Need help with recolonization

[Gina Texas]

I am a 501c3 rescue foster parent and also do TNR. Earlier this year I trapped a pregnant female and kept her until she delivered her kittens and weaned them. During this period someone brought an older kitten to me (+/- 12 weeks) that had been found up inside the engine of a truck. Despite my best attempts I have not been able to socialize him. I estimate he is about 7 months old now and is closely bonded with the female. They have shared a kennel at various points when it's been necessary to contain them. The females kittens have been weaned and adopted out after completing the rescue protocol. It's time for the female to go back to her colony and I'm wondering if I can release them together at that same location? Both have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Since I don't know where he traveled from while in the engine compartment I can't attempt to return him to whatever was his home colony. Thank you.

 

[fluffpaws]

Hi @ Gina Texas

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I do know that new cats do successfully integrate with established colonies. What I do not know is the percentage of successful integrations. And your female will be going back to her colony smelling very different from when she entered it. I wish I had some really solid information for you. I'd say that the little boy will have a much better chance with her than he would without her, though.

 

[iPappy]

Are you working solo, or are you working with an organization?
I have successfully relocated feral cats to different locations, but, it does take a bit of work and time. If there is a place you can safely confine him (or better yet, both him and the female he is bonded to) where the colony is located for a few days, that will help him develop a sense of homing instinct. The hope is that if he should get scared, he would have a safe place to return to that he feels secure, rather than bolting off in a panic. This also helps the colony get to know his scent before turning him loose, and visa versa.
I'm so glad you're looking out for him and the others, and doing TNR. I hope things work out. Please keep us updated!

 

[Meowmee]

I am a 501c3 rescue foster parent and also do TNR. Earlier this year I trapped a pregnant female and kept her until she delivered her kittens and weaned them. During this period someone brought an older kitten to me (+/- 12 weeks) that had been found up inside the engine of a truck. Despite my best attempts I have not been able to socialize him. I estimate he is about 7 months old now and is closely bonded with the female. They have shared a kennel at various points when it's been necessary to contain them. The females kittens have been weaned and adopted out after completing the rescue protocol. It's time for the female to go back to her colony and I'm wondering if I can release them together at that same location? Both have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Since I don't know where he traveled from while in the engine compartment I can't attempt to return him to whatever was his home colony. Thank you.

I recommend asking your group if you haven't done it before. Normally you are supposed to keep them indoors at any new location before releasing. How long have she and he been inside for now? I am assuming about 3 months because you said he was 12 weeks and is now 7 months. I have been told after 2-3 weeks it is harder for them to go back out etc.

 

[tabbytom]

It's time for the female to go back to her colony and I'm wondering if I can release them together at that same location? Both have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Since I don't know where he traveled from while in the engine compartment I can't attempt to return him to whatever was his home colony. Thank you.

Thank you for going through this.

First, is it possible that you keep them both? Better and safer for them to be indoors than outdoors and since they have been indoors for quite a bit of time, they are already quite used to it.

If you really need to let them go, since they are bonded, it should not be much of a problem for them if they are released in a place where there are no other colonies around so that they can start one and make it their territory. If there are other colonies or territories presently occupied by other cats, it'll be a hard time for them to settle down and also they may be separated by fights with the other colonies and will end up far away and you won't be able to know what happened to them unless it's your own backyard so that you can keep an eye on them and feed them and they are free to re-enter the house at any time.

 

[Norachan]

How long has she been away from her colony?
Do you know where it is located, what the area is like, if they have feral caretakers or anything like that?

If she`s been away from the colony for more than a month I think she`s probably forgotten her old territory. Where as cats can remember old friends or old homes, it`s a bit different if you are going to be releasing her back outside into an area where other colony cats may have left or joined since she was last there.

If you have no choice but to release them both the safest way to do that would be what`s known as a "soft release". They would have to be in the area but crated at first, so in a stable or barn or in a safe backyard. They would need to be kept crated for the first 30 days, with as much food and water as needed. Then the crate would be opened but you would need to keep providing food and water for them in the same place, so they could come back to their crate to shelter.

If you can`t keep them in your house but have a back yard and could provide them with a shelter that would be better than releasing them back outside.

 

[silent meowlook]

Before releasing a cat I always ask myself if I will be okay if I never see them again. I ask this because it does happen and they do disappear after released.

I would think they have both been inside too long to have a smooth transition back outside because the colony will have changed its dynamic by now.

Are you in an area that has a barn cat program?