I have a wild cat in my back yard that has basically taken over my back yard. It sleeps in our lounge chairs and tables and is rather comfortable there. He/she fishes through our thrash bags and sometimes sneaks into our kitchen. You might think that i don't want her here(i think its a girl but thats unconfirmed), but since she moved in the rat population in my back yard has gone down to zero. which is cool. I kind of want to adopt it, i just have no experience with cats (used to have two dogs that died but have no pets now). She wont let me near her. I worry that she needs to be checked out for health issues. she lives in my yard 24/7, but she may belong to one my neighbors, don't know.
should i call pet control or is there a way i can get her to trust me enough to get near her?
2007-09-29 20:41:44 · 12 answers · asked by SEP 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
It seems she has adopted you! (That is how I ended up with my cats too.)
You can call animal control and describe the cat and maybe provide a photo. I would also put up a cat found flyer in the local stores. If you turn the cat over to animal control they will only keep it a few days before it will be destroyed. Cats that aren't social are not adopted. If you decide to adopt, it will take some time to gain her trust. I would recommend going to http://www.alleycat.org/ for more information. They can answer your questions and may have someone in your area who can help you with vaccinations and getting him/her fixed so more unwanted cats are not born. I wish you luck and my cats thank you for caring.
2007-10-03 03:04:36 · answer #1 · answered by aGhost2u 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Amber on the animal control thing. If you want to adopt it, first make sure it isn't ferral. Ferral cats are generally very large. If you do start feeding it, make sure you put your smell on the food. What I mean is if it is dry food, scoop it with your hands. This way your smell is on it and it becomes something familiar. Maybe you could go outside and sit on one of your lounge chairs for a few hours. Don't make sudden movements, and maybe the cat will come closer. I would just wait until it makes contact with you. Don't try to pet it or anything cause it's probably scared. Sooner or later the cat will either warm up to you or not. If not, then I guess you could just live with the understanding that the cat is probably not too friendly or used to humans.
If you want this cat gone, please forget about animal control and place anticat plants and things like that around.
2007-09-30 04:24:19 · answer #2 · answered by tnaomi58 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you start leaving canned cat food out to attract her (it smells stronger than dry), wait till she is eating and then very slowly try to approach her. It may take a few times, so you will want to work up to it by walking close to where she is first until she'll let you get closer. When she lets you approach her, start petting her from the back of her head down her spine. My guess is that if she's in your yard 24/7 then someone probably abondoned her and she has no home and really needs you. Please don't take her to animal control! They have to kill millions of cats & dogs every year because there just aren't enough homes for them all. I know of many people who have gotten wonderful cats from a stray that wandered into their yard that they started feeding, so if you're at least willing to let her live in your yard that would be such a great blessing for her!!!
Also beware that in October there are sickos who do terrible things to black cats, so you providing her with food is even more crucial. If there's any way you could capture her (some animal organizations will lend you a metal "cat trap" to try to capture her so you can take her to the vet) take her to any vet, and they'll be able to scan the back of her neck to see if she has a microchip (if she's a lost pet).
2007-09-30 03:50:54 · answer #3 · answered by Wintergirl 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Wild cats can be primo pets. They have personalities that domestic cats don't. You should be able to earn 'her' trust over a period of days by talking to it and letting her see you put food out on purpose. It might pay to be careful when touching it for the first time because of worms, fleas or attack. Cats are hardy animals so she should be right living outside till your ready to let her in.
From personal experience this will be worth while be it will depend on your patience.
The low rodent population is always a bonus.
2007-09-30 03:57:07 · answer #4 · answered by Matt M 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No don't call pet control, that will only make her panic and never trust you. Put out food and water for her. Every day, at a specific time. She will learn to come for the food. Gradually she will approach you more. Then you can start touching her. It takes time and patience. Don't be anxious. She lives fine like this. There are no health risks for you, so if you can't catch her just help her live decently in your yard.
2007-09-30 04:11:12 · answer #5 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well, if the cat does not have a collar, it might be a stray, plus, digging for food in the trash, could be another sign it is a stray. you have a couple of choice, you can call animal controll, see what they say. if you do want to keep it, you might be able to get a trap from them, to catch it with. or try feeding it by your self, the cat just might realize who is feeding it, might get friendly enough, last, let animal cotroll catch it, let them take it to the vet or local shelter, let the people know where ever it goes, that you would like to adopt it, if know one claims it. cats are not a major problem, i got four of them, and i always a big dog lover, know i got four little furry demons, lol. goodluck
2007-09-30 03:58:36 · answer #6 · answered by GREG S 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Go buy a small bag of cat food. That way you wont have to worries about trash. Put a bowl of water out there too. Also if your home and you see the kitty eating try to go behind her/him. Don't disturb him/her from eating wait for him/her to be done than knell down to her/his level and stick your arm out to see if she/he will come to you. Usually if you are to a animals level they wont feel scared because you are bigger than them, lol. I have four cats at home and one of them always wants to be by my side. I love all of them so much, go luck with your kitty.
If you do get to eventually pick up the kitty and you and the kitty are ok with that... no arguing or anything I would get a cat carrier and take him/her to the vet and get a kitty check up... just so you know what going on with him/her...
Hope this helps!!! Lol.
2007-09-30 03:50:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Be very careful with dealing with a wild cat. They are prone to diseases and really don't make good pets. If it was a kitten, yes, you could tame her. A wild cat scratch or bite will give you a really bad infection due to them not having any shots. Rabies is also a consideration. I would suggest calling animal control on this cat. If you need to get rid of the rat population, get a domesticated cat...they will do the same job, but will be tame. If she is on your property everyday, the neighbors obviously don't care. Your chances of taming her is very low.
2007-09-30 03:56:56 · answer #8 · answered by Peg D 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Cats are territorial, so it's not likely she will leave without a fight. It's also not likely that a wild cat will easily come to like humans. Keep feeding her and see if she decides to get friendly. No need to call ASPCA. Quit feeding her and she will eventually leave.
2007-09-30 03:46:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes or if ur neighbors are friendly, you can ask them if the cat is theirs, my aunt has a dog but the neighbors cat likes to live in her yard, she doesn't mind much yet the cat is two times bigger than her dog lol
2007-09-30 03:45:58 · answer #10 · answered by nae 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋