Sorry, I'm probably not in the right area, but I'm new to this site.
I rescued a feral cat and took him in to be neutered, tested, etc on Monday. He was due to go to a feral rescue organization, but they didn't have room for him yet. I had him in a crate in my garage and he managed to escape. Then he managed to make his way into the ceiling. We can see him at times, but he hasn't come down to eat (I've put out tuna, roast chicken, cat food). Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, most people have told me that he will come down when he's hungry enough, but the humane society said he just might stay up there and starve. If he doesn't come down, do you think I should open the garage door and hope he goes back outside (I think it's preferable to starving to death)...at least then I could try to trap him again. He's definitely feral, but I have been feeding him for quite a while and he was always waiting for me in the morning and afternoon. I'm moving soon and I'm very concerned about what may happen to him. I feel so bad. I was only trying to do the right thing. Thank you.
Cat has been hiding in ceiling for three days now
Re: Cat has been hiding in ceiling for three days now
The cat has been neutered etc.? Many feral organizations release such cats back into their original areas... usually after identifying by taking an ear tip. If this is the case, I'd say definitely, provide an escape route by leaving the garage open. Meanwhile, contact the rescue org, or your local fire department might help. I'm sure you wouldn't consider moving away leaving the garage closed up, so that's good: you can be certain you have done your best to help, and in some cases that is all anyone can do.
Re: Cat has been hiding in ceiling for three days now
Thank you for taking the time to reply. If he doesn't eat tonight, I'm going to leave the garage door open tomorrow. Even after I move I'll be running over here everyday to make sure that there is food out. I have a feeling it may take a while to sell my house in this market. I also have a 30' x 50' shed and I'm going to put bales of hay out there and leave the door propped open so that they can get in and out. We had an absolutely brutal winter last year and they are predicting the same for this year. But ya' never know.
Thanks again for taking the time to write. I really appreciate it. Wish me luck.
Mary
Thanks again for taking the time to write. I really appreciate it. Wish me luck.
Mary
Re: Cat has been hiding in ceiling for three days now
Do you have ceiling tiles in your garage or something, or are there just rafters? Is there a way for him to get down? Sometimes just because they can climb up, doesn't mean they feel safe or have a safe way to get down.
I'm not sure I'd leave the garage door open, since you don't know who might come by and enter. Also, if the door is an electric automatic door with opener, this could be extremely dangerous if he heads toward the door or any electrical moving parts when it opens or closes!
Also take care leaving the shed door propped open, as you know harsh winter winds can slam it shut, despite efforts to prop it open, you wouldn't want a kitty or other animal trapped in the shed.
If you have a tall safe ladder, try coaxing him down with a can of sardines (in water or oil, NOT mustard), or fishy smelling canned cat food, or fresh warm milk, (but don't continue giving milk, most cats are lactose intolerant, causes diarrhea/constipation). Make sure he sees a safe spot in the garage that is warm, like place a soft, fleecy kitty bed in a safe spot away from the door. Maybe provide a clean litterbox so he might be tempted to come down to use it.
I'm not sure I'd leave the garage door open, since you don't know who might come by and enter. Also, if the door is an electric automatic door with opener, this could be extremely dangerous if he heads toward the door or any electrical moving parts when it opens or closes!
Also take care leaving the shed door propped open, as you know harsh winter winds can slam it shut, despite efforts to prop it open, you wouldn't want a kitty or other animal trapped in the shed.
If you have a tall safe ladder, try coaxing him down with a can of sardines (in water or oil, NOT mustard), or fishy smelling canned cat food, or fresh warm milk, (but don't continue giving milk, most cats are lactose intolerant, causes diarrhea/constipation). Make sure he sees a safe spot in the garage that is warm, like place a soft, fleecy kitty bed in a safe spot away from the door. Maybe provide a clean litterbox so he might be tempted to come down to use it.
..........Traci
Re: Cat has been hiding in ceiling for three days now
Thanks so much for your reply.
It's a solid ceiling (the garage is under my house which is a raised ranch), but there are several fairly good sized holes and he's able to make his way in and out...sometimes we even catch a glimpse of him.
He is coming down and eating now, but then he goes back up the ladder we placed in the corner for him. Tuna seems to have done the trick. I'm going to continue to monitor the food to make sure he continues eating, and in a few days I'll put out the live trap again. I think he's pretty wary of it right now. Before he was trapped and taken to the vet he would sit outside every morning and afternoon and wait to be fed. He'd come within a foot or so of me when I started dishing out the food. Maybe when he gets comfortable again we can establish a "rapport."
He will be going to a feral cat rescue organization. I will be moving soon and the thought of leaving him outside for the winter with no food was something I just couldn't bear. We had ten feet of snow last year and they are predicting another bad winter. Even though I put out plenty of food and provided shelter, I lost one of my ferals last winter...he just disappeared. I literally think of him everyday. My other one made it through the winter and will be going to a wonderful, safe, farm home. I closed on a new home in September, but I am bound and determined to get my "outside pets" situated before I move or at least exhaust every option so I'll know I did everything humanly possible. Once I do move, about 10 miles away, I plan on driving over here at least every other day to put out food for the rest of the "critters," and I will be very careful about the shed door (actually it's a 30' x 50' garage). Hopefully a "cat friendly" couple will buy my home. I have one young couple interested, and I know they'd definitely keep an eye out for them.
My fiance and I have 8 indoor cats...all but 2 are rescues. They are spoiled rotten...but then again, they deserve it.
Thank you again. It's nice to know that there are so many concerned people out there.
It's a solid ceiling (the garage is under my house which is a raised ranch), but there are several fairly good sized holes and he's able to make his way in and out...sometimes we even catch a glimpse of him.
He is coming down and eating now, but then he goes back up the ladder we placed in the corner for him. Tuna seems to have done the trick. I'm going to continue to monitor the food to make sure he continues eating, and in a few days I'll put out the live trap again. I think he's pretty wary of it right now. Before he was trapped and taken to the vet he would sit outside every morning and afternoon and wait to be fed. He'd come within a foot or so of me when I started dishing out the food. Maybe when he gets comfortable again we can establish a "rapport."
He will be going to a feral cat rescue organization. I will be moving soon and the thought of leaving him outside for the winter with no food was something I just couldn't bear. We had ten feet of snow last year and they are predicting another bad winter. Even though I put out plenty of food and provided shelter, I lost one of my ferals last winter...he just disappeared. I literally think of him everyday. My other one made it through the winter and will be going to a wonderful, safe, farm home. I closed on a new home in September, but I am bound and determined to get my "outside pets" situated before I move or at least exhaust every option so I'll know I did everything humanly possible. Once I do move, about 10 miles away, I plan on driving over here at least every other day to put out food for the rest of the "critters," and I will be very careful about the shed door (actually it's a 30' x 50' garage). Hopefully a "cat friendly" couple will buy my home. I have one young couple interested, and I know they'd definitely keep an eye out for them.
My fiance and I have 8 indoor cats...all but 2 are rescues. They are spoiled rotten...but then again, they deserve it.
Thank you again. It's nice to know that there are so many concerned people out there.
Re: Cat has been hiding in ceiling for three days now
I think secretly, you must be my twin sister, LOL. How wonderful for you to care so much and do all that you do.
It's a good sign he has come down to eat, so we must assume he knows how to get up and down safely. If it's cold out already, he may just be staying in your garage because he knows food is available, and he is familiar with you. He might also feel safer, warmer there. Just remember to exercise caution with the door, especially if it's electric.
If it's a pretty tall ceiling, I would suggest putting empty flat-folded boxes with some sort of soft landing, like old blankets, tarps, etc around the ladder and then inching the ladder away bit by bit over the next few days, since you don't want him jumping down hard onto a concrete floor.
If you have time, maybe simply stay in the garage with him for awhile, call out softly to him, let him get used to the fact you are not going to harm him. He knows you bring food, that's his priority. Do this as often as you can each day until he feels more comfortable venturing out in your presence.
Hope it doesn't come to it, but you might have to consider taking off part of the sheetrock from the ceiling enough to locate where he is, blocking off the other exits and only allowing one exit or enough room you can at least try to reach him. I would not normally suggest this because it involves noise and possibly a crowbar or jigsaw, you have to locate him first, before using any tools. As a last resort, I agree with E's suggestion, maybe ask the fire dept for help although they may require tearing up the ceiling a bit.
It's a good sign he has come down to eat, so we must assume he knows how to get up and down safely. If it's cold out already, he may just be staying in your garage because he knows food is available, and he is familiar with you. He might also feel safer, warmer there. Just remember to exercise caution with the door, especially if it's electric.
If it's a pretty tall ceiling, I would suggest putting empty flat-folded boxes with some sort of soft landing, like old blankets, tarps, etc around the ladder and then inching the ladder away bit by bit over the next few days, since you don't want him jumping down hard onto a concrete floor.
If you have time, maybe simply stay in the garage with him for awhile, call out softly to him, let him get used to the fact you are not going to harm him. He knows you bring food, that's his priority. Do this as often as you can each day until he feels more comfortable venturing out in your presence.
Hope it doesn't come to it, but you might have to consider taking off part of the sheetrock from the ceiling enough to locate where he is, blocking off the other exits and only allowing one exit or enough room you can at least try to reach him. I would not normally suggest this because it involves noise and possibly a crowbar or jigsaw, you have to locate him first, before using any tools. As a last resort, I agree with E's suggestion, maybe ask the fire dept for help although they may require tearing up the ceiling a bit.
..........Traci
-
mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: Cat has been hiding in ceiling for three days now
OMG Traci you found your twin!!!!!!!!!!! KUDOS to you dear for being so caring for your feral kitties!!! THAT is just awesome that you started feeding them and took responsibility for them because you are moving... That is just wonderful of you. God Bless you and your family.
Ummmm since he was always waiting for you how would you feel about keeping him...he is obviously trusting in you..
Ummmm since he was always waiting for you how would you feel about keeping him...he is obviously trusting in you..
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!