Topic: Fred gone missing first time out of new house! (Read 11893 times)

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #65 on:** April 15, 2014, 15:51:45 PM »

I really hope that Fred and George turn up soon!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #64 on:** April 15, 2014, 13:35:47 PM »

Get the posters out for both but I really did think Fred would go off again tbh,,,,,,,,,,,,,suspect that he just likes his freedom and may be worried if he comes back he will be grounded again.

Semi ferals seem to be like this and Sasa left for about 6 months and knew she was around cos she had been seen up the road in their gardens, and then suddenly she came back in a real old mess. She is a calico tortie but mainly white and she was all orange and I didnt know at the time cos couldnt get close to her but her teeth were in a terrible mess.

She now only has two left!

She then started to want strokes after 7/8 years and didnt want to go out. She does now and stays in the garden and comes back but is now arou nd 16 yrs old.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #63 on:** April 15, 2014, 12:53:11 PM »

He's done it again! The first time I let him out after he'd been grounded. He's been gone for just over a week (went on Sunday 6th) and I'm starting to print out posters.

The worrying thing is that I haven't seen him at all since he went and George has disappeared too. George went sometime yesterday. He's a cat who always comes to me when called, not a cat to stay away overnight.

I'll start a new thread about this, but I'm getting suspicious/paranoid that there may be a pigeon fancier in the area who doesn't like cats. I've been lurking on their forums and they really have a negative attitude to cats. There are lots of pigeons round here who don't look like the average feral type found in city centres. (This is a suburban '30s semi area, lots of elderly people and a few families.)

GRoberts99 · « **Reply #62 on:** April 11, 2014, 10:50:39 AM »

Glad that your Fred's back home! He must have been done checking out the neighborhood.

alisonandarchie · « **Reply #61 on:** March 30, 2014, 19:59:14 PM »

How is Fred doing and hope you are ok

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #60 on:** March 20, 2014, 07:19:04 AM »

Yup, he will have been - it's just we go crazy worrying about our very own Ernest Shackletons and Amelia Earharts.

How are you getting along HK? I hope you're more or less back to normal now, and that your wrist isn't giving you too much bother.

GRoberts99 · « **Reply #59 on:** March 19, 2014, 16:33:21 PM »

Glad Fred came back home - I'm sure he was busy exploring his new territory!

Skiddaw · « **Reply #58 on:** March 02, 2014, 16:03:32 PM »

Me too. I hardly dared look at the latest posts.

Dancing Bananas all round I think!!

I hope he never puts you through anything like that again.

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #57 on:** February 26, 2014, 17:37:49 PM »

I haven't been on the forum for a few days so I had missed this. I am sooooo glad that Fred is home, safe and sound, where he belongs

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #56 on:** February 26, 2014, 17:24:32 PM »

Hippykitty, a happy patient will generally heal faster.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #55 on:** February 26, 2014, 17:20:08 PM »

Thanks so much for all your support. I'm so happy now, even the wounds from the falls, such as my broken wrist and damaged tendons, seem to be healing faster.

He's being amazingly loving. I think he did miss home.

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #54 on:** February 25, 2014, 10:28:47 AM »

Only just catching up with this ... so plese Fred is back home. It sounds like he really missed you which is why he is being all loving now he is home. Hopefully now he will stay close to home. I always think is does them good to be "lost" for a little while because they alway sseem to appreciate what they've got when they come back

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #53 on:** February 25, 2014, 07:22:12 AM »

Absolutely delighjted to know that Fred is back home.

What a relief!!!

I agree with sheila HK - if you can invest inone of the new Sureflap dualflaps, you can restrict exit as well as selective entry. They're no more than the normal sureflap flaps to buy, and I wouldnt want to change ours back to normal flaps now.

Stuart · « **Reply #52 on:** February 24, 2014, 20:28:16 PM »

Brilliant news, So glad he's back

now put him in chains

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #51 on:** February 24, 2014, 19:35:13 PM »

Oh yes enjoy him and let him enjoy you and his home

Forgot to say that Sasa on her return suddenly allowed me to stroke her after about 7 yrs! She is still a scaredy cat of the highest order but on her terms I can stroke her and its wonderful

Hippykitty · « **Reply #50 on:** February 24, 2014, 14:26:54 PM »

I can't believe how affectionate he's being. He slept cuddled to me all night and is cuddled next to my legs as I type this, purring madly. He follows me everywhere too. Lucy came to see him and got up beside him (by me) and snuggled with him for half an hour, but he seemed to get fed up and made her get down.

I'm taking all your comments on board, but for now I'm just enjoying having such a loving Fred home.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #49 on:** February 24, 2014, 12:35:58 PM »

So pleased he is back and sounds a bit like Sasa once she had been caught indoors, she didnt want to go out again for many months.

its almost like they lose their confidence and once they get in again they dont want to leave.

sasa goes out now and comes home even though i dont have a catflap useable anymore cos of lupin and if the weather is really bad she will just look and says nooooooo i am not going out there

emmmy_lou · « **Reply #48 on:** February 24, 2014, 09:14:11 AM »

so pleased that you are all back together!

Tigerlily (Allison) · « **Reply #47 on:** February 24, 2014, 08:30:39 AM »

Great news that Fred is back

sheilarose · « **Reply #46 on:** February 23, 2014, 23:42:50 PM »

Can't quite believe this, it's amazing news that he's back, and was the stranger you spotted weeks ago

I would invest in a sure flap that allows you to restrict exit as well as entry. Give them a call, they are truly caring folk and I think they can help you.

mad_lilli · « **Reply #45 on:** February 23, 2014, 22:07:09 PM »

Awwww, I'm sure you're delighted and relieved and thrilled. Give him a fuss from me. Xx

fluffybunny · « **Reply #44 on:** February 23, 2014, 22:00:42 PM »

Excellent news, so pleased that Fred is home and happy to be back in the warm. Hopefully it's also reassuring that he actually didn't go anywhere in the time he was wandering.

heather sullivan · « **Reply #43 on:** February 23, 2014, 20:19:07 PM »

ahhh glad he is home safe and well. I would def keep him in for a few weeks

Hippykitty · « **Reply #42 on:** February 23, 2014, 19:54:22 PM »

He seems glad to be home and no worse for having been trapped. In fact he's being super-affectionate and snuggling up to me, purring like a good 'un.

On several occasions when he was outside, I heard him meowing as though he wanted to come home but was too scared. I think he was glad to be trapped and finally brought home.

I don't think he would take to a harness; he hates collars. I'll keep him in for a few weeks. I'm so glad to have him home that I had a little sob.

Blue Rabbit · « **Reply #41 on:** February 23, 2014, 19:16:26 PM »

Couple of weeks should do the trick, so glad he's come back home!

KittyNic · « **Reply #40 on:** February 23, 2014, 18:57:39 PM »

So pleased that you've got Fred back in the house safe and sound. I'd maybe keep him in a couple of weeks so he remembers the warm place that he gets fed in is home.

Purdy Bear · « **Reply #39 on:** February 23, 2014, 18:39:37 PM »

I'm so glad that Fred is back home safe and sound. Would he walk in a harness, that might be worth taking him for a stroll in the garden with?

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #38 on:** February 23, 2014, 18:31:55 PM »

home Fred Lad

Hippykitty · « **Reply #37 on:** February 23, 2014, 17:53:09 PM »

He's home!

Saw him in the garden this afternoon so put the trap out. The only other of my cats outside was Victoria, his sister, and it looked like she was going in the trap! But Fred went in and managed to eat some tuna without standing on the treddle, so I put the tuna further back and SUCCESS! One squirming, trapped cat! I've fed him, he's re-inspected the house and seems no worse for being trapped.

Any advice about how long I should keep him in for to prevent a reocurrence? Naturally, I'll get a catflap before any of them go out again.

Blue Rabbit · « **Reply #36 on:** February 20, 2014, 00:11:54 AM »

Can you fill a squirty bottle with water and use it for the time being?

Hippykitty · « **Reply #35 on:** February 19, 2014, 13:25:46 PM »

I'll try, but they don't take much notice! Cyd and Fred stop mounting when I tell them off, but Cyd took no notice when I shouted "No!" at him while he was chasing Fred away.

Blue Rabbit · « **Reply #34 on:** February 19, 2014, 13:14:31 PM »

It sounds like they're just re-jigging things until Fred gets back home, if he was the dominant male. Mounting and scruffing is all normal dominance behaviour but do try and discourage it if you can otherwise you'll have re-introduction problems on your hands when Fred comes home!

Hippykitty · « **Reply #33 on:** February 18, 2014, 17:38:13 PM »

Fred nearly came in of his own accord! He's obviously very hungry, so I opened a tin of cat food to put some on the back step, he came very close to me. Victoria was hanging around, wanting some of the food when it was forked into the dish. Fred came closer. Then, out of nowhere, Cyd turned up, went wild and chased Fred off. There was snarling and hissing from the next garden, but I couldn't see what was happening. I shouted "Cyd, No!" and "Bad Cat!" to no avail. I could here poor Fred being chased away by Cyd.

With Fred out of the way, Cyd has been asserting himself as the dominant male. He's been mounting George and 'grabbing' him by the scruff of the neck with his jaws. I've reprimanded him and he eventually stops. George is small, kitteny and puts up with such behaviour.

All my cats are neutered. I often wonder if they left some testicular matter behind with Cyd as he often behaves like an entire tom. Fred used to mount occasionally too. I think it's a dominance thing?

I hope there's not some sort of rivalry going on.

I've just seen Fred again at the bottom of the garden and put a dish of food under the bushes where he now is. The only other one of the tribe still out is Victoria and she's sitting just outside the French windows refusing to come in (I hope I don't lose her!).

So it's all pusscat drama here.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #32 on:** February 18, 2014, 15:30:49 PM »

I have a humane feral cat trap from the time when I trapped Lucy and her boys (Lucy brought her kits into my verandah where I fed them till I noticed signs of 'flu).

Looking at it from a Fred-cat point of view, I think he got carried away exploring a new territory which has different creatures and cats in it. I don't know if he's seen a squirrel before. During this adventure, I think he just forgot about home, being able to find food on the squirrel feeding tables which a neighbour puts scraps on. There are lots of birds here whereas the last area was virtually bird free because of so many cats.

After a few days, his old feral nature kicked in and I think it will stay unless action is taken. He won't live long as a feral as there are no colonies or feral feeders locally, so I think it's best to stop the process now, whether he likes it or not, for his own good. As a domestic he has regular meals and health care plus his own little colony of cats.

None of the cats are 100% domestic, they all retain something of their feral natures. Lately, Victoria has been sleeping with me; every morning I wake to find her snuggled into my tum, but I know that feral Victoria is still there, she has just learned that good things come from me: food, warmth, love, etc, so she stays.

Fred wants to come in, but is scared. So trapping him is just a way of overcoming his fear. He'll hate me for it till he has his first good meal. Then he'll notice the warmth, the other cats, the regular food etc...

I've got men coming to change the boiler tomorrow morning, they'll be here for two days. I might shut Fred into one of the rooms with least unpacked stuff in until they've gone. He'll hate me for a while, but I'm sure he'll come round. Meanwhile I'll arrange to have the flap installed asap.

So later tonight, in a couple of hours when the others are in, I'll bait the trap in the bushes where he's been seen.

Years ago, for the first year or so of living with me, Fred was defensive to the point of vicious, which is why he didn't find a home. He's come a long way since then and I don't want him going back to that state.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #31 on:** February 18, 2014, 11:04:12 AM »

I think trapping him will make him lose trust because he is not coming in I think because he thinks he will not be let out again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so trapping will totally reinforce that.

Its a decision you have to totally consider,,,,,,,,,,,trap and keep in until all work is done to get the flap sorted or let him make his own decision.

Sasa a semi feral made her own decision and decided once back in that she didnt want to go out,,,,,,,,,,,,she now goes out and comes back and if its raining and cold she wont go out even if Misa does and hasnt been out for last two days.

i dont have a cat flap available to them any more cos cant allow Lupin out by himself.

You have to try and think this out from the cats point of view

Blue Rabbit · « **Reply #30 on:** February 17, 2014, 21:47:31 PM »

I don't think trapping him will make him lose his trust in you, after all it's going to be a humane trap where he will be safe and unharmed. Your local rescue should have a trap you can borrow and it will be the quickest (and cheapest!!) way to get him home.

heather sullivan · « **Reply #29 on:** February 17, 2014, 20:28:13 PM »

I would borrow a trap and once he is caught, keep him in for about a week to 10 days, make a big fuss of him so he can bond with you again and get his confidence back? Get the cat flap fitted and then he will be able to go in and out as he pleases once he is over his trauma? Glad its def him you saw there, fingers crossed he will be home soon

Lyn (Slugsta) · « **Reply #28 on:** February 17, 2014, 19:35:11 PM »

I don't have anything helpful to add, I'm afraid, just want you to know that I have everything crossed for Fred's safe return

Hippykitty · « **Reply #27 on:** February 17, 2014, 17:22:01 PM »

Why would trapping him make things worse? Do you mean in terms of his trust of me?

The problem with putting food out for him, which I've already tried to do, is that the others eat it. Over night, while the others were kept in, I trailed some munchies towards the house and on the back step. In the morning, the others went out and ate them. He hadn't touched them.

Because of the way the house is laid out, they will have to be taught how to get out via the cat flap. The flap will be put into the kitchen door, which leads into a side area (run down utility/garage which is going to be rebuilt). There's a door from the side area into the back garden. The latter door will be left open (it's going to be changed anyway and a Sureflap put in the new door). So the cats have to get through the cat flap, turn right in the garage area and go out of the back door. Fred won't see the flap from the garden, just the open door.

I don't want to put a flap in the french windows which lead directly into the garden and are the way they're going out at the mo, with me opening them. This would be very expensive and unsightly.

Trapping was the way Fred came to me in the first place, so it seems logical. Is it the trust thing which could be the problem?

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #26 on:** February 17, 2014, 15:38:40 PM »

Put some food out for him and some shelter.

If he starts eating regular outside try putting the dish of food just inside the entry point...........do not try to trap him i think that will make things worse.

get the cat flap sorted as a priority

Author Topic: Fred gone missing first time out of new house! (Read 11893 times)