Cat loose

[sarah430]

I'm sorry this is dragging on so long for you. I'm not sure if I have any new ideas but I think you do need to find a way to make contact with her. So I would probably try going out where she has been and sit on the ground and see if she'll come to you. And give it some time and be consistent. I know that sounded like something that wouldn't work with my Navi but eventually that's what worked.

 

[Kflowers]

You might get a small one person tent and spend the night in it. It might take several nights, but she might be curious enough to come close enough to smell you and thus recognize you. The tent would need to be open to get rid of the new tent smell, but if you were lucky you might borrow one from a friend or buy the demo model from the store. Or you could use a sleeping bag.

Even if you didn't wake up when she came the first couple of nights, it would be a good start.

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

Those are really good ideas except she is not consistent on where she goes. She’s moving from one place to another. When we figure out she’s been in one spot for a few days she will move to another place. I don’t know how to keep her coming back to one particular place

 

[Kflowers]

You wouldn't, indeed shouldn't follow her if you're doing the tent/sleeping bag thing. You need to pick one place and sleep there every night. She knows where you are most of the time. She's there, watching, waiting. This is for her to come to you, not you to go to her.

 

[sarah430]

Yes, agreed. Don't follow her around. Pick a spot that she has been or you think her more likely to come to and go there. Keep your scent there by leaving some worn clothes for when you aren't there.

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

I don’t want to follow her around, I’d just be happy if I could get her to come back to one spot consistently so I could try to draw her attention to me. So at the moment until nthis weather pattern breaks I have to be content just monitoring her movements and see if I can narrow down a pattern of her habits.

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

Looks like tonight and tomorrow are going to be good nights to be on bubbles watch. Friday night might be a decent night as well. I found out that there is a black male cat out here and sprayed one of the traps I was using for bubbles! hopefully he doesn’t come back again tonight.

 

[Kflowers]

Male cat is trying to appeal to Bubbles not run her off.
take a book with you, Kindle is good for this. Take a pillow case with you. Put a sheet down and stretch out on it. Lie there reading your book. Let her come to you. Do not attempt to grab her, unless she crawls into your arms or you are certain you can grab her and hold on if she claws. You may have to let her come to you several nights in a row. When you do grab her, stuff her in the pillow case and hurry to the house/ There is enough air in the pillow case for the walk to the house and it will keep you from getting scratched.

I know you think you won't mind getting scratched but the scratches from a panic ridden cat are deep.Though you usually have 10-15 minutes before they hurt. patience is best

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

Well here it is over 7 weeks later and my kitty is still outside. The good news is that she is still around my property. We have changed our technique of traps and using different types of bait. We are getting very close to catching her. I’m really hoping to have her back in the house by the weekend.

 

[fionasmom]

Still sending good thoughts for you and the kitty. This has been one long haul and hopefully she will get back home soon

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

Still sending good thoughts for you and the kitty. This has been one long haul and hopefully she will get back home soon

I never thought it would take this long myself. At least I know she’s still around my house and still alive! I’m really hoping it’s really soon

 

[sarah430]

I've been thinking of you! That really is good news that she's staying close by. Continuing to send positive kitty come home vibes! Don't lose hope --- you'll get her inside again. Hopefully soon!

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

I've been thinking of you! That really is good news that she's staying close by. Continuing to send positive kitty come home vibes! Don't lose hope --- you'll get her inside again. Hopefully soon!

Thank you so much! I have cried so much about this cat! She’s every thing to me! My husband said I can get another kitty. But I have a while before I can bring it home. It’s another calico I’m so excited. I’m also really hoping I get my bubbles back very soon. My husband has to go out of town for next week and I won’t have much help setting traps.
if we only knew where she was going to be from one morning to the next! It’s really a crap shoot with her.

 

[Kflowers]

Just remember she may not recognize you outside. She may be looking and thinking, but will still panic. Keep her contained until you get her inside. Don't poke your fingers through the wires until you get her inside and then just let her out to explore. She loves you, but panic can hurt you.

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

Just remember she may not recognize you outside. She may be looking and thinking, but will still panic. Keep her contained until you get her inside. Don't poke your fingers through the wires until you get her inside and then just let her out to explore. She loves you, but panic can hurt you.

Thanks for the advice. I also was wondering if I should take time to let the other cat readjust to bubbles? Will the other cat remember her? I don’t need them fighting right off the bat. The other cat Athena, is/was my daughter’s cat but she’s just coming out of her shell around me and my husband.I don’t want her to feel rejected once bubbles is back in the house

 

[Kflowers]

I would secure the other cat in a room with a closed door while catching Bubbles. There is no point in letting the other cat run up to the trap and possibly freak out with your legs in the way. There will be plenty of time to bring them together without risking injury.

 

[Bubblesmom2014]

I would secure the other cat in a room with a closed door while catching Bubbles. There is no point in letting the other cat run up to the trap and possibly freak out with your legs in the way. There will be plenty of time to bring them together without risking injury.

I don’t think I was clear about my question. Once bubbles is back in the house should I keep bubbles and Athena separate for a few days until bubbles settles down and adjusts to being in the house again

 

[Jcatbird]

Yes. Keep them separate for a little while. Make the judgement call based on how Bubbles reacts to her scent.
Also, I would try to keep the scent of another cat off of you if you are outside trying to get Bubbles. I always wear a certain set of clothes for cat catching. Khaki colored and shoes that are quiet to walk in. Long sleeves help me avoid bugs and light scratches. I know you have been at it awhile now but you are closer! It takes time to observe and find their behavior tendencies. Remember that pursuit seems predatory. Letting her come to the trap or to you is key. I like the idea of sleeping outside. I often did that myself. It allows to cat to start viewing you as just part of her outdoor world and no threat but if you are close, don’t change anything! Consistency is super important.
It took me eight weeks to get Thrasher. She finally decided that she did recognize me. I’m fact, was grateful to see me again. I called her and visited off and on during that day and night. In the end she , very suspiciously, came to examine my back room. The doors were wide open but I was laying on the floor, ready to shut them the instant she was all the way inside and too far to run back out before I shut the doors. My heart was pounding as I waited , not looking right at her, to be sure I timed it right. Once in and calmer, she was back to being petted and showing me how much she had missed being inside. She has not yet readjusted to all her roommates and prefers to be with me more than before but she is getting there. Slow and steady, always! I am so glad you have continued. Never give up! She will come.

 

[CarmiesMom]

i'm so sorry this is happening i understand this is frustrating you but dont give up dose she like fish canned tuna salmon or mackrel? if so that plus a dirty blouse sports bra socks or pillow case may help attract her to your traps but try only putting your scent in one trap leave one with just the food and with the finall one somthing that smells like your other cat if they like each other again i wish you luck and my heart goes out too you.

i know how you feel My Mignon has gotten out 3 times twice he went to our grage but the first time it took a teaser toy treats and a can of cat food to get him out from under the porch of an abandned house behind us, the second time he got out he was gone 72 hours longest time of my life as i raised him from 1 week supplementing his foster moms imlk with KMR as she had 6 of her own a week and a half older than him i looked all over the nebighorhood under the abandoned house at other cat friendly houses to no avail i even set out a live trap but finally i went to our grage and sat down in my grandfathers work chair and let out all my fear and frustration had a good cry then heard a soft sound in the rafters and called out i had the pet carrier out their already and several dirty pieces of my clothing dirty socks pillow case dirty bra and i looked up and meowed at him in our special way and he peeked out of the rafters i had neer been so happy to see his black abd white face those big golden eyes looking at me and i called out to him "OHH MIGNON"and he jumped down i put him in the et carrier and brought him back in , the ast time was i think probably the hardest you see before the feral colony here was either one r two cats or none the first time but this last time we had nursung females in the grage and he had fallen out the utility room windowwhch was right above my grandfathers bicycle junk pile of frames he couldnt fix not exactly safe well i wited about three hors affter he fell and took a bowl of food to the grage calling him as before he stuk his face over the rafters and jumped dow well m being me didnt think of bringing the pet carrer so when he jumped down to get nums the females atrated to hiss at him one went into nearly attack mode and i grabbed him uo kicking over the bowl of food so the ferals would focus on that and wrapping my arms around my boy as tightly as possible i carried him up our 40 foot drive way ad accrooss half of our 30 ft wide front yard(not easy as cars freak him out it took effort to keeop my hold as toght as i could so he didnt squirm away i had his scruff in one hand abd the other wrapped around his body supporting his booty as held it tght to my chest) to the door where i barely managed to get it open but did and let him go my arms were torn up ad bleeding my shirt had holes and my boobs were bloody but my boy was safe and i would do it again.

Question is she fixed? you metioned a spraying tom could be if shes not spayed shes looking for a den.

 

[Joelle and the kittens]

Do you think she would investigate sounds of kittens mewling? Sound will carry a lot farther than smell or sight so maybe that would be an easier avenue for attracting her?