Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Hippykitty on February 07, 2014, 19:34:04 PM
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After nearly 3 months of being confined to the new house, I decided to let the cats go out for the first time today. They're ex-ferals and used to being indoor-outdoor cats, normally with a cat flap. I have a flap for them, but haven't yet had it installed. I have french windows leading into the garden from the lounge. This afternoon I knew I'd be in the lounge for a while, sorting out the plan for the work to be done to the house - I like making lists! The cats were showing an interest in the garden on one of the rare dry days we've had. They hadn't been fed since the previous evening, so I had a mad brainwave :Crazy: Why not open the doors into the garden and let them out for a few hours?
Which I did.
All except Fred were a bit wary, going to the door, looking out, then backing off. Fred just went through them immediately.
The others then played pusscat yo-yo as they went down the garden for a quick explore, then ran back to the house. This went on for a few hours.
When dusk drew in, I thought about ending this first session of freedom and called them in. They didn't all return at once, but soon everyone was home except Fred. I looked from the upstairs windows into nearby gardens and he was nowhere to be seen.
I rattled munchies, called him, but nothing. No Fred. I noticed that the elderly couple next door were home so I went to see them partly to warn them that the tribe were finally loose (he's a twitcher) and to ask them if they'd seen Fred. They know Fred from having seen him sitting on the window sill. While there, I saw an almost identical cat to Fred except that he didn't have a tail; I've seen him around before.
It's now several hours later, everyone but Fred is home. I'm keeping the french window curtains undrawn incase he puts his nose up at them. I've secretly spread poo from the litter tray around the periphery of the garden to give him the scent of home.
Does anyone have other suggestions? The others have been fed now. Fred must be starving and cold. He's been used to the warmth of a central heated house for three months (the old house was much colder, not having central heating) so I would imagine cold and hunger would drive him home.
Any suggestions for anything else I can do in these particular circumstances? I know all the usual ways of searching for a missing cat, having lost Pebbles a month before the move (I've come to the conclusion that he was killed somehow); but a cat having gone out of a new house for the first time....any special thing I can do to bring him home?
Sorry for the long post.
:thanks:
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Firstly, and most importantly, try not to worry! As much as these feline critters are our furry babies, they are first and foremost hunters and Fred's natural instinct will be kicking in like billio. Fred's probably having a good old explore and has forgotten about the worry he's causing he's beloved human! All you can do for the moment is rattle his food or treats out the front and back (great idea about the poo btw!) and wait for him to come home. If he's not back tomorrow, then start asking around, getting posters ready and such.
Hope he comes back soon!
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Thanks Blue Rabbit. He's still not home and is nowhere to be seen. A couple of friends are coming over shortly to help me search for him in the local neighbourhood. The other cats have been out again today and all returned after a couple of hours exploring the local gardens. They kept popping back to reassure themselves that home was still here.
I'm starting to be very worried. Fred hasn't been fed since thursday night and must be very hungry unless someone else is feeding him or he's caught his own food. It's really windy and nasty today, the others are sitting by the radiators enjoying the heat.
Too soon really to start printing leaflets so will just search the area.
Any other ideas?
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Oh no I'm so sorry to hear that Fred hasn't returned :( How far away have you moved, is it possible that his feral instincts may have led him to try and make a return there? I hope not, and hope that he's just hanging out somewhere in the neighbourhood enjoying being outside. Do you have an outbuilding or something where you could put a one-way catflap so that if he (or any of the others I suppose) go in, they can't get back out again? So you could see if he is hanging around the area?
Everything crossed that he returns soon, and big hugs to you. I remember when Geoffrey went missing for a day once I was climbing the walls with worry, so I know how awful you must be feeling xxx
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Put up the posters and go round door knocking and ask for all outbuildings to be searched. So sorry this has happened....... :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
This is gill by the way!
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Sorry to hear he hasn't come home yet. It might be worth ringing about the local vets and rescues in case anyone takes him in. Is he chipped?
Definitely get the posters out, it can't hurt!
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HippyKitty :hug: how very worrying for you, especially after having lost Pebbles so recently. I do hope that Fred comes home, safe and sound, soon.
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Any good news?
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So sorry and wondering about news too :hug:
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Typing this is very painful because on saturday when myself and two friends went out to search area, I tripped on an uneven paving stone and was taken to hospital by ambulance with head injury and suspected neck injury. My wrists are killing me! Lots of X-rays, nothing broken, but interrupted Fred search. Was in hosp for about 4hrs.
Still very sore, especially wrists which makes doing anything very difficult.
Fred still not home. But I THINK I saw him last night when calling him at sunset, though may have been the cat who looks like him. Fred or his lookalike was in next-door's garden, at the bottom, so I threw Go Cat over and trailed it to my french windows as a trail home.
The ambulance man told a friend, Nigel, that his vet had said that if a cat was lost it is good to let the other cats out so they can create scent trails home but because of injury I haven't wanted to keep getting up to let them out and in, so have kept them in.
At least I'm not moving in a month, so no panic. Fred went missing at old area for 10 days and came home.
I've moved to the other side of Birmingham so it would be hard for him to know the way back to old area. (Moved from Selly Oak to South Yardley.)
Thanks for all the help, will put it into practise when healed. Must complain to council about uneven paving slabs, they're really bad here.
Oh, and yes Fred is microchipped.
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Because of my injuries, if he isn't home soon I might employ Animal UK Search team to look for him, despite the cost. I have enough left to cover this from the sale of the previous house. If it brings Fred home, it'll be worth it. If I was fit, I'd do the search myself because they don't really do anything which can't be done by the cat's person.
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Sorry to hear of your injuries Hippykitty, get well soon!! :hug:
How frustrating to have come so close to getting him home, I'm sure he'll be home soon. If he's gone missing for a long time before, it could be that he's just done it again and is having a good old explore of his new territory! Chin up, you will get him home!!
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Hope you get well soon :hug: :hug:
Cats have been known to travel many many miles to get to there old home.
i do hope it was him you saw cos if he is close he is just waiting for the right time to get in.
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Sorry to hear about your nasty fall and hope all the ouchy bits heal very soon :hug:
Fingers crossed Fred comes home soon :hug:
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I've let the other cats out in the hope that they'll lay scent trails which may lead him home. They all seem aware of his loss, especially Lucy and his sister Victoria. Lucy loves Fred. :Luv:
Hopefully they'll find him and lead him home.
Thanks for all the good wishes.
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I 'think' I've seen him again!
My garden is lawn surrounded by mature overgrown shrubs and small trees. When I viewed it last spring it looked like a forest glade. Not to the tidy gardener's taste, but I loved it. After letting the cats go out earlier, it began to drizzle and they were showing a desire to come back in; while letting them in I went into the garden shaking munchies and calling Fred. From the bushes at the bottom of the garden emerged a Fred-like figure, but I only saw the front, so it may have been his tailess lookalike. The cat ran off when I walked closer to him.
When Fred went missing for ten days at previous house, friend and I concluded that he'd been visiting feral friends in the neighbourhood. I wonder if he's just making friends/establishing territory re the local cats?
I hope it was him I saw, then at least I'd know he is still alive etc.
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Hippykitty :hug: I am so sorry to hear about your fall. That really was the last thing you needed at the moment! I really hope it is fred that you have seen around. May he return soon, full of tales of his derring-do and wondering what all the fuss is about ;D
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I've seen him and this time I'm sure it's him!
I've been letting the other cats go out for a few hours each day. Today, after they'd been out for a couple of hours, I called them and saw a Fred-like figure emerge from bushes at the bottom of the garden. I called him and walked closer, he turned his back on me tail in the air, displaying a full and healthy tail, and disappeared back into the bushes, so I tossed some munchies in his direction.
Seems like he's just sussing out the area and will come home when he's ready. The others seem to be keeping tabs on him.
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Glad to hear you have spotted him. Naughty Fred playing hard to get! He must be getting a bit hungry now unless he has found a good hunting ground! I'm sure he'll head indoors when it gets colder as is forecast!
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So pleased its definately Fred.
This sounds like Sasa 3/4 years ago and she lived outside all winter but I have a falp and she used to come in and eat when she was sure I was in bed, eventually I caught her in and she stayed in for about a year but she was all orange from the water and mud and she needed all teeth out except two.
she doesnt leave the garden now and prefers to be inside most of time but she is now about 15yrs.
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What a relief! I'm so glad you've got a confirmed sighting and that Fred is staying close by. Hopefully you can now rest and recover a little easier. Please do let us know when Fred finally gets fed up of the great outdoors and decides to come back in x x
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hope it is naughty fred you keep seeing. Just out of interest, I tripped over uneven tarmac a few years ago, ended up in A&E with suspected broken nose, cuts and bruises and swollen knee, ended up getting a swollen bursa on knee that had to be drained a few times. I wrote to the council with photos of the unlevel ground, photos of my injuries, letters from hospital doctors etc and copies of my A&E notes and saying how dangerous the ground was, and I ended up with a compensation payout which was worth waiting for, as it bought my new horse ;D they also repaired the ground as I said it was dangerous for all the old people who live round there.
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Didn't see Fred yesterday. Let the other cats out to lay scent trails home, they all came home, but no sign of Fred. I'm sure the cat I saw in previous post was Fred because I saw the tail. His lookalike has an amputated tail only about a third of normal length. Fred's is full and long. Seemed like he just didn't want to come home.
Friends have suggested getting compensation. The hospital rang, they'd re-examined the x-rays and found a break in left wrist, but said they wouldn't treat it any differently. All I really want is for the council to do something about the pavements. I'm only 55, but there are lots of elderly people in the area who would have a much harder time falling that I do. As it is, I have been diagnosed with low (it was unmeasurable) vit D induced osteoporosis. I'm on vit D for life. So bones break easily, though I haven't had a recent bone density scan done.
Sorry about all the medical info.
Here's hoping the wanderer returns soon.
Thanks.
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So sorry to hear about health probs and hop Fred decides that coming home is a good idea :hug: :hug: :hug:
Could be your lack of a cat flap is not helping cos he thinks if he comes in you wont let him out again, is there anyway you can get a catflap in?
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I think you may be right Gill.
I've just seen him again for the first time in several days. I've been getting really concerned and missing him.
I let the others out when I woke up, after about 30mins, I called them in for 'breakfast' (munchies). They all came running. To reward their prompt response, I gave them Whiskas Temptations (I wish I had voice recognition on this pc, it hurts to type!) and rattled the box. I saw a Fred-like shape emerge from bushes at the bottom of the garden. It was him! Took me a few sec.s to recognise him cos so thin! But def him. He started to approach the house, but kept running away. He acted like a feral, which he was once. He wanted the food and shelter, but was scared.
I 'phoned a friend' who said he might be scared of being shut in again. But he's seen the others being let out every day and willingly come in in the evening.
So friend mentioned lack of catflap. I agree this could be an issue.
It's like he's chosen to 'go native'. There are very few ferals here and seem to be no feral feeders such as there were in Selly Oak. I think he's living on the scraps the squirrel woman puts out for squirrels.
I might try trapping him. Perhaps keep the others in and put out a feral trap.
I miss Fred, we were close; now his sister has started snuggling into my stomach at night when I go to sleep. I think she's missing him too.
Was about to ask friends to leaflet the area (wrists too painful to deal with letter boxes) when this happen.
Would be grateful for suggestions. Thanks.
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Put some food out for him and some shelter.
If he starts eating regular outside try putting the dish of food just inside the entry point...........do not try to trap him i think that will make things worse.
get the cat flap sorted as a priority
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Why would trapping him make things worse? Do you mean in terms of his trust of me?
The problem with putting food out for him, which I've already tried to do, is that the others eat it. Over night, while the others were kept in, I trailed some munchies towards the house and on the back step. In the morning, the others went out and ate them. He hadn't touched them.
Because of the way the house is laid out, they will have to be taught how to get out via the cat flap. The flap will be put into the kitchen door, which leads into a side area (run down utility/garage which is going to be rebuilt). There's a door from the side area into the back garden. The latter door will be left open (it's going to be changed anyway and a Sureflap put in the new door). So the cats have to get through the cat flap, turn right in the garage area and go out of the back door. Fred won't see the flap from the garden, just the open door.
I don't want to put a flap in the french windows which lead directly into the garden and are the way they're going out at the mo, with me opening them. This would be very expensive and unsightly.
Trapping was the way Fred came to me in the first place, so it seems logical. Is it the trust thing which could be the problem?
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I don't have anything helpful to add, I'm afraid, just want you to know that I have everything crossed for Fred's safe return :hug:
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I would borrow a trap and once he is caught, keep him in for about a week to 10 days, make a big fuss of him so he can bond with you again and get his confidence back? Get the cat flap fitted and then he will be able to go in and out as he pleases once he is over his trauma? Glad its def him you saw there, fingers crossed he will be home soon :)
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I don't think trapping him will make him lose his trust in you, after all it's going to be a humane trap where he will be safe and unharmed. Your local rescue should have a trap you can borrow and it will be the quickest (and cheapest!!) way to get him home.
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I think trapping him will make him lose trust because he is not coming in I think because he thinks he will not be let out again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so trapping will totally reinforce that.
Its a decision you have to totally consider,,,,,,,,,,,trap and keep in until all work is done to get the flap sorted or let him make his own decision.
Sasa a semi feral made her own decision and decided once back in that she didnt want to go out,,,,,,,,,,,,she now goes out and comes back and if its raining and cold she wont go out even if Misa does and hasnt been out for last two days.
i dont have a cat flap available to them any more cos cant allow Lupin out by himself.
You have to try and think this out from the cats point of view :innocent:
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I have a humane feral cat trap from the time when I trapped Lucy and her boys (Lucy brought her kits into my verandah where I fed them till I noticed signs of 'flu).
Looking at it from a Fred-cat point of view, I think he got carried away exploring a new territory which has different creatures and cats in it. I don't know if he's seen a squirrel before. During this adventure, I think he just forgot about home, being able to find food on the squirrel feeding tables which a neighbour puts scraps on. There are lots of birds here whereas the last area was virtually bird free because of so many cats.
After a few days, his old feral nature kicked in and I think it will stay unless action is taken. He won't live long as a feral as there are no colonies or feral feeders locally, so I think it's best to stop the process now, whether he likes it or not, for his own good. As a domestic he has regular meals and health care plus his own little colony of cats.
None of the cats are 100% domestic, they all retain something of their feral natures. Lately, Victoria has been sleeping with me; every morning I wake to find her snuggled into my tum, but I know that feral Victoria is still there, she has just learned that good things come from me: food, warmth, love, etc, so she stays.
Fred wants to come in, but is scared. So trapping him is just a way of overcoming his fear. He'll hate me for it till he has his first good meal. Then he'll notice the warmth, the other cats, the regular food etc...
I've got men coming to change the boiler tomorrow morning, they'll be here for two days. I might shut Fred into one of the rooms with least unpacked stuff in until they've gone. He'll hate me for a while, but I'm sure he'll come round. Meanwhile I'll arrange to have the flap installed asap.
So later tonight, in a couple of hours when the others are in, I'll bait the trap in the bushes where he's been seen.
Years ago, for the first year or so of living with me, Fred was defensive to the point of vicious, which is why he didn't find a home. He's come a long way since then and I don't want him going back to that state.
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Fred nearly came in of his own accord! He's obviously very hungry, so I opened a tin of cat food to put some on the back step, he came very close to me. Victoria was hanging around, wanting some of the food when it was forked into the dish. Fred came closer. Then, out of nowhere, Cyd turned up, went wild and chased Fred off. There was snarling and hissing from the next garden, but I couldn't see what was happening. I shouted "Cyd, No!" and "Bad Cat!" to no avail. I could here poor Fred being chased away by Cyd.
With Fred out of the way, Cyd has been asserting himself as the dominant male. He's been mounting George and 'grabbing' him by the scruff of the neck with his jaws. I've reprimanded him and he eventually stops. George is small, kitteny and puts up with such behaviour.
All my cats are neutered. I often wonder if they left some testicular matter behind with Cyd as he often behaves like an entire tom. Fred used to mount occasionally too. I think it's a dominance thing?
I hope there's not some sort of rivalry going on.
I've just seen Fred again at the bottom of the garden and put a dish of food under the bushes where he now is. The only other one of the tribe still out is Victoria and she's sitting just outside the French windows refusing to come in (I hope I don't lose her!).
So it's all pusscat drama here. :oh noo:
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It sounds like they're just re-jigging things until Fred gets back home, if he was the dominant male. Mounting and scruffing is all normal dominance behaviour but do try and discourage it if you can otherwise you'll have re-introduction problems on your hands when Fred comes home!
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I'll try, but they don't take much notice! Cyd and Fred stop mounting when I tell them off, but Cyd took no notice when I shouted "No!" at him while he was chasing Fred away.
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Can you fill a squirty bottle with water and use it for the time being?
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He's home! ;D ;D ;D
Saw him in the garden this afternoon so put the trap out. The only other of my cats outside was Victoria, his sister, and it looked like she was going in the trap! But Fred went in and managed to eat some tuna without standing on the treddle, so I put the tuna further back and SUCCESS! One squirming, trapped cat! I've fed him, he's re-inspected the house and seems no worse for being trapped.
Any advice about how long I should keep him in for to prevent a reocurrence? Naturally, I'll get a catflap before any of them go out again. :Luv:
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:welcome: home Fred Lad :wow: :wow: :wow:
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I'm so glad that Fred is back home safe and sound. Would he walk in a harness, that might be worth taking him for a stroll in the garden with?
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So pleased that you've got Fred back in the house safe and sound. I'd maybe keep him in a couple of weeks so he remembers the warm place that he gets fed in is home.
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Couple of weeks should do the trick, so glad he's come back home!
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He seems glad to be home and no worse for having been trapped. In fact he's being super-affectionate and snuggling up to me, purring like a good 'un. :hug: On several occasions when he was outside, I heard him meowing as though he wanted to come home but was too scared. I think he was glad to be trapped and finally brought home.
I don't think he would take to a harness; he hates collars. I'll keep him in for a few weeks. I'm so glad to have him home that I had a little sob. :Luv2:
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ahhh glad he is home safe and well. I would def keep him in for a few weeks ;D
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Excellent news, so pleased that Fred is home and happy to be back in the warm. Hopefully it's also reassuring that he actually didn't go anywhere in the time he was wandering.
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Awwww, I'm sure you're delighted and relieved and thrilled. Give him a fuss from me. Xx
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Can't quite believe this, it's amazing news that he's back, and was the stranger you spotted weeks ago ;D I would invest in a sure flap that allows you to restrict exit as well as entry. Give them a call, they are truly caring folk and I think they can help you. :)
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Great news that Fred is back :) :)
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:yayyy: so pleased that you are all back together!
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So pleased he is back and sounds a bit like Sasa once she had been caught indoors, she didnt want to go out again for many months. ;D ;D ;D
its almost like they lose their confidence and once they get in again they dont want to leave.
sasa goes out now and comes home even though i dont have a catflap useable anymore cos of lupin and if the weather is really bad she will just look and says nooooooo i am not going out there :rofl:
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I can't believe how affectionate he's being. He slept cuddled to me all night and is cuddled next to my legs as I type this, purring madly. He follows me everywhere too. Lucy came to see him and got up beside him (by me) and snuggled with him for half an hour, but he seemed to get fed up and made her get down.
I'm taking all your comments on board, but for now I'm just enjoying having such a loving Fred home. ;D
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Oh yes enjoy him and let him enjoy you and his home ;D ;D ;D
Forgot to say that Sasa on her return suddenly allowed me to stroke her after about 7 yrs! She is still a scaredy cat of the highest order but on her terms I can stroke her and its wonderful ;D ;D
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Brilliant news, So glad he's back ;D now put him in chains :evillaugh:
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Absolutely delighjted to know that Fred is back home. ;D ;D :hug: :hug: What a relief!!!
I agree with sheila HK - if you can invest inone of the new Sureflap dualflaps, you can restrict exit as well as selective entry. They're no more than the normal sureflap flaps to buy, and I wouldnt want to change ours back to normal flaps now.
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Only just catching up with this ... so plese Fred is back home. It sounds like he really missed you which is why he is being all loving now he is home. Hopefully now he will stay close to home. I always think is does them good to be "lost" for a little while because they alway sseem to appreciate what they've got when they come back :hug:
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Thanks so much for all your support. I'm so happy now, even the wounds from the falls, such as my broken wrist and damaged tendons, seem to be healing faster.
He's being amazingly loving. I think he did miss home. :hug: :hug:
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Hippykitty, a happy patient will generally heal faster. :hug:
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I haven't been on the forum for a few days so I had missed this. I am sooooo glad that Fred is home, safe and sound, where he belongs :briggin: :hug:
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;D ;D
Me too. I hardly dared look at the latest posts.
Dancing Bananas all round I think!! :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy:
I hope he never puts you through anything like that again. :Luv:
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Glad Fred came back home - I'm sure he was busy exploring his new territory!
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Yup, he will have been - it's just we go crazy worrying about our very own Ernest Shackletons and Amelia Earharts. :innocent: :)
How are you getting along HK? I hope you're more or less back to normal now, and that your wrist isn't giving you too much bother. :hug:
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How is Fred doing and hope you are ok :hug:
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Glad that your Fred's back home! He must have been done checking out the neighborhood. :Luv:
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He's done it again! The first time I let him out after he'd been grounded. He's been gone for just over a week (went on Sunday 6th) and I'm starting to print out posters.
The worrying thing is that I haven't seen him at all since he went and George has disappeared too. George went sometime yesterday. He's a cat who always comes to me when called, not a cat to stay away overnight.
I'll start a new thread about this, but I'm getting suspicious/paranoid that there may be a pigeon fancier in the area who doesn't like cats. I've been lurking on their forums and they really have a negative attitude to cats. There are lots of pigeons round here who don't look like the average feral type found in city centres. (This is a suburban '30s semi area, lots of elderly people and a few families.) :'(
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Get the posters out for both but I really did think Fred would go off again tbh,,,,,,,,,,,,,suspect that he just likes his freedom and may be worried if he comes back he will be grounded again.
Semi ferals seem to be like this and Sasa left for about 6 months and knew she was around cos she had been seen up the road in their gardens, and then suddenly she came back in a real old mess. She is a calico tortie but mainly white and she was all orange and I didnt know at the time cos couldnt get close to her but her teeth were in a terrible mess.
She now only has two left!
She then started to want strokes after 7/8 years and didnt want to go out. She does now and stays in the garden and comes back but is now arou nd 16 yrs old.
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I really hope that Fred and George turn up soon!