The week before Halloween I noticed a small black cat showing up at the pond, the front steps and on the back deck, (with the cameras at the pond, deck and Nest camera at te front door). I noticed it was a little boy and very small. I talked to my neighbor and she noticed him too. He was around when I was gardening, watching me, but wouldn’t come close. I started feeding him and contacted Cat’s Cradle, through another neighbor, to try and get him to a rescue to be put up for adoption.
The contact for Cat’s Cradle called me and said there is nothing they can do, all rescue groups are overflowing with cats and kittens. She suggested making an outdoor “cat house,” and if I can catch him they would neuter him and return to the wild. P went online and found a video for how to make a cat house, which he did. We put it on the deck and filled it with straw, not hay, (they were very specific about that). He did a great job. See pics:
The round hole is surrounded with pipe insulation and instructions stated there should also be an escape door, which he used a small pet door. Alas, he has not used it yet. I’m hoping he will find it. You can also see by the picture he is not that little anymore.
I did name him, Spooky, (so unoriginal), for the fact that he showed up right before Halloween, is easily spooked, and he is black with gorgeous green eyes. I had some progress with him in that he comes to the window to let me know he’s ready to eat and he doesn’t run when I put his food down. On Sunday I put his food down and sat in a chair right by his food and he came and ate with me around a foot and a half away from him. I was dying to reach out and pet, but I held myself back. I’ll slowly try another time. If he trusts me I will adopt him and give him a home.
Update: Yesterday, 12/12, was the first day he did not come and eat. Did not see him the entire day. Neighbor said they did see him. As of noon today, there is still no sight of him. I hope he is okay