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I understand the fear. My feral ripped the palm of my hand open and I had to tape it up for 2 weeks. Now I'm much smarter about the way that I pick them up.
Yes, the only way I'll pick him up is by the back of his neck, and as warned, the only part of his body facing me will be his back.I understand the fear. My feral ripped the palm of my hand open and I had to tape it up for 2 weeks. Now I'm much smarter about the way that I pick them up.
Thanks for the tip. He'll let me pet him while he's eating. A couple of times, he's walked between and brushed against my leg/s. I've been making a point to pet him while he's eating, even if it's only for a moment. I guess I'm setting him up for the pick up (but DON'T TELL HIM that ...lol).That's exactly why I brought Demi inside for good, I saw a coyote in the backyard one day...I've never scruffed my cats, I don't know how to do it, I'm afraid I would do it wrong....I tamed Demi by petting him with a long handled duster. It only took 3 days for me to be able to pet him with my hands. You could also use a backscratcher or sock taped to a stick.
If he's talking to you and letting you pet him, he is not feral. Feral cats do not talk to humans and they don't allow physical contact. This is a big plus for bringing him in, which he should be right away. It sounds like you have an excellent setup for him with just about everything he could need. Enrichment such as cat activity centers ("cat trees"), scratching posts and/or pads (these do not have to be expensive -- most cats love the corrugated cardboard scratching pads you can get from CatClaws.com or at Petco or any other "pet" supply store) and some sturdy, safe cat toys (i.e., catnip toys, sparkle/twinkle balls, and their favorite, an interactive "wand" toy such as Cat Dancer or da Bird, available at the places I've mentioned). I have a radio in my "intro room" so I can turn on soft Classical music for the new cat. Come in and clean for him several times a day, sit with him and talk to him, play with him with the toys, and you're on your way!Thanks for the tip. He'll let me pet him while he's eating. A couple of times, he's walked between and brushed against my leg/s. I've been making a point to pet him while he's eating, even if it's only for a moment. I guess I'm setting him up for the pick up (but DON'T TELL HIM that ...lol).
When I have a bit more time. I'll try an get ahead of the learning curve, in what should I do when I bring him to his room?
Why does cat's have to make things so complicated?
This is only the second Coyote I've seen on the property. However, the property is large, so there could have been more since Calvin passed in April of 2017. Before then, as mentioned, he kept everything out.
Pops
Thanks! That is good to know!If he's talking to you and letting you pet him, he is not feral. Feral cats do not talk to humans and they don't allow physical contact. This is a big plus for bringing him in, which he should be right away. It sounds like you have an excellent setup for him with just about everything he could need. Enrichment such as cat activity centers ("cat trees"), scratching posts and/or pads (these do not have to be expensive -- most cats love the corrugated cardboard scratching pads you can get from CatClaws.com or at Petco or any other "pet" supply store) and some sturdy, safe cat toys (i.e., catnip toys, sparkle/twinkle balls, and their favorite, an interactive "wand" toy such as Cat Dancer or da Bird, available at the places I've mentioned). I have a radio in my "intro room" so I can turn on soft Classical music for the new cat. Come in and clean for him several times a day, sit with him and talk to him, play with him with the toys, and you're on your way!
Wow, you're really serious! This is great! *If it's really hot, you can add ice cubes to his drinking water for extra added comfort for him*Thanks! That is good to know!
If I could, I'd already have him in his room. This is the reason I kept beating myself up when I made that mistake not this past Friday, but the one before! Once safe, I can finally relax a bit, and not worry so much, as I'm doing now. I haven't rest well in months, and losing his kitten just added to the mix of emotions.
The Fat Cat Trap and cover should be here this week. If it doesn't work, I'll pick up a large size Kennel at Petco, or Petsmart, as they have a matching price thing. As mentioned, I was close to ordering a PetMate Kennel. However, I thought I'd wait till I try the trap, as I'll now have $200.00 plus dollars in traps / one cover, and this is only to catch, ONE cat! ... lol
BTW, his room is emptied out, cept for his things, so there isn't anywhere he can hide! He has his carrier, which I keep in the Jeep. Luckily (I guess) I work 7 days a week. However, even if I didn't. I'd stop by to feed him twice, and give him fresh water, as I'm doing now.
Anther BTW. As all of my animals did, he's drinking bottled water! ... lol ... The meat loaf baking bowl I purchased for his water holds slightly over a third of a gallon of water, so no worries about evaporation, in addition the bowl is hidden under a table, out of the sun. Water bowl is cleaned, and filled nightly.
Pops
Wow, you're really serious! This is great! *If it's really hot, you can add ice cubes to his drinking water for extra added comfort for him*
Can you take some of those traps back? Or will you be able to use them? Or maybe sell them?
All the BEST in your efforts and may be know you are trying to help him and come in from the cold (or heat) easily!
WOW, I only wish he would make it just a little a bit easier to help him. Cat's I guess, just wanna give a person a hard time!I think you're doing fine. There's not really one "right" way, we all do our best. I didn't even use a trap, I just tamed Demi outside, then he walked in the front door. Maggie was in heat, so she was easier.
You're just doing a GREAT job! He's eating like a king and he knows it, so it should not be too hard to get him to come in.WOW, I only wish he would make it just a little a bit easier to help him. Cat's I guess, just wanna give a person a hard time!
I was thinking, if he was a dog. I'd have a collar and leash on him the day I met him. We'd be in my Jeep after my night was over.
Oh well, he ain't no dog, that's for certain! ... lol
Pops
Well, a towel would work as well for a cover -- it just has to disguise the trap and soften its appearance, making it look more like part of the environment, and since cats are reportedly not great at seeing red and some other colors, it could be almost any color. But you sound like a *hardcore* cat rescuer already, A azpops and the right official equipment is paramount, yes?tarasgirl06 & maggiedemi; Thank you very much for your encouragement and support! I received my shipping notice for the cover this morning. I hope it gets here soon.
I may end up going to Petsmart when they open tomorrow morning. We'll see ....
Pops
Thanks for the tip. If the trap did arrive yesterday (will chk the PO this morning). I'll use a beach towel tonight to cover the trap.Well, a towel would work as well for a cover -- it just has to disguise the trap and soften its appearance, making it look more like part of the environment, and since cats are reportedly not great at seeing red and some other colors, it could be almost any color. But you sound like a *hardcore* cat rescuer already, A azpops and the right official equipment is paramount, yes?
Well, you're putting heart and soul into it, which is what's really important!Thanks for the tip. If the trap did arrive yesterday (will chk the PO this morning). I'll use a beach towel tonight to cover the trap.
Not sure about the hardcore rescuer though. I think it's more like a reality program titled, "the amateur hour"! ... LOL
Pops
Thanks! Did mean to make light of your compliment (I hope I wrote that right?). Just trying to release some nervous tension with some humor.Well, you're putting heart and soul into it, which is what's really important!