Stray cat living in my garage.. ?

Question

I caught a sweet stray cat about 1 year ago.. she is living in my garage with another stray. Problem: she will not come near me. I need to get her vaccinated & spayed, etc... and I have tried trapping her in a humane trap, etc.. but she is too smart. She will come within 2 ft. of me, but then runs away. I have tried EVERYTHING but she does not trust me! : (
BTW, the other stray is neutered and vacx'd and he is VERY friendly.. they keep each other company : )

Any ideas, suggestions to help her come around ?? : )
Thanks! : )

BTW - I keep my house door ajar 24 hrs. a day, so they can come inside one room of my house, to keep warm and to have a cozy place to sleep. : ) They are both well cared for and loved : )

On several occasions, I have had her isolated in an extra room of my house - BUT no matter how gentle and calm I am, she will still HISS at me! I am afraid she will BITE me!

THANKS TO ALL WHO GIVE SERIOUS and CARING answers! : ) : )

Dear A.P. -- My outside door is LOCKED, silly! : )
The door between the interior house door that leads to garage is ajar.. : )
I am actually having a CAT DOOR installed this week !! : )

Dear A.P. -- My outside door is LOCKED, silly! : )
The door between the interior house door that leads to garage is ajar.. : )
I am actually having a CAT DOOR installed this week !! : )

Answer 1

haha I've had this problem plenty. I love wild cats. Time and effort will pay off. You just have to be patient. Offer the cat a tidbit of special food out of your hand. Squat, sit or kneel as not to frighten the cat. When the cat becomes comfortable taking food from your hand, try reaching a hand up to pet the cat, preferably on the head. Convey your intentions of no harm and do express love. Cats understand our emotions and we communicate with them in this fashion. Eventually you will be able to pick it up with no harm. No loud or sudden noises or movements makes things go faster. Good luck!

Answer 2

Give it a roof over its head (the garage works), a warm place to curl up (an old blanket, sweatshirt, etc in a box) and some food. Where I live, it is illegal to feed strays but if you place the food inside the garage nobody should complain. A litter box would probably make things better for you. After awhile, if the critter comes to trust you, do both of you a favor with a visit to the vet to be de-flead and "fixed".

Answer 3

I started feeding this stray a while back too and she would hiss at me when I got close to her. I went out and sat a way from her and spoke to her in a low voice each day till she got used to my voice and I just kept feeding her. She got to where she would not hiss at me and then would start again for no reason. The funny part was I did not feed her for one day and the next one she was on my door step and when I tried to come and feed her she was rubbing me all over my leg. She started doing this every day but still could not touch her. She did start letting me get closer and closer. I think I was getting to the point of her letting me because she started rubbing me when I was kneeling down too. I am sorry I did not get the chance to find out. I was feeding her the special kitty on the cat recall and she left and never came back. I know she died. I really feel it just takes a lot longer with wild cats and they are more scared. It will take a lot of soft talk and care till she gets the idea that you will not harm her. I do not think she will ever be totally domesticated though. The wild ones never are.

Answer 4

Well, she should be spayed. What you CAN do is have a large size carrier and several cardboard boxes (open side down) set in a corner of a small room.

Maneuver her into the room, close the door. Hold a towel low to the ground in front of your knees to make a sort of barrier (she'll retreat from that) and maneuver her into the box area where she'll think it's shelter.

With luck she'll retreat into the open carrier that way if you keep guiding her movements. Once inside, shut the door fast and warn the vet this is a feral who needs to be handled cautiously. Any vet who regularly handles ferals has calm techniques that let them get the job done. Usually it involves squeeze cages and a small dose of anesthetic, to keep everyone safe.

Answer 5

We had a similar problem. We got a wooden box and put it right side down with a stick at one end holding it up diagonally.
We tied a long string on the stick and put the food under the box.
Then when the cats went to eat we stayed far away and let them get used to eating under the box. Then one day we just pulled the string fast and BINGO. We got the cats. They hissed, but that's just too bad.
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Answer 6

My biggest concern is that this cat may be a health hazzard not only to the other cat but to you as well.

The other problem you will have is the cat letting the vet get close enough to give the shots, etc. He too could get injured from a frightened and possibly contaminated animal. You should get rid of it. Stop leaving the door open for it. It shouldn't be in your house.

Don't misunderstand me, please. I love cats as much as the next person but safety first. That stray will hunt for food outdoors and leave after a while if you stop feeding it.

Answer 7

It sounds like your cat needs rehabilitation.

This article has some good information on rescuing and rehabilitating feral cats, which you may find valuable. You're halfway there - the cat is in your home and used to you feeding her, so now you just need to build trust. It can be a lengthy process, but it can be done. Good luck!

tinyurl. com/376k4h

Answer 8

It might take some time for her to get use to you. So I would stay trap, get a big box, with a string and a stick, but her food under the box. When she goes eat,, pull string! I cought many stray cats this way to take them to the vet

BTW I would wear lether gloves, she might bite!

Answer 9

Wow, you leave your house door ajar 24/7? What's your address?


Call your local animal control. Tell them you have a stray cat that's a nuisance living in your garage, and you can't get him/her/it out. They should be able to help you.

Answer 10

Take the cat that is very friendly out and then put one of those humanity traps in... Leave her food on the inside... and then catch her that way. No harm will be done... she will be safe and you will be able to transfer her safely to the vets.. That was very nice of you!