I could use some advice and support. I have adopted 10 stray cats over the years that i have lived in a condo complex with many neighbors. I used a have-a-heart trap for some of my cats and others slept in my storage unit and eventually willingly went into a carrier so i could take him or her to my veterinarian. Every one of my cats has given me so much happiness. Some have passed, and we now have 4 cats adopted from outside. They are not from the same litter, but they get along wonderfully.
Now I will try to trap and adopt another stray. She arrived in last year's New York winter which had record snow and cold. I've been feeding her every day she shows up here. Unofficially i call her Sweetie, and she is much more nervous about me getting near her than my other cats were when they were outside. I have not been able to pet her. She has not touched my hand when i put a food treat near her. She sometimes doesn't come for food for three days in a row. She won't come near the dish i put down for her until I step away, but she does eat with me nearby, 4-5 feet away. I can't let this sweetheart go through another winter outdoors. My neighbors will not let me put a cat shelter on our property. I tried last winter and some of them called our managing agent who told me to take it away. I only own the condo itself, the property is common area and i must follow the condominium rules or be fined.
So, I got the humane trap on loan today from a shelter. Sweetie didn't come to eat today in either the morning or evening, but the trap is sitting out there. The door won't snap shut, it's just there for her to examine when she comes to eat. I hope she returns soon. I am quite nervous about trapping her. I'm also very worried about bringing her into my apartment with my other cats.
If you have done this once or twice please write to me. Please remind me that it is the best way to care for Sweetie. Please remind me to be brave and just get the job done. I'm so afraid she will run away and i won't see her again. I worry about all of it. What do you think? It will work out and we will all be happy, right? I want that so badly.
Now I will try to trap and adopt another stray. She arrived in last year's New York winter which had record snow and cold. I've been feeding her every day she shows up here. Unofficially i call her Sweetie, and she is much more nervous about me getting near her than my other cats were when they were outside. I have not been able to pet her. She has not touched my hand when i put a food treat near her. She sometimes doesn't come for food for three days in a row. She won't come near the dish i put down for her until I step away, but she does eat with me nearby, 4-5 feet away. I can't let this sweetheart go through another winter outdoors. My neighbors will not let me put a cat shelter on our property. I tried last winter and some of them called our managing agent who told me to take it away. I only own the condo itself, the property is common area and i must follow the condominium rules or be fined.
So, I got the humane trap on loan today from a shelter. Sweetie didn't come to eat today in either the morning or evening, but the trap is sitting out there. The door won't snap shut, it's just there for her to examine when she comes to eat. I hope she returns soon. I am quite nervous about trapping her. I'm also very worried about bringing her into my apartment with my other cats.
If you have done this once or twice please write to me. Please remind me that it is the best way to care for Sweetie. Please remind me to be brave and just get the job done. I'm so afraid she will run away and i won't see her again. I worry about all of it. What do you think? It will work out and we will all be happy, right? I want that so badly.