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- Feb 15, 2022
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Hi all,
I'm looking for advice. My indoor only feral rescue cat of 8 years escaped our house again this weekend. There is something wrong with the front door (it's popped open twice in the past 3 months) that we are getting looked at. He went missing for 2 weeks in November 2021 when this happened the first time. We thought the door wasn't closed properly at that time, but now it looks like there's something physically wrong with it. We were able to trap him last time on a neighbor's front porch after he was spotted on her Ring camera. She's 3 streets south in our neighborhood with a little wooded area in between. I've been in contact with that neighbor and no sightings yet. He's been gone about 72 hours now without any sightings except that first early morning. I saw him along our neighbor's fence, called his name and he ran from me. So frustrating.
The only reason we were able to catch him last time was because of the sighting on the Ring camera. We trapped for 2 weeks in different locations with no luck (caught 2 ferals, another stray who was returned home and a raccoon) until she spotted him. Trapped him with dry food that time.
What can I use to draw him home? I've got the litter box out in the bushes near the front door that he escaped from. I've got a diffuser with catnip oil going on the front porch, not sure how much good that's doing as it's now below freezing here (Westfield, Indiana). There's food and water in a heated dish on the back porch, but the only cat coming to it is the neighborhood feral.
I've got 2 wild life cameras with food out in the wooded area. Nothing on those except a fox and squirrels. Food hasn't been touched. We're trapping around the neighborhood again, too, but it's hard to know where to put them with 500 houses in the neighborhood. Currently around our street and the wooded area. What bait should I use in the trap? I've been using dry and wet food, but the wet is freezing. Last night we tried a fried chicken leg. Nothing. I know checking too often can be detrimental, but I'm worried about leaving them too long in this weather. How long is too long in freezing weather? It's supposed to be above freezing today and tomorrow. I'm also worried about being able to trap him again so soon after doing it in November. I ordered 4 cellular trail cameras that should be here Wednesday that I'm going to put around the neighborhood that will send an alert to my cell phone.
This is very much a word dump. tl;dr: my feral cat of 8 years escaped again after doing so for the first time 3 months ago due to a faulty front door. He's not going to come up to anyone, even me despite being friendly indoors. How do I draw him home? Can I re-trap him so soon? What's the best bait? Where should I be trapping?
I'm looking for advice. My indoor only feral rescue cat of 8 years escaped our house again this weekend. There is something wrong with the front door (it's popped open twice in the past 3 months) that we are getting looked at. He went missing for 2 weeks in November 2021 when this happened the first time. We thought the door wasn't closed properly at that time, but now it looks like there's something physically wrong with it. We were able to trap him last time on a neighbor's front porch after he was spotted on her Ring camera. She's 3 streets south in our neighborhood with a little wooded area in between. I've been in contact with that neighbor and no sightings yet. He's been gone about 72 hours now without any sightings except that first early morning. I saw him along our neighbor's fence, called his name and he ran from me. So frustrating.
The only reason we were able to catch him last time was because of the sighting on the Ring camera. We trapped for 2 weeks in different locations with no luck (caught 2 ferals, another stray who was returned home and a raccoon) until she spotted him. Trapped him with dry food that time.
What can I use to draw him home? I've got the litter box out in the bushes near the front door that he escaped from. I've got a diffuser with catnip oil going on the front porch, not sure how much good that's doing as it's now below freezing here (Westfield, Indiana). There's food and water in a heated dish on the back porch, but the only cat coming to it is the neighborhood feral.
I've got 2 wild life cameras with food out in the wooded area. Nothing on those except a fox and squirrels. Food hasn't been touched. We're trapping around the neighborhood again, too, but it's hard to know where to put them with 500 houses in the neighborhood. Currently around our street and the wooded area. What bait should I use in the trap? I've been using dry and wet food, but the wet is freezing. Last night we tried a fried chicken leg. Nothing. I know checking too often can be detrimental, but I'm worried about leaving them too long in this weather. How long is too long in freezing weather? It's supposed to be above freezing today and tomorrow. I'm also worried about being able to trap him again so soon after doing it in November. I ordered 4 cellular trail cameras that should be here Wednesday that I'm going to put around the neighborhood that will send an alert to my cell phone.
This is very much a word dump. tl;dr: my feral cat of 8 years escaped again after doing so for the first time 3 months ago due to a faulty front door. He's not going to come up to anyone, even me despite being friendly indoors. How do I draw him home? Can I re-trap him so soon? What's the best bait? Where should I be trapping?
We have shelters out at our house and a couple in wooded areas in the neighborhood. I ordered 4 cellular trail cameras that I setup and the only thing spotted has been a squirrel. I just don't know what to do. Is there some way that I can try to attract him to a certain location?
It may take time. Keep looking for him and doing everything advised etc. 