My semi feral cat has disappeared

kittychick said:

 
@ShadowsRescue  Just when I think I can't come up with another way to work this trap thing.....you've got one! Cracked me up!

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Ha!  I also have used a dowel rod.  Just practice first to be sure it will work.  The first time I did it I thought my heart was going to come out of my chest and I was certain the cat could hear it.  My hands were shaking too.  But it has worked for me twice.  Not my preferred method, but when desperate it can work.

Thank you, KittyChick, for sharing your experiences and offering your advice. I feel strengthened and encouraged by everyone's comments. I, too, know "grabbing" doesn't work. I am not going top put myself in a dangerous position, or ruin any level of trust that Redford has for me. 

ShadowsRescue, how did you hit the wooden spoon? 

Please, details about the dowel rod. I was thinking dowel rod this morning and was going to stop at the hardware to pick one up after work. How do you place it?

Alex,

You are very welcome. 

It is not surprising that Redford has not yet warmed up to the caretaker. Ferals tend to bond to one person especially one that maybe had a late introduction to trusting humans. He trusts you, that is special. Redford is that friendly and playful cat you know.

kittychick describes the struggle many of us have so often. I am full up inside but my feral colony has changed over the years and is being disrupted currently. It is so hard to know what is best. I had a happy colony but now I have "interlopers" coming is disrupting the harmony. And I have been having a hard time trapping them. One of my guys doesn't show up anymore and my one girl misses him. A few of my other girls moved on as they felt threatened. It is very tough emotionally to take care of ferals. Especially when you get attached. I have some threats so it makes my situation more difficult. I try to find them homes but everyone is either allergic or full. I guess I am trying to second the emotional challenges we go through. We understand.

Shadows Rescue offers up some great ideas, I'll probably be using those down the road.

Alex134 said:

 
Please, details about the dowel rod. I was thinking dowel rod this morning and was going to stop at the hardware to pick one up after work. How do you place it?

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When I used a wooden spoon, it was very long handled.  I just put the long end through the slats so that it rested on the trip plate.  I had it underneath a pee pad, but right on top of the trip plate.  The other end was sticking out next to me.  Once I was sure he was inside far enough, I just pushed down on the spoon and it triggered the trip plate.  I had it set to the most sensitive.  I used a dowel rod when my spoon wasn't long enough.  Just be sure to hide it under a pee pad or newspaper.  I then just sat near the back of the trap and dropped tuna from above.  I started dropping it up front and just kept moving it back. 

Thanks for that insight CalicosRSpecial. I hope that Redford continues to consider me "special".  I just returned from visiting the site but he was not around, at least did not respond to my call. I will try again around their regular dinner time feeding. 

Sorry to hear of your colony issues, that is heartbreaking. I thought it was an interloper that caused the initial flight of Redford, and that could still be the case. But seeing him around all the other cats at this new place, hmmm, I have to wonder, did he just up and leave on his own? I will never really know. 

I will try the new tips for trapping when I let enough time go by and try again.  Thank you all for the great advice, and for the emotional support.

He will always consider you special. That bond lasts a long time even without seeing each other. It is pretty amazing and special.

He was probably sleeping somewhere. He probably didn't even hear you (or he sleeps a little distance away).

Thanks. I bring up my colony issues to show the sides of caring for feral colonies. It is such a difficult, emotional endeavor. It is rewarding but since things can't be controlled it also has some sad times.

I would guess your intact interloper was the reason for his leaving. Some intact males are pretty aggressive and territorial. And if the neutered guy is nice and tends to flee rather than try to hold the territory. My one guy loves all the other cats (he was once one of the most ferocious fighting tom's I have ever seen) but he is now afraid of any aggressive intact males. It just depends on their personalities and their options and how the intact males act. I just do not think Redford left because he was bored or wasn't getting what he wanted. They tend to be pretty sticky when things are good (like good food and shelter).

Good luck on trapping him. You may want to look into the drop trap as well if these suggestions do not work.

I know how taxing this is. Just hang in there, your love for him is wonderful. 

I just ordered a drop trap and transfer cage. I will try the regular trapping again, but now I have a backup technique. I have now invested quite heavily in equipment, and I have a feeling I will be assisting others with their issues in future. As they say, everything happens for a reason. 

I just can't explain the bond I have with Redford. I have four other wonderful cats at home as well, and I feel a special, different kind of connection with each of them. I know you all feel that way and understand deeply. 

The saga continues, you are all wonderful, thanks a million.

Happy to report I saw Redford last night. I brought him dinner and he really seemed to appreciate it. I saw him hanging out near the feeding station as I pulled up. Food was all gone, and I have no idea if he actually had any, as there are so many cats around. Well, he enjoyed his organic chicken breast, and a small can of chicken and tuna cat food. I spoke to him softly, telling him I look forward to taking him home soon, and kept a respectful distance. For the first time he did not dive for cover after eating. He hung out in the back garden and then moved to the front of the property. And I actually got some eye blinks back in response to mine! We were together for about a half hour. Did not want to overstay my welcome, so I said goodnight and that I would see him tomorrow. I am trying to discern patterns in his behaviors as I plan my next move. I also have a little more time to focus on this, as my work schedule is lighter for the next couple of weeks.

Your understanding and support are getting me through this!

Alex,

I can totally understand the bond. It is hard to explain but when you have it you know the feeling. It is just something special.

Great that you got the drop trap, I think that will make it a lot easier (and faster).

It sounds like a great meeting. I truly believe cats pick up on and take on our energy. Be calm and confident with him and I think he'll respond with the same. It sounds like you were great last night. When we put a trap out we do have a certain different body language and a different energy but try to curb that and be as normal as possible. Hard to do but try to. It will help him be more at ease as well.

Good luck, so glad you had such a great visit with Redford. He feels that bond you mention as well I believe.

Well, tonight Redford was no show. I think he had a full dinner, put out by the caretaker, and after sunning himself decided to go under the porch and snooze. I did not push the issue, and I realize nothing is the same each day. I will try again tomorrow, perhaps a bit later in the evening.

He must have eaten quite a meal............ bummer, I am sure he missed your visit. Tonight........... Good luck.

Today was a bummer as well. I have to work late this evening so I stopped by in the afternoon. I saw one of his buddies but things were otherwise quiet. Warm mid day, cats love to snooze. 

Oh well, I hope I have better luck over the weekend. 

Yes, they love to snooze during the day. Don't despair, I am sure you'll see him this weekend. They tend to have pretty set schedules they like to adhere to. Hang in there and good luck this weekend.

Thanks. I am fortunate that I can communicate with the caretaker. She tells me Redford is a very robust eater. Yup,, that's my boy!

The caretaker sounds terrific. 

Good for Redford, a way to a man's heart is through his stomach!!  

Good luck this weekend

Yes, CalicosRSpecial, the caretaker is a lovely person. She is attempting to find a home for one of the cats. A friend recently lost her aged kitty and will take a long haired black one in a couple of months.
I went over there today, a beautiful cool day, armed with my trap and tunafish. Wanted to try one time just before their dinner hour. Well, the tuna got Redford's attention and he emerged from under the porch. He was ALMOST inside when a big gust of wind came in and disrupted the layer of newspaper I had on the bottom of the trap! The paper never did lie flat again, and he was startled. Never did go back Inside, but went around to the back of the trap to try to get at the tuna. He really wanted that tuna, but the newspaper was just too much for him to deal with.
Disappointed but not defeated, I will try again.
Next time, I will use a piece of cardboard or a pee pad instead of newspaper, and place the trap behind a piece of board. Meanwhile, I will learn to use my drop trap, which arrived today.

I am so happy to report that REDFORD IS HOME!  I succeeded in trapping him this afternoon. I couldn't believe it, it took all of 3 minutes this time.  I placed the trap with his favorite brand of tuna inside right under the porch where he stays. In a minute he was out and eating the trail to the trap. I held my breath and prayed, My heart was pounding. He walked away, then walked back, looked deep inside the  trap and went in! 

He is in the room I prepared for him, looking a bit bewildered. He did not lash out or hiss, was calm all the way on the car ride home. I wonder if this is his very first time indoors, in a real home.

I cannot thank all of you enough for your support, encouragement, suggestions, and hope. You kept me going throughout all of this. 

I will report on Redford's progress, and continue to ask your advice. You are all wonderful!

Ughhhhhhhhh, it is always something.............

How did you have the trap setup? People have different ways of setting traps up.  I just take a bedsheet and wrap it around the trap (sometimes leaving the back open sometimes not) and tuck it in on the bottom of the trap and make it tight so wind doesn't disrupt it too much. Make sure nothing gets in the way of the gate mechanism so that it closes when the push place gets triggered. I find they don't pay too much attention to the caging on their feet if the food is good and they are hungry.

So close but you'll get him. When thye trust you it makes it a lot easier to trap them. And they tend to trust more when they have their favorite food. GO TUNA!!

Good luck, hang in there, I think you are close.

So great that the caretaker is trying to find homes. So glad you have a friend that will take one. I have all ferals and they can become very normal with love and affection. They aren't for everyone but they are for more people than many think.

Hang in there and thank you so much for caring for Redford, it is truly wonderful.