A trapping I must go, a trapping I must go.....

[moosmom]

My friend's new neighbor just moved into the house next door to her. Jackie, the new neighbor, has two beautiful Korats that she rescued from the Humane Society. They're both about 2 years old.

While letting George out of the carrier into the townhouse while she did some packing, someone opened the door and George scooted out. Jackie can't find him and is absolutely distraught. She went by the townhouse tonight around 9 pm after putting out food, water and a carrier for him in the garage, just in case he comes back. He's still no where to be found.

I told her that I would borrow a trap from my shelter and see if I can get him before I go to work tomorrow night. If I can't, I'll leave the trap and go back and check it after my shift is over with. I told her not to worry that cats do not travel far from their food source and he's probably somewhere in the direct vicinity. I felt so bad for her. I understand her feeling and it brought back memories of LilEli falling outta my livingroom window. I told her the story and also assured her that he's pretty close by the townhouse.

I'll let you know how I make out. I'm determined to find George for her.

[kiara-cat]

:confused: you could ask some people you know to keep an eye out for the cat.

[rg_girlca]

Prayers on the way that either George comes home safe and sound on his own or you are able to trap him.

Bless you for helping them Donna.

[leslie]

OH NO! Good luck! Keep us posted! (did aby's uncle ever call you or is a lost cause at this point?)
OH! And good luck not catching a neighbor's cat, some other stray, a skunk or a what have you! I hate leaving traps unwatched unless it's an isolated situation like a garage where the cat is inside and you've blocked the exits with the trap inside kinda of situation. Or a colony where it doesn't matter who you get! Again, keep us posted, poor Jackie must feel horrible. What do these breeds look like- I never heard of them before!

[moosmom]

Kathy and I went out to the townhouse tonight and set the trap. Like a jerk, I bought sardines not realizing they were in tomato sauce (bleck!!!) I hope it works. We went and had coffee and then went back to check the trap. Still nothing. The neighbors around there know who we are and what we're trying to do cuz we introduced ourselves. When I dropped Kathy off, Jackie had just gotten home. I told her what we did. She said she and her boyfriend had just gotten back from the townhouse and saw the trap sitting there. She's going to check it in the morning on her way to school (she's a teacher) and call me when she gets to work. If it's still empty, I'm going back tomorrow on my way to work and use Fancy Feast and put the trap on the side of the townhouse she used to live in. I'll go back and check it on my dinner hour (around 11 pm).

Kathy and I searched the grounds, looked under all the decks and he's nowhere to be found. I have a feeling he is in the area, just really scared. At this point he could be anywhere. I'm just hoping he sticks to what is familiar to him, his own home.

Oh and BTW Leslie, no the uncle never did call me so I guess it's not on his urgent list. Right now I'm concentrating on finding George. A Korat is similar to a Russian Blue. They look so much alike except the RB had a rounder face, whereas the Korat has a heart shaped face.

[leslie]

Could someone go rinse the tomato sauce off of the sardines? I am notorious for eating whats left in the can while watching the trap- love the ones in hot sauce! Sounds like a pretty cat!
Oh, and did jackie tell you her call sound? You know how everyone has a special way they call or talk to their cats or say thier names? That would be valuable so that while you are there you could be calling and calling the same way she does...

[moosmom]

BLECK!!!! Eating what's leftover in the can while watching the trap???? I'd rather read a book.

No, Jackie didn't say anything about her calling George. I tried to wipe off the tomato juice before putting it in the trap. I'm going to buy a can of the real smelly stuff in oil this time. I hope it works.

[leslie]

You don't like sardines? How about mackarel? Yum! jan likes mackeral and mayo sandwiches (yuk). How about fishsteaks- they come in sardine cans. I fed 2 strays next to a marsh tonight that I'd never seen before in Chelsea. Both small, young but not kittens, feral.. (darn it). Now to worry about kittens in the area.

[moosmom]

We finally figured out where Georgie is. He's in a a cul-de-sac across the pond. Jackie and I set the trap with a can of tuna and sat in the car and waited. VOILA!! He showed up, knew there was tuna somewhere, but didn't go into the trap. We're home by the end of the night, he'll be there. One of the neighbors is going to check the trap couple of times during the night and let Jackie know. If not, I'll go by there after work and set it again. We did see him, and he DOES know that there's tuna in the trap,. WHY he didn't go into the trap is beyond me. But I'm confident we'll get him.

[leslie]

Good news! no skunks or strays around is a good thing! Someone is on your side!

[rg_girlca]

I kept coming back to this thread to see if there was anything new on George and this is great news. At least Jackie knows that her precious George is alright.

I hope and pray that you are able to trap him very, very soon.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Donna, I sure hope that you're able to catch George. Good luck and please keep us updated.:)
I'm also glad that you've seen him and know he's still in the area.:)

[moosmom]

Jackie and I went back last night around 7:00 pm. His usual schedule is to show up around 9:30. I resorted to sardines in oil. We sat there for 3 hours till around 10 pm and there was no sight of him. So, we left figuring maybe he'd show up later.

I went back this morning on my way to work and there sure was something in the trap. Only it wasn't a cat!! It was a baby possum who happens to have a taste for sardines! :mad:

Since Jackie said she felt guilty about neglecting her boyfriend, who happens to be a hunkaroo who works for Ford, I told her I'd go there and watch. Hey, I don't have a life, it's either watch tv, wash my cat or do kitty surveillance. The one thing I want in this whole world right now is to call Jackie and tell her I have a surprize for her. So, that's MY Saturday night. *sigh* All in the name of kitty humanity.

I'll definitely keep you guys posted.

[rg_girlca]

Oh come on George, PLEASE go into the trap, you won't regret it sweetie.

[moosmom]

:( Still no sign of George. I went there by myself last night. I even checked the trap again in the morning on the way to work. Nothing. None of the residents that have seen him in the past have seen him in 3 days. :(

I'm getting very discouraged. I am taking tonight off (I really need to). But tomorrow after work I'm going to one of the other neighbor's homes (where he was last seen) and ask them if I can put the trap out in their yard or on the side of their house.

I am so afraid that a predator got to him. He is declawed :mad: and has no way to defend himself if a predator were to go after him. :(

Leslie or Jan,

Any advice you can give me? I really have never had a problem trapping a cat up until now. I've tried, sardines (in oil), tuna fish, Fancy Feast, pieces of turkey. I thought about using turkey baby food since my cats like it, but I just don't know anymore. I was going to try fresh catnip, but Jackie said neither one of her cats like it. He's GOT to be hungry, unless someone is feeding him.

*sigh* HHHEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPP!!!!!

[moosmom]

After getting some very good advice as well as a HUGE dose of reality from the Thelma and Louise of cat rescue (Leslie Flenner and QueenScoopAlot), I've come to a very sad conclusion.

For the past week I have spent every evening in my car watching the trap in the hopes that I could get Georgie. No such luck.

In the MEANTIME, Jackie, the DEVASTATED owner of Georgie has had tons of time to spend with her boyfriend eating minestrone soup and watching the Michigan game and watering her precious flowers!!! :mad:

Needless to say, I'm done. I did what I could. But Georgie is NOT my cat and I have my own cats to attend to, including a 16 year old precious little girl that curled up with me on the floor last night and took a nap with me. :D

I pray for Georgie. That's all I can do. The last sighting was Friday night at the beginning of the cul-de-sac. If Jackie was so damned concerned about Georgie, she'd be out there looking for him instead of trying to impress this new boyfriend of hers.

Stay safe Georgie and know that I cared enough to try and find you. :(

[slick]

Donna, I have been following this story although have not posted until now. I agree with your conclusion. You have done all you can, the rest is up to God. I pray that some kind soul has taken George in and given him the love he deserves.

[Cinder & Smoke]

You gave it Your ALL, Donna!!

Georgie says "THAKS for Caring, Miz Donna!!"

Shame :mad: on his Mom for not caring more!
(LEAST she could have done is offer to bring some soup over while
YOU were on Trap-Watch!)

Here's HOPING Lil Georgie has managed to find a New Howze!

/s/ Phred
..

[leslie]

Boy did you ever give it your best! And it's really not possible to trap a cat when you have no idea where he really is! Someone, I mean the next volunteer or owner is going to have to spot him and lure him somewhere with food and get him on a regular feeding schedule. That's about all I can figure. Well, spot him, pop a cat food cat that instant so he hears it, stops in his tracks, sees the food go down on the ground, person backs off to let him come forward to eat A LITTLE (you said he is skittish of people), then if the area is too busy, somehow follow him at a safe distance and trap when he is in a quiet, non- interuptive (traffic, pedestrians) area...? If not too busy, go back to car to set trap with rest of food and when he's done eating the biteful on the ground, let him see the empty can in one's hand, pretending to put the can where the morsel of food was, then quietly set the trap down and return to car to watch. Won't work if is in middle of a sidewalk where people are walking by but off to the side along edge of driveway usually works cuz they feel safe and hidden. So tell Jackie good luck.
did you tell jackie you're out of time on this especially with no team effort? If so, what did she say? Does she not lay in bed at night and think about her house cat getting slammed by a car? Or grabbed by a coyote with no front claws to defend himself? Or with winter coming, no experience with frigid weather and snow and sub-zero winds? Ok. Rant over. You can print this and give it to her from me if you want. You done good!

[rg_girlca]

Jeezes Louise, what the H is wrong with this woman. Here you are Donna, trying to help this woman find her precious cat and she rather spend time with her new boyfriend. Hey Lady, who is more important at this time???? Well, IMO, if he isn't understanding about the situation, I say, "Get rid of the bum." If I was in that situation, no new boyfriend, husband or anyone, would stop me from doing all that I could to find my cat.

Kudo's to you Donna for doing more than I think any of us would have done. All we can do now is pray that George is somewhere safe and sound.

Stay home Donna with your furbabies who are all so well loved and cuddle some more with precious Lacie. You did all you could do and bless you for trying.

[leslie]

And besides, if this is a new relationship, why isn't he trying to charm her by HELPING her look for her cat whether he likes cats or not. If he wanted to impress her or even had any regard for her feelings, he'd be offering to go out with her -- I'd be p***ed if my friends or boyfriend didn't offer assistance of some kind! And really hurt.

[QueenScoopalot]

I agree, you've done more than your part to help this ingrate find her cat. Why isn't her mother (isn't she the one who had the door open when cat got out?) helping look for him as well? :mad: Hopefully if Georgie managed to find his way back around the pond, and to the original home, occupied by the woman unworthy of living, I can only hope others in the area will have the sense to call or contact Jackie to let her know they've seen him. If the poor cat's still alive, he must be scared to death. :( Give yourself and your kitties some ((((HUGS)))) and let Jackie take over (if she can be bothered). :rolleyes:

[kimlovescats]

Great job, Donna ... and I agree 100% about this new neighbor's concern for her lost kitty!:rolleyes:

[moosmom]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. No, I haven't called her yet. I went by yesterday after I picked up the trap and she wasn't home (out looking for Georgie maybe?? NOT!!). I'm going to sign off and call her now. I'll let you know what she says.

I just pray that George is safe and some is feeding him. I look at my furbabies and tears well up knowing that Georgie is still out there. But I'm so fortunate that I have them.