Moved house without cat ...

supersaver66

Basically one of my cats went missing nearly a year ago now and unfortunately we had to move house a few weeks ago. On one of our frequent trips back to our old home we saw her sitting in our old garden!!

We were so relieved that she was alive as we had feared the worst, however we have been back on a few occassions and managed to feed her tuna which she loves but the last time I stupidly tried to pick her up and put her into our cat carrier to which she clawed me to death and escaped!

Now Im scared that I have frightened her away and dont know how I am going to get her to trust me again and more importantly get her in the carrier to take her to our new house.

We have put posters up all over the neighbourhood and I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas to capture her?

Im so worried that after all this time she wont trust me again and I cant understand why she left, we had her for 3 years before she went missing.

spookylukey

If you're certain it's her and the new house owners will allow it you could ask Cats Protection to borrow one of their traps, they may well ask for a (refundable) deposit. You would need to check it regularly in case you caught someone elses cat though!

The other side of the coin is that if she has been missing for almost a year and she looked in good bodily condition then you have to consider whether she has found herself a new home. Just playing devils advocate really as I know if that were my cat I would not be able to leave them there, even if I thought they had found a new home.

supersaver66

Hi Spooky thanks for your reply, the house is empty at the moment but luckily we have access to next doors garden!

She did look healthy enough and although I'd like to think that someone has been looking after her, I still want her back She was my 1st kitty and holds a special place in my heart.

We are going to contact the cats protection regarding a trap we can hopefully borrow, thanks so much for that advice we didnt think of that before.

kiraroo

you might also want to try your local vets for a trap and if you're anywhere near cambridgeshire i've got a couple you can borrow

supersaver66

Thanks for your kind offer kiraroo unfortunately I'm too far away but appreciate your offer

I think I will try the local vets as I'm still waiting for Cats Protection to get back to me.

I went by the house this morning and she wasnt about and the tin of tuna I left for her yesterday was untouched

Will try again later today.

SnowyOwl_2

supersaver - maybe you could encourage her to keep going back to the house by leaving some unwashed socks or tshirt under a hedge. I'm not being funny - of all her senses smell is probably the most significant. If she remembers you (and I am sure she does in her own feline way) then this will help draw her back to the house. Good luck, I hope you manage to get hold of her pdq. She'll be your baby again before you know it.

supersaver66

Thanks SnowyOwl, I have been back to the house a few times but she is nowhere to be seen. I really hope I didnt frighten her off the other day although I have a feeling I did

The Cats Protection are loaning me a cat trap which I think I am getting tomorrow so I hope its not too late.

Thanks for your kind words.

spookylukey

Good news about the trap, did CP suggest what you might put in it? Sardines are a good smelly lure and I know someone else that swears by KFC chicken!

As SnowyOwl has suggested an item of worn clothing can be left nearby and if by chance you haven't emptied the hoover bag since you moved a few weeks ago then you could scatter the contents around the garden too as that will smell of you and your old home to her.

Good luck

supersaver66

Thanks spooky, I think a guy is coming round today to show me how its used etc so hopefully can set it up later today.

The lady from the CP told me that we only get one chance at capture so I'll make sure we put something tasty in there and also some old clothing (thanks for the tip).

Fingers crossed. Will let you know how I get on.

supersaver66

:j :j :j :j :j :j

She's Home!!

Put the trap down yesterday and came back a few hours later and there she was!!

Shes very nervous and hasnt really come out of the bathroom since yesterday but seems very relaxed around us just we have another cat and dog (which were there just before she disappeared) which she is quite wary of at the minute.

A year later and shes home, we cant believe it, she is just as lovely and affectionate as she was before, we are sooo happy words cant describe!

I just hope she settles in here

foreign_correspondent

hey that is great news!! Well done!

Remember to keep her in for at least a few weeks, cats have been known to travel great distances to get back to their old homes!!