Post by spunkarella on Sept 9, 2014 20:03:27 GMT -5
So we saw him come out of a drainpipe under the highway last night, walk toward a neighborhood, then go back through the drain pipe into a field early this morning. We think he is hiding in the field during the day and trolling the neighborhood for food at night.
You guys, he looks really healthy from the pictures. I'm so glad he doesn't seem to be hurt or starving. Of course we will still be taking him to the vet to be checked out no matter what. It also looks like he lost his breakaway collar, but we pretty much expected that since it's designed to snap off if it gets stuck on something. So thankful that he is using the pipe to cross the road instead of running out into traffic! Smart boy!
We have cameras and traps on both sides of the pipe. The traps have tuna inside (his favorite treat), feliway-treated cardboard on the floor (cats don't like to get their paws stuck in the wire mesh), and our dirty t-shirts draped over the top to create a cozy tunnel. Buddy, just go.into.the.trap.
So we saw him come out of a drainpipe under the highway last night, walk toward a neighborhood, then go back through the drain pipe into a field early this morning. We think he is hiding in the field during the day and trolling the neighborhood for food at night.
You guys, he looks really healthy from the pictures. I'm so glad he doesn't seem to be hurt or starving. Of course we will still be taking him to the vet to be checked out no matter what. It also looks like he lost his breakaway collar, but we pretty much expected that since it's designed to snap off if it gets stuck on something. So thankful that he is using the pipe to cross the road instead of running out into traffic! Smart boy!
We have cameras and traps on both sides of the pipe. The traps have tuna inside (his favorite treat), feliway-treated cardboard on the floor (cats don't like to get their paws stuck in the wire mesh), and our dirty t-shirts draped over the top to create a cozy tunnel. Buddy, just go.into.the.trap.
SO how does this work? Would he come to you if he saw you or are the traps the only way to catch him?
This is even more suspenseful than the ipad/bitchface scandal.
I'm from another board but have been praying for you and our cat. I am so, so happy to read your update and I pray that he hops in the trap tonight so he can come home tomorrow!
SO how does this work? Would he come to you if he saw you or are the traps the only way to catch him?
This is even more suspenseful than the ipad/bitchface scandal.
According to our detective and our own research... Since he was a timid indoor cat for so long, being outside has really thrown him for a loop. He is basically in terrified survival mode right now. For the moment, his instincts are stronger than his memories of us.
He only comes out of hiding at night. If we walk around his "safe place" calling for him during the day, his most likely response is to be afraid. As a defense mechanism, he would hunker down and remain completely silent until the "threat" is gone.
This is is an even stronger probability because of his personality type. For example, he hates storms. I would love for him to let me cuddle and love him through it, but my cuddle bug is too afraid to sit with me. He hides under the middle of our bed and stays quiet until the thunder passes. Same response when new people come over. This is like that times 1000.
If we happened to see him out, he might come to us or we might completely freak him out and run him off to a new hiding spot. Honestly,we hoped NOT to see him while setting the traps tonight because we are terrified of this happening.
Our best bets are trapping him or luring him back to our house. Since we now know he is too far from our house for any of our luring tricks to work, trapping it is.