Feral in my garage

[shadowsrescue]

Yes, Yes, Oscar update please!!!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Looking forward to another wonderful Oscar UPdate, Bitsy's Mom !

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

Thanks for caring about us!!

So, it got really hot here and the movable air conditioner just wasn’t doing it. It’s 8,000 btus but still was not sufficient. So I lugged the window unit in and bemoaned the fact that he’d lose outside access. Then I realized since he was accustomed to going out - I could slide one side of the window unit over and provide an opening. It worked! So he goes in and out at night. He just kind of sits there and enjoys being outside and doesn’t explore the grass - that I know of.

One day when it was still light - he came out and then when I saw him and he saw me - he quickly went back in. It was almost like he realized “Holy crap! It’s light out!”
I was able to snap a pic.

Besides that - no excitement or progress between the two of us. I sometimes go in and sit on the floor when he is down where it’s cooler. I only stay 5 minutes since he looks stressed. But I sit about 6 feet away and don’t look at him but talk to him. Then I leave a plate with treats which he gobbles up when I leave.

thanks for your love!

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

PS. I still cannot believe he’s here and I actually trapped him! LOL.

I have not gone away at all this summer - for fear a pet sitter won’t put on the air conditioner or forget or something. I want to move from this house next year and start to worry how - bit I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

[shadowsrescue]

Look how far he has come!!! Baby steps and in his own time. He looks just wonderful sitting out there taking it all in.

 

[rubysmama]

Oh, look at him !!! He looks so content and happy. And why not. He's got the purrfect little cottage, is fed scrumptious meals, and is totally safe.

I sometimes go in and sit on the floor when he is down where it’s cooler. I only stay 5 minutes since he looks stressed. But I sit about 6 feet away and don’t look at him but talk to him. Then I leave a plate with treats which he gobbles up when I leave.

Maybe while it's still hot enough that he sits on the floor, you should start staying a little bit longer. And look at him from time to time, doing the slow blink thing.

Wonder what he'd do if you tossed a couple treats over to him while you were there? I know, don't want to rush things, but at the same time, a little rushing might be good for him. But, of course, you know him, so know best.

Thanks for the update.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Thanks for caring about us!!

So, it got really hot here and the movable air conditioner just wasn’t doing it. It’s 8,000 btus but still was not sufficient. So I lugged the window unit in and bemoaned the fact that he’d lose outside access. Then I realized since he was accustomed to going out - I could slide one side of the window unit over and provide an opening. It worked! So he goes in and out at night. He just kind of sits there and enjoys being outside and doesn’t explore the grass - that I know of.

One day when it was still light - he came out and then when I saw him and he saw me - he quickly went back in. It was almost like he realized “Holy crap! It’s light out!”
I was able to snap a pic.

Besides that - no excitement or progress between the two of us. I sometimes go in and sit on the floor when he is down where it’s cooler. I only stay 5 minutes since he looks stressed. But I sit about 6 feet away and don’t look at him but talk to him. Then I leave a plate with treats which he gobbles up when I leave.

thanks for your love!

View attachment 456619

OMC Look at the catio cat!!! He looks FANTASTIC!
Well, you gotta do what you gotta do to keep things comfy for the boy.
Thanks so much for sharing this UPdate!

 

[Margot Lane]

OMC Look at the catio cat!!! He looks FANTASTIC!
Well, you gotta do what you gotta do to keep things comfy for the boy.
Thanks so much for sharing this UPdate!

Awesome catio indeed! What a poof ball! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such fur! you know you’ll receive tons of advice and support from all of us, if and when you do move. Maybe just put the whole garage on a wide load truck!

 

[tabbytom]

One day when it was still light - he came out and then when I saw him and he saw me - he quickly went back in. It was almost like he realized “Holy crap! It’s light out!”
I was able to snap a pic.

Look at that gorgeous Oscar! He looks majestic sitting there looking at the world go by!

 

[pearl99]

I love this picture. A contented kitty surveying his land.

 

[Kwik]

He sure is handsome fellow!

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

I’m so glad he’s enjoying the catio. I wonder if he wishes he was free?
He still hides from me when I go in there but I think it’s huge that he’s coming out at daylight. It means he’s not totally petrified!

 

[Margot Lane]

SO amazing. I adore these updates. Is it easy enough for him to get up and down the ledge? Is that a lower ledge on left side?

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

SO amazing. I adore these updates. Is it easy enough for him to get up and down the ledge? Is that a lower ledge on left side?

I want to add some more access to the grass but I haven’t yet. He won’t go to that other side while the air conditioner is blocking the main window ledge. Also - I think he likes being higher.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

Sometimes I want to try to trap him and get him knocked out and clean his ears, brush his fur and trim his nails. His ears have got to be so dirty. He has so much fur - he’s got to be matted.

 

[Margot Lane]

I want to add some more access to the grass but I haven’t yet. He won’t go to that other side while the air conditioner is blocking the main window ledge. Also - I think he likes being higher.

Oh, he definitely likes the heights! look at him! A thought did cross my mind—- now that he’s semi outdoor, do you have to worry about ticks, fleas, heart worm, et. al?

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

Oh, he definitely likes the heights! look at him! A thought did cross my mind—- now that he’s semi outdoor, do you have to worry about ticks, fleas, heart worm, et. al?

Good question. That said - when he lived outdoors at my old house - I gave him capstar a couple of times but that’s it. I did buy some expensive flea and worm meds (one pill) but then read it could affect them neurologically so I didn’t give it to him.
He’s been inside and I haven’t treated him for anything the past year but maybe i should.? His poops look good and I haven’t seen any worms.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Sometimes I want to try to trap him and get him knocked out and clean his ears, brush his fur and trim his nails. His ears have got to be so dirty. He has so much fur - he’s got to be matted.

All in good time. You're both making excellent progress and considering his circumstances before, slow and steady is always best. If you don't see worms and you don't see him scratching his ears or his fur, he's okay. He will use his scratchers for his claws. Brushing would be wonderful, but not too fast. He has the best of both worlds -- acess to the outdoors and safety and comfort inside, with good food, wonderful scratchers, beds and exercise, and loving companionship. He'll decide the time that he wants to do a total surrender. In the meantime, revel in all of these good changes! He's absolutely gorgeous and he looks very happy.

 

[Bitsy's Mom]

All in good time. You're both making excellent progress and considering his circumstances before, slow and steady is always best. If you don't see worms and you don't see him scratching his ears or his fur, he's okay. He will use his scratchers for his claws. Brushing would be wonderful, but not too fast. He has the best of both worlds -- acess to the outdoors and safety and comfort inside, with good food, wonderful scratchers, beds and exercise, and loving companionship. He'll decide the time that he wants to do a total surrender. In the meantime, revel in all of these good changes! He's absolutely gorgeous and he looks very happy.

Thanks and yes - his poops are good and I don’t see him scratching at all. I hope one day he won’t hide from me but to see him out there in daylight is wonderful.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Thanks and yes - his poops are good and I don’t see him scratching at all. I hope one day he won’t hide from me but to see him out there in daylight is wonderful.

It is! We can never know what he experienced in his past, but he needs to be able to take all the time he needs to be reassured and to trust. He's doing SO well! and having safe, secure time outside in the fresh air and grass is so nice for him.