may also prefer to huddle together for warmth.

I hope they return soon to ease your mind.

Thanks ShadowsRescue. It made me feel a little better to hear you say yours kind of abandoned things AND quit eating when they needed it most! I feel like an idiot that I've cried all day-it just seems that we've tried so hard (I did chucke hearing you'd shoveled a path two-we now have a path from each house to the food & a path down the side of the house in the direction they normally wander out of our yard each morning-& we thought we were nuts for doing it!).

So maybe disappearing like this in a storm in particular isn't the end of the world. I was extra concerned since Flick made it through the first 12 hours/5" of snow in hour house, waddling to & from the food station to her house & back again ( she's got a neuromuscular disorder in her back end). But then Saturday-all gone! But maybe they just are hunkered down.

I'm supposing we should keep doing the morning/evening "call for food" when we take out the wet/dry? And hope they just come back?

And I am definitely going to ask for a trail camera!!!!

Does anyone think its worth:

Continuing to put mackerel as an "extra draw" in front of each shelter & in the feeding station?

And should I get one of those non-electric self-heating mats for at least the one that doesn't have a eating pad? I have to admit don't get how They're much different than just a blanket? Should I add 1 on top of the heating pads in the other 2 houses?

Or am I just being overly hopeful since perhaps they've moved on to greener pastures, which unselfishly I hope they find, but selfishly I already particularly miss wobbly little Flick, & it's only been 2 days! (Why is it I can give advice easily on anyone else's situation & am a blubbering idiot on my own?!?!?!)

I know how you feel.  My ferals that I fed at my old house would not come by to eat sometimes in the bitter cold and I would fret and fret.  I think they were just hunkered down and didn't want to come out in the cold because they would show back up eventually.  There was one little female that didn't stay in my neighbor's garage with the other cats and I would worry most about her because I wasn't sure that she had a good shelter.  I wouldn't see her for a week sometimes but she would always show up again when the weather warmed up.  My stray I am feeding at my new place, on the other hand, comes out for food when I wish he would just hunker down somewhere and stay warm.  During the cold snap the other week, he would be waiting with frost all over his whiskers and I would feel so bad for him.  I guess the bottom line is that you are going to fret one way or the other.  I just had to keep telling myself that they were smart creatures and would do what was best for them.  I will keep my fingers crossed that your cats show up soon.

I have shed so many tears worrying about my ferals.  Every year I try to come up with a better solution to keep them warm.  Both of mine will come into the house for short time periods to warm up, but it is no easy task to get them inside.  I have to put away the 3 animals that live inside the house.  Sometimes Shadow ( he has been with me for 4 years now) will come to the door and meow over and over.  Of course this is when I am home alone and it's impossible to put all 3 animals away.  It breaks my heart. 

Just remind yourself that you are doing the best you can for these babies.  They are survivors.  Last week I bought a new small heated kitty shelter.  It's on the small side and I wanted it for Shadow.  Shadow has short fur.  Stellar my other feral/stray is long haired and the cold doesn't seem to bother him at all.  He will sit outside under a pine tree in the snow when it's in the teens for hours.  He also gets hot at night and I seem him leave for a bit.  Shadow is a snuggler.  He wants to be snuggled up with Stellar all night.  Stellar can only manage this for an hour or so.  I wanted something snuggly and smaller spaced for Shadow.  Of course he won't go in it at all.  It's just too small.  I now have it out on the deck under a table in case Patches returns. 

The worry is constant, but I try so hard to think of all the reward as well.  I have kept a running diary of my events with Shadow, Patches, Marvin and Stellar.  I tell myself at the end of each winter that I need to remember the following year at the start of winter, that the cats truly adjust.  They grow thicker coats and no where to go for extra protection or shelter.  Yet each year at this time of the year I worry and worry.  This year is so odd as we have had so much snow and it's been so cold.  I never was a huge fan of winter, but always tolerated it.  Now I can't stand it because it causes me such worry with the cats. 

Hang in there and know you are doing a great job!

I worry with you, and pray they are safe.

I wish I had a magic wand.

The hardest part is simply not knowing.

Firstly - a LITTLE good news!!!!

I think the Flick (the sad wobbly neuromuscular 8 month old that's starting to recognize when we call her) - -I'm pretty sure she used her house last night. I "mussed" the straw a bit (in hindsight, since I hate to mess to much with their quarters, which I would have mussed it more for a more definitive answer - so tomorrow I'll brave it when she's gone and definitely mess it up more so I can be sure she's said in it. Thanks so much all - for both the advice and the sympathizing! I've worked for so long with cats (basically through shelters) that I thought I knew about as much as there was to know - but boy was I wrong - particularly when it came to ferals! And the worry!!! I'm a worrier by nature  (thank goodness I'm married to an understanding man - although every now and then he say "have you forgotten you have 5 furry guys inside who love you and want you to worry about them?!?!) But Flick's definitely been back there last night, and BLackie and Flick both ate tonight. Although no idea where they slept.

Since I've got a group of people with the same thoughts (and purchasing habits, and worrying, etc.) as it seems i do ----can you answer some questions?  PUHLEEZE? :)  I've asked alot of these over various threads - but might as well get "all the worry and questions out at once!!!!" Even if I address a certain person - please ANYONE chime in with answers!!!

ShadowsRescue (and I can't thank you enough for how much you've been there for me and answered so many of my questions - sometimes I almost feel like you'd got a lifeline to my bed and can hear when I get up an worry!!!

ShadowsRescue - I think you've been one who's mentioned these "self heating pads" that must have some kind of myylar or something in them. Do you think they are worth it (as nice as my husband's been about things, we're self-employed graphic designers, so money doesn't exactly grow on trees)? If who, how should I use them? I basically  have three totally different shelters:

       1: small dogloo with no techincal door, but my husband leaned a heavy sheet of plexi that totally covers the door so almost no snow or rain gets in, but the cats can. This one was initially totally taken over day and night by Flick untll house #2 ame along - now it seems to alternate between Blackie and Big Ray (who seem to ahve a big love affair - at least in Blackie's mind - she follows Big Ray like a puppy dog, eats after him, runs after him, but he will not let her stay with him. The Dogloo is up on bricks off the ground, and set back into a corner between large bushes and a detached garage, so very little wind. I've got an outdoor heated kitty pad in it, but then also have tons of straw mounded around the edges in the inside (not on the pad really, as I want them to feel the pad warmth immediately.  

       2:  A double rubbermaid (like lots of us have - straw between the tubs, 8" round opening between the outside/two tubs). Inside has lots of straw, and also a kitty outdoor heated mat. The minute that one went up - FLick abanded the dogloo and headed straight for it. Until this snowstorm - hadn't missed a morning or night in it.It too has a thick plexi sheet that leans up against the opening like an "a-trame" door.

       3. The Double rubbermaid (slight;y smaler than the other - but figured it might actually hold heat in better). Same idea - 2 containers, straw in between on all side, plexi door leaned up front. I stuffed it with straw , and since it has no heater, thre a small 2 x 2 fake sheepskin in that they could cuddle on or push aside. Plus my "patented catnip sock." Lots of cat prints up to it - but no one's gone in.

So------does anyone think there could be a benefit from those self-heating pad things (this is what I found on amazon - assume this is what everyone's taking about : K&H Self-Warming Pet Crate Pad )url is long, but     They still kind of confound me. Could I even  use them on the two with heating pads? Do you just put them on top of the heating pad? Or put the heating pad somehow inside? Or do you attach these self warming pads to the walls somehow?

I also saw the "electic heated kitty house" (the one that looks like a house - although I could never tell my husbandI was spending yet MORE money - would the igloo seem more desirable to them if it broke up into smaller sections, and I put one of those electric kitty houses inside INSTEAD of the plain heated pad? If we can then eventually move the third Rubbermaid tote shelter closer to the garage, maybe I could move the heated pad to that one.

Bottom line - I want to do what's best for them. And for me - all this worry is killing my fibromyalgia. No sleep. IBS rearing its ugly head again. An all when we're trying to help! I thought straight fostering feels like it can kill me sometimes - this is FARRRRRR harder!!!!

But ShadowsRescue - I have put in request from "santa" on those trail cameras? Remind me again which was your favorite and how much it cost? Or if there's one you've heard is better out there? (cost being a big consideration!!!

So at least say a happy prayer - Flick and Blackie at least have food in their bellies tonight. And hoepfully Flick is hunkered down behind the garage. And I hope Blackie and Big Ray both found a spot ----just as I wish that for ALLA the kitties in the world

Thanks EVERYONE in advance for the patience for reading such a long post...and any help they can offer. 

I never thought there were so many of us out there - and that everyone worried as much as I do!!!!

And so you can see what I worry about every night - here's FLick (sitting, not wobbling) - - notice the perfect heart on her chest? Can you say "awwwww"?

So happy Flick and Blackie appeared and had some good food as well as possibly used the shelter.  It's always a relief when you see them again and know they are safe.

I will try and answer some of your questions.  The mylar self heating pads.  In my opinion they work best when it's not too cold outside.  I use them in the early fall.  One thing I don't like about them is the crinkly noise they make.  One of my ferals was very spooked by the sound.  I had to put a blanket on top of it to muffle the sound a bit.  My now indoor stray is petrified of them.  They do work and are better than nothing, but they too can get wet.  I have sat on them and my bottom does get warm!  For the cold we are having now and the rest of the winter, I prefer the outdoor approved electric heat pads or the microwave discs.  They are much warmer. 

I have this heated cat house  but got it much cheaper (like $50) last year.  They sell it on other sites so there are better prices out there.  I actually have two of them.  I take the sides down so the cats can snuggle together.  I use it in my tent like structure.  It's a perfect size, but really only for one cat and I can easily see it getting wet if it's not positioned under something else. Here is a picture of how I use them.  The boys are snuggled together on the far right.
As for the cameras, I don't use a trail camera, but instead a wireless IP camera.  It allows me to view the cats remotely as well.  Here is a link to the cameras I have.  DH bought me the two pack so I have one on another part of the deck as well. 

  My brother has a trail camera he bought off Amazon for about $50-60.  He puts the micro SD card in it each night and then goes out in the morning and removes it to view the pictures.  We get alot of wildlife in our yard and he loves to see the big deer we get each night.  His takes awesomely clear photos.  It is triggered by motion.  My cameras can be set to record all night or just on motion.  I have them set to email me photos on motion.  The wind triggers alot, but I get some nice shots of the boys together.

I am a worrier too.  It often gets the best of me.  I also have a wonderful DH who understands my worry and my nature and supports my love of all our cats.  He even has the app on his phone now to remotely view the cats when he is traveling!  Unfortunately being a worrier does take it's toll on my health too.  I have IBS which flares up with stress and worry.  It's just very difficult to turn the worry button off!!

You are doing so much for your feral family.  I hope some of my suggestions help you out!

I confess I didn't answer this post at first because I didn't think I had anything to add.  But I just realized I could reassure you, kittychick.  You are doing a lot for these kitties and are to be commended.

I solved my worry problem about my outside cats by building a big enclosure for them in my back yard.  I know my kitties are safe and warm but I still worry about them. It's cold out or windy out or the helicopters from the nearby airport may have scared them... Sometimes I think we are our own worst enemies!

I use the microwave discs because there is no electric out there.  I may spend the money in the spring to wire it up - both for the heated houses and the cameras (which, BTW ShadowsRescue, I have added to my Amazon wish list)!

Kittychick - just keep up the good work.  You are making a difference!

I love the cameras actually I am addicted to the cameras.  I will tell you that they work really well, but they do have their quirks.  I have worked hours upon hours getting them to work when it appears they have died.  I do think I know all the tricks.  The customer service is pretty good and I have had to send back each camera within the warranty period for a replacement, but no problems since.  This will be my 3rd winter with the cameras.  I have also had to replace antenneas and plugs, but they are cheap.  Set up is a pain, but once you get it going it works like a charm.  They do need periodic updating.  I never used to do the updates, but found out later it really helps.  I keep my cameras covered to keep rain/snow off them.  It do think it helps.  One drawback was in the summer my deck would get scorching hot.  Around 90 degrees the cameras shut off.  Fortunately I didn't need them much during the day and just reset them at night.  If it drops below 0 the pictures sometimes flickers.  For surveillance cameras they are cheap.  Most good quality wireless surveillance cameras are over $500. So I guess I get what I pay for.  My poor DH says he's created my addiction since I cannot be without the cameras.  If you get one and have issues let me know.  I have brought back to life cameras that I was sure were dead, but now continue to work.

Thanks SO much for the advice (and very kind offer!) on the cameras!!! I'm definitely printing out your post and putting it in front of my husband (ie Santa) to see if some cameras appear under the tree! And if you truly don't mind - I'll come to you with questions if I need to . Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Why do they make us so worried?!?! You'd thnk I'd worry less by now - I've got plenty of kitties inside to worry about - add that to all the ones at the shelter I deal with and you'd think I don't have space in my brain for these feral guys. But I feel like I worry MORE about them! My husband said almost the same thing after I got him to build that third rubbermaid tub in the middle of the storm - that he should have never built the first one and now he's started a monster  (and he's only partially kidding!).

Thanks again guys - nice to know that it's partially just crazy kitty behavior! (and that I'm just plain crazy

Rather than an emergency blanket / silvery mylar sheet that crinkles and is noisy I use an automobile windshield sun shade. Thin foam with a silvery coating on one side, stiffer than the mylar sheet and no noise. Inexpensive and easy to cut to size with a pair of scissors.

I'm using this indoors but see no reason why it would not work in an outdoor cat shelter.

P.S. In season you can find them at Wal-Mart. This time of year try NAPA auto parts or similar

Yes, there are lots of quirks with trail/wildlife cameras, and price can not only help with the frustrations,

but it can allow you better features. Even when covered, they still live out in the environment. And, the

most expensive is not necessarily the best.

A big box store, Gander, Bass Pro, Cabela's, etc is a great learning source. Most any employee in the

trail camera department should be highly knowledgeable on all the choices. It's a good place to start,

and they may even spark a thought about a feature you haven't thought about. Any of them may need a re-boot

and maybe more often than you think, and they don't all re-boot exactly the same. Another thing to look for......

is what you want it for the most.......the ease of viewing your pictures.

When it's really cold, the self-heating mats are just not that.....self-heating. They only reflect the heat back

that the cats body puts out. Corded electric pads still work best when it's cold.

I know you believe in your 'socks'.......but I would try removing the catnip right now. [outside]

Also, if you think you are crazy....and a worrier.....well........

I only have 18 to worry about now, a couple with special needs, and they are all indoors. This is the first winter in over 10yrs

that I haven't had any outside at my home [where it gets cold]. But all the people I associate with [rescue] physically, and all

the people I know online........I WORRY ABOUT THEM !!!!!  This includes you. How crazy does that make me ???

I am old. I have a good excuse, I can 'claim' senility.

Kittychick, maybe you posted elsewhere and I missed it but I was wondering how your kitties were doing with the latest cold snap.  Have you seen them?

dahlia said:

 
Kittychick, maybe you posted elsewhere and I missed it but I was wondering how your kitties were doing with the latest cold snap.  Have you seen them?

Click to expand...

I was thinking about you too.  The frigid weather in Central Ohio is just awful.  I am trying my best not to worry, but it isn't working.  I was up almost all night last night and have cried and cried.  Only one of my ferals is here.  I expected two of them.  I saw all 3 of them last night, but they are refusing the shelter.  It is not a good day. 

Hope all is well with your kitties!

I know exactly how you feel I can't stop crying I am so worried about the three mother and two kittens I have been feeding for the last 4 months. I live in Atlanta and it is freezing 6 below. All we can do is pray for their safety in this brutal cold!

Awwwh I am heartbroken hearing your story. I am in a similar sitiuation I haven't seen them and I am so worried. I am taking turns crying and praying!

Thanks all for being concerned about the kitties (AND me!!!!!!).

My husband & I have actually periodically been in tears. Not sure what else we could be doing -cohere are now the 3 shelters (2 double Rubbermaid tubs w/straw & some warm things to snuggle with) and the dog loo w/the straw. And all 3 have plexi windscreens so snow never gets in. And 2 have heated cat heating pads. We shovel (sometimes 3-5 times a day) to make sure path they take in good weather into our yard is clear as possible, shovel their typical path around house & garage, & then to/from houses to feeding station (kept clear of snow) & to/from heated water bowl. Last night my husband felt so bad (while I slept-& w/I being asked, showing what an amazing heart he has!!!!!) He partially opened a blocked side door in our detached garage, and laid a small trash an down-it's opening right at the door crack so if a cat came to the door they'd step right into it. He put our indoor (foster kitten) heating pad in it, lined the sides with straw, tucked a blanket in the very back, & laid a large blanket over the whole thing for extra warmth & to lessen the opening considerably. Then put little dishes of mackerel outside that and all the others.

Do I have the worlds most amazing husband or what??? I didn't ask him to do any of it!!!!!

Sadly, despite reheating the sof food every few hours since this started Sat.....we've only seen 1 of the 3 (blackie) come out of 1 of the houses once. And food's only been eaten 2x in over 50 hours.

What does anyone thinks causes this? I know many of you've gone though it too? Theories? We're beyond worried with this wind chill (tonight/tomorrow/tomorrow night supposed to be -20 - -40 windchill below! I have to believe they'll die?!?! This is Flick's first winter-she's only 8 months old poor thing.

Think it's an instinct we're not understanding? Where would be better?

Thoughts? Experience? After last storm all 3 came back-but we're both sick with worry this time. Encouraging words? Anything else to try?dont know how to make things more attractive here?!?!!? Help!

Needless to say I just spent 14 straight hours in bed as my fibromyalgia gets AWFUL when I'm stressed. This weather is worrying the heck out of me with this temp!!!!!!