I'm glad that he is safe and in the temporary care of someone kind. He still hasn't come back though, as we were going to get him but more fireworks went off tonight and my neighbour has said he's gone to groundThat's great news, you must be so relieved.
How would I go about setting up a trap? I'm not familiar with trapping cats.You may have to set out food in a trap.
Good luckHow would I go about setting up a trap? I'm not familiar with trapping cats.
Thank you for the suggestion, I'll try that.Can you contact a rescue and ask them? An organization like this may have a trap you can borrow/rent.
We don't have a camera up at the moment - we considered in getting the PetCam but Fudge doesn't like collars or anything of the sort, so it would be tricky to put it on him.If he is still coming to eat, you set the 'trap' nearby, but keep placing his food as usual. You could even place some treats inside the trap, but don't set it up to close - just to see if he would go into it for treats. Gradually, move the food closer to the trap, eventually getting the food in front of the trap. Then, closer to the opening of the trap, and so on until the food is actually inside the trap door, and then even further into the trap. You need a trap that doesn't close until you are ready to do so. Maybe your neighbors who saw him before would be willing to do the same? Do you have a camera set up to watch his movements?
The trap type, I would have to leave up to a rescue center to advise you on, and how you can devise it to do different things. Ideally, you would want a trap that can left open initially, setting it up later to close if you find he is entering it. As I said, the rescue center will most certainly have better ideas than I do.
What is going on with his brother? Do you think he is still making Fudge leery?
More like a cam set up to watch the area where you feed him, not so much actually on him.We don't have a camera up at the moment - we considered in getting the PetCam but Fudge doesn't like collars or anything of the sort, so it would be tricky to put it on him.
That's a good idea. I have a camcorder I could set up in the garden.More like a cam set up to watch the area where you feed him, not so much actually on him.
If you can get Fudge to come home, you are going to have to think about making a plan for these guys to get along somehow. You could do cat introductions, but it would be a bit tricky with them going outdoors.
If you do find Fudge, at a minimum take towels/blankets to rub on each of the cats and then the other cat to help them smell more like one another.
If you think you can handle making them indoor only, at least temporarly, then you could better manage introductions. And, being indoors they may be inclined to get along better. And, I think I already said something about buying or building a catio, so they can go outdoors but not be able to roam.
Sorry I'm late for the party and sorry that Fudge has gone missing and back and missing again.I was thinking about making Fudge a temp indoor cat when he comes back, even though he'll hate it.
Thank you for your suggestions - I'll try them - Fudge is coming back for food again so I'll put a towel out tonight.Sorry I'm late for the party and sorry that Fudge has gone missing and back and missing again.
Since he's coming back for meals, can I suggest that you place his food nearer to the catio that you have and each time slowly place it nearer to the catio and eventually placebo inside the catio and so that when he returns to eat, he's kind of 'inside' and maybe you have a tug sting attached to the door of the catio and when he enters to eat, you pull the string to have the catio door closed and keep him in that way. (or wherever the temp door as you mentioned will be)
Also place towels below the food bowl to soak up his scents and once he's on it several times, place the towels in he catio so that there's familiar scents of himself and he'll feel safer.
Once he's back 'inside' eating, please try to keep him indoors if you can else the whole thing will repeat itself.