Advice Semi Feral in Home- Rabies thread update

[lesliel76]

Hi this is long sorry. Hopefully people will read.

A couple months ago I had the thread about the Rabies scare...long story short. I had 3 outdoor cats ( this came down from 5) after 2 went missing last summer. One of my ferals died and the vet thought there was a potentional for rabies. It turned out not to be. Still not sure why this one passed.

Then the next day another went missing. She was the mother to last little guy outside. He cried and cried for a long time because he lost 2 friends at once. Time went by and things seems to get better for him but he has been attached to me and my indoor cats. He now always cries when I see him like he's telling me a story and has let me somewhat touch him. Touch like I try and can do it and then he runs. Sometimes sniffs my hand. I was trying to work with him so he could possibly come inside. I also tried to trap him but he wouldn't go in.

Last night when I went to feed him he wondered in my house. I thought let's see what happens. He ended up making himself comfortable and when I shut the door he didn't seem to care. I've done this before and he as freaked. Maybe he had a bad night with the fireworks going off the night before not sure. It's also really hot and my place was probably cool too.

Anyways I let him stay the night I thought this could be my chance. He seemed happy that he wasn't alone. I have three indoor cats one is his brother so he felt comfortable. He even used the litter box which I was surprised by. He cried a little throughout the night but not much.

This morning he is acting a little different he cried for a half hour at 5 am probably like where the hell am I. I thought if he keeps going ill let him back out. He stopped.

Now he is under my bed acting like a kidnapped victim.

I am nervous for a lot of reasons. He needs to go to the vet and get cleared of things and he has been exposed to my cats. They have been around each other before so I am a little ok with it but not like this. I can't keep them separate I have a one bedroom apartment and its Brooklyn NY so small. I need to go to work and not sure what to do. Should I set up a trap?

Am I doing the right thing here. Maybe he doesn't want to be inside??? Help I have been so anxious all night.

 

[catsknowme]

   Hang in there - it's tough love time...any problems inside your house pale in comparison with letting him back outside. Maybe you can give him a cardboard box for a cave to hide in, to get away from your indoor kitties. Ideally, introductions go much, much more slowly but life isn't perfect. Since all the cats have been exposed, at this point, maybe let things calm down before dealing with vet checks and transporting. I am assuming that your inside kitties are vaccinated. Otherwise, you might consider trapping & taking to the vet - the risk in that is that the vet may need to "pole" the kitty with a sedative & that sometimes causes a backslide in the taming process.  There are others here with better suggestions, I am sure, plus Jackson Galaxy & also Alley Cat Allies probably have other tried-and-true methods.

No matter what - you are a winner for getting the little guy off the streets. You might get him a teaser toy, such as Da Bird,  cuz young kitties love to play, play, play....Please give updates!

 

[lesliel76]

I got too worried about diseases with my cats (mostly Feline Lekumia that my cats were not vaccinated for....so I let him back out. My cats and him know each other through short term visits and the Windows.

I really want to get him to the vet first before brining him back in.

It's ok though, I don't plan to give up. I am determined now to trap him. He did good durring the day used the box but he was still hiding under the bed when I got home. He's happy to be back outside...maybe that was a good trust experience for him with me? He didn't dart he stayed closer then ever to me. If only he would let me touch him this would be so much easier.

I don't know. I don't know what I'm doing anymore with the whole cat situation. I am still so sad that the one died and then the mama went missing. I'm very frustrated for sure. I won't give up on this guy though. I will come up with a good plan hopefully for him. A little lost for sure.

 

[lesliel76]

Well I have some good news! I've been working with this guy for the past few months. Started with petting, then getting to pick him up. I finally got to the point where I was able to get him to the vet. I couldn't get him in the carrier but got him in a tupperwear bin. He tested negative for everything!! So he's now inside.

He's been in for 2 nights. So far is doing ok. He isn't hiding but has his safe spot he keeps going to under a coffee table. My other cats make him comfortable since they know each other from the yard. He is allowing me to pet him and even purrs.

He is crying however especially when he goes to the window. It breaks my heart I feel bad for what I am doing. I can't imagine though he wants to be out there alone. I kept hoping his mama would be back but she never came. This morning he is really crying even as I write this.

Any advise on the crying and how long to wait till you give up and just accept they want to be outside? I am going to tough love this one out but hate to think I took his freedom away. I also don't have a huge place I have a one bedroom in NY now with 4 cats ( no more of course!!!).

This does however take a huge stress off me to not have the outdoor cats. Especially when I travel for work. I will worry way less. So I am hoping it works.

I should also add that he's eating and useing the litter box, and that I have a feliway plug in.

 

[ondine]

You are fantastic!

Sorry, I missed this thread at first but this update is fabulous.  He will cry for a bit - he's just getting used to the changes.  If he gets along with your other cats and is using the box, you have absolutely no worries and so does he.

In your small space, I would add a cat tree or wall shelves where they can climb.  The Feliway is a great idea, too.

Tough it out - he'll soon realize the life of an indoor cat is not to bad.

 

[lesliel76]

Yes I was thinking some wall shelves, I am trying to find some that look good at a good price. Even though I am a crazy cat lady trying for my apartment to not look like it. I was thinking of going to ikea and making my own wall shelves out so some bookshelves they have and glue some carpet to it.

For now he's not interested in doing too much or playing, even when the other kitties are. Today he seems content being under the coffee table sleeping. I sprinkled some kitty nip under there too that he seems to like. He hasn't cried since this morning. He had a moment of panic at the window like he badly wanted out, but has since calmed down.

I know it will take time. I just worry if I did the right thing when I see him so upset. I guess only time will tell if he adjust or not, but yes he is showing some promising signs after only 2 days.

 

[lesliel76]

Hi

So things are going good with this new kitty....I have another problem with fleas and it didn't come from him.  I started another post in the Grooming category.  Any advise or people who can share their story would help me!!

For kitty he is still crying by the window in the morning, but I have seen him playing at night and hanging out with the other cats. They were all cuddled up one day under the coffee table.  He played a little with me too with a feather stick.  

I think hes going to be fine once he gets over not going outside. I just hope he is happy I hate to think he is sad.

 

[lesliel76]

Looks like hes comfortable tonight. Things have been going good. He's not overly friendly and doesn't want to be touched or handled too much but is adjusting. Still cries by the window.

20161009_212114.jpg

• lesliel76
• Oct 9, 2016

Think I finally kicked the fleas too. What a nightmare that was.

 

[ondine]