I've skipped madly to the end to ask cat-capturing advice: Sammie the Cat, after two days gone, has returned to my patio, and is pleased to see me. I found a bunch of pale fur in the driveway the morning he didn't come back and I was halfway sure he'd been eaten by something. It's been raining heavily the whole time, though, and I know he has some hidey-place he goes to when it rains, so that's probably where he's been. (I am certain he does not have a human.) After that little panic, I'm determined not to let him get away again. BUT! It's nighttime, and the vet doesn't open until 9am. Should I leave him in a kennel-box all night long? Presuming I can even get him in it. Should I bring him in or leave him outside? I don't want him inside until he's been checked by the vet and I know he's not bringing my inside kitties any diseases. I've never had to capture a cat before, and as friendly as he is towards me, I know he's not going to just walk into that box. What should I do? He's usually here in the mornings for food, but what if he leaves again and doesn't come back? fret

cross-posted with Natter because I want lots of advice. soonest.

Zen, I would bring him in, make a little litter box from a box and some litter, give him some food and water, and shut him away from other kitties, maybe in the bathroom.

Give him some catnip, if you have any. I always get my cats stoned if I have to isolate them for any reason, like keeping 1 of the four away from a food dish before tests or something.

And wear earplugs to bed.

Erin, I'll do that after I get him home from the vet, but I'm afraid the first step in capturing him will be shoving him in a carrier - and once I do that, I'm not counting on my ability to do it again (without bleeding), so he's got to go to the vet before he comes out of the carrier. I'm just not sure if I should crate him tonight or wait til morning and hope he's still here. He's friendly but he's still feral - has been a stray for a long time.

He's gorgeous, too - blue-eyed tabby-point Siamese. Why would anyone put him out?

Hooray for wedding pics! You both look so happy and so gorgeous! Not to mention all that cleavage ;P Definitely my highlight of the day. I've moved into the snot-producing stage of this cold and while i do love my sofa, i've been spending an awful lot of time here the last few days. Tomorrow i might try going for a walk.

while I'm thrilled to have moved beyond the agonizing sore throat into more 'productive' snot activity, i'm now so congested i couldn't do nasal irrigation! The water just kept going in until it dripped back out the receiving nostril. darn, that neilmed bottle has been my saviour for flushing out the ick :(

askye, I hate that your insurance situation has been so messed up, but I'm glad that the light at the end of the tunnel probably isn't an oncoming train.

He's gorgeous, too - blue-eyed tabby-point Siamese. Why would anyone put him out?

Harvey's momma looked like that - lovely, sweet kitten just dumped off outside of town. Neighbors took her in, and when she wasn't being awkwardly carried around by their cute little 4 yr old granddaughter, she would follow the little girl around like a body guard. When the neighbors moved, they asked me to look after her, and I was glad to. It was between the time they left and the time I managed to scrape up the money to get her spayed that Harvey was conceived.

P.S. I advise you to grab him now. He won't be happy about spending the night in the crate, but you are likely right about not being able to crate him twice. And you may very well not be able to crate him after he spends the night in an enclosed space such as a bathroom. Also, you are so right about not exposing the other cats in the household to him until he is thoroughly vetted.

DAMMIT. I thought I was going to succeed, and just as I got him halfway into the box, there was a flash of lightning and a loud clap of thunder, and he freaked and yanked away and ran. DAMMIT. That was probably my only chance.

Belated happy birthday, Vortex! (The gossip from my campus: The job I want you to have is still occupied by someone on probation, and our dean is stepping down.)

Thanks Andi.

I do have options if I can't get COBRA coverage continued, it's a reason I was good with moving to Vermont, the state is very patient friendly and there are other options/.

Thanks for the gossip, Sparky! I am apply for a new awesome job this week, so at some point, I will be calling for all of the job~ma that exists in the 'verse. ;)