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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Rescue cat missing after 48hrs.

205 replies

DobbyTheHouseElk · 10/09/2019 12:13

My neighbour adopted a timid cat from a rescue place at the weekend. Last night it disappeared through a window.

I don’t know where to start to look for it. I’ve suggested putting the litter tray outside and some food. But other than that I’m clueless.

So calling on the advice of the litter tray!! What on Earth can I do and where to start looking? We are rural.

I’m concerned for the welfare of this poor kitty.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 14/09/2019 09:56

I'm sure no one doubts your intentions OP! And if they do then they are obviously stupid twats Grin.

I agree that I wouldn't discuss it with the neighbours any more and also agree that she shouldn't go back to them.

And FFS - a kitten!

PickwickThePlockingDodo · 14/09/2019 11:17

Oh well done OP, hopefully it's her. We all know you're doing it for the poor cat and not just so you can keep her for yourself although one can never have enough cats Wink

Your NDNs want a kitten??? A kitten?? No, no, no, tell them to get a Cactus instead.

bodgeitandscarper · 14/09/2019 17:51

Oh no, what is your neighbour thinking?

When our timid ex-feral escaped she returned to being super scared, there would have been no way to get near her, even though she will come for strokes in the house. We managed to trap her the first time we put the trap out and it saved so much worry, I'd really recommend getting hold of one if you can!

bodgeitandscarper · 14/09/2019 17:52

(just to add, and then keep the cat yourself Wink)

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 14/09/2019 18:44

I actually think this was a semi feral cat in the first place.

She fed on Tuesday and then not for 2 nights. So she took food last night. Will she take some tonight??

I’ll keep on as I am. I think when I have more concrete evidence I’ll tell my NDN. Otherwise it’s getting hopes up. It’s not fair on them really.

How much food can a cat survive on ? The tuna was a very small can. A tablespoon at best.

I still haven’t seen her. At least it’s dry and warm.

She has a bed and shelter outside the NDN house, but isn’t going there.

OP posts:
TrainspottingWelsh · 14/09/2019 19:22

If she is semi feral, rather than a timid indoor cat, then if she’s in good health it’s quite possible she’s feeding herself enough to manage. Meant as reassurance that she’ll just be dropping weight rather than starving if she doesn’t eat the food every time, not to suggest you just leave her to go feral iyswim.

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 14/09/2019 19:59

That’s reassuring. I don’t have a clue of her past, but I know she’s had kittens. So she has been outside and was given up when pregnant.

Hopefully she will decide what she wants to do next.

OP posts:
Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2019 07:13

Update.

The food has been eaten for the past 3 nights in a row. Although the night vision camera hasn’t picked up who is responsible for eating it which is annoying.

We do have clear photos on the camera of the cat, so I know she is around, and pretty sure she’s eating the food. She seems to be more confident as she isn’t sticking to the building wall, she’s out in the open more. One photo she is staring at our house!!

I’m guessing she will build her confidence. I don’t really know where she goes in the day. At night she is active, so might be hunting too?

I don’t know what the next step is. But I’m happy to have got her on camera so we know she is in the area.

OP posts:
ThisIsNotAIBUPeople · 18/09/2019 07:16

Can you find someone who has a trap and put the food inside? Our local lost and found page usually has people who have traps and will come out and help. Good luck.

ThePawtriarchy · 18/09/2019 07:33

I think you need to get hold of a trap too, there will be somebody local that should be able to advise, could you call the Cats Protection League or your local vets? They may know of rescuers in the area that have them,

PickwickThePlockingDodo · 18/09/2019 10:36

Ahh well at least you know she is still in the area. She'll definitely get more confident as time goes on and then you'll probably see her yourself maybe in the daytime too.

I think you have two options, either get hold of a trap or play the long game and hope you can win her over before the bad weather comes.
Good luck, I'm glad she's got you looking out for her Thanks

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2019 11:22

Called the CP who said to try the rescue she came from first, if not they would help.

Called the rescue, and they need the permission of NDN to trap her.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 18/09/2019 13:06

Well that's ridiculous. Have you asked around private vets? They sometimes have traps they can lend out

MrsRufusdog789 · 18/09/2019 13:07

Gosh you are doing the very best for this cat . Hoping your dedication will see success soon !

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2019 13:39

The rescue are going to deliver a trap later in the week. I’ve sent them photos from our night vision camera and it’s definitely her!!!!!

OP posts:
TrainspottingWelsh · 18/09/2019 13:41

So pleased it’s good news so far.

Mia184 · 18/09/2019 14:17

This is great news! I hope you trap her (and that the kitten gets to stay with you Smile ).

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2019 14:34

No the cat is going back to it’s owner if it’s caught. I don’t want another cat. I’m only interested in the welfare of this little kitty.

OP posts:
Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2019 14:36

The rescue were very clear to point out that NDN is the legal owner of the cat and had to be consulted before trapping.

Not sure that cats would like to think they are legally owned by a human though. 😄

OP posts:
Emmapeeler · 18/09/2019 18:48

One photo she is staring at our house!!

She’s definitely eating the food Grin

If it’s your NDN, could you not start moving the food closer to that house so she can associate it with being fed? She might then eventually come indoors without the need for a trap.

Just a thought as trapping can be a little stressful.

VimFuego101 · 18/09/2019 18:54

Just read through the thread. You are wonderful to go to this much effort Thanks

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2019 19:15

I’d love for her to return to her house without trapping. Although it’s my NDN cat, we aren’t next to each other IYSWIM. We are very rural, so houses aren’t in a neat row! My NDN did put food out for a few days and the cat didn’t go near it.

I am worried about the trapping process it sounds incredibly stressful for all concerned. I spoke to the rescue at length about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2019 19:16

I know it sounds silly but I’m wearing the same shoes every time I feed her so she might recognise my footsteps. I’m too soft when it’s an animal.

OP posts:
PickwickThePlockingDodo · 18/09/2019 20:05

I think you can probably do it without the trap if you think that will be too stressful for her but it will take time and a lot of patience.

I bet she does recognise your footsteps already and knows you are the person who provides the food. She's probably hiding and watching you.

She should eventually get a bit braver and hopefully enough for you to stroke her and then grab her (have you tried dreamies?Wink)

The trouble is when you do eventually catch her and she unfortunately goes back to the NDNs, are they going to make sure she is properly looked after this time? Hmm

Good luck, we're all rooting for you.

Emmapeeler · 18/09/2019 20:06

Not silly. My cat used to come up to my drive as I drove up the road. I am sure he knew what my car sounded like!

Makes sense about the houses! Sounds like there is lots of space for a cat to happily hide Smile

If the cat has an established time she comes it should make trapping less stressful as you can wait and then immediately get her out. Obviously cats aren’t always that obliging!