Cat stuck down an air duct ... help!

GiddyUpGo said:

 
OK so I spoke to the HVAC guy and unfortunately didn't get anywhere. The way our house is constructed, the ductwork is sealed between the floorboards and a layer of insulation, and it's all one piece. So taking it apart would be a major construction project, which now I'm seeing a little more clearly. So I don't blame the HVAC people for not being able to help, because clearly the way our house is laid out there is just no way in through the ductwork. 

The HVAC guy, however, feels quite sure she will eventually come out. Clearly she knows the way out, since I saw her at one of the openings this morning.

The thing that has me most concerned, however, is if she can actually physically get out. I've just been going on the assumption that if she could get in, she could get out again, but my husband is not so sure. Does anyone have any reassurance? Just how contortionist are most cats? She's pretty small but not tiny (she's about a year old) and it definitely looks like a tight squeeze for her. However it's not like she's been hanging out at the exits crying because she can't figure out how to get out, either.

Gah. I am out of ideas. Stinky tuna didn't work, cat food didn't work, string didn't work, catnip didn't work, calling her didn't work ... I'm really starting to feel like she's got her own colony of mice down there and she's not coming home until she's finished them all off ....

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The basic idea is simple if a cat can get their head through than they can get the rest of their body through. Good luck getting your her out hope to hear good news soon

OK so I'm clearly grasping at straws here and you'll all have to remember that this is my first cat in about 20 years! But I just had the idea to play a recording of cat sounds next to the vent to see if her curiosity will draw her out. Or do you think that would actually make her hide more? Don't want to do it unless some people who know more than I do think it's a good plan!

Cats might scare her more. I have an app called Chirp! Bird Song USA and my cats come running to me when I play bird chirping sounds. Maybe that would work. Also my cats love shrimp. Maybe that would lure her out?

I don't know about cat noises. Bird noises might be more enticing to a cat.

Oh good idea. I'll try the bird songs. And maybe I'll cook some shrimp for dinner.

Wherever I have found a cat hiding where they are not supposed to I have found that the more you try to get them out the more they resist you. It's stinks because you feel so helpless!!!

Take away all the food , Put it in a humane trap near the opening you seen her at.  Cover it up so it' looks like one more fun place to hide with FOOD. Hope it works before you all freeze to death.

I have never faced this before so am grasping at straws same as you, but since she has been back to the opening, I figure she knows how to get out.  My guess is she will come out when she gets hungry.  Bird sounds sound good, and maybe negative sounds towards the areas you DONT want her to go.  Not sure about the trap through, might make her not want to come out. Did you call the humane society or the ASPCA as someone suggested yesterday? My guess is they would have the most experience in rescuing cats from situations such as this.  I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt the kitty, but I wonder what she would do if you did turn on the vent, even if its just air, and neither hot nor cold?

I called the city one yesterday and was told that all they can do with cats is trap them. But I've since learned that we're actually under the jurisdiction of county animal control, so I am waiting for a call back from them. I'm not really optimistic that they'll tell me anything different than the city did, though. 

Just saw this thread.  How scary for you.  Hopefully she will get bored and want out soon. 

The cat sounds might work, as when I've played Youtube video of cats on my computer, my cat, Ruby, comes running in when she hears the meows.

Can you call a Vet school? I mean the clinic associated wth it.

Or the national number to the ASPCA? 

Or even the TV reporter...

Or any Vet's office? A lot of the Techs there take care of feral cats and may have ideas on how to lure her out. Or they may have some contacts..someone they know who would be able to help...

Or a kennel?   Or a Zoo? 

If I lived closer to you I would definitely be helping you find out some information. Or someone to help. 

Or----can you find a something like a ladder you can place in the vent? I mean something that she can climb up, if she wants to get out..and place a bit of food on it. 

There has to be a way to get her out without ripping up your house. That is why I think someone with a lot of experience with animals should help.

What you need is one of those long plumber's snake thingy with a camera so you can see where she is located and if she is safe.

Is there even a regional talk show station on the radio?  I know in Boston we have WBZ-AM which has an organization called: "Call for Action". They put you in touch with the correct people who can help you.  

Maybe even talk to a DJ and ask him to publicized this, without saying your name or address?  

You never know, there are many animal lovers out there who would do anything to help out--without charging a fee. or even ideas....

MollyBlue said:

 
I have never faced this before so am grasping at straws same as you, but since she has been back to the opening, I figure she knows how to get out.  My guess is she will come out when she gets hungry.  Bird sounds sound good, and maybe negative sounds towards the areas you DONT want her to go.  Not sure about the trap through, might make her not want to come out. Did you call the humane society or the ASPCA as someone suggested yesterday? My guess is they would have the most experience in rescuing cats from situations such as this.  I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt the kitty, but I wonder what she would do if you did turn on the vent, even if its just air, and neither hot nor cold?

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The trap isn't the pretty Lassie come home ending but it allows the cat to come out without them hovering 24/7.

I know that pest companies have some devices and methods that are non lethal that allow a pest to exit but not go back in. That might be the best option. It sounds like the cat can get out. The trick is snagging it while it's out and sealing the vent. I'm pretty sure my cats would think getting into some duct work like finding nirvana

I have been disappointed the times I have called animal control too... its not like the shows you see on TV!

I have found this thread quite upsetting. Poor little mite must scared.
I hope you gave your son a good telling off. Why did he do it in the first place?
Please keep us informed.

I have just read through this thread.

WELL!! 

The first thing is, she is very new to the home and kids. She feels safe where she is now.

Unless you know she came from a home where she had total exposure to rambunctious kids, she is frightened by their commotion and noise.

So here is what I see will happen.

The first thing is, if the vent is horizontal and she can actually walk out, fine.

If there is a vertical slope, and I think there may be since you said you heard scratching around at first, then you need to help her this way, that is, WHEN she is good and ready to come out, which will be starving herself basically.

If it is vertical and she will need to climb at all, she can't grasp the vent metal, so you need to get a long piece of fabric or pretty thick rope and tie it around a chair leg to secure it, and drop it down the vent. She will then be able to climb out with her claws.

Otherwise, if you know for sure she can walk back out, simply leave food for her at the opening.

She will come out during the night, but it will likely take another couple of days for her to get really starved feeling and come out.

It takes about a month for a cat to acclimate to their new home, I hope the kids know how to properly handle her/not, and how to befriend her rather than scare her off where she will live a frightened existence.

I agree with the last poster.A pce of advice.Drill a hole at each end of your floor vents and screw the vents into the floor.Mine are all screwed down.If i saw pics of your ducting or was near there I'd be there in a flash.Nothing is undoable IMO.But she will come out.I'm hoping not in a couple of days.Great for the liver aspect.And please Do Not turn the furance on whether it is air only or not.The fan will be running.The ductwork ends at the fan.Not good for kitty and make sure your breaker for the furnace is turned OFF.Some houses have a seperate switch on the wall to turn the fan off.You want the Main breaker off completely.if your main panel was wired properly you should be able to find by reading as per code what breaker is for the furnace.That way no kids can flip the switch or adjust your temp control to turn your furnace on.Not good.I always recommend screwing down vents & I have no kids.Cats are kids.Screw them down & your kids won't be able to do it again.If it is dark Only lve one vent open.Lve a flashlight or some sort of light laying on the floor that will reflect light into the ventNot directly but some light into the vent although dim..Have a small amount of meat or crunchies about 3 feet from the vent.Then another bowl with a small amount again about another 3 feeet.then try one more with a larger amount.Do you have a baby monitor.?They work great & you could set one up where the open vent is and one either in your bedroom to listen.The key no kids and don't scare her back in.No frantic hellos' or major noises..She will find her way.You could take a pce of plywood or paneling, doesn't have to be thick and place it over the hole and take a stick and prop up one end so the hole is open.Then when she comes out the likely hood of her hitting the plywood gently will make it fall and cover the hole from being re-entered.Nothing heavy.Just like panelling.A small lid from a tote.ETC.HTH C.Are there no animal rescues near your place at all? Actual rescues that go out & TNR ferals etc? These are the true animal lovers & would want to help.The spca is not one of them.I also agree with posting it on FB as well with what town etc.

The last two posts have some really good advice and I was thinking the same thing about lowering a piece of cloth down the vent so she has something to grasp and climb out. Even if there is a slight slope to the exit, she might have difficultly not being able to use her claws (especially, God forbid, she is declawed!) 

Something else that comes to mind is to place a water fountain near the opening (1 or 2 feet away). Cat's love the sound of trickling water and I am sure she must be thirsty by now! Maybe even add a spoonful of tuna juice to the water to make it more attractive. That could be the trick to finally luring her out. I bought an inexpensive fountain at Walmart and my two boys absolutely love it!

Keep in mind that cats have pretty good ears and even if you think you are 'quiet as a mouse', try to stay away from the opening - even out of the room if possible. If she hears you she will be too afraid to come out. She is in a strange place with strange people, sounds and smells.

When you DO get her out, give her some space! I know you will want to scoop her up and cuddle and nuzzle and love on her, but she won't understand or want that much attention. Get her safe and cover the vent opening! Then, allow her to roam and get acquainted with the rest of the house.

Are there any companies in your area like "Critter Gitters"?  They usually come out to get raccoon's, squirrels, bats and other 'unwanted' critters out of attics, pipes, and hard to get to places.

As far as your son is concerned, I doubt he did this maliciously. Use this as a teaching tool and don't 'punish' him, but have him pay the consequences  for his actions. He might need to do some extra chores to help pay the HVAC expenses and it might not hurt to have him volunteer a few weekends at the local animal shelter. 

Keep us posted!

After 36 hours in our ducting our kitty finally poked her head into the vent in the girl's bedroom. She was hungry ... I put some tuna on the end of my fingers and good thing I thought to put on a pair of gloves because she was trying to claw it off my fingers with her foot. I lured her out enough that I could grab the scruff of her neck and pulled her out. I almost fainted from the adrenaline! But she's out thank goodness, and eating a nice meal and I'm happy to say that all our vents are now permanently covered! Thanks for all the well-wishes and advice.

Hooray for little duct kitty!!

We are so relieved.