Kathryn I need your help.

[Kimbear 53]

So the neighbours behind us who had a bunch of cats and a dog moved suddenly and they abandoned one of the cats. I think they left it in side the house and the owner of the house ( it was a rental section 8 )rather than calling animal services just kicked it out. Its been outside in 28 degree weather the last two nights in a row.

I tried to catch her yesterday, she got close enough to nuzzle my hand but when she saw my husband she freaked out bit my hand clawed at me and ran off Just like the dog who was scared shitless of the owners i think the cat was scared of men too.

Anyways after i crried half the night upset, and worried, the cat came back today. I heard our neighbours dog Maggie barking up a storm and sure enough kitty was in the tree. So i tried to cajole her down with kitty noises and i called the PD to tell them to come help me catch this abandoned cat. They showed up way too late Kitty ran off. However i exepect she will be back again as she still thinks the empty house is her home.

I borrowed some cat food off my neighbour and I've been going out every couple hours to see if she has come back. I figure i can use a pillow case to secure her in if i can catch her again, this way i can avoid the bites and scratches unlike the first time:(

I know you have some experience with feral cats and while this one is not considered Feral yet, i figure your my best hope at some tricks and tips to help me catch her.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Sometimes your local SPCA--or another animal shelter--has cages you can borrow and try to trap her that way!

I know when we have rescued cats at home or the farm---just took food and some patience!! Best of luck

[Hugglebuggles 60]

That's so terrible, what's wrong with people? I'm thinking the food will work eventually. The poor thing will be getting hungry, and once he/she identifies you as a food source you'll get frequent visits.

[Flames9_RN 358]

That's so terrible, what's wrong with people? I'm thinking the food will work eventually. The poor thing will be getting hungry, and once he/she identifies you as a food source you'll get frequent visits.

These types of people should be shot!!!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The fastest way would be to have a trap that you can probably borrow/rent from the humane society. It could be that the owners didn't realize they didn't have her when they left if they took all of the others with them, but yeah, the house owner should have contacted animal assistance or the humane society and explain what happened. Poor kitty is probably frightened - and if she was an indoor only cat she may not be able to handle herself outside very well.

How far from where you live is she? Right behind you? Are you able to lure her into your yard for feeding and have a garage or something like that you can leave open for a bit with food in it?

The best way, if the weather gives you the time, is to try and earn her trust. Feed her and talk to her and try to stroke or pet her. If you are able to pick her up and let her sit on your lap for a bit that might help. If she struggles let her go right away. Biting and scratching are fear reactions and it does sound like she has been scared or mistreated - and then finding herself abandoned outside, it is just one more problem for her.

Leave water out for her as well and just keep talking to her and calling her and feeding her. I wouldn't try the pillow case because it is more likely she will panic and you will be badly injured, she will be terrified and you will not be able to get near her again.

When you catch her, do you have a place ready for her to look after her inside until you find someone to take her or give her a home? If you have a small room that you can prepare with a littler box, food and water in which you can place her until she calms down and relaxes, I would do that so you could put her right in there. Definitely check into renting the trap. Some agencies actually have a refundable rental fee when you bring back the trap. Basically you would put food inside the trap; it has a weight that would spring one side of the trap shut with the cat inside when the cat enters and then you could carry her to wherever she is going and let her out of the trap. If the house is still empty, you could also put a cardboard box somewhere near it with some padding or blanket or something in it. Put it on its side instead of the bottom so it has a bit of a roof. She may go there when it gets colder at night and sleep. Hopefully it will only take a few days for you to get her.

I am doing something similar with a little dog right now. The owners used to let him run free all over the place and he was quite a nuisance. He was sociable enough and not frightened of people. Then they moved last June and just abandoned him - left him behind. He too still thinks the empty house is 'home', but he has become very shy and runs away now when people come by. The neighbourhood kids were feeding him when they were waiting for the schoolbus and one of them told me about him - so I have started to feed him every morning as well. It has taken nearly a month for him to work up the courage to come near when I was putting out the food. Just this week he allowed me to pet him, and yesterday, he came running to meet me with his tail wagging and barking. I have a possible home for him - and a fall back situation of a rescue group who will take him (about 1 1/2 hours drive away though), so I am slowly trying to get his confidence enough that I can put a collar one him, and then a few days later try to lead him back to the house. He is a little terrier/Chihuahua cross and I too have been concerned about him in the colder night temperatures. I cannot for the life of me begin to understand or fathom how anyone could do that to an animal.

Good luck with your kitty. I hope you earn her confidence soon and are able to get her inside to safety.

(sorry I didn't see this post earlier - it has been very hectic here these last 2 weeks and I haven't had much time to spend on line).

Edited November 3, 2012 by Kathryn41

[Kimbear 53]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. I asked the Local PD when they came here about a live trap and they didn't sound too interested. "you don't know what your going to catch, it could be a skunk, squirrel or something else"..ok fine don't care just gimme the trap....they were super uninterested.

There has been alot of activity at the house right behind us we share a wood fence. The owners of the house have been cleaning it out and doing repairs. I figured with the activity kitty would come back but i have not seen her nor heard any of the dogs bark around here excessively. (mostly a dog area it seems).

The food i left out was all gone this am, i put it by the fence / tree where I have seen her, but i'm not really sure if she ate it or another animal did. I haven't seen her since the dog maggie chased her into the tree the other day. The worst part about this is the not knowing if shes in someones garage, under a deck/ shed or anything else. All i can do is keep trying. and hoping.

And Flames, i agree with you. People who do this should be shot. I was checking out a few rescues around here, and they are getting so many owner surrenders and strays its not funny. there is also a local Realtor group that is trying to help with the left behind animals from foreclosures moves etc. Its unreal how many animals in Chicago right now are in this state.

I just wish i could do more or something. This is just breaking my heart We do have a spare empty bedroom for her should i catch her again. But i also have 2 dogs, and while the cat is used to dogs, my dogs are not used to cats. I have mentioned to a few people i know and on Facebook about her trying to see if some of them would be able to take her when i get her or know someone who can. But i'll deal with that part after i catch her and feed her first. I wonder if tuna cans would entire her more? Not too experienced with cats myself lol. Well see how the weekend goes.

Edited November 3, 2012 by Kimbear

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If you have some free time set out some stinky food ( fish cat food) then go a good distance away and read a book in a chair you can move( liek a lawn chair). That should keep you still enough to not scare kitty if she comes to eat. The book will keep you from wanting to stare the kitty down. If she shows up ( and you have more free time ) repeat the same time next day only move your reading chair closer. By day 3 only leave a little for the kitty at the eating location and place more near your feet. If kitty comes do not touch her unless she touches you. Repeat the next day and read softly out loud while kitty comes. Depending on how feral the kitty is you may get kind of stuck at this stage. But once kitty is used to your voice you can try to get kitty to come to your hand. Be carefull not to reach as that is agressive and will scare kitty. Sometimes if you put some of the food on your finger it helps.

If you don't have time ask a local feed store if they know anyone that rents traps. Another option is to buy one and then sell it on craigs list.

[Kimbear 53]

She came back!!

She ate the rest of the cat food, i gave her, she also ate a few slices of bologna. She licked my fingers nuzzled and oh my did she ever purr! However she was not keen on coming under the fence where i had dug a hole..so i took one of my big Tupperware containers i use to store blankets and i put it on its side with a few towels in it. Hopefully she comes back and the mastiff mix next door doesn't get her. She ran over there after cleaning her paws and stretching and hid under their shed before the dog was out..and the dog was whining cuz it knew something was under the shed.

But i think she realized i have food and water now..and i left some out with the blankets. Hopefully she comes into my yard this time.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If you put food out in your yard when you see her - some on both sides of the fence - then she will make the connection to come into your yard as well. once she is in your yard you can establish a routine with her that she will get used to. If she lets you pet her, that is good. Take your time and gain her trust and when the time comes you may not even need a trap. You might be able to wrap her in a big towel. Don't do it quickly or roughly or she will get frightened, but you should be able to wrap her so that she can't get her paws and claws loose so you will be able to get her into your spare room. As long as the door is kept closed and the dogs can't get to her you will be fine and can work on getting them used to her - or until she gets a new home.

Put out water on your side of the fence as well. She should be able to jump over the fence if need be, and right now, she is probably pretty safe underneath the shed, and possibly even fairly warm and dry at least for the time being as it is a small enclosed space and the ground isn't frozen yet.

You may also find that she is more likely to be about early morning or late afternoon/early evening. Cats generally, if they can, spend a lot of their daytime hours sleeping.

Good luck - it sounds like you will probably have a success story on your hands soon.

Edited November 4, 2012 by Kathryn41

[Kimbear 53]

I think your right about her sleeping all day. She only seems to come around around 5:30 6pm, and i did not realize it but i was outside with her for an hour til 7pm last night! So far nothing has been touched since then so i'm thinking shell be around at supper time again. Going to the petstore today to pick up some canned food for her which may smell better to her.

[leenas 2]

It is amusing to read this story cause my husband is facing a similar problem at his work site. He's also try to catch a wild cat. Now the cat does trust him enough to let him pet her but we're trying to get her to trust him enough that he can bring her home. The situation is that he will be changing job sites soon and we dont want her to be left behind and i would really enjoy having her home with me. You guys gave me a couple of ideas on how to get her home !!! Thanks, good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.

[Kimbear 53]

well i haven't seen her today, but i think she ate just the wet cat food, the dry stuff hasn't been touched. but if it was her, then that means she is coming int o my yard no problem. i went out every 30 mins after i put the food down and within one of those 30 min breaks the wet food was eaten. but with the time change its pitch black out there now.

[Kimbear 53]

Went out this am. it was cold enough last night the top layer of the water dish froze The dish of dry food and wet food was 100% gone and it was in our yard by the rubbermade tote bed i made her. Hoping it was kitty that ate the food. No other signs of her than that. Getting worried..shes been homeless for almost 5 days now

[Kimbear 53]

So i just caught some black and white cat I've never seen before eating Kitty's food. Now i'm not sure if Kitti ( shes grey kind alike a bengal tiger spotted / stripes ) has gotten any of the food other than the initial stuff i gave her when i first saw her!!!

Is it possible this new cat has scared her off?

[TBoneTX 45,267]

Is it possible this new cat has scared her off?

Could be, or it might also be that the b&w kitty simply happened upon the food first, si man. Perhaps try putting out multiple bowls.

There's indeed a special place in hell for anyone who abandons a cat. Heaven also frowns on anyone who awakens a sleeping cat without REALLY good reason.