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New home for scared cat

Sent to Cat Experts August 17 2006 at 9:20 AM
   

I have been feeding a 'stray' cat for 2 years. He has become an indoor/outdoor cat of mine. He trusts me but that's it. It took me a long time to earn his trust but now he is very loving to me (loves me to carry him/sleep nexts to me, etc). I am moving so I found a great farm home for him. What should I do so that he doesn't run away? The new owners will put him and his sister in their garage for a week or so. Should I put him in a crate for about a week until he settles down? His sister isn't as frightened as he, so he'll have her there with him. Should I sedate him at all? He's so sweet to me but is so afraid of others. Your advice? Thanks.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
August 17 2006 at 12:20 PM (2 hours and 59 minutes and 36 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
I would advise you to please take this baby with you and try to make him and his sister indoor pets in your new home. You have been so wonderful and brought them this far, they may totally regress to feral status if you are not around for them. Possibly you can have someone care for them temporarily until you get moved and in that case I would advise confinement possibly kenneling if possible--in that situation, he may warm up well to a foster 'parent'. Good luck on your new move.

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Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.
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Lori -- Feline Healthcare -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2972 Cat Accepts
14 yrs health care mgmt & issues relating to cats, reproductive issues and multicat environments
Reply
August 18 2006 at 11:01 AM (22 hours and 40 minutes and 42 seconds later)
         
Reply to Lori's Post: I'm disappointed in your answer. If I could take them with me, I clearly would but that's not an option. It's very difficult for me to let them go. I'm surprised that wouldn't be obvious given everything I've done for them.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 18 2006 at 12:24 PM (1 hour and 23 minutes and 31 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
You have been very wonderful to these babies, there is no doubt about that. I was just hoping that you could possibly somehow take them since they know you and you love them. Given that they have never been indoor pets, I am as concerned as you obviously are that they will try to go back 'home'. Unless the new owners are prepared to keep them indoors, there is probably not a whole lot you can do to keep them from trying to find their way back to their home if that is what they want to do, since that is all have known for such a long time. I don't think sedating would be wise, unless you use a natural product such as Rescue Remedy in their water bowl from the health food store for a day or so. When cats are sedated, they tend to come out of it in fits and starts so to speak and may be worse off than they would have been if just left to their own devices. Since they are used to being together, I would transport them together if possible, and I do think I would keep them confined for as long as feasibly possible until they associate their new home with comfort and food. They need to have a permanent bed, food and litter area if possible that they feel comfortable and safe in to hopefully keep them from trying to migrate back to their old place. The more comfortable the new owners make the home, the more likely they will stay. I am so impressed that you took the time and effort to find these guys a home given that they just sort of dropped in on you. I sincerely hope they are as fortunate in their new place as they obviously were with you. I would make sure they understand it will take quite some time to win the boy's trust. If they are patient and loving, and spend daily time with these babies, there is definitely the possibility of them sticking around. I do apologize for my original suggestion. I guess I was hoping that you hadn't thought about the possibility of taking them with you when you relocate. Obviously you had! Good luck!

Edited by kydoll on August 18 2006 at 12:25 PM

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Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.
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Lori -- Feline Healthcare -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2972 Cat Accepts
14 yrs health care mgmt & issues relating to cats, reproductive issues and multicat environments
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