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- Jan 27, 2019
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Thanks for your response, Hobo explodes out of the cat door when we open our kitchen door to bring him food. We cannot get anywhere near him. I never saw another cat near him, but I wonder if his meowing is for another cat that’s outside of the garage. We have a motion activated camera, so if another cat comes in, we will see it. I just hope he’s not outside and has a warmer place somewhere. He does NOT miss a meal here in ur garage. He HAD started to stay longer, but something changed along with his meowing, we can’t tell what.Hi!
I don't have experience that's helpful with this, but @Willowy Jcatbird and @1 bruce 1 do, amongst others here
I wonder if the meow means he wants you to follow him? I don't know, maybe that's reaching....?
Yes thank you, my thread is here...Q2U Hi! Do you have a thread?
I can't even begin to help like Jcatbird has! But, I was wondering if you are keeping the cage abutted against the cat door to prevent any cat from wandering all throughout your garage? If so, and there is space for it, another cat cage at least the same size could be affixed to the first one with a door open between the two cages. It would keep any cat from venturing through the entire garage if that is what you are trying to avoid, but would give more room to place a litter box and food/water a little farther apart?
Welcome!
You are doing a great thing for this kitty! I am so glad you posted here about the problem. I’m sure you’ll be getting lots of tips to help you from others here.
Let’s see if we can solve both the meowing and him leaving during terrible weather.
It could be many things but let’s start with, is he neutered? He could be making a mating call. If he isn’t neutered it would be very important to get him neutered. He could end up roaming off, getting into cat fights or getting exposed to illness as well as getting a kitty pregnant. If that is an issue, we can give you information about getting this accomplished. Trapping him might not be hard at all since he is already coming in the cat door.
If this is not the issue, it could be that he is lonesome. Any chance of working towards getting to know him? If you are willing, there are many methods used to get him to allow you near him and to socialize him. Maybe he is more of a lost kitty than a wild one. If so, he could be calling you! He might be scared enough to run now but over time this can be changed.
You’ve made a great place for him!
The cat door opens into the shelter you made for him. Was he coming in before you put the cage there? If so, he may prefer it if you move the cage away from the cat door some. That allows him to feel less trapped.
Can you place a blanket or sheet over it to make it feel a little more private? Cats like to be a bit hidden.
They also like to have two ways to get in and out of small spaces. If that cage has two doors, I would keep both open. If it only has one, you might put a box inside it with two openings cut into it for a safe spot. I think in the first picture I am seeing a cat house inside the cage? Maybe shaped like a small doghouse? If it is the same kind of house that I have used, it may even have a heated pad inside it. I tried using those too. Have you seen him go inside it? If so then that’s great because those have two openings. My own experience here was that cats actually went into cardboard boxes rather than go in those houses. I have no idea why! I had gotten three of them thinking the feral cats would love them but I was not successful with those. Maybe others have had a different experience with them. Cats can be very picky, especially if they are frightened. Most cats do like plain old cardboard boxes though. Lol You can also try putting something from outside into the cage. Something with a more familiar smell to him like some dry leaves off the ground or straw.
Is there a litter box inside? It would be helpful to know that. He might stay inside if there is one. He probably won’t want it inside the cage if his bed is in there too.
I don’t know where you put his food and water but putting it a distance from where you want him to sleep is best. That will keep any other animals from disturbing him in his safe spot.
I am assuming you have been seeing him for awhile. If he is not being cared for then he really needs you. Getting him neutered, shots and a vet check would help him survive and you can make sure he is not hurt in any way or even sick. Crying can be caused by lots of things. He is such a beautiful cat and he has obviously chosen you to trust. You’re doing great to get him to do that! I suspect that since you have done so many great things to help him, you really care about him. Awesome! Cats that live outside all the time are at risk. You are helping to save his life. You have already made great progress with him. Just hang in there. I feel sure this can all be solved.
Furballsmom Thank you for showing me this post!
Q2U Hi! Do you have a thread? I saw your post here and have a couple of ideas. The main one is that I found with larger numbers of cats, getting them all in one shelter didn’t work too well. Small groups that were bonded did. Are all of yours related? That helps. Maybe a box inside your box would help. Just a simple cardboard box that they can jump over the side and into would be a cheap and quick thing to try. Spraying by the males inside probably keeps some out. The Raccoons and possums don’t help matters. Just being in there is inimidating to the cats. (The males may have sprayed to run them off) Do you feed near the shelter? I had set up simple tarps with boxes inside on top of boards for possums and raccoons. That helped. Some cats preferred that too. In Winter I kept my patio furniture covered with a tarp and everyone liked getting up on the chairs under there. Maybe something inside your shelter for them to get on top of would allow for more to use it. Changing the straw seems to always have the same result. I guess it is just a change in scent.
I love your shelter though. It’s great! I’m sure some of the cats will return.
I’m hoping if HoboMom just drapes covers over the cage that will work. Those cages are expensive. That worked with the ones here but, of course, every cat is different.
OhDee is precious! I love the video of bath time. Awwww! Sweet kitty. You’re doing a lot for those kitties! That’s awesome. If you don’t have a thread..... please start one. I’d love to see all the kitties and hear more. I’m going to go look to see if I can find you!
Hoping all is going well with Hobo!
+1I think they like cardboard because cardboard
Yes, those feral cats taught me early on to always cut a piece of cardboard for the bottom of the trap, approximately the width of the trap and about 12 inches long. When they are recuperating (in a large dog crate covered with a tarp to make them feel safe) I place 4 pieces of un-printed 36" x 24" newsprint (imagine the new york times folded open without print on it) on the bottom of the crate (very easy to pull out and replace when dirty).For some reason that's so sweet, nice, it makes me smile. Which happens about as often as it does for Grumpy Cat.