Here we go again........

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Went back this morning and not only was all the food gone, the paper plate had bite marks in it and it was as clean as when I took it out of the cupboard! Needless to say, I brought the plate home, filled it again and headed back. Set the food out and waited.......nothing.....drat! Checked the food later, still there. Checked again a little later still there. Checked about 8:00 tonight and not only is the food gone, he's sitting there meowing at me again! But I didn't have more food on me, so again I couldn't get close. Ran home and got some food, by the time I got back he was gone - double drat! Elusive little bugger! Left the food and I'll check on him again in the morning. He'll soon figure out there's regular food there and then maybe I'll be able to catch him. Good news is he didn't look near as scrawny as he did yesterday, so maybe the food I'm giving him is providing nutrition, but maybe it's providing energy also so he can scrounge for food better on his own - hopefully. That way if I can't get him, at least I know he's able to take care of himself.

I hate this! It's really heartbreaking and very stressful.

Cute little shit.......:

[Karen]

Sounds like progress! I advise a baggie with kitty treats be kept in your jacket pocket, just in case there's a new sighting at an unexpected moment!

[lizbud]

I hate this! It's really heartbreaking and very stressful.

It is, but you're doing a great job. The idea of having a can or kitty chow morsels in your pocket is a good one. Never know who you might meet.

[kaycountrygal]

You're very kind and caring. Yep, You might as well never leave your home unless you have some cat food with you. Hope s/he becomes friendly with you.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

So a lot has happened since I last checked in. I got a trap at Harbor Freight for $20.00, so I thought it would be a piece of cake to catch this little one now! Yeah, right!!!!! Turns out he must be so tiny yet that he doesn't trip the trap - drat! I've gone thought 2 cans of cat food a day, and every time I go back the food is gone but the trap is still wide open. I figured at the very least, with all the food he's been getting, pretty soon he'll gain enough weight to trip the trap. until then, to help things along, I put some rocks gently on the plate that trips the lid, just to add a little weight to help the little one along.

So, tonight we're eating dinner and the phone rings. It's the people next door to where the trap is. They tell me he's in the trap - I've caught him! Hooray! Hop in the golf cart and away I go. Pull in the lot, shine the lights on the trap and oh s**t, that's no little kitten, that's a full blown adult feral, rolling around trying to get out and hissing at me - oh s**t!!!

Well, I'm already committed, so I covered the cage and the cat calmed down. I was able to get it home and animal control will be here in the morning to pick him/her up. This is NOT what I signed up for! needless to say, this kitty is NOT Robin's succession plan!

[Karen]

Oh, goodness, well, TNR one cat at a time until kitten appears?

[catnapper]

Keep it up. That little fellow is just pulling the string along so you fall completely head over heels for him before he agrees to be caught in the trap.

[lizbud]

If the big adult cat got the food, the little one is probably very hungry by now. Maybe if you only set up the trap
when you see the little one around. Set the trap and move back away from it while the cat is drawn in by the tasty
aroma of fish or whatever. Then cover with a towel & bring him home. If it doesn't work, take the trap home & try
again later. Best of luck winning him/her over.

The spring trap hook sometimes can stick a bit & doesn't release the spring when they step on the metal plate.