Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

As I have posted here before, I have an outside cat that I feed, George. He lets me get close enough to give him food and water but he will not let me touch him. Last year, I trapped him and had him neutured and vaccinated and attempted to bring him inside with no success. We let him back out and provided him shelter and feed him daily and this has become our relationship with him.

We noticed a couple of days ago that we hadn't come to us for 2 days and were worried. Last night, he emerged on our deck for food and when I walked out to feed him, he was acting strange and almost vicious so DH went out there to feed him. We then noticed he is only using 3 legs. He wont put pressure on his front right paw which makes sense now that we haven't seen him since we usually feed him on our upstairs deck and that's where his house is. He probably couldn't get up there. After he ate, he sat licking that paw for about 10 minutes. He isn't really able to get around on it so he is basically a sitting duck. He finally got down the stairs and we moved all of his stuff to the lower level but he wasn't there this morning.

My question is, should I try to trap him and bring him to Island Rescue? I am afraid his leg may be broken although I am reading online that something may have just happened to his pad. I know it will cost us a lot of money because they absolutely need to sedate him to even get near him and the last time I trapped him, it didn't go too smoothly. He didn't forgive us for a while and I just hate to put that kind of stress on him again. However, if its broken, I know he is dead without care and I can't let that happen to him. Any advice on what to do here? I have been trying to get in touch with Island Rescue but its been busy so hopefully they can offer some advice as well. TIA for any advice

Update- I figured I would update because a couple of you were so nice to give me advice and asked for an update. Unfortunately, I think George is gone for good. We haven't seen him since Friday and when I tried to give him food he refused it. One of our azzhole neighbors came over to DH yesterday when he was doing yard work and asked if the cat we had been looking for (we asked the neighbors to keep an eye out) was black and white and hobbling with his front paw raised. DH said yes and the guy proceeds to tell DH he saw him Friday night and he was hobbling across the cul de sac and soon after he saw a raccoon and he heard screaming. We haven't seen him since. I just know in my gut he isn't coming back although we have been still searching for him. I know he wasn't MY cat per se, but I am really going to miss seeing him day and night and having him wait for me on my porch when I get home. I am just devastated and to to think of what this neighbor described, I can't stop crying. We wish we could have done more and we are both really angry at ourselves for not doing so. I know I sound crazy but I just feel so bad and to think of that poor baby, ugh. Thanks again for all the advice. Maybe he will shock us all and come back but I just have a feeling he's gone.

Message edited 9/8/2013 9:26:21 AM.

Need Advice- Feral Cat

I don't have advice for you but I just had to say, you are a wonderful person and George is lucky to have found someone who cares about him so much.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat

Awww I'm glad George is still with you! I'd definitely try your best to get him some medical attention; it could be a number of things that are bothering his foot.

Message edited 9/5/2013 11:00:55 AM.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat

Need Advice- Feral Cat

Well if you are willing to spend the money on him... I'd start to attempt to trap him, and hope that when/if he shows back up he has improved and just release him (or since he is trapped.. is it's time for a check up/shots anyway?)

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat

Need Advice- Feral Cat

You are my hero. While he is recovering try and see if you can make him a house pet again. You never know it may end up working out. Please keep us updated.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat

Good Luck. Hope all is ok. I would do the same (so would my husband, but he'd complain about the $). You and your husband are wonderful people. Please keep us posted. George-Hope you feel better.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat

Thanks ladies! Unfortunately for us, George is smarter than we thought and he is not falling for the have a heart cage this time. When we caught him last time, we used it and I guess he knows now. We have seen him around the yard but he won't come to the area where the cage is. We have tried different kinds of food, we covered the cage and put his blanket in there...nope...he won't bite.

Tonight we went to Petco and bought a bigger soft cage and set it up and put some food in it with his blanket and covered the cage. I am hoping he wont suspect its a trap and go in there this evening. DH is currently sitting outside watching for him so we can just close it when he goes in. Wish us luck! Freakin cat! We just want to help him but he must just be so scared.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

bump for update

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

Oh my gosh...I am so sorry and sad to read this update.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

Yes that is a sad update. If he is still alive, hopefully he is ok. I guess that jerk didn't go try to investigate after he heard the noise.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

OMG. You tried so hard. You meant well and did such good already.

I am so sorry to read this update. I will it's not true.

Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

I'm so sorry. My heart broke when I read this. Poor kitty. You tried that's the best you could have done.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

Posted by LI-Joy

Yes that is a sad update. If he is still alive, hopefully he is ok. I guess that jerk didn't go try to investigate after he heard the noise.

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

I read your post and feel so bad for what you are going through. Don't beat yourself up over not being able to get your kitty treated in time. Maybe my story will give you inspiration and hope that things turn out for the better for you as well. I, too, take care of three ferrals who pretty much are always are on my property and have been for the past 2 years or so now. I am the crazy cat lady....I'm constantly checking on them to make sure that they are okay...don't go to sleep soundly until I know they are all accounted for. I love coming home and having them greet me as well...know how you feel about that. Any ways....I originally had more than 3 outside.....had about 6 that we took care of....two moved to the next block and one of them had gone missing. Actually a week from this coming Sunday did he go missing (last year). I posted on Criaigslist, hung up signs looking for him, went to every neighbor in a three block radius with fliers, looked every day for him....I cried my eyeballs out and thought I'd never see him again. A month and a week later, after givien up all hope, I returned home with my husband and newborn baby (at the time) from my grandparents house. It was a week before Sandy....Low and behold, my husband goes to feed the cats and he calls me to the door.....there is my Mini Pete....all skin and bones....Point of the story is he came back....a month and a week later. I had given up hope...thought the worst....feared he got hit by a car or some thing of this nature. He must've been locked in someones garage (believe it was my neighbor right across the street) To finish off my story, Mini Pete (who never came into my house before) ran inside. We isolated him in our mudroom away from our two cats and nursed him back to health. He went to the vet and was put on special food to bulk him up. He was severely dehydrated. Mini Pete is our miracle cat....my absolute mush. He never tried to step foot outside again and has been with us ever since. I thank gosh every day for how lucky we are and I sure hope that you get your lucky story too. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you and saying a little prayer that your baby returns home to you too. Don't fear the worst....he'll be back and if he doesn't come back....just know that he was happy that you took such good care of him....better than most would do..most people turn their heads at these poor ferals or just complain that they poop all over or carry disease. You did a good thing and wish you all of the best

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

Posted by Arissa444

I read your post and feel so bad for what you are going through. Don't beat yourself up over not being able to get your kitty treated in time. Maybe my story will give you inspiration and hope that things turn out for the better for you as well. I, too, take care of three ferrals who pretty much are always are on my property and have been for the past 2 years or so now. I am the crazy cat lady....I'm constantly checking on them to make sure that they are okay...don't go to sleep soundly until I know they are all accounted for. I love coming home and having them greet me as well...know how you feel about that. Any ways....I originally had more than 3 outside.....had about 6 that we took care of....two moved to the next block and one of them had gone missing. Actually a week from this coming Sunday did he go missing (last year). I posted on Criaigslist, hung up signs looking for him, went to every neighbor in a three block radius with fliers, looked every day for him....I cried my eyeballs out and thought I'd never see him again. A month and a week later, after givien up all hope, I returned home with my husband and newborn baby (at the time) from my grandparents house. It was a week before Sandy....Low and behold, my husband goes to feed the cats and he calls me to the door.....there is my Mini Pete....all skin and bones....Point of the story is he came back....a month and a week later. I had given up hope...thought the worst....feared he got hit by a car or some thing of this nature. He must've been locked in someones garage (believe it was my neighbor right across the street) To finish off my story, Mini Pete (who never came into my house before) ran inside. We isolated him in our mudroom away from our two cats and nursed him back to health. He went to the vet and was put on special food to bulk him up. He was severely dehydrated. Mini Pete is our miracle cat....my absolute mush. He never tried to step foot outside again and has been with us ever since. I thank gosh every day for how lucky we are and I sure hope that you get your lucky story too. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you and saying a little prayer that your baby returns home to you too. Don't fear the worst....he'll be back and if he doesn't come back....just know that he was happy that you took such good care of him....better than most would do..most people turn their heads at these poor ferals or just complain that they poop all over or carry disease. You did a good thing and wish you all of the best

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

I just wanted to mention that I have 2 colonies (like 30 cats total). I don't always rush to get the boys fixed. I have ONE boy that is not fixed in the one colony. I can tell he's old & he doesn't take great care of himself. He has crusty nose & I actually call him "Scraggley Tail Cat", everyone else is beautiful, gorgeous cats with nice coats, but not him, he's a wreck. All the other cats have a real name but him. I kept thinking, "ug, i have to trap him & get him meds, he has a cold... and he really needs a name" But I can't get NEAR him and he won't even come eat with the other cats, I have never actually seen him eat, he must eat after I leave, which makes him pretty much impossible to trap. Well, a month ago he disappeared. He NEVER left the property before that, EVER in the 3 years i have done this colony. I looked for his body. I knew he was dead. I was really sad, I never even gave him a real name. Yesterday he was waiting for me, I have no idea where he was for a month. They are amazing, what they can recover from. You may still see him again. I think I will rename Scraggley Tail Cat "George"

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

Posted by KittyTheTax

I think I will rename Scraggley Tail Cat "George"

Re: Need Advice- Feral Cat- Update

Posted by KittyTheTax

I just wanted to mention that I have 2 colonies (like 30 cats total). I don't always rush to get the boys fixed. I have ONE boy that is not fixed in the one colony. I can tell he's old & he doesn't take great care of himself. He has crusty nose & I actually call him "Scraggley Tail Cat", everyone else is beautiful, gorgeous cats with nice coats, but not him, he's a wreck. All the other cats have a real name but him. I kept thinking, "ug, i have to trap him & get him meds, he has a cold... and he really needs a name" But I can't get NEAR him and he won't even come eat with the other cats, I have never actually seen him eat, he must eat after I leave, which makes him pretty much impossible to trap. Well, a month ago he disappeared. He NEVER left the property before that, EVER in the 3 years i have done this colony. I looked for his body. I knew he was dead. I was really sad, I never even gave him a real name. Yesterday he was waiting for me, I have no idea where he was for a month. They are amazing, what they can recover from. You may still see him again. I think I will rename Scraggley Tail Cat "George"