About 4 years ago I moved house and brought my cat with me. However she did not settle in the new place and I used to take her back to the old area but pick her up at night (sad?). Howeve she was so unsettled I decided to leave her there altogether. Four months later on a stormy windy night she appeared back at my new place and stayed full time. Two years later a building development started up beside my place and this frightened her to the point she would stay away for a week at a time. Eventually she went away altogether and a month later I mkoved again not knowing where she was. Today I discovered she is still in the area living as an "outside" cat fed by some good neighbours. She is still very friendly. My question is how do I get her to come live in our new place? We also have adopted another cat since and have 2 dogs who are not agressive towards the existing cat. Am I mad to think we can get her back into the fold?
2007-12-14 11:31:08 · 14 answers · asked by kinga d 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Not mad - loving & hopeful.
Go & get her - you'll have to be a bit cruel to start with & keep her in for between a week and a month with a cat litter. and LOTS of love and attention and really good food.
Only once she seems settled will it really be safe to start letting her outside - and then only supervised for a short while at a time.
I've been lucky that I've only had to do this once. It broke my heart not letting the mog do what she wanted - but it paid off the first time she was allowed out alone and came back when she was called!
2007-12-14 11:38:04 · answer #1 · answered by Hedge Witch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you not consider asking if one of those people feeding her would take her in?
If that's not possible and she can be handled then take her home with you, Keep her in a separate room for two/three weeks then see how she goes with those you now have, To keep moving and taking on animals.considering you were happy to leave her behind doesn't show much regard for the animals. What if you choose to move again and the dogs or cat remain behind.will you replace them and then want them back when it suits you??
How long has this poor cat been an "outside"cat through no fault of her own?
2007-12-16 04:35:55 · answer #2 · answered by redlady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's so sad... you could possibly maybe try visiting her a lot for a while then taking her to the new place lock her in for an hour then let her back out again in maybe if you do this a few times she will remember where you are and choose to come home? what are the neighbours feeding her because will most always go for that! if while she is with you at the new place give her some tasty treats like fish or cooked meat. this she will most definatly remember. or leave lots of catnip around. good luck hope she comes back?
2007-12-14 11:38:32 · answer #3 · answered by Lovely Rita Meter Maid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can get one of the neighbours to put her in a cat basket and phone you to collect her and take her to your new house. You will need to keep her in the house for about 3 weeks as she will need to get to know the house and leave her scent. Do not let her out untill the 3 weeks has passed. She will be wary of the other pets but hopefully she will get used to them.
I have had lots of cats over the years and have moved several times and as long as you keep the cat in for a few weeks you should have no trouble.
2007-12-15 09:29:58 · answer #4 · answered by sickofthis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, that is very sad how your cat wouldn't stay at your new house! (tear,tear). The good thing is that she did stay wit ya for a while. Now, I really don't think there is a way you can get your cat to come live with you in your new home because, now that you have 2 new cats and a dog they could get fleas from yur other cat... Another reason is cuz, everyday your cat will sit by the door and meow until you let her outside!! (that would be annoying)
2007-12-14 11:55:11 · answer #5 · answered by pretty girl 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is so screwed up....Would you leave your kids in the supermarket because they like to play in the cereal isle...then move home so they can't find you?
You need to give this cat a stable home instead of messing it around....although I am thinking you maybe aren't ready for a cat.
If you move you take your cat...it doesn't take an advanced value system to figure that out...and you keep her inside if you live in an urban area so she doesn't get attacked by kids, foxes or run down. you are lucky she is still alive. In addition, someone is probably feeding the cat regularly and is going to end up posting notices and be distraught when she goes missing. You are irresponsible and have created a mess.
2007-12-14 18:41:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! Go get that little girl and fold her in. For her sake and for the sake of your now-established cat, put her in a separate room where she can't get out a window. She needs to adjust to the scents and sounds and rhythms of your new home and her new furry roomies, the cat especially. They will sniff each other under the door, and stuff paws under the door at each other.
You will, of course, want to get her to the vet to be checked-up and dewormed, etc before you bring her into this household. After you've quarantined her for about 5 days to adjust to the new setting and to grasp that there are other relationships now, as well, just open the door of the room, grab a spray bottle or water pistol and STAY OUT OF IT. A little hiss here and there is all right, a little posturing. But if there is actual fighting, give them a good spray.
Hard telling who will come out of this dominant, your old established cat or your new one (I suspect the new one, but she might be a tough cookie by now). And there may be litter box issues -- leaving poops and pees where there's someone else's scent, but it will probably be just fine.
Go get her. The life expectancy of an outdoor cat is 3 years; of an indoor cat is 15 years (Humane Society). Save her life.
2007-12-14 11:40:38 · answer #7 · answered by Mercy 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should not have taken the cat back to the old house in the first place. Maybe, if you hadn't, she would probably still be with you. I'm sorry to hear that you have lost her. I don't know if there is a way to get her back and living in the new place.
2007-12-14 11:38:26 · answer #8 · answered by coloradogirl 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is sad. The poor cat. Try and get her back. She will be missing you. Hope everything works out.
2007-12-14 21:38:43 · answer #9 · answered by Mark S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go and get her and keep her indoors. I don't understand why you would let her out in the first place given the issues you describe.
2007-12-14 13:10:18 · answer #10 · answered by kc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋