Missing a relocated barn cat

clapton

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Hi. I am new to this forum. We had a friendly stray in my backyard who had kittens in someone else's backyard. We let Miss Pep, the momma, care for kittens in my yard. She became more friendly. We trapped, spayed, neutered all of them. Two kitties were adopted through friends and two were adopted through our SPCA. The winters are cold in PA and we never knew where Miss Pep was and it worried us. We built a cat shelter which she did not use. Long story short....my husband works with a man who owns a beautiful barn with animal loving caretakers who regularly feeds and cares for barn cats. We brought Miss Pep there thinking it was heaven on earth for her. Lots of safe 100 acres of farm land, lots of warm shelter and kind human interaction. She ate well, responded well to the caretaker and stayed in her loft space for 5 days. Now she has not been seen for 2 weeks! We are so upset. We have alerted nearby barn owners, local vets, township police, put up flyers, etc. no coyotes in the area. She is a cute, black cat who is very fast. I guess I am looking for emotional relief that she is ok and knows how to get back to the barn? Can anyone offer advice or encouragement. I have also been diligently praying for her safe return. If I thought she would take off, I would have figured out something else. How was I to know?
 

dandila

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Usually, cats need to be confined for at least three weeks when they are moved to a new location to establish the the new place as their territory.  I am not surprised she set out on her own again.  Take comfort, it sounds as if she may be street smart and will find a safe place on her own.  We cannot fault you for doing everything you did for her and her kittens.  She was lucky to have you.  It sounds as if you've done all you can do at this point.
 
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clapton

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What would be the reason for her to leave if she was getting fed and cared for? The bond was almost immediate. I am just trying to understand how I can find her and my heart is so heavy.
 

dandila

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Anything is possible, especially if you are praying but the mere offering of food is not enough sometimes.  Cats are very strong willed creatures and dance to the beat of their very own drums.  It often makes no sense to us humans but cats have a different set of rules.  Part of their charm, don't you think? The only other thing you could try would be to set a trap for her and try to confine her in a room or a cage until she has time to reevaluate the situation.  Even then, there are no guarantees once you give them their freedom.  I had one stray after six months confinement.
 
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clapton

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I know. That's what I love about them. She is a gypsy. I just want to somehow know that she will find a good new owner. My husband said, well she found you so what makes you think she can't do it again?[emoji]128524[/emoji]
 

dandila

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Absolutely!  Your husband is right...you did everything in your power to help her and, sadly, she said "no thank you, I have other plans."  It hurts when they don't see your point of view.  She has proven herself to be a resourceful mother.  If she was just recently spayed she still has the hormonal drive for a few months to seek and procreate.  Those don't leave overnight.  The cat that strayed from my home was also a recently spayed mother of, god knows how many kittens.  I feel your pain.  Luckily, I still have one of her daughters.
 
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clapton

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Thanks for your kind words. If this went well I would have said that is was the best decision I ever made. Because it hasn't, I regret it. It's also hard because it is a cat that I grew very fond off. I did take care of a stray who used to wander away for months and then suddenly show up at my doorstep. You just never know. Faith can make things more possible than without.
 

dandila

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It always seems to be the favorite of the bunch.  I had eight at the time and I was awfully smitten with her.  Is her new home close to your home?  If so, it wouldn't be out of the question that she is finding her way back.
 
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