Darby was scheduled for a neuter today, so last night, I captured him and put him in Jedi’s cage. I didn’t realize that one of the walls on the outside catio (it is removable) wasn’t locked in place. When I came back to see how he was doing, the wall was pushed out and he was gone!
I’ve spotted him several times since. He is having a ball, chasing beetles, terrorizing the barn cats (who are interested but so far not schooling him on manners). He’s been down to the creek and back (quite a hike for a youngster) Every time I see him and try to get close, he shoots under an outbuilding or the house. At least he’s not running away. I set out some of my kitten traps last night, but all I caught was a possum and I let her go.
I’m not sure how I am going to get close to this 4 month old- at least it’s a male and I don’t think there are any nearby females he might mate with (at least not with my bunch). He hasn’t run away so hopefully he will stay close and with time and patience and lots of meaty treats, perhaps I can catch him again and return him back to the house. I never thought to check the lock as the wall has always been in place before. I just hope I can capture the hisscape artist before a predator gets to him first.
He sounds pretty resourceful. I think he’ll be fine until he gets hungry or curious enough to be trapped.
well hopefully a good treat will do the trick….
I am so sorry you had to have that experience but am thankful you were there for that poor kitten. I have been observing a group of feral cats that are being fed by someone. Some of the cats have accepted the man that feeds them on a very limited way. I am interested to know if anyone has observed male cats that have not been neutered acting as caretakers for kittens left by their litter mates when the female goes off with another tom. My group consists of an OLD female that is uncatchable and her various litters. Last winters kittens are now the caretakers of the kittens of a female from the same old cat, who also nurses her offspring’s kittens when necessary. We have socialized litter after litter getting the kittens at a few weeks and treating their coughs and eyes problems and finding them homes. Anyway I am wondering if this behavior, which seems almost like a group of lions or something has been seen by anyone else. The caregiver cats are very attentive and protective and play with the kittens and clean them.
I have witnessed this behavior myself with a feral colony in town. When there is a main source of food that is delivered on a regular basis, the group forms a hierarchy and each cat has his/her own role to play. Of course TNR would be the most important way to stop the mating/breeding but sometimes, cats become trap-savvy and nothing you can do will change that. You could go in with catch poles but unlike some who will claim the catch poles don’t hurt the cat- they do. But it is quick pain to stop the frustration of more cats and kittens being born into the group and sometimes worth it.