About six years ago I found a tiny orange kitten playing with the Halloween decorations on my front porch. I attempted to catch him then - no luck. Over time, I'd see him cross my yard and once hanging out in a tree, but he still wouldn't let me get close. Finally, I built him two ASPCA insulated shelters(one under my large, elevated, covered porch and one under) and provided an enclosed, heated cuddler on an Adirondack chair on the porch. In a fit of true brilliance, my husband and I started calling him, "Orangie".
Orangie learned to come when called for "breakfast", "dinner" and "treats" plus he always had water and dry food available. He became great friends with my cat Rio, but wouldn't let me pet him. Seeing him sit on the doormat peering in the sliding glass door made me feel sorry for him especially in our cold NY winters. I decided that one way or another he was going to be a real member of the family. Over the past three years I've been working with him; first getting him to come in(sometimes he would, other times not) and finally, in September '12, I was able to touch his tail. The day I was able to give him a full petting he went nuts - He LOVED it and you could see the lights come back on - he remembered this from sometime in his past.
Long story(ha) short, I was able to coax him into a carrier and get him to the vet. Per the vet, he was terrified and hid in the back of the holding cage, but didn't bite or scratch. He did have to be sedated for his pre-surgical exam.
Healthy, vaccinated and neutered I brought him home a month ago. I started him off in his own room with all his needs. He'd hide under the bed but come out for pets and brushing - I was able to give him his medicine and even able to put a collar on him which he'd manage to get off by the end of the day.
As of today, he has full run of the house. The dogs don't bother him, he doesn't seem to have any interest in going outside, he's not destructive - so what's the problem? He still spends most of the day sleeping under a bed. When I walk near him he bolts, however he'll hop up on the couch while I'm watching TV and he loves to play with toys with my husband. At night, when I'm reading in bed, he jumps up to lay next to me for more pets. He even laid down on my chest and touched his nose to mine, but if I sit up he bolts. The new Lupine collar(tougher to get off) - forget it, he's not going to let me near to put it on. He won't let me pick him up which means attempts to groom him beyond brushing i.e., nail trimming, ears - at least as of now, it's not going to happen. He's due back at the vet's next Friday for his boosters, and micro-chip and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get him back in the carrier.
I'm wondering if I did the right thing by bringing him in - should I let him go knowing he'll hang around? I really don't believe in letting my cats roam - too many dangers. Do I get a catch pole and use it to corral him for vet trips and grooming, knowing he'll really mistrust me? Do I just give it more time and accept that I may have to rely on his being sedated at the vet's as my opportunity to groom him?
I'm open to any suggestions!
Thanks - Leslie
Orangie learned to come when called for "breakfast", "dinner" and "treats" plus he always had water and dry food available. He became great friends with my cat Rio, but wouldn't let me pet him. Seeing him sit on the doormat peering in the sliding glass door made me feel sorry for him especially in our cold NY winters. I decided that one way or another he was going to be a real member of the family. Over the past three years I've been working with him; first getting him to come in(sometimes he would, other times not) and finally, in September '12, I was able to touch his tail. The day I was able to give him a full petting he went nuts - He LOVED it and you could see the lights come back on - he remembered this from sometime in his past.
Long story(ha) short, I was able to coax him into a carrier and get him to the vet. Per the vet, he was terrified and hid in the back of the holding cage, but didn't bite or scratch. He did have to be sedated for his pre-surgical exam.
Healthy, vaccinated and neutered I brought him home a month ago. I started him off in his own room with all his needs. He'd hide under the bed but come out for pets and brushing - I was able to give him his medicine and even able to put a collar on him which he'd manage to get off by the end of the day.
As of today, he has full run of the house. The dogs don't bother him, he doesn't seem to have any interest in going outside, he's not destructive - so what's the problem? He still spends most of the day sleeping under a bed. When I walk near him he bolts, however he'll hop up on the couch while I'm watching TV and he loves to play with toys with my husband. At night, when I'm reading in bed, he jumps up to lay next to me for more pets. He even laid down on my chest and touched his nose to mine, but if I sit up he bolts. The new Lupine collar(tougher to get off) - forget it, he's not going to let me near to put it on. He won't let me pick him up which means attempts to groom him beyond brushing i.e., nail trimming, ears - at least as of now, it's not going to happen. He's due back at the vet's next Friday for his boosters, and micro-chip and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get him back in the carrier.
I'm wondering if I did the right thing by bringing him in - should I let him go knowing he'll hang around? I really don't believe in letting my cats roam - too many dangers. Do I get a catch pole and use it to corral him for vet trips and grooming, knowing he'll really mistrust me? Do I just give it more time and accept that I may have to rely on his being sedated at the vet's as my opportunity to groom him?
I'm open to any suggestions!
Thanks - Leslie