feral cat in heating vent

**wielki** · 02-19-2006, 08:48 AM

My mother called (from out of town) this morning, frantic that the feral cat she brought in for the weekend because of frigid temperatures had gone down an open heating vent. She thinks she heard something at 3:30 in the morning that would confirm this. She's worried about him because he has a lame back leg and she's convinced he's not be able to get himself out.

I live 1/3 of the way across the country, so I can't go help. I told her to call the HVAC people for help. They should probably turn off the heat and build a fire (to keep the house warm).

Any other suggestions? The problem is that he's feral, only lets my mother close, and with other people around is more likely to retreat than let himself be found.

**Catty1** · 02-19-2006, 09:29 AM

See if an HVAC person or someone from a local animal shelter or vet can help, someone experienced in rescuing. But definitely call and hvac person first, so they can find out where the cat is.

She can be right there with them...even if they have to cut a hole, which would scare the cat - at least she can be there right after, calling to him. With some nice food.

Hope someone else has some good ideas.

**wielki** · 02-19-2006, 11:24 AM

I know one of their construction folks came over to get into the duct sytem. (They're renovating, which explains the open duct). I called the emergency clinic here and they suggested a humane trap and some tuna fish, and the fire department if he can't get out on his own. Yikes. So we're all thinking along the same lines. Thanks so much for your quick reply. It 's a big help to know there are others out there to touch on who can think through something like this.

I told my parents that there's also the possibility that he's not in the duct at all, that he found some really obscure place to hide, because he couldn't go outside and he's not used to being inside. I left my cat at my best friend's house one year and she thought she lost my cat for a couple of days -- turned out Sophie had ripped a hole into their box spring and holed up in there all that time. I can understand that kind of behavior, given the circumstances. Of course, the vent could be one of those great places to hide....

I'm hoping the little guy will reappear on his own -- probably when everything calms down again. It sounds like they're being pretty loud and freaked out about this, which I'm sure isn't helping the situation. Still, they need to check the vents and I'm glad they're moving on that.

Thanks again -- I'll post the outcome when I know it.

**Catty1** · 02-19-2006, 01:41 PM

Do that! Post the outcome...I hope kitty is ok...

**Lizzie** · 02-19-2006, 01:52 PM

Where are your parents?

The cat sounds to me like an abandoned cat who is going feral, rather than a born in the wild true feral. This makes things a little less frightening since it makes it more likely that the cat will come out at night when it's quiet and he's tempted by food. You are right in thinking that he could have tried the vent, got out and found another secure place. Please keep us posted since I know a lot of people on this forum are going to worry for the cat until we hear he is out and okay.

**catmandu** · 02-19-2006, 06:02 PM

Lets Pray That That Little Cat Will Be Tempted Out By You,and Will Not Put Himself Into Any Danger.
My Heart Goes Out For Cats Who Once Had A Home,and Then Through No Fault Of Thier Own,are No Longer Wanted.
I Hope These Scum Are Dumped Into Cheap Nursing Homes,and Forgotten When Thier Time Comes And They Are Not Wanted Anymore.