Looking for some input on what to do with my feral kitty

survivor97

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Hello,

I'm new here, and I wanted to warn you ahead of time.  I tend to write novels, so grab a cup of coffee.  :)

Scarlet came to our home several years ago (I'm guessing 13+).  She showed up about the same time my neighbor called to ask for help with a litter of kittens under her deck.  I won't bore you with the details, but three of the four are alive and well, and still being spoiled by yours truly. The 4th passed away a couple years back from FELV complications.

Scarlet brought another litter of 6 cuties to our back door 8+ years ago.  We managed to find good homes for all of them.  Shortly thereafter, I was able to trap her, and have her spayed. The vet informed me the little hussy had been "around the block" several times. So, I am really glad we were able to do that for her.

In all this time, I have never been able to get close enough to touch her.  If she is nearby, she will respond to a specific "call" I came up with.  She will sleep in one of the two shelters I built for her.

So, here's the problem...we moved from this house almost two years ago.  We are seniors, so it has taken a while for us to get this home ready to put on the market.  We are getting close to that time. Also, it is a 30 mile trip each way, which ts getting very expensive. She is waiting to be fed every time we go back.

What should I do about Scarlet?  She has depended upon us for so many years.  Our vet told us that for a feral to survive this long is almost unheard of.  If I could somehow manage to trap her again (she is cage-smart), and bring her to our new place, I could never allow her to roam free again. There are coyotes in both places.  And I estimate my Scarlet to be 15-17 years old.  :(

I was advised by an expert to get a neighbor to feed and shelter her, but that's not gonna happen.  Too many strays around. Depend on the buyer of our house to care for her?  That's iffy, and they probably wouldn't like the shelters on the back porch anyway.

So, what do you think?  Should I try to move her, or leave her be? I fear her days are numbered, whichever way I go.  And that makes me very sad.

Thank you in advance for all suggestions.
 

gardenandcats

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If it was my choice I would trap her and take her to your new home and keep her inside..
 

ondine

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I agree.  If she is left behind, she will not last long and her last months will be rough.  Even if she objects to moving, she'll be safe and fed regularly.

Is there a shed at your new place where you can keep her if she doesn't make the transition to inside kitty?
 

dahlia

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I would definitely move her with you.  At that age, I don't think she would last long without you feeding her.  I understand what you are going through.  I had to leave 3 cats behind when I moved and I drive 25 miles each way to feed them every Saturday (I have feeders I fill up).  I had talked to the person that bought my house about feeding them and she indicated she would but I went back two weeks after I moved to check and it was clear she wasn't doing anything.  One neighbor feeds one of them sporadically (I left a feeder with him and leave a bag of food on his porch every few weeks) but he is gone a lot so I can't really depend on him.  Fortunately, I am young enough that the drive isn't that much of an issue but it does get expensive.  I wish you the best of luck in catching your cat.
 

shadowsrescue

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Take her with you.  It may be very hard, but it would be worse to leave her.  A drop trap is a great idea if a regular trap doesn't work again.  You could start by not setting the trap and feeding her in it to see if she will once again go inside.  Or get a large carrier and try feeding her in there.  I do not think she will survive without you.
 
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survivor97

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Update:  We caught Scarlet today!

My husband was able to coax her into the cage with a bowl of food.  He will be bringing her to our new home shortly.  He will also bring along her food bowl and shelter along with him.

I have three large dog cages, along with a wooden cage my husband built.  I am planning on putting them all together somehow to make a bigger enclosure for her in the barn.  From there, she will be able to see my other kitties (3 of which I suspect are her offspring from 16 years ago).

Once everything has settled down, my hope is that she can "graduate" to the bigger area, and make new friends. It is a nice setup in the barn.  Their "room" is about 15' by 45'.  They have shelves to climb on and lots of toys.  They  also have access to a 10' x 12'  enclosed area outside, safe from the coyotes and hawks.  I will approach the husband about making that a bit bigger in the Spring. Baby steps...  :)

Thanks so much for all your kind replies.

Wish us luck!
 

ondine

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Great news!  I have a suggestion for connecting your crates and cage.

You know those shelving units they make with 12" x 12" wire grids?  I used those grids to connect two crates.  You need crates with two doors - I opened the ones on each side and used zip ties to connect the grids around each door and along the top of the opening.  I put the litter box in one crate and a carrier in the other.  I put straw in the little "hallway" formed by the grids and the doors and that's where the cat could go to "escape" me.

I was able to feed in the crate with the carrier and whenever I opened the front door, she was able to go into the other crate to get away from me if she needed to.

Maybe you can connect all the crates to give her plenty of room.  Because the crate system is going to be in the barn, she'll already be in her territory when the crates are disassembled.
 

dahlia

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Oh my gosh!  I was so happy to read this that I teared up a little.  I wondered what had happened with your situation.  Bless you for sticking with her and not abandoning her.
 

kittymomma1122

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That is wonderful!!! I am glad you have her. I have 3 that I would move with us also.  When I talk about feeding and vetting my ferals, I sometimes get "Crazy Cat Lady" looks. I know if I were to leave them behind they might get some food from my neighbor, but no shelter. I do not think everyone has the same views of caring for ferals.
 

shadowsrescue

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So happy you were able to get Scarlet.  I bet you are so relieved.  I hope she settles into her new home quickly.
 
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