I think I did a good deed for a feral kitty 11/7--Gordon update and photo #99

[Dubyuhnell]

She spent all day hiding in her bespoke cardboard box (I quietly checked on her throughout the day). I’m hoping she’ll warm up a bit over the next few days. I found a low cost vaccine clinic being held on Sunday and am planning to take her there.

If she’s truly feral and older than I think, then I probably made a mistake in releasing her from the trap into the bigger crate. I guess I thought she was young enough to be curious about humans. Fingers crossed that she’s just mildly traumatized by her arrest and she’ll come out of her shell soon. Or maybe she’s just very much nocturnal and all my peeking at her during the day made her grumpy!

[BatCoach]

I’m sure it will take her some time to decompress. Gauging purely by size she looks like she’s on the cusp of the socialization window.

Kitten lady has a good socialization video -

Helping a Feral Kitten Become Friendly (Step by Step How-To!)

Treats like inaba churu tubes turn even spicy kittens around!

[Zu_Zu]

@Dubyuhnell
She is simply following her instincts to hide quietly ~ time & more time ~ in a safe place where she can eat & drink and sleep - with an out of sight hiding place and a place to pee and poop and TIME.

M.T. has had a wild ride literally under the car hood ~ she will decompress and be your friend given time …… and time …… and the security of routine -

Bless you for helping her ~ she definitely needed some help ~

[Foxglove]

@Dubyuhnell–It took Gordon a few days to stay out of his box while I was present. I kept a large blanket over half his crate to give him privacy and warmth. Gradually he started coming out and meowing (non stop) for his wet food when he saw me. Patting Gordon and rubbing him through the cage seemed to be something he enjoyed–until he didn’t. Then the aggressive feral side of him appeared with growling and claw/teeth attack on the crop. Still I hope he sticks around after his release on Sunday–into the closed barn Sunday night, and into the great outdoors if he chooses Monday AM.

[SMF11]

Sorry, but interrupting this thread to say @Dubyuhnell – Go Gennies!

[Dubyuhnell]

Fingers crossed that Gordon decides he has a good life at your place, Foxglove! You’ve given him great care - lucky cat!

I’ve implemented and/or will be implementing everyone’s advice!

BatCoach - that Kitten Lady video was exactly what I needed to watch. Thanks for recommending it! I’m going to go check out more of her videos.

Little Mary Todd did come out of her box today. I sat with her and talked to her about solving my crossword for a bit in the afternoon. Then my daughter and I sat with her while she ate her dinner. While I had to go in the house to help my other two kids, my daughter got her to play with her new feather on a stick toy (thanks for the recommendation, ZuZu!).

Great advice all around - you guys are the best!

Here’s a pic of her wondering why I’m not better at solving crosswords.

[Zu_Zu]

@Dubyuhnell

Excellent job ~ keep the routine ~ same sounds and scents and visitors ~ Mary Todd is one lucky kitten ~

A few thoughts - smaller water bowl ; and time to move her into a quiet room that has a door in the house ~ I’m hoping she will be your family house cat ???

• also I don’t think M.T. is feral - her behavior states differently ~ IMHO ~

Jingles & AO &

[Zu_Zu]

@Foxglove How is Gordon ? I’m wondering about the weather there the next three days ~ again you’ve done a great job with him !

I’m excited to see Gordon thrive in his new home environment ! Jingles & AO &

[2DogsFarm]

I live not so far from @Foxglove & our forecast is for a great Fall weekend with very low chance of rain. Temps in the 70s &
Of course, that can change overnight

[Zu_Zu]

@2DogsFarm Thank you ~ I just “cat” worry ~

[BatCoach]

Glad you liked it! She’s a super resource for just about anything to do with cats. I watched her videos when I was fostering. I’m sure Mary Todd is learning to love your company- torties have a pretty high opinion of themselves and can be a bit sassy, so it make take a few days.

[Foxglove]

Gordon will be caged for another week. Vet said keep him in for 2 weeks, DD said her friend said 4 weeks…in the interest of peace, we agreed on 3 weeks.

[Zu_Zu]

I’ve always waited one month and that has been extended once because snow … you know what’s best for your Gordon ~ Jingles & AO

Thanks for the update ~ my thoughts have been “there” today & I was going to gently ask how the day had gone ~

[BatCoach]

Tell him that he is doing a fine job of keeping this whites very white. Such a spiffy looking bib!

[Foxglove]

Perhaps the last Gordon update–he’s scheduled to be released into the barn Sunday night, then when the barn doors open on Monday AM, he will be ablet o stay or go --I hope he is used to the good life and comes regularly to the barn for AM and PM feeding. I will keep cameras set to see if he does --but actually hoping to see him now and then. I do see a couple of the “day feeding” feral cats now and then.

While Gordon appears to be somewhat tamer than the usual feral cats I deal with (feed, trap, neuter, release, continue to feed), he is not a “nice” cat --lately there is a lot of growing and occasional hissing as I (very carefully) put food dishes into his cage, change his water. He did try to bite me one time --now I am even more cautious insisting he be in his house before I put my hands in the cage. I am not sure if the new aggression is due to confinement, overall better health, or just how he is. There has never been any purring or the arched back rubbing up against the cage friendly behavior. He is very guarded --no pinned ears, but definitely the hate stare. I have tried many times to engage him in play, no go. Nothing evokes the play response --feathers, butterflies, cat dancer --totally not interested.

Another odd thing about Gordon is he does not bury his scat. Maybe this is a Tom Cat thing, but I carefully add clean sand to his cage twice a day removing the old sand, he makes no effort to bury and I think he might be spraying too --but since the only thing to spray is his box, maybe not. He smells really bad --really bad. Again this might be a Tom Cat thing that will end over time.

Thank you @BatCoach --he does keep himself tidy.

New pix as of today (might be the last one)

[Zu_Zu]

Most likely just his instincts ~ protecting his area through exposed scat and urine ~ he’s just an old feral Tom = Fight or Flight ~ but so very handsome ~

to Mr. Gordon • you’ll see him
again a few times before he disappears if he doesn’t feel it’s the right place for him •

You’ve done a fine job of helping Gordon relocate - whether it is at your barn or wherever ~

Safe travels ~ Mr. Gordon ~ hoping you enjoy a safer life ~

[BatCoach]

Best of luck to Mr. Gordon! You’ve done all you can for him. Fingers crossed he integrates with your current cat feral cat herd.

[CanadianTrotter]

Gordon could be associating the pain from the neutering with you.

Not burying scat or urine is a proclamation of territory.

Best wishes for Gordon with whatever he decides. You did your best by him.

[ravenclaw]

FWIW, I have 3 cats (all spayed/neutered when they were young) and 2 of them don’t cover their poop in the litter box.

Keep us updated on Gordon. You gave him a better life.

[Fiesta01]

You did great by him. You can only do what you can do.

Have a safe and happy life, Gordon. We would love to see photos of you again, so please come around and visit Foxglove often.