Stray (?) kitten in garden

[ZenGardener]

This morning I heard some loud cat noises in our garden. When I looked out there was a kitten out there.

I tried to get near himbut he ran away and I think he ended up in the shed but I couldn't see him and I was out most of the day. I just heard some more crying and it seemed to come from the shed so I had a good look and sure enough he was in there but my cat chased him out.

I couldn't see a collar. If course it might be a girl kitten. I have no idea how old or if he belongs to someone.

I left some adult cat food which is all we have and some was eaten but it might have been my cat that ate it.

I'm not really sure what to do. He must be pretty hungry. Should I pop to the shop and get some kitten food? Or just leave him be?

[cozietoesie]

He would probably be OK loose if all in the house were careful not to let him out - they can be real Houdinis at that age. (For example, it would mean closing the doors and windows of the rest of the house before opening the room door - just in case he made a dirty dive for it.)

[cozietoesie]

....sat up out of reach....

That's actually not too bad a sign, Zen. If it's pretty hot with you, your own cat likely wouldn't want the fuss of a kitten (and I can understand the point in this weather) but the cat got out of the way rather than aggressing or chasing the kit.

[ZenGardener]

Ps. is a cage essential? If there is an empty room in my husband's house do you think he would be ok loose in there with his boxes?

[ZenGardener]

I just thought I'd update even though there isn't a huge amount to say.

I emailed the woman at the cat charity but she hasn't got back to me. I know she is very busy though.

I didn't see the kitten for a few days but his food was still disappearing. Then suddenly he became a lot more vocal. Our neighbour's stray was mewing at her door for food so the kitten started mewing loudly too.

Today he has been out a lot and he came quite close to our cat but our cat was utterly freaked out and sat up out of reach. The kitten has even been around to the front garden for a play. He seems less scared of dh for some reason.

Dh is really keen to take our cat away with him while we are away so I'm thinking he can take the kitten with him too. The house he stays in is quite big so the kitten could have his own room. This seems to be the best solution at the moment.

If we do that I will have a look for a cage, the cat charity woman offered to lend me one. If she hasn't got back to me within a few days I'll see if I can pick one up second hand somewhere.

Hopefully it will all work out!

[cozietoesie]

Well done so far, Zen.

I get the impression that you've not so much bonded with the kit as are concerned that he should be safe and well. Entirely understandable when you haven't really been close to him - and indeed have only seen him off and on for a few days.

Personally, I'd let him go with her permanently if she reckons she can find him a good new home. See what she says.

Best of luck with the next stage.

[ZenGardener]

I got a reply from a woman who lives about an hour from me. She recommended trying to trap him and offered the use of a trap and cage if I needed it.

She said kittens are easier to re-home.

I am thinking about asking her if she can take care of him or find a foster family who can take care of him over the summer and when I get back we can discuss whether we can take him back or whether it is better to find another family for him. If he is still very nervous then a quieter family might be better.

I worry the longer we leave him outside the harder he will be to tame. I also worry if I trap him and leave him for my husband to take care of. Well my husband works away during the week and comes home at weekends so he will either be at home alone every weekend or have to travel back and forth in the car which will be stressful for the poor thing.

It would be amazing if someone with actual experience could help. So keep your fingers crossed for us!

[ZenGardener]

Thank you so much!I will let you know what they say.

[cozietoesie]

I think, and in light of your young DCs and your upcoming holiday, that I'm coming round to the idea of trapping him sooner rather than later. See what the cat organisation can do - they (or others) should be able to loan you a humane trap to do the job.

[ZenGardener]

They are 4,4 and 2. Very noisy!!

The shed is around the side of the house so they don't go there often except to get their bikes out. But he will definitely be able to hear their noise. To be honest that's one big concern with trapping him and bringing him in.

He also seems quite scared of our cat. He's been sniffing around a bit but doesn't go in the shed. Or neighbour feeds a stray and he has been around a bit. I guess because of the food I left out.

There is a cat organisation in the country that I am in, they helped me when I took in our cat. He was a very different kettle of fish as he is older and unbelievably friendly. Great with kids! Anyway, I have contacted them for some advice and see if they can help at all. Perhaps they have someone in the area who can help trap him.

Tomorrow I'm at home with just the toddler so I will try sitting out for a bit again in between clearing out the spare room.

[cozietoesie]

How old are your DCs? (I'm wondering if they might be putting him off? With the best will in the world, kids are often noisier and move more unexpectedly than adults.)

[ZenGardener]

Ps Definitely not my neighbours kitten. Hopefully I can drop by the vet's tomorrow.

It's really weird but as soon as I post on here he appears. I went out to the corner of the house but he ran under the shed and hasn't reappeared. I will wait for a bit but my kids are home.

[Ducklings45]

Hope he turns up again soon... I'd try and catch him and keep him inside so he can eat and drink and rest properly :)

[ZenGardener]

Thanks I will try!

He seems to come out to feed in the early evening so I will give it a try then.

He must be bored to death inside the shed. It smells a bit in there too. I am planning on clearing out the spare room this week so I will see then whether we are making any progress or not.

[TheSilveryPussycat]

Sorry if this is teaching g'ma to suck eggs, but crouch down when you see him, and extend your hand. I also make pish pish pish noises which seems to help. Wait for ages and ages...

You can also do a cat smile by narrowing your eyes and blinking faster than normal.

[cozietoesie]

Oops. I think the situation should have resolved itself one way or the other within that two weeks. If not, I'd catch him and get him in several days beforehand.

[ZenGardener]

I haven't seen him today but its been raining on and off all day. The food and milk have been disappearing so I guess he is still there. We are off on holiday in two weeks so I'm really unsure what to do. I have arranged for someone to come and feed my cat so they can put food down for the kitten too or to try and catch him and ask someone to take him in for the time we are away.

[cozietoesie]

Oh my.

Yes - it must be agonizing Zen. If there comes a point shortly where you feel he ought to come in, just do it - but make it fast and have everything ready.

[Fluffycloudland77]

How's it going? Maddeningly slowly I imagine.

We took in a semi feral tortie but I cornered her and grabbed her by the scruff. Of course I was younger then and the scratches healed quicker.

[cozietoesie]

I'd say - see how it goes for a few days anyway rather than do that right away. I think you're more likely to succeed with some initial lovely yummy nosh (think roast chicken and dreamies which you put out close to the house) rather than possibly traumatising him with a trap. He's likely to be feral after all and while he should come round, it may not be a good idea to push it too hard if you want a balanced boy at the end of it.

That's just my personal view, though - other posters may disagree.

See if you can sit out in the garden with a book or something so that he becomes intrigued by (and used to) your quiet presence.

[ZenGardener]

Thanks. Do you think I would be better to try and trap him and put him in a cage in the spare room?

[cozietoesie]

Back now - with extra caffeine on board and the few chores I'm going to do today now done.

It should be OK, Zen but as Fluffy said he's a prime candidate for predation at that age. I don't think you should try to rush the process of getting him used to you but the sooner you can get him inside at night the better, frankly.

Well done so far.

[ZenGardener]

Thanks for the encouragement. I will keep trying. I also guessed about 12 weeks from a picture on the Internet.

[cozietoesie]

Actually - 12 weeks is 3 months. Aaaarrrghh. I need more caffeine, it's clear.

[cozietoesie]

I wouldn't say he was nearly that old, Fluffy. (But then I am half asleep.)

[cozietoesie]

Difficult to say from the picture because my computer is playing up and I can't expand it. (That's code for - it's Sunday morning and I need a heck of a lot more caffeine before I would be successful.)

But - without real perspective, he doesn't look that young to me. If I had to guess, I would say 10 to 12 weeks. Maybe other posters can have more luck.

Just keep on talking and putting food out. In my experience, if he was really frightened of you, you wouldn't see him at all. You've likely just got to get over the 'First Human' barrier because the odds are that not only has Mum kicked him out but that he's from a feral litter.

You're doing well though.