Retaming Tanya

1-2005 Tanya came to live with us at six weeks. By us, I mean me and three dogs. I lived in the mountains of Costa Rica. Tanya trained the dogs in a hurry and lived for hunting outside at night and slerping inside during the day. She was affectionate with me,friends and the dogs.

1-2010 I moved to a condo in thhe suburbs and Tanya was miserable inside. My friend offered to take her and she lived mostly outside at his house for 2 years. He painted her portrait.

1-2012 Friend moved 25 miles away. Tanya took off immediately from this new place and we thought she was dead.

1-2015 she showed up at Friend's first house, having traveled 25 miles or so as the cat goes.
The old neighbors fed her but she did not come close. We have a photo...yes, it is Tanya.

I am living in the mountains again 2k below where she first lived.
We decided to live trap her. That was succesful, we took her to the vet who anesthetized her and then examined her, pronounced her healthy with all her teeth, clear eyes etc. 4.2 kilos.He gave her all shots,desparasited her and put on flea stuff, although he saw no fleas, no ticks.

Brought her home and put butter mixed with a little new dirt from our yard on her paws while she was sleeping....so she will forget where she was and know where she is.
She is in a room to herself, with water, litter and bits of food from time to time. This is day three. I stll don't see her when I am in the room. She ate a little tuna yesterday and meowed in he midfle of the night. I took more tuna but it has been untouched. I read in another thread not to leave the food all the time. Just little bits and remove uneaten foid after a while.

All this by introduction to this amazing cat. If she can readjust she has 12 acres of forest to run about in. She can live outside if she wants. It is warm enough. There are 3 dogs on the property,( not at our house ), but i think she can handle them also neighbor cats.Just dont want her to take off for the place we trapped her ( about 6k away )or up the hill to her first home (2k)

Do you think she will ever recognise me again? Or are we starting with a totally new feral? She had good human contact for her first 7 years...then 3 years on the road. Now with me again but different house. i am not really expecting to tame her but hope she will stay here where she will be safe.

Any other tips? The plan is to keep her inside for two weeks. But right now she is hiding in her own room...so exploring the house is out the question.

Patience, I suppose.. Thanks for any help.

You are doing things correctly.  Keep her inside - permanently if you can.  Even if she's inside for two weeks, that will become her new territory.  If you let her out, it will be unfamiliar.

IF you are able to confine her outside (say in a large crate) on nice days and release her after a few weeks, that might work. to familiarize her with the ourside territory.  But honestly, if at all possible, keep her as an inside cat.  She'll soon get used to it and adapt.

So glad you were able to find her.  She will definitely remember you - she probably already does but her world turned upside down, so she's getting used to the new way of things.

I think I uploaded her portrait although I don't see it.

Anyway thank you for the advice. Our house is all windows and doors that open a lot because it is Costa Rica so inside may be difficult... But she is older mow too.

She ate a tiny bit of tuna tonight! I warmed it. It was irresitible.

Thank you for rescuing Tanya.  I definitely would try to keep her inside.  She will learn to adjust it will just take time. 

I also would keep fresh food and water out for all the time to start.  She may be too nervous to eat in your presence.  Also offer her cat food as opposed to tuna.  Tuna is fine for a treat, but not an every day meal.  Just leave it out and see what happens. 

When you visit her sit on the floor and talk softly with her.  Don't make direct eye contact.  You can even sit in the room and read aloud to her.  A good tip is when you come into visit her bring a yummy treat.  Just place it near her or in her food bow.  When you leave, give another.  This will allow her to associate you with good things. 

You can also try feliway plug ins as well as playing calming music.