will the feral cat that I trapped trust me again?

Hi

3 months ago , I found a feral cat in front of my house, and since then I feed her everyday. I named her "Bas" .She trusts me so much, she rubs herself on my legs, and she never runs away from me. Even if she sees me while she is with other feral cats, she comes to me and approaches me while other cats run away within seconds.

The country I live in is not familiar with TNR, and so am I , until last week when "Bas" was in heat ! She was constantly attacked brutally by males and kept running away from them.I wanted to help her because I love her so much so I searched on the internet for a solution to her situation and read about TNR. I decided to help her and spay her.

So yesterday morning, I waited until she got into the carrier I placed in the garage, and when she entered I closed the door. I covered the carrier but she kept meowing and trying to get out. After 30 minutes she calmed down. I took her to the vet. Unfortunately inhaled anesthesia is not available in my country, so it could only be done via injection. When the vet tried to inject her she scratched the vet assistant and ran away. Unfortunately It was a very aggressive and frightening experience . The vet did successfully the surgery to her, and advised me to keep "Bas" at the clinic overnight for 2 days because it is really cold outside, and I agreed.

Well today I called the vet to check on the cat and she told me that "Bas" is very scared , and avoiding eye contact. She even told me that when I get the cat and release her, the cat may run away and may not be approachable as she was !! I really felt sad and guilty and I am not sure if what the vet says is correct. Will "Bas" stop trusting me or any human ? Will she trust me again ? and will other feral cats attack her because she might have caught different smells which will be unfamiliar to other feral catsl ? Do you have any tips or advice on releasing her.

I can't even wait for tomorrow to see what is gonna happen and how is "Bas" going to react when released. I really feel guilty and even have some regrets, maybe I shouldn't trap "Bas" and let her go through all the stress !

Thanks in advance

P.S Unfortunately my wife gets asthma attacks when a cat is near her so I can't let the cat live inside my house.

First, do you have a warm place for her outside? There are some great instructions online for warm feral shelters using inexpensive materials you can build yourself. That will give her somewhere warm to sleep when she gets home. 

Second, it is a good thing you did. Never think otherwise. Regardless for how she reacts when you get home she will have a longer life because of what you did. Feral females who aren't spayed will die young from frequent litters and the stress on their bodies. Plus they are more likely to develop cancer and die young from that. 

Finally, she is scared right now. She doesn't know where she is or what is happening. Plus she is drugged up and confused without the strange sights and sounds. When you get her home it would be best to leave her in the carrier few minutes (only talking 2-5 minutes) outside when it is quiet, just you and her, so that she can smell and recognize the familiar sights, sounds and smells. Giving her that short time to acclimate and notice her surroundings can increase the chance of her bolting to known safety instead of randomly. When you open the carrier/cage she will bolt and let her. It could take her a few days to settle again. But once she does she will find her way back to where it is safe and she has food. 

A lot of people TNR and the cats almost always return to their regular food and shelter area once they get over the initial fear of what happened. There are a few cases where the cats runs too far and doesn't return, not going to lie, but that isn't common.  

I'm sorry she had such a frightening experience.  That really sucks and I know you wanted things to go so much smoother.  But she will get over it in time.  And she will love you again, trust me.  Like Kieka said she is scared in a hostile environment unlike anything she's ever known and she's had drugs.  I would do a slow release if that's possible.  If you could keep her in the carrier in the garage - away from your wife - for a few hours until she calms down, and then gradually move her outdoors while still in the carrier.  Sit with her for a couple hours so she can figure out where she is, talk to her.  Hopefully she will be familiar with the territory by the time she calms down.  Then open the door to the carrier.  She may bolt or she may just walk out if she's calm.  I wouldn't just get her out of the car and let her go.  She might get lost that way.  Just release her slowly, and hopefully she will come back to you.  It's a really nice and kind thing you did for her!

Kieka said:

 
First, do you have a warm place for her outside? There are some great instructions online for warm feral shelters using inexpensive materials you can build yourself. That will give her somewhere warm to sleep when she gets home. 

Second, it is a good thing you did. Never think otherwise. Regardless for how she reacts when you get home she will have a longer life because of what you did. Feral females who aren't spayed will die young from frequent litters and the stress on their bodies. Plus they are more likely to develop cancer and die young from that. 

Finally, she is scared right now. She doesn't know where she is or what is happening. Plus she is drugged up and confused without the strange sights and sounds. When you get her home it would be best to leave her in the carrier few minutes (only talking 2-5 minutes) outside when it is quiet, just you and her, so that she can smell and recognize the familiar sights, sounds and smells. Giving her that short time to acclimate and notice her surroundings can increase the chance of her bolting to known safety instead of randomly. When you open the carrier/cage she will bolt and let her. It could take her a few days to settle again. But once she does she will find her way back to where it is safe and she has food. 

A lot of people TNR and the cats almost always return to their regular food and shelter area once they get over the initial fear of what happened. There are a few cases where the cats runs too far and doesn't return, not going to lie, but that isn't common.  

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Thank you for your advice. I hope that I did not harm her in any way. 

Where do you think should I release her ? at the my garage where I trapped her, which is the same place where I feed her?  (My garage is not a closed space ) or somewhere else? I am a it concerned that she will associate my garage with trapping especially if I release her there !

If "Bas" was one of the few cases that you are talking about, then that would break my heart. I read that if the trapped cat moves to a new territory then it will most likely die  ! I hope she at least stays around and allows me to feed her. 
 

Ginny said:

 
I'm sorry she had such a frightening experience.  That really sucks and I know you wanted things to go so much smoother.  But she will get over it in time.  And she will love you again, trust me.  Like Kieka said she is scared in a hostile environment unlike anything she's ever known and she's had drugs.  I would do a slow release if that's possible.  If you could keep her in the carrier in the garage - away from your wife - for a few hours until she calms down, and then gradually move her outdoors while still in the carrier.  Sit with her for a couple hours so she can figure out where she is, talk to her.  Hopefully she will be familiar with the territory by the time she calms down.  Then open the door to the carrier.  She may bolt or she may just walk out if she's calm.  I wouldn't just get her out of the car and let her go.  She might get lost that way.  Just release her slowly, and hopefully she will come back to you.  It's a really nice and kind thing you did for her!

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Thank you for your advice and your kind words. 

Where do you think it is the best place to release her ?

Rob19 said:

 
Thank you for your advice. I hope that I did not harm her in any way. 

Where do you think should I release her ? at the my garage where I trapped her, which is the same place where I feed her?  (My garage is not a closed space ) or somewhere else? I am a it concerned that she will associate my garage with trapping especially if I release her there !

If "Bas" was one of the few cases that you are talking about, then that would break my heart. I read that if the trapped cat moves to a new territory then it will most likely die  ! I hope she at least stays around and allows me to feed her. 
 

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You had a good relationship with her to begin with so I doubt she will be one of the ones who gets lost. I'd go with more of the other advice on the how to release. You'd take the carrier she is in in the garage area and cover it so she can calm down in a dark area. Once she has calmed down some slowly pull back the cover a bit at a time. Once uncovered fully and she seems relatively calm you can open the carrier and let her out.  Probably could set a timer for an hour increment to check on her. Just make sure there aren't any loud sudden noises (or people) going in the area during the time. If she had a favorite part of the garage that would be the best spot because it helps her realize she is safe to be surrounded by her familiar sights, sounds and smells. 

There won't be any negative associated with the garage because of catching her. When it is a one time negative experience like this cats tend to move pass it within a week. The biggest risk you have is releasing her too quickly and her running in panic. If she did that it would decrease her chance of returning because she might get lost.

By doing a slow calming period and letting her relax and realize where she is you increase the chances of her not getting lost. If you do that I am confident she will return once she licks her pride a little. 

And really, don't worry that she was harmed. Cats are experts at expressing their displeasure, loudly and clearly. Often times the display outweighs the actual emotion. I have a little cat that you would swear I was torturing her with hot pokers any time I pick her up, She squirms and yells and seriously sounds like I am beating her up. Even if all I do is hook her under her arms to move her off my lap I get a protest. My male comes barreling from wherever he is to protect her, Cats. The point is the Bas is probably making more noise then she needs to to make her point. I assure you, she will forget this whole thing within a week or two at most.  

Rob19 said:

 
Thank you for your advice and your kind words. 

Where do you think it is the best place to release her ?

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Wherever she is most familiar with seeing you and associating with you.  Do you feed her?  That might be a good place if you do. 

Might you consider keeping her in a large dog crate in the garage for a few weeks?  The crate should be big enough for a carrier for her to sleep in and a litter box.  You can feed her in the crate as well.

This will ensure she has time to remember you are a kind person and will keep her in familiar territory. You can cover the crate if needed -to keep her warm and to help keep her calm.

I would try to keep the other cats away from her during this time.  They may intimidate her while she's in the crate.

Ondine said:

 
Might you consider keeping her in a large dog crate in the garage for a few weeks?  The crate should be big enough for a carrier for her to sleep in and a litter box.  You can feed her in the crate as well.

This will ensure she has time to remember you are a kind person and will keep her in familiar territory. You can cover the crate if needed -to keep her warm and to help keep her calm.

I would try to keep the other cats away from her during this time.  They may intimidate her while she's in the crate.

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 Wouldn't it be cruel to keep a cat locked in a crate for weeks ? 

 

A friend of mine said that I should release the cat in a way she doesn't know that I am the one who was holding the carrier and opened the door !

do you guys agree on that ? 

I don't agree.  She trusts you a lot.  You will be her hero once again for opening the door!  Interested to hear others views.  

Rob19 said:

 
 Wouldn't it be cruel to keep a cat locked in a crate for weeks ? 

 

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You could let her out in your garage to explore as long as it's kitty proofed first and safe for her. No sharp instrument or chemicals she can get into.  And the door won't accidentally open.  When you go to release her, I'd do that slowly. I mean take her in the carrier outside and sit with her until she's really calm, talk to her.  

Ginny said:

 
I don't agree.  She trusts you a lot.  You will be her hero once again for opening the door!  Interested to hear others views.  

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Yeah , she might consider me as her hero. But another possibility is that she associates the carrier with me and for that reason she would be scared whenever she sees me.

But I don't have enough experience to judge, so I am also waiting for other views.

Ginny said:

 
You could let her out in your garage to explore as long as it's kitty proofed first and safe for her. No sharp instrument or chemicals she can get into.  And the door won't accidentally open.  When you go to release her, I'd do that slowly. I mean take her in the carrier outside and sit with her until she's really calm, talk to her.  

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Unfortunately, my garage is not a closed space. 

If the crate is big enough, she should be fine.  I am just worried about her incision.  If she runs away, there is no way for you to keep an eye on it.

When I fostered cats who had been outside for awhile, I used to hook two two-door crates together.  I used those wire grids they make shelves out of and zip-tied the two side doors with the grids into a tunnel between the crates.  One crate held the litter box and the other held the carrier/bed.  I put them together in my shed, so the cats were safe.

I helped keep them familiar with the area and I was able to make sure they did not have trouble with their incisions.

Either way, once your routine is established, she will begin to realize you are the good human you've always been.  It may take her a bit.

So I brought the cat back. When I opened the carrier's door she just got out walking and started sniffing everything she did not run,, but she was not responsive at all, neither to my calls , nor to giving her tuna ! She just kept sniffing. (She used to become crazy when she smells tuna)

A strange cat that I have never seen before showed up , and started to sniff my cat's genital area ! My cat just went under the neighbor's car when the strange cat was too close ! 

Isn't sniffing other's cat genital area usually done for a cat in heat ? I am a bit concerned that the operation was not successful and she still produces pheromones that attract males ! That would be a nightmare .
 

Rob19 said:

So I brought the cat back. When I opened the carrier's door she just got out walking and started sniffing everything she did not run,, but she was not responsive at all, neither to my calls , nor to giving her tuna ! She just kept sniffing. (She used to become crazy when she smells tuna)


A strange cat that I have never seen before showed up , and started to sniff my cat's genital area ! My cat just went under the neighbor's car when the strange cat was too close ! 


Isn't sniffing other's cat genital area usually done for a cat in heat ? I am a bit concerned that the operation was not successful and she still produces pheromones that attract males ! That would be a nightmare .

 

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My cats are all neutered or spayed and they sniff each other constantly. The other cat was basically just saying hi. She won't call for a male, she won't attract males, but if she crosses paths with other cat they will likely say hi.

Kieka said:

My cats are all neutered or spayed and they sniff each other constantly. The other cat was basically just saying hi. She won't call for a male, she won't attract males, but if she crosses paths with other cat they will likely say hi.

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Oh , that explains everything. Thanks

Kieka said:

My cats are all neutered or spayed and they sniff each other constantly. The other cat was basically just saying hi. She won't call for a male, she won't attract males, but if she crosses paths with other cat they will likely say hi.

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Do you have any explanation for her being unresponsive, I kept calling her for an hour and she was acting as if I was not there !