My semi feral cat has disappeared

shadowsrescue

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I am so happy for you!!!   This is such great news.  I remember the heart pounding well.  Yet now the fun begins. 

Do you have a Feliway plug in?  I also found Composure treats or liquid very very helpful. 

Keep us posted.  Hugs to you for all of your hard work and perseverance!!!
 

kittychick

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Woohoo!!!!! So happy for you and for Redford! Bask in your victory glow!!!!!!

Know that this portion of things (the actual indoor socialization - couldn't remember if you've done this before) can be very "two steps forward, two steps back" at times. Keep using this forum - lots of us have done lots of socialization, and can offer advice (and more importantly - a shoulder!!!) when needed. Things may be up and down for awhile - but you've now made an enormous step in making his life more healthy.

How have you prepared his room? 

And most importantly ----YEAH!!!!!!
 
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alex134

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The first time I set up the trap it was covered with a dark towel. The second time I placed it I side a cardboard box with the back open so he could see through. the box was bigger than the trap. The third time I set the trap in a tighter cardboard box that was open at back but fit tightly around the entire tap. That was the setup that actually worked.

I brought Redford home yesterday afternoon. He has not lashed out or complained at all. He seems very calm and does not make eye contact with me. I speak to him softly and move very slowly. He has not eaten since I brought him Inside. Is this normal? He did use the litter box.
 

shadowsrescue

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The first time I set up the trap it was covered with a dark towel. The second time I placed it I side a cardboard box with the back open so he could see through. the box was bigger than the trap. The third time I set the trap in a tighter cardboard box that was open at back but fit tightly around the entire tap. That was the setup that actually worked.

I brought Redford home yesterday afternoon. He has not lashed out or complained at all. He seems very calm and does not make eye contact with me. I speak to him softly and move very slowly. He has not eaten since I brought him Inside. Is this normal? He did use the litter box.
It's very normal for him not to eat.  Yet, you might try some tuna juice with tiny bits of tuna to entice him.  Always leave out food for him to start with.  You may have to get creative.  Have you tried Gerber stage 2 baby food in chicken or turkey?  The only ingredients are turkey/chicken and water.  Most cats love it.

Wow!  He used the litter box.  I wonder if he once lived inside.  Using a litter box is pretty instinctive for a cat, but when bringing a feral inside who has never seen a litter box, accidents usually happen before they get the hang of it!  Good for Redford. 

Does he have a hiding box so that he does have a safe place to hide?  Also does he have a cat tree or perch where he can look outside?  Just be sure to keep the windows tightly closed.
 
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alex134

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Thank you so much ShadowsRescue. You help through all of this has been I valuable. I have used Felaway plug-in in the past, and I had a bad experience with it heating up to dangerous levels and melting the plastic. I have the spray, which I use several times a day.
 
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alex134

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Redford has always been very fastidious about his toilet habits. I have a carrier for him to go inside of if he feels the need. I have a big dog kennel set up in the room as i have read that is the best way to start socializing. The baby food is an interesting idea and I will get some of he does not eat by this evening. I am working on getting him a tree, and the kennel is near two windows (closed) where he can get a good view of things.

I have never worked on socializing a feral cat before, though I strongly suspect that a cat my family had when I was 9 or 10 years old was feral when my sister brought her home. Of course none of us knew anything about ferals then, and we thought she was just a temperamental kitty. Now that I look back on it, it is a wonder we all survived the experience! And she lived to be 17 years old!
 
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alex134

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Thank you NoraChan, we are thrilled to have him home. When I took him out of the car his little nose was wiggling a mile a minute. he knew he was home.
 
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alex134

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Thank you Kittychick, I have learned to have a great deal of patience through these last two and a half months. I know Redford will be fine. He has four kitty step siblings to meet in future, and I do hope that goes well. I will surely be needing some advice on how to handle that when the time comes. Yes, this forum is INVALUABLE and I will make use of it often. You are all awesome.
 
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alex134

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Thank you Zed Xuzed,
Your kind words helped me through this ordeal!
 

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I just read that you got Redford home. Congratulations!!!

When I bring a feral in (to either recover or to bring them in permanently) I tend to give them their favorite food. It really helps them get comfortable. For Redford it sounds like it would be tuna. Warm chicken also works really well (I use chicken thighs).

Given you have cats already I would highly suggest doing a PCR test to check for any worms and parasites etc. Giardia is something that can be present that takes a bit of medicine and cleaning and it is best to contain this so it doesn't spread to any inside cats. It is best to get him all cleared up so the other cats do not get anything.

Act as normal as possible with him. Be confident and calm with him. Act like this is normal and everything is good and safe. Give him eye kisses (close your eyes to him) to build the trust. And of course his favorite food.

Shadows Rescue is right, it is normal for them to not eat at first. But make sure they have their food and water available (and fresh) so it is there when they want it. And the special food does wonders. I am guessing he'll be eating very soon since he knows you well.

I am a little confused as to how your set up is in the room. Can he roam the whole room right now or is he confined to the kennel for now? I typically keep them confined in a kennel until I can get any worms, parasites etc cleared up.

We'll help you with the socialization process. It is a process but when followed it usually brings success. We'll help you step by step.

Make sure you give him his favorite food and talk to him, and give him eye kisses (and close your eyes to him) and give off that love energy you have for him. You already have a bond with him which is very helpful. You want him to feel safe and loved and that will go a long way.

Just let us know how things go and any questions you have please ask. We have all been in your shoes so their is a lot of experience to help you through this process.  

Congratulations, you did an AMAZING job getting him. He is home now and safe. Very well done. Your love for him is fantastic. 
 
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alex134

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Hi CalicosRSpecial,

Thanks for your kind words, and your advice. Yes, Redford is confined in a large kennel for now. It is going to be a few days before I can get him to the vet, don't want to disrupt him just yet, and I have not even tried to handle him.  I will have him tested for parasites and such.  You are right, his favorite food is Tuna, and organic chicken. I will try to coax him to eat tonight. I know I will have lots of questions every step of the way. He is a great little guy, and worth the effort. Oh, I do want to ask, should I leave a light on in his room at night? Last night I left a low watt wall sconce on, but I wasn't sure if I should. 
 

calicosrspecial

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You are welcome.

Great that he is in a large kennel. No need to try to handle him right now or in the near future. That can come later after he initiates the contact with rubbing on you then head butting you etc. Right now you just want him to feel safe and comfortable and loved. Food works well on that for now.

So great that you will try to feed him the tuna or chicken tonight. He loves that and associates that with good stuff so it should help him feel more comfortable. If you can just talk to him and give him eye kisses (and close your eyes to him) that will also help a lot. Since you have a bond with him it should help him a lot.

I typically do not have a light on for them during the evening hours but I am not sure it really matters. I do have a low light on when it is dark and before I go to bed but then I say goodnight and turn it off. The others should also be able to shed light on this question (pun intended).

I can tell he is special, that is wonderful.

Ask anything, we'll be here for you. Lucky Redford!!
 
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alex134

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Well, I am happy to report that after a 48 hour standoff/food moratorium, Redford FINALLY ate this morning! I was thrilled to see an empty bowl when I went in to check on him. The baby food did not have his interest last night. It was Fancy Feast Cod, Sole and Shrimp medley that did the trick for breakfast. Honestly, I was really getting worried that he was depressed and would not come out of it. Keep sending me your advice and suggestions, I truly value all of your experiences.
 

calicosrspecial

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So glad he ate finally. I am a little surprised it took him that long but some do.

Just keep talking to him, giving him food he loves, eye kisses and close your eyes to him. 

With love he'll come around. I have never met one that hasn't responded to true love and you have true love for Redford.

Hang in there.
 

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Redford is going to be stressed out for a little while, but he is already familiar with you, so he should actually bond with you a little easier. Just try to avoid staring at him, since that always seemed to make my Feral a bit skittish, although the eye blinks and normal eye contact is usually ok. It seems that when a cat doesn't perceive you as staring at him, they will usually relax a little by sensing that they aren't currently "On Radar". Keep up the good work...at this point I would try to give Redford his own room if possible. Being confined in a large cage could be upsetting to him since he is accustomed to being free from walls, etc. This might also give you a chance to pull up a comfortable seat, read a book for a while or nod off...just spending time with Redford will make a notable difference. Sleeping with cats around seems to draw them to you...maybe because they don't feel threatened when you are sleeping...if its safe enough for you to nap, then it should be OK for Redford (in my cat psychologist's opinion!). Keep up[ the great work and do what you feel is best...my opinions are just that.. opinions. You are obviously doing a great job without my two cents worth! Keeping Redford happy is the priority.

   On a somewhat related note, my feral male Calico, Callie, has been absent a lot more than he usually is. He typically comes back around in April, which he did this year as well, but then he has been absent most of the last month. He shows up every now and then, but hasn't camped out for the summer like he usually does...I'm hoping he is OK. He had a largish abrasion by his left ear, but it was on it's way to healing and looked OK, but I don't know how he got it. Things have reversed...my feral is now missing and your feral is now home. Keep up the good work and I'll do the same!

Jim
 
 
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alex134

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I have discovered the reason why it took so long for Redford to start eating. Though he had breakfast yesterday, he never touched his mid day snack and dinner was also a no go. He was also cowering in the back of the carrier for most of the day. He has not shown any aggression whatsoever. So, I decided to try something different. Remembering that Redford had very careful toilet habits when he lived in my garden, I thought that perhaps he was not comfortable with having his food station in the same place as his litter box. While the kennel is very large, the two items are still in close proximity, too close for Redford's liking. So I propped the crate door open and moved his food and water bowls a few feet outside the crate. When I returned an hour later, the food was gone, and he was on top of the carrier instead of inside it. Breakthrough!
 
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alex134

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JMarkitell,
Yes, Redford has his own room and you are correct, the kennel is a source of discomfort. The room he is in is a small cozy one that I have used in the past to acclimate other cats I have brought home. This is the first time I have used a kennel, though. As I discovered last night, he does prefer to be less confined, and it made all the difference in his mood and eating behavior just to leave the kennel door open.

I am so sorry to hear that your Callie is missing. Have you searched the neighborhood or asked neighbors if they have seen him? You said there was an abrasion on his left ear. is it possible his ear was tipped? Could someone have done TNR? Perhaps Callie has another source of food, perhaps a colony nearby, or even further out. I was amazed that Redford had actually traveled over 6 miles in about 6 weeks. I never would have found him if his photo was not posted on a pet lost and found site, and he is so distinctive I had no doubt it was he.

Of course,we always think the worst when they go missing. But Redford's saga is proof that this is not the case. I am sure Callie is ok and he will turn up soon.
 
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