Feral cat has not come back

Alwayslooking

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I had a feral cat that I had been feeding on my porch for four years. I got him neutered over 2 weeks ago and held him in a kennel in my garage for 3 days before I released him in his territory. I haven't seen him since. Has anyone ever had this happen.
 

zed xyzed

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My sister works for a rescue and this common. They had a bad experience and are leery of the place they were trapped or held. She had a cat that didn't come by for over 2 months. She did suggest that you can provide food in a different location on your property. Thank you for looking after him. I wish more people were as kind and compassionate to these poor abandoned cats. I hope you can provide updates on the situation,
 

shadowsrescue

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Yes, this can be very common. I have had feral cats that return the same day, weeks later and even many months later. I had one gone for 8 months. He came back and never left again. Just keep leaving food out. Do you have a trail camera or wireless ip cam that you could use to see if he is possibly around at night?
 

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Keep the faith! My feral is inside w/ us & this after 4 yrs outside too being fed daily. He's almost civilized too, lol. He'll be back. Food is their lure, trust me as I also thought after a trap 'n neuter he'd takeoff. Vet assured he'd come home. He did & is still here today. I will pray your boy comes back asap. Keep us alerted.
 

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I write down the "names" of all my TNRed ferals every Monday morning as they report for food. That way I know who shows up and is still okay. If they don't return, I make note of that. A couple of times I have figured that was it and actually written their names in the "book of remembrances" only to have them show up in perfect condition, happy and healthy. Especially after a recent neutering, they do go off to sulk but then find out that I am the only game in town for food.
 
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Alwayslooking

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Thank you all. I appreciate hearing that this can happen. I know he was traumatized by the whole thing. I do put food out really early in the morning as I always did and will continue to do that and will continue to look for him. I was so crazy about him and hope that I will see him again. I just want to know he's okay. I didn't think about putting food out in different places on my property that is a good idea. I have thought about the trail camera and will probably invest in one. It sure can't hurt. I will keep you posted if there is any new developments.
 

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Try store bought roast chciken or smelly fish aka Salmon, Mackerel, Oily Tuna, Sardines, etc. Even dairy like pad of butter, full fat plain yogurt, fat cream cheese or cheese itself may enhance his nose. Also catnip may help attract him, tho some cats no like. Any favorite items he knows or likes such as a piece of clothing he may recognize the human smell of or the like. I know it sounds nuts but it works to attract & give him reason & direction to head back. Many folks on here have brilliant ideas I'm just not one, lol.
 

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I had a feral cat that I had been feeding on my porch for four years. I got him neutered over 2 weeks ago and held him in a kennel in my garage for 3 days before I released him in his territory. I haven't seen him since. Has anyone ever had this happen.
Is it possible someone took him and brought home or taken to a shelter? My cat was born on my porch,disappeared 5 weeks old then showed up rubbing against my porch window a year later
 
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Alwayslooking

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Try store bought roast chciken or smelly fish aka Salmon, Mackerel, Oily Tuna, Sardines, etc. Even dairy like pad of butter, full fat plain yogurt, fat cream cheese or cheese itself may enhance his nose. Also catnip may help attract him, tho some cats no like. Any favorite items he knows or likes such as a piece of clothing he may recognize the human smell of or the like. I know it sounds nuts but it works to attract & give him reason & direction to head back. Many folks on here have brilliant ideas I'm just not one, lol.
That is a good idea. Thank you. My inside cats come around when I have the roast chicken. I have fed him on my porch for 4 years. I doubt he would come if he smelled any of my clothing. He always came to my porch from across the street somewhere and after he ate, he would go back. We are going to be moving and I thought I would get him fixed and keep him in the garage at the new house to acclimate him to the new place. I had him in a kennel and was going to let him out after a couple of weeks into the garage. He was so upset with being in the kennel that he was pooping and peeing all over the place. I thought I would bring him back and either leave him in his old territory or try to get him closer to the time we are moving which is a few months from now. I let him out and haven't seen him since and that was over two weeks ago.
 
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Alwayslooking

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Is it possible someone took him and brought home or taken to a shelter? My cat was born on my porch,disappeared 5 weeks old then showed up rubbing against my porch window a year later
They would have to trap him to get him inside. He would let me pet him, but he would run from anyone else. He's basically feral. The shelter here is not taking in any outside cats unless they are sick or injured right now with Covid which has been good for those pitiful creatures just looking for food. He was traumatized with the whole being neutered and kept in a kennel for three days at another house. Last year, another more dominant male cat ran him off and I didn't see him again for three months when he just showed up in my yard. I just worry because I just had him neutered and I'm hoping he is okay.
 
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Alwayslooking

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I write down the "names" of all my TNRed ferals every Monday morning as they report for food. That way I know who shows up and is still okay. If they don't return, I make note of that. A couple of times I have figured that was it and actually written their names in the "book of remembrances" only to have them show up in perfect condition, happy and healthy. Especially after a recent neutering, they do go off to sulk but then find out that I am the only game in town for food.
I have written down the names of all the ones I have fed on my porch that have never returned. The cat I am missing has been around the longest. I hold a special place in my heart for all of them. I like your Book of Remembances idea. I have several names to add to mine.
 

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That is a good idea. Thank you. My inside cats come around when I have the roast chicken. I have fed him on my porch for 4 years. I doubt he would come if he smelled any of my clothing. He always came to my porch from across the street somewhere and after he ate, he would go back. We are going to be moving and I thought I would get him fixed and keep him in the garage at the new house to acclimate him to the new place. I had him in a kennel and was going to let him out after a couple of weeks into the garage. He was so upset with being in the kennel that he was pooping and peeing all over the place. I thought I would bring him back and either leave him in his old territory or try to get him closer to the time we are moving which is a few months from now. I let him out and haven't seen him since and that was over two weeks ago.
If you live in the US you could also join next door if you have any pics to post
 
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Alwayslooking

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I have had several do that same disappearing act and they return later. Of course, they consider me to be satan after that.
Hahaha. I know they feel like we are satan. Did yours disappear for days or weeks. Mine has been gone for almost 3 weeks. I feel like I won't see him again.
 
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Alwayslooking

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If you live in the US you could also join next door if you have any pics to post
i don't have any pictures of him. I wish I did. He would come around early in the morning when it was dark to eat on my porch, so I was never able to take a picture.
 

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I had a couple of toms go invisible for months. If I recall correctly, it was about a year for one. And at the grocery store colony, kitties can disappear for a year then show up later.
 
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Alwayslooking

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I had a couple of toms go invisible for months. If I recall correctly, it was about a year for one. And at the grocery store colony, kitties can disappear for a year then show up later.
Thank you. Was this right after they were trapped to be neutered? I let this one out after he was neutered and held at another location for 3 days, That was 3 days ago and I haven't seen him since.
 
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Alwayslooking

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Thank you. Was this right after they were trapped to be neutered? I let this one out after he was neutered and held at another location for 3 days, That was 3 days ago and I haven't seen him since.
I said that was 3 days ago. I meant it was 3 weeks ago that I let him out.
 

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Yes, when they returned, I let them out right away. They dashed off to hide. It was a great disappointment to me because I was able to pet one orange guy named Coach who still keeps a great distance from me even after 8 or 9 years.
 
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Alwayslooking

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Yes, when they returned, I let them out right away. They dashed off to hide. It was a great disappointment to me because I was able to pet one orange guy named Coach who still keeps a great distance from me even after 8 or 9 years.
Wow, that's sad. The one I had was Oreo. He let me pet him all the time. I picked him up and put him in a carrier to be fixed, so I thought he may just be a stray. He acted different in the kennel that I kept him in for the 3 days after surgery. He hid from everyone but me. I will just keep looking. Thank you for your response.
 
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