Post by Die Fledermaus on Jan 28, 2006 2:33:10 GMT -4
There is a big storeroom in this apartment house's basement, maybe 50'x25' with a ten foot ceiling. Protruding into it is a small pay rental room with aluminum sides and walls about eight feet high; obviously, given something to hop up on a cat can squeeze through and move from big room to small. The big storeroom is cluttered with boxes, furniture and stuff, and is dark and dirty. Got the picture?
So, several weeks ago stray cats were spotted in the storeroom coming in through a broken window. It was later repaired, but on the off chance one did not get out I left food and water - and next day I had proof a cat was trapped in there!
I needed to work on my belongs, but I also spent HOURS yesterday searching for the cat, which can hide in incredibly small places. I spent a lot of time shifting and moving those boxes and stuff while using a flashlight. Finally, I thought I had him/her trapped in a corner with a big open carrier the only way out. The cat did get flushed into it, but bounced out so fast I just missed slamming the door in time, and with an athletic jump got away. The pursuit continued!
Eventually, I got the cat up and over the eight foot sides (hoping on some boxes) of that smaller room. I quickly went in through a door and blocked his/her that way out - a small opening near the ceiling. It then was me and the cat alone in a 10'x8' clean bright room. We had a nice talk as I, tired, sat down and told him/her about my pet rodents, which I am sure he/she thought would make a nice snack. Offerings of food and water, and patience, did not entice the cat into the carrier.
So, the time had come for the final option. I opened the outside door, and after some panic and jumping, the cat ran out that door and down the basement hallway, with me close behind. After some hiding, and after I opened the door to the street, I wished the cat well and shooed him/her out to the backyard where so many feline friends could be found. The cat ran out.
There was no alternative. The ASPCA and Animal Rescue previously on the phone were of no help. "Neighborhoodcats.org" does training for trapping, spay/neuter, and release.- but does not trap. Animal Control might end up euthanizing captured animals, and be a hassle. I had to get the cat out as it was way to scared and feral to be a pet, and could NOT be left in there to starve or die without water - a possibility as getting into the storeroom was becoming more difficult owing to a vicious management.
The cat? Now likely in the backyard resuming its old habits and meeting old friends. Plenty of people leave out food and water, as will I later.
Me? A small number of scratches and a few minor bites, along with some dusty clothes.
I just was not going to let a trapped cat die. Seems like nobody else cared including some tenants. But I did. I think I did something nice, if I say so myself. And it feels good.
And that was my rescue/adventure yesterday. I skipped going to the gym that day, but sure got my exercise.
So, several weeks ago stray cats were spotted in the storeroom coming in through a broken window. It was later repaired, but on the off chance one did not get out I left food and water - and next day I had proof a cat was trapped in there!
I needed to work on my belongs, but I also spent HOURS yesterday searching for the cat, which can hide in incredibly small places. I spent a lot of time shifting and moving those boxes and stuff while using a flashlight. Finally, I thought I had him/her trapped in a corner with a big open carrier the only way out. The cat did get flushed into it, but bounced out so fast I just missed slamming the door in time, and with an athletic jump got away. The pursuit continued!
Eventually, I got the cat up and over the eight foot sides (hoping on some boxes) of that smaller room. I quickly went in through a door and blocked his/her that way out - a small opening near the ceiling. It then was me and the cat alone in a 10'x8' clean bright room. We had a nice talk as I, tired, sat down and told him/her about my pet rodents, which I am sure he/she thought would make a nice snack. Offerings of food and water, and patience, did not entice the cat into the carrier.
So, the time had come for the final option. I opened the outside door, and after some panic and jumping, the cat ran out that door and down the basement hallway, with me close behind. After some hiding, and after I opened the door to the street, I wished the cat well and shooed him/her out to the backyard where so many feline friends could be found. The cat ran out.
There was no alternative. The ASPCA and Animal Rescue previously on the phone were of no help. "Neighborhoodcats.org" does training for trapping, spay/neuter, and release.- but does not trap. Animal Control might end up euthanizing captured animals, and be a hassle. I had to get the cat out as it was way to scared and feral to be a pet, and could NOT be left in there to starve or die without water - a possibility as getting into the storeroom was becoming more difficult owing to a vicious management.
The cat? Now likely in the backyard resuming its old habits and meeting old friends. Plenty of people leave out food and water, as will I later.
Me? A small number of scratches and a few minor bites, along with some dusty clothes.
I just was not going to let a trapped cat die. Seems like nobody else cared including some tenants. But I did. I think I did something nice, if I say so myself. And it feels good.
And that was my rescue/adventure yesterday. I skipped going to the gym that day, but sure got my exercise.
I had to get her out.
