Last Thursday, March 14 I was finally able to trap my feral, Patches. He had been with me off and on for almost 2 years. He and I had developed a wonderful relationship. He would even come inside my sliding door to eat and allowed me to pet him. I believe he must have been owned at one time, but developed feral ways by being on his own for a few years. I had set the trap up outside on my deck numerous times, but he would never fully go inside. This time I set it up inside by my sliding door. I sat next to the trap and dropped pieces of tuna towards the back of the trap to lure him inside. I was a nervous wreck, but it all went fairly smoothly. I covered the trap immediately and had to keep him in my basement overnight. He only comes at night. The next morning, I took him immediately to the clinic for his neutering. I picked him up that evening and had to keep him in my basement overnight again. He was not a happy boy. I was then able to release him Friday morning. It has now been 6 days and there has been no sign of him. I have surveillance cameras on my deck so I can see if he comes at night. I do believe he gets food elsewhere as well as my home, but he would always come every few days to see me or get some yummy canned food. He also really likes my other feral, Shadow who lives on the deck. Patches lived on the deck all last winter,but not this year. He went missing for almost 6 months and when he returned he was so withdrawn, skittish and not as social as before. He would only come at night and only stayed the night occasionally. I assume when he was on his summer "walk about" (chasing down females) he found another place to get food.
I am so worried that he could be sick or he just hates me. My first feral, Shadow returned 24 hours later. My newest feral, Orange kitty was neutered the week before Patches and he returned after 24 hours, then left for 2 days and is now back daily. I know Patches is a free spirit and wanderer and maybe he will never come back.
How long has it taken others for their just neutered ferals to return?
Thanks!
I am so worried that he could be sick or he just hates me. My first feral, Shadow returned 24 hours later. My newest feral, Orange kitty was neutered the week before Patches and he returned after 24 hours, then left for 2 days and is now back daily. I know Patches is a free spirit and wanderer and maybe he will never come back.
How long has it taken others for their just neutered ferals to return?
Thanks!