Please Help Me - I Don't Know How to go About This ...

[UrbanCowgirl]

A couple of years ago, my mom and I went out and adopted a yellow kitten from the Human Society. Tommy was 6 months at the time. Born feral, Tom was very much afraid of everything, still is ... It took some time to win him over, but he eventually showed his loveable side and became my best friend.

Last May 22nd, my mom had left the back door open and Tommy got out. I stayed outside for nearly 48 hours calling for him, but Tom was gone. I began thinking the worst. 2 and a half months, and still many tears later, we went ahead and bought a new kitten so I wouldn't be so lonely at home. I never forgot Tommy and still continued to search for him.

The other day, however, I couldn't believe my eyes. Mom had just come back in from leaving catfood out on the front porch, just in case he'd come home, and there he was! Tom's very underweight and has reverted back to being feral. He doesn't remember me, which breaks my heart. He won't come to me anymore. He's just ... pretrified of everything all over again.

I want him back, to come home ... but I don't know how to go about it. He's not the type to trust me without mine being able to touch him, but I can't get close enough to do even that. I'm kind of hoping the Human Society here will allow us to borrow a catch pole or something, but I'm afraid they'll say no.

Please, if you have any knowledge of catching a feral cat, please share it with me. I want my baby boy to come back home.

[Tambrey]

get a Have A Heart Live Trap and leave it out with his favorite food...when you trap him, I would suggest taking him right to the vet and let them look him over and make sure everything is okay with him..

Good to know he is home, and I am sorry it has been such a heartache for you...
Hopefully in time you can get him to come around again...

also, read this link to help with introductions and the new kitten
Feline Introductions

[Traci]

Most shelters and humane societies will lend out a Have-A-Heart trap, the shelter staff may even help you catch if you ask. As Tambrey said, put out tasty food (like fishy-smelling food). Catch-poles are not really appropriate for catching cats, it will scare them worse and it's a harmful approach for the kitty.

Ask friends or neighbors to help, but you have to remain as quiet and as calm as possible and not scare him further. When you see him, talk to him in a calm and soothing voice, offer fishy food (either canned or something like canned salmon, etc), and don't panic or he will run away again.

If you can catch him, get him to your vet immediately for an exam and bloodwork, if he's lost weight, he may have liver problems that will require immediate veterinary care and attention. Until then, ask your neighbors to help keep an eye out for him, inform them he belongs to you and that you are trying to catch him...if you have rescue organizations in your area, call them, many people are experienced in catching/trapping kitties and can either give you helpful tips or may come out to help you.

Don't give up, chances are he is very scared, but hungry, so remain as calm as possible but entice him with tasty food.

[UrbanCowgirl]

Okay, thank you, the both of you. I will be sure to look into the live animal traps.

Now, the other day I was sitting outside with some canned tuna, calling for Tommy to come closer to me. I heard a noise behind me, so I turned around and looked, expecting to find the orange tom cat Tommy's been following. Instead, I found an opossom staring at me from about 4 feet away.

In the event that I caught an opossom in the live animal trap, is there a way I can release it without the possibility of being say ... bitten? I'm not sure how the traps work, door-wise. My uncle has quite a few of them, but he lives too far away from me to be of any help.

[Traci]

Wear heavy gloves, then open the trap/cage door, I'm sure a wild critter would scamper out quickly.

You have to watch the live trap carefully...with the heat, you can't risk any live animal being in the trap without food, water, cover from the weather elements....keep the trap near your back door and check it often.

Try using canned salmon to entice Tom when you see him....

[UrbanCowgirl]

Okay, that's what I was kind of hoping a wild animal would do.

Oh, no worries about the heat. Tom disappears during the day. There are too many people out. I only ever see him at night, so that's when the trap is going to be put up. Unfortunately, I have to bring it in during the day. My neighborhood isn't bad, but it's not great either. I'd hate for something being lent to me to get stolen x.x

Thank you so much for all of your help. It really is appreciated.

[Traci]

Well, nighttime and the wee hours of the morning are perhaps better to look for and try to catch him, since cats tend to hunt for food during the quiet hours of the night...but don't stop watching for him during the daytime hours either.

[k9Karen]

The advice offered by Traci and Tambey makes sense to me. I really can't offer any help, but I wanted to chime in and offer support. I hope you succeed in getting your Tom back.

Here's wishing you:

GOOD LUCK!!!

[UrbanCowgirl]

Thank you everyone. My parents have decided that they really don't want me to try and get Tom back since he's probably sick, but I'm going to try anyway. I have to.

So, thanks for all of the advice. I'll be sure to try every bit of it, and the moment anything changes is Tom's status, I'll be sure to post back here and tell you all. Thanks again.
-Ashley

[Tambrey]

If he is probably sick, then all the more reason to trap him and get him to the vet....most illnesses can be easily treated with minimal expense...or arrangements can be made to make payments...

Prayers that you and Tommy are soon reunited...