Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/non-neutered male cat

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/23/2008


Question
We have a non-neutered male cat that has been missing for a week and a half.  We also have a female cat that recently got spayed.  We have put up posters in the neighborhood and talked to neighbors, but to no avail.  How long can he be missing before he comes home.

Answer
Amy,

I'm sorry about your kitty. I've had one show up after a month!
Call the local Animal Control, SPCA, and vets in the area in case the cat was injured and picked up, or brought in. Put an ad in the paper in case someone found him, thought he was a stray and took him, or maybe someone saw him. Put up signs in the windows where people shop and get gas in the neighborhood.

I hope you find him. Let me know. Please get him neutered when he does come home.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.