Hi
I am new here so please bear with me.
I have two cats. Portia a lovely little long hair tortie, and Morphy , my Maine Coon. Morphy is my 'problem'
He was a happy normal cat until 18m ago. He was not a house cat..he was free to go out and used to go in the garden , hang around and be pretty ok. Then SOMETHING happened..we don't know what but he went missing for 48 hours and I found him, terrified and shaking in a electricity station enclosure near out house. he hissed at everything and was obviously traumatised.
After that thing went downhill..he stayed in at first them disappeared..he'd be gone for days on end coming back starving and stressed.
A few months ago he went missing for 3 WEEKS. Can you imagine? I was distraught but eventually found him one night. He was ok for a few days then escaped again.
I was out every night calling, looking for 5 weeks. I posted pics everywhere, called the vets etc etc NOTHING. I eventually assumed he'd been ran over.
Then... tonight I was driving to the local garage for milk and a cat ran out from the farmers field (about 10 mins from our house) and it was him! I braked like a lunatic, jumped out and called and he came to me!!! Grabbed him and bunged him in the car (which he was not happy about) and got him home. he has been cuddly and loving and just himself, and I feel like Lazarus has just come back from the dead.
BUT..obviously he did not come home of his own accord. He has become semi feral and I don't know what to do. I love him so much..he loves me too but if he gets out I KNOW he will vanish.
To complicate matters we are moving in 7 weeks time. I know the house we are going to is perfect for doing cat fencing..and I will...but how do I keep him in til then??? I have 4 children (who adore him and are ecstatic that he's home) but who are not great at keeping doors shut!
I truly feel he had some traumatic experince that 'damaged' him in some way. Am wrong to keep him in ? Should I let him go? I can't bear the thought of losing him again but I can't bear the thought that he might prefer to be 'wild' either. I have truly been to hell and back over the last 7 weeks.
Any suggestions greatfully received..I only want him to be happy..and safe..and loved... I would (reluctantly) rehome him if I knew he would be better off as he is the most loving and fabulous boy ever!)
Juliex
I am new here so please bear with me.
I have two cats. Portia a lovely little long hair tortie, and Morphy , my Maine Coon. Morphy is my 'problem'
He was a happy normal cat until 18m ago. He was not a house cat..he was free to go out and used to go in the garden , hang around and be pretty ok. Then SOMETHING happened..we don't know what but he went missing for 48 hours and I found him, terrified and shaking in a electricity station enclosure near out house. he hissed at everything and was obviously traumatised.
After that thing went downhill..he stayed in at first them disappeared..he'd be gone for days on end coming back starving and stressed.
A few months ago he went missing for 3 WEEKS. Can you imagine? I was distraught but eventually found him one night. He was ok for a few days then escaped again.
I was out every night calling, looking for 5 weeks. I posted pics everywhere, called the vets etc etc NOTHING. I eventually assumed he'd been ran over.
Then... tonight I was driving to the local garage for milk and a cat ran out from the farmers field (about 10 mins from our house) and it was him! I braked like a lunatic, jumped out and called and he came to me!!! Grabbed him and bunged him in the car (which he was not happy about) and got him home. he has been cuddly and loving and just himself, and I feel like Lazarus has just come back from the dead.
BUT..obviously he did not come home of his own accord. He has become semi feral and I don't know what to do. I love him so much..he loves me too but if he gets out I KNOW he will vanish.
To complicate matters we are moving in 7 weeks time. I know the house we are going to is perfect for doing cat fencing..and I will...but how do I keep him in til then??? I have 4 children (who adore him and are ecstatic that he's home) but who are not great at keeping doors shut!
I truly feel he had some traumatic experince that 'damaged' him in some way. Am wrong to keep him in ? Should I let him go? I can't bear the thought of losing him again but I can't bear the thought that he might prefer to be 'wild' either. I have truly been to hell and back over the last 7 weeks.
Any suggestions greatfully received..I only want him to be happy..and safe..and loved... I would (reluctantly) rehome him if I knew he would be better off as he is the most loving and fabulous boy ever!)
Juliex