Cats traveling many miles to go home

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Jodieluv

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You know, from that description of him at the vet, he's sounding way more tame, than feral. I mean, just regular house cats can freak out more than that at the vet. For that matter, I have a harder time getting my Ruby into her carrier for a vet visit, than it sounds like you did with Andy.

Have you considered getting a large dog crate to keep him in to introduce him to your other cats. Since he's been neutered and vet checked, (vaccinations too, right?) there'd be no health danger between him and your cats. So you could put him in there, with food, water and a litter box, and keep it covered with a blanket, and he'd feel safe, and he and your other cats could get close without actually more than nose or paw touching. I think that's how Jcatbird Jcatbird sometimes has introduced her ferals to her other cats.

@ladytimedramon posted this link in her own thread that might be helpful: Introducing a new cat - the crate method - Adopt-a-Pet.com Blog

Yes, I actually have a very large dog kennel, that could fit a great dane, I could easily fit a litter pan, and "nest box" in it, and cover at least part of it with blanket, or tarp, I may do that, I don't want him to feel "trapped" but if I put a large nest box in there, I think he would feel safe in it.

Yes , he definitely is not feral anymore, at least not with me, but it took probably a good 2 or 3 months before I could touch him, he would show himself, but not let me close, and hissed , when eventually I could get within arms reach, then after several more months we became friends, he did once jump on my leg , and scratch me, so I had to start wearing coveralls, it was like he was stimulated though, I had been scratching his rump area, and stood up to leave and he went after me, now, and before I took him to new home I can put my face right up to his, and pet him anywhere with no fear of attack, I was crying morning he showed back up, and he was high up on a pallet of bags of salt, so kinda level with my head, and he just reached out to touch me with a paw when I stopped rubbing him, and his face was an inch from mine.
 

Jcatbird

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The dog crate will be fine. Anything is better than where he has been! He obviously loves you! I am so glad he returned safely to you. It is actually fairly common for ferals to try and return to loved ones and the places they know. Being in a new place can work if the cat is confined long enough to feel that they know the place and the situation they find themselves in. They must watch for predators, risks, understand new smells, humans and noises or they can feel out of place. Crate training him will allow for adjustment time and introductions to the others around him. He may object at first but every time I have had to use this method, it has worked out just fine! In fact, the kitties still like going inside the crates and carriers I have used. I often find them playing or napping there. You are saving his life by doing this. Time and patience will be the answer.
If your landlady has multiple properties, any chance you can do some chores around there for her if the job situation changes. I did that at one point myself. It might buy you some time to get new work.
I don’t know where you live. In some places in the world, people are allowed to shout cats but in others, it is a crime. In my book, any life densely taken is a crime. I do hope all kitties will be safely away from him. It’s a shame he does not understand the benefits of having free pest control through the cats. They can also act very much like guard dogs and protect the property in other ways. Maybe at some point after the kitties leave, he will soften and understand that he made a mistake.In the meantime, please do get that kitty at your home and into the crate. I would be happy to give you any tips or tricks that these kitties taught me as we went through the adjustment period. Thank you for helping those kitties. You have my deepest gratitude.
 
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Jodieluv

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You know, from that description of him at the vet, he's sounding way more tame, than feral. I mean, just regular house cats can freak out more than that at the vet. For that matter, I have a harder time getting my Ruby into her carrier for a vet visit, than it sounds like you did with Andy.

Have you considered getting a large dog crate to keep him in to introduce him to your other cats. Since he's been neutered and vet checked, (vaccinations too, right?) there'd be no health danger between him and your cats. So you could put him in there, with food, water and a litter box, and keep it covered with a blanket, and he'd feel safe, and he and your other cats could get close without actually more than nose or paw touching. I think that's how Jcatbird Jcatbird sometimes has introduced her ferals to her other cats.

@ladytimedramon posted this link in her own thread that might be helpful: Introducing a new cat - the crate method - Adopt-a-Pet.com Blog
[/QUOT
The dog crate will be fine. Anything is better than where he has been! He obviously loves you! I am so glad he returned safely to you. It is actually fairly common for ferals to try and return to loved ones and the places they know. Being in a new place can work if the cat is confined long enough to feel that they know the place and the situation they find themselves in. They must watch for predators, risks, understand new smells, humans and noises or they can feel out of place. Crate training him will allow for adjustment time and introductions to the others around him. He may object at first but every time I have had to use this method, it has worked out just fine! In fact, the kitties still like going inside the crates and carriers I have used. I often find them playing or napping there. You are saving his life by doing this. Time and patience will be the answer.
If your landlady has multiple properties, any chance you can do some chores around there for her if the job situation changes. I did that at one point myself. It might buy you some time to get new work.
I don’t know where you live. In some places in the world, people are allowed to shout cats but in others, it is a crime. In my book, any life densely taken is a crime. I do hope all kitties will be safely away from him. It’s a shame he does not understand the benefits of having free pest control through the cats. They can also act very much like guard dogs and protect the property in other ways. Maybe at some point after the kitties leave, he will soften and understand that he made a mistake.In the meantime, please do get that kitty at your home and into the crate. I would be happy to give you any tips or tricks that these kitties taught me as we went through the adjustment period. Thank you for helping those kitties. You have my deepest gratitude.
Thank you for the kind words, I am going to try the crate method, I am currently in north central Indiana, and in a pretty rural area, farming country, many see cats as pest control, but often as a nuisance to be disposed of at will, I believe it is a crime , if caught, but in situations like at my job it is very easy to shoot , and just throw bodies out, my boss regularly hunts the property, and fox/coyote, cat, etc are "predators" and he wants to be the only predator there.

My heart aches for "Baby Andy" who was 7 month old kitten that went with him to barn home, she said her husband had heard a cat in hay loft, and assumed it was him, but has not seen him, and the man, and his son came out to barn to set up kennels for the 2 of them, the wife I had arranged it with, had a toddler, and newborn baby so went in house to care for them, and Baby Andy was terrified of them, having never seen a man close, he was born there in barn, I found the litter when they were very young, and started trying to line homes up asap, so they could be socialized, and rehomed before going wild, there was one of litter that acted ferocious even as a tiny thing, hissing, spitting, lashing out, ( Baby Andy ) so I could not find anyone that wanted him, he got big enough to get around , and I only caught glimpses of him , and figured he would be wild forever, but at around 5 months he started calming down, and becoming friendly, within a couple more months I could pick him up, cuddle him, he would purr, and meow hello, and he was very bonded to Andy, he would rub up on him, he actually became even friendlier than Andy, so I thought it was good idea when lady said she would take both to let them go together, and now Andy is back, part of me wants to go over to call for baby Andy, but if he comes loving up to me I would not be able to leave him.......ugh...one thing at a time I guess, priority is getting Andy out since he is in most danger now. I will see if I can find my baby andy pic this one "aren't I mean" mid spit...
20200515_092412.jpg
 

rubysmama

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Yes, I actually have a very large dog kennel, that could fit a great dane, I could easily fit a litter pan, and "nest box" in it, and cover at least part of it with blanket, or tarp, I may do that, I don't want him to feel "trapped" but if I put a large nest box in there, I think he would feel safe in it.
I think he loves you, and therefore trusts you, so even if he felt a little uneasy, he'd know you were there with him, and he'd be ok.

I am going to try the crate method,
Oh, that's great. Good luck. Looking forward to reading all your updates.

BTW, I see Jcatbird Jcatbird replied with her thoughts. Whatever she suggests, you can trust. She's socialized more than 100 ferals, so she knows what she's talking about.

She has a VERY long thread of her own here, which you might want to check out when you're sitting next to Andy helping him get comfortable in his new home. Here's the link: My Feral And Rescued Cats As you'll see, it's very, very, very long, and now that all the cats are safe, goes off topic from time to time. Here's the link to one part, where she brought in the last (at that time) feral BJ. It might be a good spot to introduce yourself to the thread: BJ Came Inside He was way more feral than Andy, but quickly turned into a precious love bug. :catlove:
 
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Jodieluv

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I think he loves you, and therefore trusts you, so even if he felt a little uneasy, he'd know you were there with him, and he'd be ok.



Oh, that's great. Good luck. Looking forward to reading all your updates.

BTW, I see Jcatbird Jcatbird replied with her thoughts. Whatever she suggests, you can trust. She's socialized more than 100 ferals, so she knows what she's talking about.

She has a VERY long thread of her own here, which you might want to check out when you're sitting next to Andy helping him get comfortable in his new home. Here's the link: My Feral And Rescued Cats As you'll see, it's very, very, very long, and now that all the cats are safe, goes off topic from time to time. Here's the link to one part, where she brought in the last (at that time) feral BJ. It might be a good spot to introduce yourself to the thread: BJ Came Inside He was way more feral than Andy, but quickly turned into a precious love bug. :catlove:
Wow, thank you, I just popped link up, 406 pages !!!! I am going to start reading it tonight !
 

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Not really mean, just protective. One thing at a time but if you do go back for the other kitty, take something that smells like Andy. Use the scent to calm the baby. In fact, you could send something now. If the people who took him will also put a blanket with their scent on it, that could help. If you really want baby Andy back, the sooner you do that, the more likely for him to stay tame unless the new people can work with him some. He could learn to trust them too if they help him to overcome his fear. I’m glad he stayed put for the time being.If you decide to leave him there where he has more space, give him time to adjust. It does take time.
 
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Jodieluv

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Not really mean, just protective. One thing at a time but if you do go back for the other kitty, take something that smells like Andy. Use the scent to calm the baby. In fact, you could send something now. If the people who took him will also put a blanket with their scent on it, that could help. If you really want baby Andy back, the sooner you do that, the more likely for him to stay tame unless the new people can work with him some. He could learn to trust them too if they help him to overcome his fear. I’m glad he stayed put for the time being.If you decide to leave him there where he has more space, give him time to adjust. It does take time.
Oh, thank you for the idea, I will maybe take a blanket that Andy has laid on, and some cans of his favorite food, and go over there in an evening, she had a teenage son that seemed very respectful, and interested in the cats, I could maybe call for baby andy, and if he comes to me try to let boy get near him, if I had , or get moved into the larger place, then I may try to get him...
 

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rubysmama rubysmama Awww! :blush: I hope I can help. Thank you for showing me this thread. As you know, I always want the kitties to find love and this one has.

J Jodieluv I know it’s a lot to read but with others joining in with info, there are lots of good people there and lots of happy endings for the kitties. And for me. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the look in the kitty’s eyes when they realize they can trust you. Melts my heart every time!
 
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Jodieluv

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*** update to Andy story ****

Well, it is Friday morning, I got Andy's kennel all set up over the weekend, and Monday morning he had his breakfast in the equipment barn, took a midday nap, and showed back up late afternoon before I left for day, so I took the opportunity to get him, went home , transfer from carrier , to kennel went pretty smooth, he stayed in the kennel rest of evening, and night, early Tuesday morning before I left for work, when I opened it to feed him, clean litter box, he shoved his way out of door, and was loose for several minutes, he was happy, and inquisitive, and glued to me, I managed to get him back in crate, went to work, and in afternoon released him for a few hours, in, and outside, ( which I know was a chance, but I had a strong feeling he was not going anywhere ) he explored , but was basically glued to my side, winding around my legs, staring up at me ( he likes to make eye contact ) rubbing his face on everything, "pretending" to spray on stuff ( nothing comes out ) my cats were inquisitive, and my older boy did some hissing, growling, threatening, but Andy acted like he did not even see them, in fact, one of the neighbors half grown kittens came running up, and started eating out of same bowl as Andy with no fuss, starting Wednesday I let him stay out while I am at work, and he goes in kennel at night, which he is not happy about, my older boy has not really been overly upset, but has approached Andy several times to be aggressive, and Andy just continued to pretend like my older boy was invisible, until last night, I got he from work, and Andy came like usual to greet me, and my older boy too, I gave them some treats on floor to eat together, and they both came up and checked them out, and ate a couple, but then my older boy went into his aggression mode, and Andy when directly confronted with the aggression started puffing up, and showing a bit of hostility back, and but no physical contact, and then Andy would go right back into his cheerful , but dominant self, rubbing on stuff , and strolling around, my older boy for some reason started getting increasingly agitated , and was growling , doing short charges, and getting wound up, so I put Andy to bed in kennel early, and this morning did the regular morning routine, Andy gets VERY scared of any person he does not know, and runs to hide, but when person passes , and I call he comes.

I have concluded that he came back to me, versus just the job site equipment barn, as he has had more than enough chance to leave , and shows 0 desire, I am hoping he , and my older boy will work it out, if I had to rehome Andy it would be VERY hard to find someone that would confine him until they bonded, ( which I suspect could take a long, long time ) since I think I am only human he trust.
 
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Jodieluv

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I'm happy to hear he's home with you. :petcat:

It sounds, however, that the introductions between him and your older boy may have moved along too quickly. No actual fighting though, right? Even so, maybe slow things down, keep them separated for a while, then start again.

How To Fix An Unsuccessful Cat Introduction | TheCatSite

Hi, thank you, yes no physical contact, maybe a slap, there are some neighbor cats, and strays around which are not helping the pressure, I want to do something about them, but not sure what yet, I felt bad keeping Andy locked up, but last night I did pretty quickly after I got home, since my older boy was getting upset, and things were getting tense, Andy is somewhat oblivious to other cat ( s ) he just is fixated on me, and rubbing his scent on things, except last night Andy was starting to "stand up" to my older boy threats, and not ignoring like before, I am going to I guess be more proactive about if/when there is a lot of tension starting to develop immediately stepping in to put Andy away, I guess I fear he will think he is being "punished" by getting put up, as aside from his constant "marking" behavior he generally shows no outward aggression ( hissing/growling/etc. ) not sure if the marking is an form of aggression, or just being an confident male ( he has been neutered a little over a month now )
 

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One thing you can do, is put your resident cats in another room for a bit, then let Andy roam the rest of the house. That way his scent gets on things, and your other cats will smell it and get used to it.

Then try feeding them on either side of the door. That way they start to associate each other with good things.

Things don't sound too bad, really, but you definitely don't want them to get into a fur flying fight and become enemies.

And make sure you let the resident cats have the run of the place as much as usual. Theirs lives shouldn't change too much. Andy is the newbie, so he needs to be the one to fit into their lives.

By marking, do you mean spraying? Or just rubbing against things?
 

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I agree that exchanging smells is a good idea. Can the resident cat be put up, like they switch places for a while? Overall, I think that this is going very well....no real fights, Andy in love with you and so happy to be home again. I have brought adult male cats into the house and while other males I might have had at the time did the posturing you describe, it never escalated into anything and they all coexisted.
 
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By marking, do you mean spraying? Or just rubbing against things?
Hi, Andy almost constantly rubs his face on things, and "pretends" to spray ( backing up to things, and tail quiver, but no spray/pee produced ) he was actually doing it a lot in his equipment barn home at my job too, he is quite obsessive about it, I just got home, and everybody pretty relaxed still, and my older male got a little huffy , but went away to do his own thing, and is ignoring me right now, I think I will still put Andy up before I go to bed, or if things get tense again, afraid of too much 24/7 togetherness, my sister who passed away almost 3 years ago, was always the "cat lady" of the family usually having 4 or 5 cats at a time, sometimes in very small places to live, and had the tough love idea of throw them in together, and let them sort it out, and it seemed to work, but I am pretty sensitive to my 3 residents cats happiness level, and go overboard I guess with their sensitivity to things.
 
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Jodieluv

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I agree that exchanging smells is a good idea. Can the resident cat be put up, like they switch places for a while? Overall, I think that this is going very well....no real fights, Andy in love with you and so happy to be home again. I have brought adult male cats into the house and while other males I might have had at the time did the posturing you describe, it never escalated into anything and they all coexisted.

Hi, thank you, yes I am trying to mingle their smells, and trying to let Andy eat, and explore their things some, and I have caught my younger 2 checking out his crate when he is not close to it, my older boy is my 1st cat/love, so I am especially sensitive to his feelings, and he is a little odd sometimes, he acts emotional too, sometimes growling at me in "play" when I mess with him, so he goes overboard sometimes...tonight since i got home he is being pretty mellow
 
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