Letting ex stray out for first time

[thingymibob]

Back story is we found a stray in the garden in September. He had a badly broken leg, RSPCA had him for a month, we adopted him mid october. He had 3 weeks cage rest and is now running free in the home. He has been here for 6 weeks

This morning he escaped through front door when one of my adult offspring came home. He was gone for about 30 mins but came back in for food. Big panic when we realised he was missing

We don't have a cat flap as I have a really bad phobia of dead things and couldn't cope with gifts being brought in. Old lady cat (and our other cat who we lost to cancer couple of years ago) isn't bothered and will ask occasionally to go out or slip out through open doors but she never goes further than front or back gardens.

The big worry is.. new cat is young, we don't know where he came from and really don't want him to run away. We live on main road and we have no idea about his road sense (and considering the broken leg, it's possible he was hit by a car) but, we also want him to have some freedom of the outside and not have to worry when we open a door to come in.

So, my theory is let him out the back garden in short bursts while we are here and watching and then guide him back in with food, bit like clicker training :) Does/would that work?? He is a total gannet so I am thinking food/treats are a good bribe - but knowing him, he probably would go anywhere that has food

We love having him here but also want him to have a full life and that includes access to outside, but so scared he will go back to his hobo life. Any tips or tricks for me??

Lone swears by letting them out hungry - ie before meal times if possible - and then bribing calling them back with food. Sounds good to me.

I'm afraid that there will be a certain amount of trepidation on your part, though, that you can't escape. I'd just make the house so attractive (food, warmth, safety, love) that he heads back - and the nasty weather should help, cats not being daft. He came back last time, remember.

Oh - and keep him in at night. He shouldn't mind that if he knows he'll get out the next day. He'll adopt a schedule for things.

How is his leg doing?

i agree with cozie first thing in the morning before brekkie for a few minutes will associate him coming in and getting fed, and let him out when hes calm, letting him out if hes flying at the door desperate to get out can backfire as he will be so keen to get out he could run further than he thinks he has and end up not quite sure how to get back again, some biscuits in a plastic container is a good idea rattle the container and they soon associate ooh rattle eans food, and yes keep him in at night

Leg has healed lovely - he doesn't appear to have any lasting memory of it being sore judging by the way he scoots around the house

It's so scary! I am not actually a cat person, highly allergic usually but I am besotted by him and actually, my allergies haven't been as bad to him as to the other animals in the house. I can't pet them or have them on my lap but I can him, it's very weird.

He gets plenty of food and love so hopefully he will return and not go on any more adventures.

I let him in the garden with me earlier and he stayed close, think I will do that little and often when it's light for a few days and then have a treat ready.

I have added a new photo on my profile of him :)

What a handsome chap! And such a wise look on his face - no wonder you're besotted.

Aww I love his little beard! :)

wow he has really blossomed with you he will know which side his bread is buttered on and its not cat fur you are allergic too its an enzyme in their saliva as cats lick themselves clean so he probably hasnt got the enzyme that makes your allergies come out, my daughter is ok with her own cat but has an allergy reaction to one of my cats but not the other 3 its weird

He's gorgeous.

We've always let new cats out about an hour before feeding time.

I have been known to stalk them around the garden as well.

So far, it's always worked. After an hour we go outside, call and rattle a food bowl and they come scampering home.

Had to smile at the top pic - that fish toy is the one Moonkitten adores and will drag around the house at full speed (and out the catflap!) if we don't actively play with him!

(He's B&W too...)

So glad he is healed and settling in!

Wow he's lovely thingy, I remember your original thread with your battle to get him home

We are going through similar angst at the moment with our 5 month old ex-stray who is absolutely obsessed with the outside world, fortunately he seems content to potter around in the alley and the neighbouring back yards

I completely agree with the suggestions to let him out when hungry and to rattle some biscuits etc to give him the signal to come home

Dreamies are particularly coveted here, my cats know the sound of a Dreamies packet being opened

I also make a special clicking/whistling noise which I hope my cat will learn to identify as "food noises"

Good luck, it is very nervewracking to let them explore, but I know mine would be terribly unhappy as an indoor cat