Help I need to get scared/aggressive cat into carrier

Columbine

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:cross: that you can find a quick resolution. My instinct is to rush over and help, but I'm far too far away. I hate that you've been left to struggle like this. Really hope your hand heals quickly :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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maureen brad

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I have decided to drive to the city the rescue is in and beg for help.They open in a few hours so I will take 1/2 day off work.At least I can still type.
 

Columbine

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Good luck. I really hope they finally take responsibility for this situation and do what they should have done at the start - collect Sissy and keep her there until she is 100% fit and healthy. Glad that at least you're still able to type.
 
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maureen brad

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Columbine- I hope so too. My husband no longer wants her here. He feels that she is semi feral. He thinks she is not safe.I disagree but have to admit that as of right now I am afraid of her. I think my hand while a mess will be okay. There is no increased swelling or pain this morning. Just nerve pain when I move my fingers.
 

nansiludie

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Wow, first off, I hope your hand is okay. You're really a special person to have put up with this and being as understanding as you've been. I am upset with the cat rescue/shelter that won't even help you. Does it seem that they don't want the kitty back? Well, I'm hoping that someone will help you catch her. Is there anywhere she can hide the room? You may need to see if you can catch her while she is asleep and very carefully, watching fingers, drop a large laundry basket over her, hold it down and then slide a board under it. I've done that with a feral, it wasn't pretty, he fought badly but I did catch him. And then cover the entire thing with the largest quilt you have.
 
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maureen brad

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Nansiludie- That is a pretty good idea. Once you got the feral in basket what did you do ? There is only 1 place left in the room for her to hide. I blocked off the rest. Her cat tree has a cubby in the center I would have to pass my hand in front of her face and try to pull her out..Yesterday I kind of thought  that I would have to let her calm down over the days and let her begin trust me. I just thought that she was just going to have to go untreated for awhile longer.

 That made me cry a lot for her. This morning I woke up with the sudden realization that if her eyes get worse, or her mites drive her nuts she will be harder to handle.

I look at her and think " oh little girl, I wish you understood how badly I am trying to help you"I can see all the fabulous qualities she has but I too believe she is semi-feral. She was in that place with her cat friends in their room, people come through , maybe pet them for a minute or play with the wand toys but they don't pick them up.

I see volunteers carrying some of the cats around like babies but, This cat seemed so happy and content in the room I bet she just was not begging to be loved on in that way. The first day I met her she did come stand on my lap and offer me her forehead but, she was not like some of the cats who were all over you for love.Ha, I thought she just had a content nature and was calm.I still think that if she had not been sick in time she would have been great here.

I do not really think my husband would kick her out on the streets. He likes cats but, he does not like them in the way I do. He also does not want continuing drama and when he found out how much the mobile vet would charge that was it. He seems very mad at me as though there was something I did wrong .

I am going to the rescue. I will be very nice, unless they are not. I have read stories of this rescue vet flying to different cities and even states to rescue cats in danger of euthanasia, she flys to Mexico to TNR colonies why can't she help  me out when we live in the same city? Maybe if I am talking to her face to face she will help. Maybe if she sees my hand that will move her to help.
 

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Her cat tree has a cubby in the center I would have to pass my hand in front of her face and try to pull her out..
Don't try to pull her out of the cubby - that's inviting trouble. Can you take the tree apart and put the cubby on the floor, bed or a table for her to hide in? Then you could wrap a big blanket around the cubby once she's hiding in it and transport her in it. It would be best to borrow a large dog crate and put the blanket-wrapped cubby in there. In a pinch, you could put it in a large, sturdy cardboard box with air holes and securely tape the top shut, but a crate would be better.
 
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maureen brad

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I have to see if the tree will come apart. It came in one large piece. That is a good idea though, if we can take it apart we will.While I am at the rescue today I am going into the room of cats she lived with. I am going to wipe down a few of the cats I used to see her cuddle and play with. Then I am going to seal each individual cloth in ziplock bags. I am hoping the scent of familiar friends may help get her into a carrier. I have to make myself ask these people for help though.

I have a bad habit of being really nice even when I am getting treated badly.On the other hand, I am emotional right now and if they treat me badly I am liable to explode. Well, Here I go.

BTY, if I do that with the cubby and put it in a box with air holes will it be okay to leave her in it overnight? My husband is working long hours and so I would need to do it at night and the rescue does not open until noon.
 

jcat

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The cubbies, shelves, etc., are almost always screwed to the scratching posts, so it should come apart. If it doesn't, do you have another tree with a cubby you could "sacrifice"? She might accept an igloo bed if she doesn't have the cubby to hide in. I'd worry about her not having water if she has to stay in there too long, though. A couple of hours should be okay. Is there any way you could do it in the morning before he goes to work, or ask a neighbor or friend to help? Are her eyes so bad that you can't wait till the weekend? One person can usually manage the blanket and cubby, but you might need two to put it in the box.
 
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nansiludie

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I agree with Jcat about not putting your hand in there, that will end badly. But  I wouldn't want to leave her in a cubby, in a box with it taped shut with airholes, she will get out of the cardboard box. And also she won't have any litterpan or water. I like your idea of bringing home some of her friends scents on blankets.

After I caught mine that way in the basket, I took him to get neutered and his vaccines, couldn't catch him any other way.
 
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Just catching up from last night and being out all day today.  Jcat's idean does sound like the most likely one to get somewhere without being even more seriously hurt.

What ever you do, do not reach in to or infront of her to get hold of her, she would be terrified and attack you very badly - that is effectively what my previous vet did with my cat when she was very heavily sedated and she still managed to slice the skin of the back of his hand - it was awful.

You are amazing for contining to try to get care for this cat, but I can understand your husband and others around you being concerned.  They will be worried that you could be harmed again.  Please take good care of both your self and this cat.

Hoping you manage to get her wrapped in to a cubby she feels safe in and then in to a bigger box or crate.  Perhaps water could be got to her with something like the water dropper bottles used for small animals in their cages, they can be wired up to go through mesh or holes in boxes?
 
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maureen brad

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Thanks all- I went to the rescue. They kind of rolled their eyes as though I was a fool. They said I need to relax and leave her alobne  for awhile. I reminded them that I left her alone for 7 days prior to my last attempt. they do not seemed concerned at all that she need scare and once again, they do not understand why I can't let my cats go keep her company. For goodness sake, if she didn't have health concerns that more than likely are contagious I would not have been trying all this.

I feel so bad, as though I am the only one caring for this little girl and I can't help her.

I went to see my vet she told me not to try to do anything to her at all because things have escalated and I could be more seriously hurt.

I went and got my old huge dog crate and set that up with litter etc hopefully it is large enough that she will go in there . I have no idea just what I could put it in the return her.

I have long admired what this vet has done. I still do, she saves many animals. I was there today, the  place is clean they animals are happy. I wanted to stay involved with the but I fear they are going to be so mad at me.

My vet advised that the rescue is liable, she suggested I put my needs in writing , politely. I did that. Seriously, why are they insisting that this drag on and on? If the cat hurts me worse do they want animal control to seize her? Poor little girl needs to go back to where she was so happy.

I hope they respond in a constructive way to my letter.

I just thought maybe there was someone there that Sissy is fond of, if they could come it may e easy to crate her. I do not understand why they do not feel the urgency. I still think they do more than any rescue, hands down , in my area, there is no one doing what they do.God, I just can't believe it. I hate to say it but, it is not just a poor way to treat a cat but a horrible way to treat someone who has donated to you over and over again.

 I have promoted them to the point where almost all my clothes have the name of that foundation on them. I even make my husband and kids wear their tee -shirts.My husband and I own a small business. I was trying to put together a month when 10% of our profits would go to them and they just basically are telling me to kiss off. That is how I feel anyway. I did not say anything like that.

I didn't mention anything in person or my letter about liability.

I said not one challenging word, I asked them kindly for their help.I really am trying to retain good feeling for a cause I have cared so much about.My husband says I probably am coming across to calm and nice. I don't know, the other day I was crying and almost begging. They saw my hand and arm and face today. Ya know, even semi-feral scratch to get away before they bite like this. This really is not common. I think that little girl does not feel well.

My hsuband says 'just watch, if one of them comes here she will leap into their arms and they will think you are a fool" I hope she does, I hope she feels saved and comforted. I really do, I can't stand the thought that she will just be up in that room endlessly , needing vet care.. And that is the room my step-grandkids will be staying in soon when they come from Miami.

Sorry, I go on and on. I just am so grateful to have you all here because others see my arm and say something like ' oh I would kill that cat" or they act like it is funny and I am nuts for worrying about the cat that did that damage. It helps so uch to have people like you who love cats and know why I would be devastated for her.
 
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nansiludie

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I do hope they help you. I do have a question, the vet that you spoke to, could they help you catch her? Or send along a tech, those places do have the animal control catch poles with nooses, I know its not a nice thing to use but given the circumstances, you might not have much other choice. I feel badly and upset at how that rescue is treating you. Will they still take her back when you catch her? I am not sure, given how they responded to you.
 

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I am so sorry. I'm almost speechless from the ridiculous attitude the shelter is taking. You're right -its no way to treat anyone, and especially someone who's supported them as much as you have. The dog crate is a great idea. If you don't have a vehicle big enough to transport the crate have you got a friend who does? I'm sure they'll be readier to help if they don't have to handle Sissy.

I hope your letter makes the shelter see sense. You do not need to apologise to us for length of posts. We're here to support each other! I'd be posting at length if I was in your position too. The shelter haven't just let you down - they've betrayed your trust in them, as well as Sissy ' s trust. You're both in my thoughts. I hope you are able to resolve things soon. :hugs:
 

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I am very sorry for this continued ordeal. If you send me the name of the rescue through a PM, I will try to get their help using social media. That is something that I consider as a last resort for situations where reason and decency have been abandoned. This situation seems to fit the bill, as you have exhausted every other option.

One question: are her eyes red or watering as well? With you experience with cats, do you think it could be herpes? If so, it might be helpful to add lysine to her food while you are forced to wait on vet treatment.
 
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maureen brad

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Silverspersain- No it isn't  herpes. I have had cats with herpes. I did start her right out with Lysine powder mixed in her food and also with 5 mgs advert which is really good for cats with allergies. This is Conjunctivitis which has spread from one eye to another. As I understand from my vet and the reading I have done- this points to Calcivirus, Chlamydia, mycolplasma or Uveitis.

As far as the rescue, I do not want to cause trouble. I till believe they do so much for cats. I have no idea why they are not helping me now.I know they recently had a big benefit maybe they just don't want the trouble. I am not excusing them but right now my concern is getting the cat to them .

On that note, good news! Last night I set up the dog crate in her room. She walked right into it! I could not get easily from where I was to close the door( she keeps an eye on me at all times) so I just left it alone and let her wander in and out. Later I put her food in there, she ran right in and began to eat! I tried to casually walk over and close her in but she darted out. A few minutes later she did eat half in and half out of the crate.

i will be smarter today and put the food further in. I am just going to hang out in there and play with her and when she in comfortable enough going in and out with nothing happening I am sure I will be able to close that door!

What a relief. The rescue did not respond to what I wrote.I am not bothering with them anymore. I am sad. Last night while I was in the room I opened the door because I have stacked dog gates on the other side. I was playing with a wand toy my other cats were on the other side. She and one of the boys touched noses and played nicely thru the gates. She started rolling and stretching by me so I pet her for a long time for which I got numerous kitty eye kisses.

I am sad to say that the shelter probably knew this biting problem she has. If I could load pictures on this site ( I am not good with doing this) you could all see what she looks like. People visiting the shelter always watched her because she was such a silly, happy thing and unique looking. I could not understand why she had been there so long. I think I have a good idea now.

Once again, thank you all for your support.It means a lot to me. It isn't over yet but, I see that it will be and I will let you all know.

Oh as far as transporting her, I am so stupid, I was wondering about that last night and my son says "gee mom.I do  have an SUV remember?" Ha-ha, my brain is tired!
 
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nansiludie

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Hey, glad to hear she went in, perhaps she is a claustrophobic cat. Yes you have a good point about the shelter and the way they are treating you and Sissy. They will still take her back once she is crated right? Are you planning to take her back to the shelter or to the vet? You've been through a lot, both of you. Please keep us posted on how she does.
 

Columbine

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Great to hear it's been a more positive day :D It sounds like the dog crate will do the trick. If you got one of those grabber sticks (the kind to help people with mobility issues to pick things up off the floor) you might be able to shut the door from a distance, and then move in to secure the bolts/catches.

She's certainly not holding any grudges, and that's really good news too. I still can't understand the shelter's attitude. If you're right and they did know about the biting issue then that's an even bigger mistake on their part - one of the points about adopting from a shelter is meant to be that you know all the quirks of the animal you're taking home. I just don't get this shelter - in any way. Hopefully things will become clear in time. You've done amazingly well with Sissy - to have been through everything you have with her and still have some level of trust is wonderful. :hugs: :clap: :D
 
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maureen brad

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nan- I am taking her back to the shelter. It isn't a shelter really, it is a huge building and there is a vet hospital attached to it.If I take her to my vet I would still face the problem of repeated visits and getting her back and forth also, more than likely pilling her etc. No the vet who runs the rescue is the one who she needs to be with.

 I am tempted to say that while she is there I will visit her and if I can see that anyone there can actually pick her up without it being a huge big deal then, when she is well I can bring her home and leave her be, give her time to settle in with the confidence that it will be fine . If that is not a possibility then I won't be taking her back.

The rescue will definitely take her back.That is why I drove that far to adopt my first cat I adopted from them.I can't imagine how I would have felt if I had taken her from a kill shelter. There would be no way I would have returned her.I would have had to live with the situation.

Columbine- Thank you for the kind words. Sissy is a mystery. I wrote about last night but today going in and out of the room she is all crouched, hissing full fangs and spitting again. Obviously she is kind of Dr. Jeykl Mr. Hyde. I am hoping for her sake that this could be as simple as she was raised in that shelter and will be best back there. Maybe she just was not handled much and so the people there really have no idea . I know they had expressed to me that they could not understand why she had not been adopted.I am choosing not to blame them. This has just been a hard few weeks and I am tired of it. When it is done I do want to ask them why they would not help me. I need to know this or I will not be able to support them at all.

 I can't fathom a good reason for how they have dealt with this situation all the way down the line but for right now I am just thinking about getting her in that crate and back to them.

I have to laugh or I will cry. I just wanted a new cat is all. My beloved Remy died after a very long illness a few months ago. I just wanted a new cat . Life is strange.

Excuse all my edits- my keys stick and I keep forgetting to check before submitting.
 
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