Feral in my garage

[shadowsrescue]

I am just so happy to see that picture of him!!! I would doubt he leaves during the day unless the AC scares him. Right now I have a portable AC unit in a bedroom where one of my feral boys sleeps at night. He is petrified of it. I now have to turn it on a few hours before he goes to bed to cool down the space and then turn it off. He is ok with a tower fan, but not the AC.

Hoping for another great day with Oscar!!

 

[rubysmama]

Check out the photo of him drinking. I love that boy so much!

Bet you had a big grin on your face, as you watched that video of your precious boy.

And good for you for going with your instincts We can all give you suggestions, but you're the one who has to make the final decision, and you know your boy best. I hope some day he will give you a head bump to thank you for all you've done for him.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

At this point, it's one day at a time. It kills me to have him in there secure- with a big old exit to escape right next to where he sleeps! But until I can get it fixed, I have to let accept it.

I have to go down a couple more times to the old house before Wednesday, and then on Wednesday - my German Shepherd Ilsa leaves. The Vet is coming around 3 pm. I am scared of the feelings that will follow - that is for sure. Oh well - one day at a time, one day at a time.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

Bet you had a big grin on your face, as you watched that video of your precious boy.

And good for you for going with your instincts We can all give you suggestions, but you're the one who has to make the final decision, and you know your boy best. I hope some day he will give you a head bump to thank you for all you've done for him.

Funny - I don't feel like I know best . . .and everyone's suggestions are SO HELPFUL. Sometimes we get tunnel vision from being focused so long and need some extra help in being creative. I am just praying he stays in the shed and starts to think of it as safety and food and doesn't want to leave. I know it's a long shot - but that is what I hope. I was happy that yesterday he didn't run from me when we looked at each other - me outside and him up in the opening. I think being up high makes him feel more secure so maybe that is why he didn't bolt. I have never seen him inside the shed - he hides up top.

 

[Avery]

Thank you SO much for keeping us posted about Oscar and for sharing that photo. He has quite a following of cat lovers here who are rooting for him to settle into his new home! I know how hard it is sometimes to figure out the best course of action, but you are doing a great job and you should be proud of yourself!

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

OK everyone - he’s still here! I saw him come down at 11:00 this morning - hop onto the floor, drink water and then go into the velvet cat cube that I have on the floor. So happy he’s still here.

I’m going to order a ladder and try to fix the soffit myself but with my old house going on the market Wednesday and having to put down my dog down the same day - it’s going to be a trying week to say the least. I just hope he decides it’s too dangerous out there.

so glad he came down and is laying in that cube! I have the air conditioner on low and it’s probably cooler down there than up on the loft.

I tried to post the video of him but couldn’t. I will keep trying. Thanks!

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

He came down and has been sleeping in this cube since 11 am. It’s in the corner - bottom right. So happy he’s down where it’s cooler.

I had that velvet cat cube in my house for him a year and a half ago when I tried him inside. He sat on it or in it for four days without moving before I let him go. Imagine his surprise to smell himself on it now from so long ago!

my dream is that he begins to feel that this is his home and he’s safe so he won’t want to jump out that soffit opening.

 

[rubysmama]

That's wonderful that he feels safe enough to go down where it's cooler. Wonder what he'd think if he knew you had the spy cam keeping an eye on him.

Oh, to post a video, you pretty much have to upload it to somewhere like youtube, then post the link here.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I tried to post the video of him but couldn’t.

To post a video it has to be on loaded on one of many Approved sites - which are listed below in the instructions. Once that is done - then you can post it here, as follows:
In the toolbar at the top of the post, click on the small arrow as shown:

It will produce a drop down box.
Click on the Media option:

A box will appear where you can paste the URL. Paste it there, then click 'continue' at the bottom and your video should appear.

 

[shadowsrescue]

I am so happy you have the camera to keep an eye on him. He is doing excellent!!!

I am so sorry that the week ahead is going to be so very hard. Remember to take care of yourself too.

 

[tarasgirl06]

HAPPY TEARS seeing that beautiful pic of Oscar! and hearing that he knows where he lives and who loves and cares for him. I truly believe that, with time, he will become more "domestic" and opt to have a relationship with you that doesn't just involve eating. He is so magnificent! Loving that he knows, loves, and feels comfortable in his velvet cube, too. So he's definitely claiming his cabin as his home, not just stopping by.
All of the other posters' suggestions are great, don't you think? It's kind of essential for any homeowner to have a good ladder, so that's a great decision. I HOPE you can repair that hole yourself. It would be such a relief!
My condolences for your impending loss of Ilsa. It's tough to have to deal with saying goodbye to her and your home on the same day. In my life, good things and not-so-good things tend to come in groups (feast or famine) so I do empathize.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

HAPPY TEARS seeing that beautiful pic of Oscar! and hearing that he knows where he lives and who loves and cares for him. I truly believe that, with time, he will become more "domestic" and opt to have a relationship with you that doesn't just involve eating. He is so magnificent! Loving that he knows, loves, and feels comfortable in his velvet cube, too. So he's definitely claiming his cabin as his home, not just stopping by.
All of the other posters' suggestions are great, don't you think? It's kind of essential for any homeowner to have a good ladder, so that's a great decision. I HOPE you can repair that hole yourself. It would be such a relief!
My condolences for your impending loss of Ilsa. It's tough to have to deal with saying goodbye to her and your home on the same day. In my life, good things and not-so-good things tend to come in groups (feast or famine) so I do empathize.

Thanks for your support everyone. And yes - I have a ladder at my old house - but it’s only a 6 ft ladder. I need a 9 ft one to do the safely!

I am obsessed with this camera and pray minute by minute that he doesn’t leave! Last night he sat and looked out the opening for a good 10 mins - and then jumped down to eat. I was stressed to the max!

I also woke up at 4 am and looked and he was eating the last of his wet food. I had left 3 small cans in there. I’ve been glad to see him use both sides of the shed to climb up and down. The first pic below is him looking out of the opening

 

[shadowsrescue]

I know the feeling of being obsessed with cameras!! When I had my feral boys outside my DH bought me 2 one year for Christmas. I was often away all night checking on them. It's such good news that he is staying put!!!

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

I know the feeling of being obsessed with cameras!! When I had my feral boys outside my DH bought me 2 one year for Christmas. I was often away all night checking on them. It's such good news that he is staying put!!!

Yes, staying put as of this morning! I keep hoping that everyday he’s in there is helping him to feel at home. But, if he feels too good he may see a bird out the window and figure “what the hell” lemme go get that bird. I don’t know cats enough to know if the security of the shed is paramount or if the call of the outdoors is too tempting. I am hoping for the next week he stays put. It will be 3 weeks on Tuesday since I trapped him.

 

[tabbytom]

He came down and has been sleeping in this cube since 11 am. It’s in the corner - bottom right. So happy he’s down where it’s cooler.

I had that velvet cat cube in my house for him a year and a half ago when I tried him inside. He sat on it or in it for four days without moving before I let him go. Imagine his surprise to smell himself on it now from so long ago!

my dream is that he begins to feel that this is his home and he’s safe so he won’t want to jump out that soffit opening.

It is really wonderful to see this and I'm so happy for both of you. Oscar is really exploring now and I believe he's claiming the shed for his own.

One caution is when you repair the hole at the roof, just make sure that there will not be any ship objects or nails protruding out to the inside where Oscar may get hurt.

Give him more time and you try to spend more time in the shed with him after you have settled your other business. By spending more time in the shed with him gives him more confidence and also get hi to get used to you being in the shed with him.

As the days past and Oscar is used to you and allow you to pet him, Oscar's fur needs to be brushed. But of course, take a step at a time. Don't rush into things. You are doing great.

Also if you are inside with him, try playing with him using a cat wand. Get him use to playing with you.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

It is really wonderful to see this and I'm so happy for both of you. Oscar is really exploring now and I believe he's claiming the shed for his own.

One caution is when you repair the hole at the roof, just make sure that there will not be any ship objects or nails protruding out to the inside where Oscar may get hurt.

Give him more time and you try to spend more time in the shed with him after you have settled your other business. By spending more time in the shed with him gives him more confidence and also get hi to get used to you being in the shed with him.

As the days past and Oscar is used to you and allow you to pet him, Oscar's fur needs to be brushed. But of course, take a step at a time. Don't rush into things. You are doing great.

Also if you are inside with him, try playing with him using a cat wand. Get him use to playing with you.

I cannot pet Oscar - I’m not sure why you think that. - I cannot even get within 8 feet of him. So petting and brushing is not on the agenda until he actually shows himself to me while in the shed. It’s going to be a long road which is fine - as long as he’s safe. That’s most important right now and to secure the shed.

 

[tabbytom]

I cannot pet Oscar - I’m not sure why you think that. - I cannot even get within 8 feet of him. So petting and brushing is not on the agenda until he actually shows himself to me while in the shed. It’s going to be a long road which is fine - as long as he’s safe. That’s most important right now and to secure the shed.

Yes, that's what I meant, until he actually shows himself to you while in the shed and it may take more than awhile for it to happen.

And it's also a yes that as long a she's safe and it's most important right now to secure the shed.

I also meant that in the long run, hoping that Oscar will allowed to be petted and not shy away from you so that his fur could be brushed too.

Take it step by step and hope for the best which all of us here is hoping for too.

 

[rubysmama]

I just love seeing the pictures of Oscar. Puts a happy smile on my face, so I can't even imagine the joy it brings you. I hope having Oscar safe, and under your literal watchful eye, will make the next few days a little easier for you. You'll be in my thoughts on Wednesday.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Thanks for your support everyone. And yes - I have a ladder at my old house - but it’s only a 6 ft ladder. I need a 9 ft one to do the safely!

I am obsessed with this camera and pray minute by minute that he doesn’t leave! Last night he sat and looked out the opening for a good 10 mins - and then jumped down to eat. I was stressed to the max!

I also woke up at 4 am and looked and he was eating the last of his wet food. I had left 3 small cans in there. I’ve been glad to see him use both sides of the shed to climb up and down. The first pic below is him looking out of the opening View attachment 427176View attachment 427177

These pix are balm for the soul! and make me smile when I look at them. Oscar is such a handsome panfur! and I hope that in the days to come he will be a HOUSE panfur. But he has the nicest cabin I've ever seen!
Cats, like people, have complex needs and desires. His own safety is priority one to Oscar, but he is also interested in prey and in having stimulation. Birds, small rodents, and insects will always be of great interest to him. A cat wand mimics flying or crawling prey depending on how you use it, so most cats love these for stimulation and exercise.
You're doing a stellar labor of love for Oscar!

 

[pearl99]

Oh my that is stupendous that he is in his shed and exploring around! And eating! And hasn't left through the soffit!
It warms my heart and I am so happy for you and Oscar.