Cat is wandering far from house - HELP!!!

Hello, I'm hoping someone can help with a concern I have. My 1yr old male (neutered) is wandering far from out home. He's visiting people at two bus stops near my home and wanders into other people's homes in the neighborhood. I received a call (sometimes 2) a week from people who have "found" our cat. I'm thankful and appreciative that people care enough to call us. But yesterday he was found at a carwash a half mile from our home. This is the farthest (to my knowledge) he has traveled.

I'm not sure what to do. He refuses to stay inside the house. He's well fed and sleeps most days inside on the couch. No other animals or people have been introduced in the home. His environment hasn't changed at all. He is VERY socialable and loves people. But is this normal? Does anyone know why he's doing this? I know cats will "roam" but I didn't think they would go to this extent. I'm starting to think he doesn't like us. I'm not sure there's anything I can really do except keep him inside. Has anyone faced this issue with their cat(s)? Your help is greatly appreciated.

SS

Even though he is neutered, it is in him this time of year (kitty season ) to roam. Regardless of how upset he is at being indoors, you need to keep him indoors or face losing him altogether. Invest in cat condos, cat shelves, fish tanks, whatever it takes to entertain him indoors but keep him safe. So far you have been lucky next time, fate may swing an entirely different direction.

It is best if you can keep him inside....but if you want to allow him to experience the "outdoors"....you can build him an outdoor enclosure..that way he can still venture out...but he can't go far nor can he get lost. Here are some examples:

http://www.geocities.com/holmescathy...enclosure.html

http://www.just4cats.com/

http://cats.about.com/gi/dynamic/off...enclosure.html

If you cannot build your cat an outdoor enclosures...then please keep him indoors so he doesn't get lost or killed.

Katie

Looks like you have a social butterfly on your hands! :-) Your best bet would be to keep him inside or to go ahead and build an enclosure. You may want to adopt another cat/kitten to keep him company.

Good luck!

Okay, I've seen this persons plea for help on a few sites. No one is really giving any useful advice. This person does have a second cat and they get along great. This cat wanders far and wide; the other doesn't.

Hey, is anyone going to fund this massive "enclosure" project for this person in need?

I was once in a similar situation with my cat and I looked into making an "enclosure" for him. Not only can those things cost a pretty penny; but they require a LOT of space if you are to make your cat believe he's outside. Cats aren't stupid. They know the difference. The only "enclosure" i've seen a cat SEMI-happy in; is something the size of a zoo enclosure; which I'm sorry but most normal; averaged-income folks just can't afford.....

So; to the person with the plea for help--I once had a cat that hated being indoors. He'd torture my 2 young children and my small dogs because he was going stir crazy (in a 2,000 sq ft house). Once I let him out he'd roam like he was on an open range. I'd get calls from people daily saying that he just walked into their house and made himself at home. It got so out of control that it came down to getting rid of him (which we all know is not an option); building an enclosure (which was too costly); building an indoor scene for him (which didn't fool him for a new-york minute); or relocating. So I sold my wonderful house; bought a mobile home and moved onto a plot of land in the middle of no-where. He's now free to roam on 4 acres; safe from traffic and strangers.
Sure; I live in a mobile home; but my cat is safe now.

Juanita

juanita...this person simply asked for suggestions. I don't think that selling her house and moving is going to be a viable option...so we are trying to come up with alternatives. One of the suggestions is to build an enclosure. No one said she HAD to do that...but it does keep the cat from roaming into an area it shouldn't. I have friends who have enclosures and their cats are quite happy...so it probably is a situational thing.

jmw..I would also suggest you get your cat microchipped...just in case he is picked up by animal control or a shelter...he can be identified as being owned by you.

Katie

lucky for me, I know my kitties would be happy in a small outdoor-enclosure. Sure, it can't be small, like a dog cage, but maybe along two "walls" of the yard would be enough. They can see around them, walk around as if they're free as a bird, and have fun. The problem with them is that they like to venture into the neighbour's yard, which is a major no-no. They don't understand that its a bad thing, but they always go over there and its hell trying to catch them, especially when they duck through the hedge on the neighbour's side of the yard, and they go into the next yard beside the neighbour's yard. And when they start "hiding" under the cars?... lol! I wish I could build an outdoor enclosure, but it would look ridiculous in the front yard (what my parents and strangers would say, though I have no problem with it) and the backyard is strickely Jake's yard, the dog, and both cats hate him so they'd be unhappy there.

I know this is not the cheapest option, but have you considered the "invisible" fence? Granted the collar is not hugely attractive, but he could roam your yard freely, and you would have less worry.

Invisible fences have some pretty big downsides. This is on dogs, but I think most or all of it applies:

http://www.helpinganimals.com/feat/shock/

"Dogs whose yards are surrounded by invisible fences may develop fear or aggression aimed at what they believe is the source of the shock (kids riding by on bikes, the mail carrier, the dog next door, etc.). Dogs have been known to run through invisible barriers when frightened by fireworks or chasing a squirrel and then be too scared to cross back through the barrier.

Invisible fences may actually encourage animals to try to escape. Since dogs only suffer painful shocks in the yard, they may associate the shock with the yard itself--once they get out of the yard, the pain goes away. The fact that the pain returns when they try to reenter the yard can cause dogs to believe that they are being punished for returning home.

Even when animals are confined within certain boundaries of an invisible fence, they are still in danger of attacks by roaming dogs, cruel humans, or other animals, who can freely enter the property. Invisible fences are a dog thiefâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s dream come true!"

I believe no animal should be left outside unsupervised, fence or no fence, so bunchers probably aren't a big issue if you're there, but a loose dog can run onto your property pretty fast...

Even in rural areas, unless completely deserted, I'd still worry about wild animals, poison, and disease.

It's best if people just keep them inside from the start, but now that it's been done, just try to get him used to it. A vet can help with drugs to calm him at first--it sounds bad to say the word "drug," but other things sound bad too: bunchers, cars, FIV, FeLV, sadists, dogs, wild animals, toms, antifreeze, poisonous plants, and so on... Most cats can adapt without any special treatment if you make sure they don't slip out and provide them with stimulation. Cats usually don't wail to be let out while they're pouncing on toys.

All my cats (past and present) are outdoor. I can only suggest you train him to come when called, give him more to do at home than sleeping under the couch, and since juanita mentioned you have another cat that doesn't wander, do the 2 get along?