Cat who was rescued, now doesn't want to come inside

Hi there, 

My sister rescued a cat about 1 year ago.  She was told it was a stray, but doesn't know how long or the whole story.  She adopted it when it was about a year old.  She wasn't letting it outside at all but one day the cat started meowing to go outside..so her son let her out.  Well, since then, she doesn't want to stay inside at all.  She came inside a few times (because my sister is forced to leave the door open, so she at least get some food) but when she reached for the door to shut it, the cat flew back outside.  She lives in Maine and is going to get really cold soon...should she just let the cat stay outside? Or, if the do catch it and bring it inside, should they make her stay inside from now on?  The cat is constantly meowing to go outside and my sister said it's very disturbing, because she wants her to be happy.  

A compromise might be to build a winter shelter, flush up against your house (warmer that way). You can build elaborate ones or a simple plastic container lined with styrofoam and straw [not hay]. The type of shelter also depends on how handy you are with a hammer and whether you have access to electricity.
There are several winter shelter threads.
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/249070/winter-shelters
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/252354/winter-shelter-rubbermaid-bin-question

I use a rubbermaid bin type shelter because, among other reasons, the colony is 1/2 hour from where I live and I'm not suppose to be feeding the cats. Also, it's cheap but effective, and I can hide it behind bushes.
I'm trying to figure out if I can build another shelter 1/4 mile away, in an area with much more exposure to prying eyes and fingers. (People have stolen the traps that I've used to TNR.)

PS: I assume the cat is neutered/spayed; otherwise, there might be another reason she wants to go out....

First off, hopefully the cat is spayed.  If not, she is out and about because it is her nature.  She will soon come home with kittens.  If she is spayed and just wants to be outside, she might change her mind when the weather turns cold.  I can only imagine how cold Maine winters are. 

Here is a picture of a rubbermaid house I made last winter for my ferals.  I insulated it with Reflectix insulation (looks a bit like bumpy foil and found at Lowes or Home Depot) and put an outdoor approved heat pad inside.  I am fortunate enough to have an outdoor electrical outlet.  If one is not available, there are microwave heat discs available that can be heated each night.  Also the rubbermaids can be stuffed with straw.

In this picture, two cats are huddled together in the left box.  I have holes cut in the front and back.


This is my indoor boy modeling the rubbermaid.  You can see the Reflectix inside.  I just used duct tape to keep it in place.

Yes, she is spayed.  

I suggested putting these shelters out...

What do you all think about trapping the cat, and then just keeping it inside for the winter?  

I know she will never get in a trap again...after this...but I don't know what else to do, other than putting a shelter out there for her. 

You certainly can trap her and then keep her inside, but she will still continue to whine/cry/meow to get out.  If  your sister caves and lets her out then getting her back inside will be very difficult.  She can wait a bit and give her a bit more freedom while fall is still upon us.  Yet, she will need a plan to keep her inside and happy.

If she is to stay inside, will she have a cat tree to look outside.  How about some bird feeders placed outside where she can see them from a perch or cat tree.  Does your sister play with her, pet her, brush her, etc...  Also she might want to try feliway diffusers and/or Composure liquid or treats to help calm her.

I hope it all works out!

She almost got littles last night.  She picked her up and put her in, and before she could shut the door, litles ran out.  My sister is not an experienced cat person...

She mentioned that when she picked her up, she felt a lump on her...

My sister was up all night...worried.  She also said that when she shut the door, littles got hit by the door...and cried and ran out.  

She is getting a trap today.....and bringing littles in the vet after she catches her.  

Thanks for the update.  I hope she can get her trapped, to the vet and then inside. 

Last year when I brought a feral/stray into my home, he too at first wanted back outside in the worst way.  I kept him in a bedroom by himself for awhile to get used to indoor living as having free roam of the house was too much for him.  I picked the bed off the floor as I didn't want him hiding under it and then I blocked under dressers and behind shelving.  The room was completely cat proofed.  Once he was ready to be out and about in the house I was worried about him trying to get out the door when we were coming and going.  I kept a large piece of cardboard or a firm chair pad at the entrance and exit of the door.  This would frighten his away from the door as well as keeping him from getting out.  I had to do this for a few months and then he learned to stay away.  He has never escaped, but we are very careful too.  You have to remember not to leave doors open and tell others coming and going that there is an escape artist cat living inside!

Keep us updated.

Thanks for that.  I'm coping your replies so she can hear it from you all. 

I appreciate your help with this...

I'll let you know when she gets littles in...

Maine has very harsh, cold winters...she was debating on just leaving her out there...and after she felt the lump, she knew she had to catch her.