Mystery

[Upton]

About 3 weeks ago, I was looking out the kitchen window, and I noticed four kittens playing on a fence post outside a room that doubles as a workshop and storage room that is attached to our garage. I found that rather odd, since we live in a rural area, have few neighbors, and don't have any cats that live outside.

When I went out to investigate, they all ran back into the storage room, hiding amongst all the junk we have piled up in there. I came to the conclusion that their mother had found her way into the room through an old doggie door that leads into there(it had previously served as temporary housing for a couple male dogs whenever our females came into heat) and had given birth. Unfortunately, though I waited almost two days, there was absoluetly no sign of the mother and the little ones began to make the kind of noise hungry kittens make. So, I began to feed them like the soft touch I am.

I then made the decision to trap them with my Havahart trap and take them to the shelter. All went fine, at least for the first three kittens, but for some reason, and though I used tunafish and wet cat food, I couldn't catch the fourth one. I tried just about everything, leaving the trap out there, covering it, not feeding the kitten anything else etc.....still nothing. I even began to think maybe the kitten was gone, but when I moved the food out of the trap and placed it a few feet way.. when I came back, sure enough the food had been eaten. So I gave up in frustration and even some admiration for the little kitten.

I've now named the kitten Mystery, for not only don't I know where it came from, I haven't even been able to get close enough to ascertain it's gender. Mystery is a little bigger now, I do catch site of it occasionally, I can hear it moving around, and though it obviously recognizes me and the sounds I make, getting close to it just isn't an option.

My question for all you cat lovers is this...in this kind of situation, should I keep trying to trap it, in order that I may get it vaccinated and fixed? Taking it to the shelter is now out of the question, Mystery and I have developed a strange sort of bond...or should I just leave it alone and continue along the same path?

[ceile]

1. I would keep trying

Getting it fixed and vaccinated will increase lifespan. And who knows, may mellow it out enough to become a "pet".
We have several fixed cats on my street that someone took the time to TNR, that while I can't pet them (two I can), they at least know when feeding time is and don't run from me.

[Upton]

3. Thank so much for responding..

I sort of figured the TNR method was the way to go, just needed a little confirmation.. I've always had a lot of animals around me, but the health care of a feral cat is one thing I've never dealt with.

I vaccinate my own animals (outside of rabies), but I have a feeling Mystery is not going to sit still for any nonsense like that. So, I'll be playing most of this by ear.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. I believe that you should at least get him/her neutered and vaccinated.

As the above poster said, there may be a day when Mystery will become more of a pet...but at least you have done what you can to ensure her/his health for now.
Most places do not neuter before 4-6 months, so perhaps you have time to develop a trusting relationship before you cart her off to the vet.
One never knows...one day she may even want to come inside your house.

If there is any way to get a couple of pics..that would be great.

[Upton]

4. I intend on doing just that..

and believe it or not, I do have 1 photo of Mystery. The quality is terrible, and I had to hide in a corner for about 10 minutes after setting out food, before the kitten would show itself. This was taken about 2-3 weeks ago. I now realize my initial estimate of the kittens showing up about 3 weeks ago was light...as I first noticed them right around the time the World Cup started, so it was closer to 5 weeks. Anyway, a split second after this was taken, Mystery went flying in another direction..

[glinda]

6. Oh poor sweet kitty. You must catch him! How endearing.

[glinda]

5. Been there done that

Get a cardboard box that it can leap into and put a netting (looped with a long rope around the edges) under it and pull it up around the sides of the box and the remaining rope over a rafter or some sort of higher but firm structure. Put food in the box. Yummy wet food. Then grabbing the loose ends of the rope, walk far away. Preferably be able to hide behind something. Tug to test to see if when you pull the rope, the net encloses the box fully and lifts upwards off the ground.Do this baiting when it is the time the kitty would be wanting to eat.
I caught a feral cat and babies this way. You must be fast though and make sure you can get to the netted box fast to grab the top tight.

I hope you get the little poor thing.

[Hawkowl]

7. Definitely capture him

I'd definitely try and get him to get him at least vaccinated. It may be a long process so have patience!

[Warpy]

8. I'd keep trying to trap the kitty

It will never be a pet, even if it does get used to you enough for a pet now and then. It's a feral beastie.

However, it's a good idea to get it vaccinated and neutered. It will live out it's life eating mostly bugs and rodents if it's old enough for Mom to have taught it to hunt. It will need to be fed if Mom wasn't around long enough.

For some reason, Mystery decided you were a soft touch and decided to stay out of that cage and with you. Congratulations, you're a cat person whether you want it or not.

[ceile]

9. Any luck capturing Mystery?

[Upton]

10. Unfortunately..

Mystery disappeared sometime during the night of Sunday July 26th. It had eaten that evening, and I put it's food out Monday morning like usual, but when I came home later that day it hadn't been touched. Naturally I became worried right away. I held out hope, keeping dry cat food out for several more days, but nothing. I've looked, but never found a sign of what might have happened.

We live in a rural area, and our property has several acres of uncut pasture on it, which I know Mystery roamed in, so I can only assume something got the kitten...maybe coyotes, maybe something else. Whatever the case, it's been an extremely disappointing end to our unusual relationship....I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

[ceile]

11. That's too bad. n/t

[david13]

12. RIP little kitty. He got eaten. That's the food chain, I guess. dc