catching a semi feral cat/bring indoors

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lhoncharik

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Henry has now started sleeping in the bathroom sink (it's round); at first, whenever I'd go into the bathroom (the sink vanity is right by the door, on the left), he's immediately jump up and scoot back into his corner on his blanket, but now I can go in, stand there or go past him into the room, and he stays in the sink, doesn't run.  Baby steps.  I think that when he's ready to look out the door, he'll let me know.  I am ready with the gate, but don't want to push him, as I've put the gate up twice, and he's afraid.  I think he'll let me know by crying or scratching the door that he wants to see out.  Right now he seems very content to sleep in his sink.
 
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lhoncharik

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Henry is doing good; a week or so back I'd bought him a small cat/dog bed, just an upholstered rectangular bed; he wouldn't go near it, he seemed afraid of it.  Well today, I was in ROSS, and they had a cat bed that is shaped like a little house; square bottom, four sides, but it's the kind he can actually go inside, triangular shaped opening for a door.  Well, to my surprise, I put in down in the bathroom, and he immediately went inside, curled up, and feel asleep.  He'd had a spot outside where he sometimes slept that was similar, two bushes that had been really cut back,  side by side, very close together.  At the base there was an opening that was a completely round "hole'.  It looks actually like animals may have been using it as a sleeping/hiding place for many years.  Once that I saw Henry inside this "basket house" I put a towel inside it on the ground;  he just barely fit inside, perfect spot for a small cat to curl up snug as a bug, but concealed.  I think this cat bed reminds him of it as it is so similar in size and shape.  Now he has a cozy spot with a little privacy, not having to lay in the sink or the tub, or on his blue blanket.  He seems to be quite content right now.   Going to let him tell me when he's ready for the next step of looking out into the bedroom or wanting more space; until he seems bored or restless, I'm going to keep things as it and continue to work on touching him, getting my hand closer to him, etc.  This seems the best way to proceed right now. 
 

shadowsrescue

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It sounds like Henry is really settling down and learning to love the comforts of inside.  Sleeping in the sink is so cute.  One of my inside boys love to sleep in sinks especially in the summer when it is warm.  

It is fine to wait until Henry is ready for the next step, yet sometimes a shy/ feral cat will just be content and never let you know they are ready for more.  I would give him a week and then start with the barrier again.  You can it up without a baby gate.  It seems like it is very secure.

Do you have any pictures you could post of Henry and your set up?  I would love to see him.  The new bed you bought him sounds so cozy too.  If you need help posting pictures, I can send you a link on how to do it.
 

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Henry is doing good; a week or so back I'd bought him a small cat/dog bed, just an upholstered rectangular bed; he wouldn't go near it, he seemed afraid of it.  Well today, I was in ROSS, and they had a cat bed that is shaped like a little house; square bottom, four sides, but it's the kind he can actually go inside, triangular shaped opening for a door.  Well, to my surprise, I put in down in the bathroom, and he immediately went inside, curled up, and feel asleep.  He'd had a spot outside where he sometimes slept that was similar, two bushes that had been really cut back,  side by side, very close together.  At the base there was an opening that was a completely round "hole'.  It looks actually like animals may have been using it as a sleeping/hiding place for many years.  Once that I saw Henry inside this "basket house" I put a towel inside it on the ground;  he just barely fit inside, perfect spot for a small cat to curl up snug as a bug, but concealed.  I think this cat bed reminds him of it as it is so similar in size and shape.  Now he has a cozy spot with a little privacy, not having to lay in the sink or the tub, or on his blue blanket.  He seems to be quite content right now.   Going to let him tell me when he's ready for the next step of looking out into the bedroom or wanting more space; until he seems bored or restless, I'm going to keep things as it and continue to work on touching him, getting my hand closer to him, etc.  This seems the best way to proceed right now. 
Like these? My cats love them.

 
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lhoncharik

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Yes, please send me that link; I have a new phone, but it's still in the box, not activated yet; I'll do that next week.  Yes, you are right, I don't want Henry to just be content in the bathroom for months, so I'll start again next week with the barrier. 
 
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lhoncharik

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Cool cat baskets!  They look larger than mine, your kitties look like they have room to stretch out.  Henry can curl up, or lay on his side in his, but can't stretch out full length.  He has the tub or under the vanity for that.  Mine is shaped more like a actual house; square shaped with a pointy top.   I will try to post some pictures next week, getting a new phone.
 
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lhoncharik

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I would also like to know where you found these awesome cat beds; they look wonderful!
 

shadowsrescue

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Here is a link that has some tutorials

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/image-and-video-tutorial
 
I would also like to know where you found these awesome cat beds; they look wonderful!
The link is in the post again.  Thanks @Primula  for posting it.   I also found them online at PetsMart.  https://www.petsmart.com/cat/suppli...kets/beds/armarkat-enclosed-pet-bed-5417.html

I had a 30% off coupon and free shipping over the weekend so I got two for the inside crew.  So far only one has been used, but it always takes my guys a bit of time to get used to something new.  They are very well made and very soft inside.  
 

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I had a 30% off coupon and free shipping over the weekend so I got two for the inside crew.  So far only one has been used, but it always takes my guys a bit of time to get used to something new.  They are very well made and very soft inside.  
And the inside cushion can be removed & washed, which is nice. Especially good for shy cats since they can burrow in & hide at the back.
 
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lhoncharik

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Just to recap:....I brought Henry indoors 3 months ago..he has been in a bathroom all that time, as seems happy as a clam....he uses his litter box, and sleeps in the tub on his blankets, eats well, etc.

We have just in the past week gotten to the point that he will approach me to take small bites of food from my fingers, and he is now playing with a leather mouse and we interact with fuzzy pipecleaners. He appears to have no desire to look out the bathroom door into the adjoining bedroom, but I'd certainly like to give him more room to move about.

The ONLY small problem I have is that the tips of his claws get "stuck" on his blankets, and sometimes he has difficulty getting free. I am not at the point where I can touch him, and he definitely has fear issues with hands coming to close to his feet, etc. He will swipe you immediately. He does however show some signs of trust......when I talk to him he meows and rolls over on his back showing me his belly, and does not seem afraid.

Some of the behavior is perplexing, but any ideas or suggestions are most welcome.
 
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