meet Buggy

imjustacatmom

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Ok dont want to sound like a party pooper on this...but what do you plan on doing should other kitties catch on and try to take his spot? I think maybe something you can try is putting the house inside the room to see what he does...ok folks its 11:31 pm so I must get my rest...thank you for posting and sharing this sure is exciting to watch everything unfold and develop right before our eyes...gotta love modern technology..ok blessings [emoji]128568[/emoji][emoji]128554[/emoji][emoji]128049[/emoji][emoji]128008[/emoji]
 

tabbytom

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Ok dont want to sound like a party pooper on this...but what do you plan on doing should other kitties catch on and try to take his spot? I think maybe something you can try is putting the house inside the room to see what he does...
Oh ya, that's a good suggestion too. Just in case another come and conquer and to avoid fights, it's good to place it inside. But give it a try and see whether Bugs will move in.
 
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bigbadbass

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The plan.....Bug to be vetted and brought inside (along with his house) in approx 1 week.

He's the only feral in the area, that I know of....a neighbor lady feeds some, I understand, but they do not wander.     

My backyard borders a large wooded area...i'd be much more concerned with foraging raccoons or opossum ...but again, this is temporary....and...he is fed indoors....there are no scraps of food left out there to attract "others".
 

tabbytom

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That's good to hear. Just afraid if there are some other scent markings in it, Bugs might abandon the plan.
 
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bigbadbass

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He slept from 830 to midnight....left...returned 7AM for brekkie. The cam "sleeps" and wakes up upon motion detection....software sends me push notices on my phone...so an added benefit is being able to precisely document arrival and departure times.... 

So...where did he go at midnight to 7AM? I know he is a skilled hunter....I've seen him jump 6 feet straight up in the air going after a low flying bird (amazing, wish I had a pic of that)  Perhaps overnight hunting? As a feral...I'd guess his mama taught him to survive via successful hunting?

Experts....would he choose to continue to hunt nocturnally even though he is now fed consistently?
 

ondine

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He sure is a beauty.

Re: the hunting, he probably isn't taking any chances that the food source will dry up.  Plus, he may very well just enjoy it.  It certainly seems to have kept him in shape.
 

tabbytom

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How about a critter cam? :lol3: Just kidding
It could be his usual prowl after midnight. He is still intact so his instinct is hunting and not sure if he has 'girlfriends' elsewhere.
Hopefully he sense that this is his home more than a stop over. But we've to see what happens after the neutering but in the meantime try to make him feel more at home.
 
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bigbadbass

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TY...your knowledge and experience shines yet again, Ondine.

That makes perfect sense...I'd guess raised truly feral by momma , hunting is "what he does" and is now ingrained in his lifestyle. 

Note to self....the Bug offers definite rodent control benefits.....LOL   He's a KEEPER!

His looks and condition really do defy his age. As does his choice to bond with me in such a short period defies "feral".

The neighbor lady (who fed both he and mama over a long term) is adamant on his timeline, history and age. Thankfully, her long term interaction is likely the reason Bug has warmed up to me so quickly (well, that and the FOOD)  

He's still very skittish....when other family members come and go from my house when he's present...he bolts off. Possibly abused by a stranger in the past? Or does this escape behavior automatically "come with the territory"?

Enlightening and very interesting....again I thank you SO much.      
 
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bigbadbass

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Tabby tom...our posts crossed. I thank you as well for your most valuable ongoing insights. 

Ah, GF's....a possibility as well....great info.  

The planned neutering will, hopefully,"ground" him.

I did think about him being instinctively "lured" away by a distant female in heat.....lost....that and car traffic my biggest fears.

Absolutely reinforces the need for neutering. I'm on it right after the holidays are over.

Thanks, TT   
 
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bigbadbass

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New Years Eve he slept elsewhere (it was relatively warm here in NY) ...today fed him his regular 8AM and 4PM , he went on his way

At 10:30PM tonight he returned and is currently sleeping in his heated house. It IS below freezing tonight so perhaps he is, in fact,  attracted by the warm "hot house".  

Family members have been instructed DO NOT DISTURB him. Quiet and secure, any comings and goings or noises, he'll bolt.  

ON another note...at 4PM feeding...I moved his food dish ALL the way into the crate....smartass...he was skeptical of stepping all the way in ...he cut his feed session short and abruptly left...his return tonight may also be related to being "shorted" on his dinner tonight....and NOT being attracted to the hot house....dunno.   

But I've GOT to get him in that crate and to the vet, i had envisioned late this week...may be delayed? I'll keep trying this week...so close. ....to be continued..  

I hate to play mind games with him...but I know its for the best. 
 

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Yea, he has good sharp instincts. Maybe try to put (practice run with live demo by Bugs)) 2 portions of food. Much less portion in front and more right inside. Let him get use to the 2 portions feed. Once he finished the little amount in front, hopefully he move in to finish the rest and you got him! Do this for a few feeds till he moves in to finish the back portion.
 
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bigbadbass

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solid idea, TT.  I'll give it a try starting with tonights 4PM dinner.

I'm cutting back his wet food portions....about 3/4 of the way in the crate....he finished it all (about 1/2 can).....and left on his morning rounds.  He DID stay in hot house overnight, slept till 5:30AM ..took off a bit then back for 8AM feed which is ok. 

When I initially started feeding him, I was concerned about malnutrition...inhaling a full can plus kibble in each sitting. After a couple of months thats no longer an issue. By manipulating (cutting back) his food, i'd like to keep him hanging around more and more. Does this sound logical?

Of course when he gets vetted...he's gonna come in for winter. We'll access how (and if) he acclimates then decide whether he's better off outside. Ideally, inside/out would be ideal for everyone.  

As always, your help will be most valued and appreciated going forward. Thanks!      
 

tabbytom

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I think you should feed him as per normal amount. Am afraid that if he gets not enough, he'll leave earlier to seek food elsewhere and will spend his time looking for food. You want to make sure that to him your place serves the best food with all the generosity that he'll feel bad to leave and will stay for more. He has to feel all the love and attention and care you are giving him and make him realise that this is his home.
 

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Be aware that ANY change to his routine is going to put him on alert and he will need some time to adjust to said change.  He's been moe or less on his own for 12 year, so I am sure he's got lots of places he eats and sleeps.  Your accommodations are apparently the best as he keeps coming.
 
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bigbadbass

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I'd like to think that I'm providing a feral  "Club Med" for him...heated kitty house, always welcome indoors, awesome food,  toys (if he chooses) and a soon to arrive giant cat tree!  Attention and affection (as much as he cares to absorb), FREE health care...........all in all a helluva retirement package..   

To topic..thanks both. My tactics are flawed, again, this is all new to me.

Rethinking...should I revert to using a "humane trap"? Less of a challenge for me, easier on both of us? .   
 

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If you think he'll go into the humane trap, I'd go for that.  It is quick and easy,although a little startling to the cat.  But it is so much easier for you - you can keep him in the trap for a day or two if needed. Feed him in the trap and nowhere else until he goes all the way in.  I would also talk to my neighbor and make sure she isn't feeding him.  He has to be hungry.

For cats who know how to avoid springing the humane trap, there's a way to modify a humane (spring) trap by placing a bottle filled with rocks under the spring door.  Tie a length of twine to the bottle (wrap it around the bottle several times).  Once he goes in, pull the bottle out from under the door, so it springs closed.

And all our methods can be flawed.  No ding intended - I've failed to trap more cats than I care to admit.  I am also a failed foster more times than I care to admit.

No matter what, please know we're with you.  This cat s a lucky cat!
 
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bigbadbass

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Rethink...he's not taking to the crate...I'll properly research the humane trap...likely give that a try. Any way you slice it, the Bug is a Wile E Coyote.....ain't gonna be easy.

Ondine...unable to trap?  Gulp...
 

imjustacatmom

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I think that if the crate is a no go yes then you should humanly trap him...here's the caveat...you want to make him hungry that way he'll have no choice but to go in...yet another caveat...if someone has trid to trap him before and was unsuccessful there's a reason

Does he let you pick him up yet or hold him yet?

My girl when I first tried to bring her into my home...not only do I have a scar but she tried to bust out my window screen...fast forward just 2 months from that time guess what...I picked her right up and put her into carrier no muse no fuss...so maybe that may be an option...just sharing some thoughts
 
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bigbadbass

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No, unfortunately not going to be that easy. Not even close to picking him up, He'd either A; run away or  B: try to rip me to pieces   I know he would fight with every ounce of energy. 

Hey, I could trap him in the back room , wear leather motorcycle jacket and gauntlet gloves and do a Schwarzenegger grab and snatch but don't want to employ physically abusive tactics.  Not good for our ongoing relationship.  

I'll be inquiring at a vet about the humane trap.  If it delays my time schedule....so be it.  His welfare comes before my convenience.

Raining this morning, he arrived in his hot house 7:30am....sleeping comfortaby...so comfortable he even delayed coming inside for his 8AM feed!  ....i opened the slider and patiently waited.

I was concerned for a moment, but realized he was just warm, comfy and sleepy! Snug as a Bug in a rug.     

 Evidently I need to get a hot house for myself.
 

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Make sure to talk to anyone you think may also be feeding him.  He needs to be hungry and if he can go to their house(s), he won't go into any trap.

Do you have room on the porch to make the trap or crate a "permanent" fixture?  He needs to get used to it, like its a piece of furniture.

We've all been here, so remember it is going to work, even if it takes more time than you expect.
 
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