Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: samandred on March 05, 2007, 10:01:26 AM
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Hi everyone...
I need some advice. There is a cat that has been adopted by me and my wife but he has never settled anywhere and has many homes. The only way I can demonstrate any ownership is that we pay for his vet bills and keep an eye on his health. Loads of friends have said I should trap him in my home so he gets used to mine being his 'main' home but I can't help but feel he is his own cat and should come and go as he pleases...
am I being a big wuss? Is it time for tough love?
I have never had a cat before I am a clean canvass for education...
Thank you
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I have never had a cat before I am a clean canvass for education...
There is lots of info on my site www.chesterfieldcats.co.uk.
Is it time for tough love?
My concern about this cat is that many other people may be feeding it and who knows some may also give it flea and worm treatments which is not good. (for more than one person to do anyway) I think it is nice for a cat to know it has a base. Perhaps you could read my lost and found page to make sure it really does not have an owner. You know what some owners are like even if a cat looks like it needs to go to the vets they don't bother
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awwwwwww
have u tried keeping him in ?
does he ask to go out by scracthing at the door ?
welcome to the boards by the way :welcome:
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I think it's wonderful you're letting him be "his own cat."
If you know for a fact that other people have the pleasure of his company, maybe you could approach them with regards to helping towards veterinary costs. If that's not an issue to you and you don't mind him being a bit of a hobo, then I think it's fine to let things stay the way they are.
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Thank you so much for getting back to me so damn quick...
To answer each query...
Yes, his real owner is lovely but not educated about Cat Welfare and in the 2.5 years she had him, he was never taken to the vets, chipped, neutered or vaccinated. I have, in agreement with her and the other 7 families he visits (I put up posters), decided to take on his welfare, even if it makes him hate me as I am the nasty one to take him to the vet. So, he has has jabs and flea teatments (he had fleas)...
...but now he has to go to the vet in 10 days for the snip and also to shove a chip in him (which I am doing not to put my stamp on him but ensure that any future owner knows his medial history).
I shall look at the page recommended me now and maybe post again once I have seen that.
Money is not an issue and it is a community where people do not have much and I am happy to ensure he is content but share him...
What I will do is ask for someone else to take him to the Vet as money may not be an issue for me but time is.
Thank you all so much.
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7 famileys ! lol he sounds very clever he must be getting so much food ! and so much love and attention .
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yeah, he is the super cheeky cat about town. Like all cats, he is pretty and cute but he has that extra chutpah to run up to strangers, throw him self onto his back and ask for a good skratch...
We are all his harem...
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awwwwww he sounds a fab boy
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But his friendlynes can also be a bad thing if he comes across someone who dosnt like cats. I would keep him in for his own safety and to let him know where he lives. And you could get the problem of someone trying to claim the cat as he goes to their house, which could start arguments.
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Actaully, I suspect that someone is already muscling in... let's hope they love him and do not want him to lose out. I am happy to share but I need to be sure he is safe...
Maybe you are right... I think what I shall do is collar him properly, then let him be a floosy for a week or so, then keep him in for the operation and the week afterwards where is groggy...
If, after all that, he then decides he wants to leave our home, then so be it... but at least he'll be safe for now and I'll keep an eye on him
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So the cat hasnt been neutered? Thats obviously why hes milling around.
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...but now he has to go to the vet in 10 days for the snip and also to shove a chip in him (which I am doing not to put my stamp on him but ensure that any future owner knows his medial history).
You didn't mention he was a FULL tom! No wonder he's such a lad about town. :evillaugh: You won't be the only harem he has!
It's very likely after all the hormones are out of his system, he'll choose a home of his own volition anyway.
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Thats what a cat in my aunts street done jack, settled down once the things had gone. Although I dont think its fair on other peoples cats that this cat maybe going around getting them pregnant, he needs to be kept in so he cant be doing that. Just think of all them poor little kittens.
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I agree that many girl felines may already had been recepticles for his man love but it's been almost three years and I only found out four days ago, that;s when I got him into the vet.
I believe the damage has been done by him running around being bad. It's only another week... do you think he can still cause harm in another week or should I start keeping him in now...
hell, it is almost spring, maybe I should
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Dosnt take a genius to work that 1 out.
Whats been 3 years? Just think of the illnesses hecould have or get.
Is he your cat? If he is then its your right to do whatever.
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He was a neighbour's and they had him 2 and a half years and did nothing for him. He kept being out so they stopped even keeping an eye on him. He'd come around ours and after a week, we noticed he was getting bald and ill and we suspected fleas so I went to see the owner and realised they were not equipped to take care of him so agreed with them I and my wife'd take him on. Then, after a visit to the vets, he stopped hanging with us as we were the nasty ones who put him in a box and took blood samples and doused him with cream so I put up posters asking for help from anyone who saw him. 7 families replied.
So, now, there is a question as to who owns him as he is in everyone's home and the original owners no longer have any contact with him. Even though we are sorting his medical needs and trying to keep him and the local cat community safe, how much can I make calls.
I guess as I have the original owners sanction, I guess I can.
In the meantime, I am trying to get him neutered and chipped asap but I am restrcited by the vet setting a date when he can be neutered.
That's a long reply. I apologise for that...
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No worries but do keep this cat indoors and get him done. You seem to be his only chance of him having a safe life
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Well done for taking this cat on. Most people don't realise the damage that an unneutered tom can do to a local cat population. As well as unwanted kittens, he is also far more likley to fight and get injured, get lost and catch nasty diseases like FIV (feline version of HIV) and FeLV from other cats. So you are definitely doing the right thing in getting him done.
I would suggest that next time he comes to you, keep him inside until the vets because otherwise he may not be around when you need to take him as well as the other considerations. He won't like it, but he'll get over it. Toms can also impregnate females for up to 2 weeks after the op too so it would be wise to keep him inside for that amount of time too and that could have the added bonus that he may see your place as his proper home. I have found that cats can be quite forgiving and all of mine have been so relived to get home from the vets that they soon forget that it was you who took them in the first place :innocent:
As you are the one paying for everything (with his original owner's permission) then I would say that you can make all the decisions :)
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Thank you for your advice. I have been driven by his needs but I am grateful for the wider context you have all given me...
(At least he does not have cat aids or leukemia as I insisted on every test in the cat book)
I shall take care of him
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So has he been tested at the vets for these viruses?
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Well done you. To me, it sounds like he's your cat and he just chills out at other peoples houses. I think the fact of the matter is that you are the sole carer with regards to his medical well being and that gives you the right to decide whats best for him.(After all, if anything happens to him, you'll be the one that pays to sort it out!)
With him being such a wanderer, he may not enjoy being a full time indoor cat, but definately keep him in before the op and after to ensure he gets into no scrapes, or causes more kittens that will need homes. (And as someone else quite rightly pointed out, is actually around when you need to take him in for the op!)
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he has indeed and so far, he is clear...
the only symptom now is that his coat seems less glossy than before and I assume that is diet though if there might be another reason, I'll watch out
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Probibly just cos he's kicking about the streets, please do keep him in. Let us know how u get on.
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Yes, both of you (and everyone else) has a consensus, regardless of whether people feel he should learn to be at home or not (and I am tending not), it is unified opinon that it is in his best interests to keep him at home before and after the operation...
and this, I will now do and is eaxctly why I came here, looking for advice as an intelligent but inexperienced owner...
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I will update you all, probably on this thread in about 2 weeks as then he'll have been in and been seen to...
...unless unforeseen things are afoot and then you'll hear from me sooner...
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And you will find as you visit the site more you will get more experience and less intelligent lol
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Great, I look forward to the day when I can rant unhindered and you all care even less...
...god bless those little pagens we call cats, and all the time we spend discussing. What the hell did we do before forums anyway?
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My George, RIP, turned up an entire tom, he used to come and go and wander off every so often. We got him neutered, expecting him to hate us and run off after doing it but he never left!
You may get the house cat you'd like afterall.
Good luck with him
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Well done you for taking care of this lucky boy, our Charlie came to us in a similar way, he just turned up on the doorstep one night. We
mananged to track down his owner, she didnt want him anymore (her loss) At first he wouldnt stay in because he was used to roaming all the time but now he hardly leaves the garden when he goes out and spends most of hsi time chilled out indoors - I never let him out at night. I think one of the reasons he likes living here so much is his my 3 gorgeous female cats !!
:welcome: To this lovely site
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Thank you all so much, you've made me feel like I am on a worthy path and I am grateful for that insight
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Well done for taking this little guy under your wing :hug: I had a stray turned up here and we christened him Boris, he was unneutered and had quite a few "homes", everyone loved him but no one took him to the vets etc so I took him on board. He was a wanderer but soon settled down when he had the chop and knew which side his bread was buttered on ;) As soon as the hormones settle down, you will probably find he'll enjoy being indoors especially on the cold nights, good luck and I'm looking forward to updates :)
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I'm an old hand at domesticating cats which have this sort of background. My advice is to keep him in, give him and litter tray and feed him well. Give him as much fuss as he will take, but no more. To fully bond him to you, your family and your house, you'll need to keep him in completely for at least two months. He won't like this, but it's the only way that your house will be his home in his mind.
After he has been neutered and kept in for a couple of months, you will have a very loving cat. Neutered toms are very affectionate.
Personally, I wouldn't have him tested for FLV etc, but accept that he probably does have these illnesses, which may, in future cut short his life.
But I have two cats at the moment, both of whom have similar histories and are probably FLV positive. One is 17years old, the other 20.
Good luck. Please keep him in for two months. :fish:
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Hippylitty, if you so sure your cats have FIV/FIVL why wouldnt you have them tested? :-:
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do they need any medication if they have fiv????????
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Thank you for caring enough to get this done - I am puzzled why the vet tested him and didn't suggest it though, and depending on how long it was since he was tested, does depend on if things have changed since then.
CC - I dont get my permanent cats tested - out of all 8, only 2 have been tested, and both on vets 'suggestions' due to health issues, both negative. Ginger could have had anything, he had 3 years on the streets (as a neutered male though, and he was so laid back), lived with a cat with FIP (admittedly they were isolated as soon as I knew, so hopefully that helped with that one). To me, it wont affect what I do for them, and in Gingers case, I couldnt' keep him in, that would have shortened his lifespan more than anything medically.
Forever - no, cats with FIV dont need meds, some studies show Interferon can help, but it is just a compromised immune system, they can live long, happy lives with it.
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Pros and cons to the testing issue I guess. Though everyone who has had something to say seems to have found a good solution for themselves...
The question you raise about keeping the cats in is close to my heart, I and my wife feel very strongly that this tom may well still enjoy being out and about post neutering and even if we only see him here and there, as long as it remains regular and not just for food, then we'll ensure his welfare. He can decide where he likes to hang out and I am ready in case that turns out not to be us...
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samandred, I'm not saying that you need to keep your cat in permanently, just for two months. This will tell the cat that your house is his home. After the two months, have a cat-flap fitted so that he can come and go as he pleases. He'll be likely to adopt your house as his main home.
Do you want this cat to be your responsibility? Or do you want to treat it like a farm cat which makes its own living by catching mice? Your reluctance to fully home him makes me wonder whether you wish him to remain semi-feral. Please consider what is best for the cat.
Personally, I think he'd live a longer, happier life with his own home and family, and dependable, regular meals.
How tame is he? Is he nervous? Frightened of people? It doesn't sound like it if he has so many houses to go to, but can you pick him up, have him on your lap etc?
It would help if you were clearer in whether you want to be this cat's person.
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I do indeed... I've said so ealier in this thread what the situation is...
We are taking care of him and inded to provide for any needs he has. He's a very sociable cat that is not scared or people. He is not feral at all
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I do agree that keeping him in after his op to recover is a good idea, but as I said earlier in this thread it's nice to hear of someone allowing a cat to express its personality fully. If you're happy with this arrangement and so is the cat, fair play to you!
Does he have a name that you call him by?
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When I took Boris under my wing, he was a regular visitor to the garden and eventually I coaxed him in so I could get him to the vets for the chop. I kept him in for a few days and then gave him the choice as he'd got a few "homes". He still visited everyone else but always came home at night and in the winter he stayed in 24/7, they know where they're well off. Hubby was convinced he'd do a runner after the chop but he stuck around and forgave me the first day :Luv:
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Men seem to get squeamish about giving tom cats the chop. I wonder why? :Crazy:
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We certainly do get sqeamish but I hope that in no way that sqeamishness makes us feel it is less than necessary.
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Men seem to get squeamish about giving tom cats the chop
Years ago I mentioned in a local Newspaper write up that I am often told by women the reason they don't have their unneutered toms 'done', is that their husbands/ partners won't let them. (As if that would work with any of us).
Anyway I had forpotten about it until one day a National Newspaper rang me up and asked all about my comment.
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Yes Ela I dont think us queens would let our tom's get away with that would we.
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I dont think us queens would let our tom's get away with that would we.
Absolutely not, chop um off is what I say. In a most humane way of course.
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Thinking about it, 'slicing off knackers' and 'humane' just do not seem to be phrases that should be in the same sentence
Of course, for little girl cats, the same holds true but why is it that the operation for girls is always portrayed in the light of saving them from harm and little boys get the chop? I wonder if it is because it was men that created that perception in the first place... speaking as a man
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Men seem to get squeamish about giving tom cats the chop. I wonder why? :Crazy:
I wasn't at all squeamish about getting Pimpernel neutered. Just don't expect me to think about it too much OK? :rofl:
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I was asked to update you and here I go...
Everything is great. After keeping him for two weeks, he has really settled and we feel very much that he wants to be here with us. Yes, it was painful keeping him in when I could see his need to go off but we held our heads together and let him out when it felt right rather than when the time limit was up and it worked wonders.
Now, he comes and goes as he pleases but this is his home and though he may visit others, it's all good.
Once again, thank you
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Hurrah! Glad everything's worked out. ;D
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Yes, It has worked out, really quite wonderfully, though I am guarding against making assumptions and will take whatever love he has to offer and afford him the freedom he needs...
Thank you again
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By the way, here is the short video I made about Preet... I hope you enjoy it, I had a blast making it and editing it (with help from composer John Powell)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCi5_LcMPJA
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the video is fab he is so gorgeous :Luv:
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glad you liked it...
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What a great video. He's really a beautiful cat. Posted a rating for you, and a comment. Put it in my faves too. :clap: :clap: :clap:
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I saw the comment... thank you very much
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Great vid. How do you get started doing that? (briefly) I'd love to - what do I need (apart from vid cam ;) ), what software do you use?
Preet is v cute, love that white stripe down the tum.
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Just gave in and watched your video. In answer to your question and comments on the other thread, yes with him , I would easily covince myself that it is right to force a wandering cat to stay home for, I'd say, 8 consecutive weeks an dsee how it goes. Has he turned up again yet at yours? He is adoreable. :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
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OK, first the video...
Aside from the camera, you'll need a firewire cable (this might have come with the camera). If you need one, go to any high street store and you can get it for about £16. Then you need the software. I am a mac user and I used iMovie (quite simple to use) that comes free with macs. If you are a PC user, go to this page (at computeractive magazine who do cheap and decent stuff) and you might track down other free downloads in other categoeies.
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads/video-recording-and-editing
The film you took will download into your computer very simply as a series of shots you can mix and change the lengths of. Then, when you have made a simple edit, then add an MP3 as a soundtrack, then go to www.youtube.com, and then click top right, 'upload movies', sign up an account, free and simple, then upload a movie as long as it is less than 100Mb in size and then they re-size it. Very simple.
My movie was edited to the music as exactly as I could do it and it took me quite a long time but I am interested in learning the skill so could be bothered. If you need other advice, then please ask...
..and second, the cat
He has started coming back again. Learning about his solitary hunter nature and his instincts, my wife and I have decided that we are going to keep our house open for him. We love him and want him to be here but on his terms. I know it is a gamble and some of you may feel I am letting him go, but he comes and goes, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. I guess I am fed up with worrying about where he his and if he is happy. I have provided everything I can and it is his choice as to how much of his time he spends with us. The last three days, he's been here almost all the time but I shall not hold him to that or shut my doors. I know it is taking a chance but I feel this is the best choice for us and him.
Does that make sense?
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"The last three days, he's been here almost all the time"
Sounds to me like Preet has found his forever home without being forced into it. Clever boy. :Luv:
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Certainly, he is a clever boy... I reall think he knows we are his home but that may not stop him going off and exploring
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i think you are doing the right thing - there are no guarantees that keeping him in longer will have an effect, Ginger was kept in for 6 weeks, and still liked spending time in other people's houses - it is easier when you know which house to go and retrieve them from though, it was the only way he came home most nights (sometimes didn't get to him before the neighbours went to bed, and never got them to check for him before they locked up for the night!!)
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yeah, it is hard when neighbours kep yur cat, fighting that here too...
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If it is possible, you could do what I did and just go round every night to pick him up - I was lucky in that I also had a key in case one of theirs wouldnt' go in and they went out, so I could go and retrieve him myself if they had gone out.
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wow, that's cool...
I have the sad situation that the dad is a drunk and has had slagging matches with me... the daughter is more friendly but a liar and has, at least once, lied to me saying that preet is not there when I am sure he is. If I had proof or was sure, I might change my tune but if they treat him well enough that he still goes on occasion, then who am I to stop him making his little cat choices...
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Could you not try keeping him as a house cat? Or have you tried that? Maybe cat proof the garden? Have to admit its not nice having to deal with unsociable people. But once again you are in the right, Preet is yours.
I know its not fair to keep him from doing what he likes to do but if its causing you misery having to deal with these people then do whats right for you. Preet will soon know where his true home is. Are these people feeding him? Or has he got a friend in their house he likes to go and see? I would be fuming if someone was doing this with my cat, but then again you aquired preet under different curcumstances.
Who's cat was he anyway? Did someone leave him behind or was he stray?
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In truth, I think the approach of letting him have the choice to come and go, but have anything he needs or wants here is finally having the desired effect and he is starting to settle here but I am not expecting him to continue that as he might decide to wander for a bit again at any moment.
The neighbours and the misery was mainly in my head and spoke of my ignoarnce as a cat owner. I feel in a better place now.
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hi and thanks for the tips. I'm eyeing a macbook but they are awfully expensive for quite a simple machine.....
ha! you aren't a 'cat owner'; like all of us you are the one that's owned and are a humble cat servant ;) Joking apart, it sounds like Preet has found what he wants to do. The only question is if you are comfortable or really stressed by the thought of his wandering and maybe losing him. They do get used to being in one place but it can take time.
Mine are house cats but, being unwell and working from home, I could spend hours seeing to their whims :-) which is not realistic if you are working out of home.
all the best.
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I was stressed at first but that has given way to trust that he knows what he wants... I'm glad my tips helped...
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Hows it going with Preet?
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In the last three months, it really feels like this is his home... he is chasing away intruding cats, being affectionate with me and my wife, has his favourite spots and stays here virtually every day...
he still has his getaway city breaks and calls on other neighbours but it seems healthy and safe for him (and in one place he gets to play fight with a fully grown rabbit... and apparently loses)..
Yes, thank you, he's a super cat and finally, a happy cat. I believe.
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Aww, he sounds so happy (and you do too!)
By the time winter arrives he will be going nowhere :evillaugh: hmm thinking about it winter is kinda here already :(
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damn straight
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Aww, glad to hear there is a happy ending.
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so I put up posters asking for help from anyone who saw him. 7 families replied.
thats one smart little cookie ! ;) ;D ;D :rofl:
We had a cat like that when we were kids (1950's ) back then nobody had their cats spayed . He sired lots of little kits all over the place. Recently we had a Tom move into the neighbourhood and learnt to our cost what a problem intasct males cause. This Tom has cost me over £100 in vet bills for my cats (fighting) and £240 in special catflaps and countless hours cleaning furniture and walls of pungent urine spray.
Last night he burst through the electronic catflap splitting the plastic flap in two pieces.! sprayed the kitchen and left . Took me an hour to clean up this morning. :censored:
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Another £40 would sort the problem out for good ;)
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ha ha :evillaugh: got to catch him first lol :rofl:
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Idlly, I have wondered if there are surveiellance kits that can trigger a camera when a cat flap is opened, or destroyed in some cases...
The whole motion senor, night vision lens, digital tarnsfer cost might be high though eh?
Maybe a cat retinal scan?
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Idlly, I have wondered if there are surveiellance kits that can trigger a camera when a cat flap is opened, or destroyed in some cases...
The whole motion senor, night vision lens, digital tarnsfer cost might be high though eh?
A simple webcam will do the trick, I have my very own 'kitty cam' which can also be set to turn on with motion detection, the images are FTP'd to a free website but each indivisual still is also stored on the hard drive. Forget night vision, leave a lamp on ;)
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good god, cheap enough to put the CIa out of business
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good god, cheap enough to put the CIa out of business
Not sure they'd be too interested in my 'images' :evillaugh: It's currently down the back of the computer desk where the subjects (Lucas & Riley) have knocked it down, they obviously objected to being filmed and I can't be bothered to fish it out.
It was mainly to see what they got up to while I was at work as when they were babies I was coming home at lunch to check on them only to find them fast asleep and then they would get all excited by me coming home only for me to have to leave again :( Webcam cost £16 and came with free software needed to transfer the images to a free website, it can either do live streaming or motion detection.
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CIA
Is that the Cat Intelligence Agency? :evillaugh: