Got a mystery kitten loose in my basement...

koneko_otaku · 12-14-2011, 06:26 PM

When I went to feed the barn cats I have, upon turning on the light in the back room (which leads to outside and to basement), I saw something small, black, and hairy run down the stairs. I didn't get a good look and thought it could have been a rat as I wasn't aware of any recent kittens on my farm from feral cats. All of my cats are fixed.

So I set the bait, a pile of cat food on paper plate and left it there and then I set my camera to catch it. Cheap camera and limited light kinda made the picture hard to see.

When I came back about 30 minutes later, food was disturbed and the camera caught the mystery animal as a small kitten (around 3 months old)

Video: mystery_kitty.wmv - YouTube (note, video upload still in progress as I type this, should be ready in about 10 minutes)

Looks to be a black longhair kitten with white paws.

Obviously it's a feral kitten as it ran quickly when I came in the back room but I have no idea how it got inside my house. And I have no idea how to catch it.

Any of you know what would cause a feral kitten to just wander into a house unnoticed? All windows has been closed since weather turned cold and the back door is the only other way into basement and it's opened only when someone comes in or go out. Also any of you know who may have humane trap that I can borrow to catch the kitten? I am in the "thumbs" area of Michigan.

cooncatbob · 12-14-2011, 06:40 PM

Most rental stores have "Haveahart" box traps in a size suitable for a cat.

Pixall · 12-14-2011, 07:51 PM

Cutie.

What are you going to do with him when ya catch him? At this age you could most likely socialize and adopt him out. Good luck with the little one, keep us updated on your ninja kitten.

Also, A feed shop or shelter would be nice places to look for rental traps, maybe a feral organization in your area would lend one to you for free, I know Community Cats of Maryland does free trap rental to people looking to TNR or trap kittens.

koneko_otaku · 12-15-2011, 08:20 AM

If I can make the kitten docile, I'll probably keep it indoor for the winter, then introduce it to the barn cat. He/she will be fixed probably over the summer at the latest.

If it remains a holy terror and hard to tame, I may have to take it to the shelter.

Will start checking around for traps now that some shops are open for the day.

Leazie · 12-15-2011, 02:57 PM

Aww, what a cutie pie. I hope that you are able to tame him/her and intergrate her into the furry family.

Pixall · 12-15-2011, 05:08 PM

A shelter wouldn't be the ideal situation if he is a holy terror(most shelters would put him down after an initial 'adoptability test'). I would suggest contacting a feral organization and see if they have someone willing to foster to socialize if you cannot tame him. I have experience taming kittens and can shoot you some very helpful links if you would like.

Remember, food is your greatest ally in the taming process.

Claiken · 12-15-2011, 06:10 PM

i would say they chose where they wanted to live

but thats just me lol

koneko_otaku · 12-27-2011, 04:48 PM

I am getting closer to touching the kitten. He (she?) comes out within a minute of me bringing the food down and I am able to get to about 3 or 4 feet away (over a meter away) before it runs off.

A lot better than when I first found it over a week ago. Just a few more days before I can touch it and it doesn't run.

Name suggestion? it is defiantly a tuxedo cat with white mustache, chin, and chest plus 4 white paws. Almost perfect symmetry.

cooncatbob · 12-27-2011, 04:58 PM

Well there's always Sylvester if it a male.

BotanyBlack · 12-27-2011, 05:16 PM

wow that is one seriously cute face. Or Penelope (the female cats name Pepe Le Pew was always chasing)

12-14-2011, 06:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
koneko_otaku Jr. Cat Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 61	Got a mystery kitten loose in my basement... When I went to feed the barn cats I have, upon turning on the light in the back room (which leads to outside and to basement), I saw something small, black, and hairy run down the stairs. I didn't get a good look and thought it could have been a rat as I wasn't aware of any recent kittens on my farm from feral cats. All of my cats are fixed. So I set the bait, a pile of cat food on paper plate and left it there and then I set my camera to catch it. Cheap camera and limited light kinda made the picture hard to see. When I came back about 30 minutes later, food was disturbed and the camera caught the mystery animal as a small kitten (around 3 months old) Video: mystery_kitty.wmv - YouTube (note, video upload still in progress as I type this, should be ready in about 10 minutes) Looks to be a black longhair kitten with white paws. Obviously it's a feral kitten as it ran quickly when I came in the back room but I have no idea how it got inside my house. And I have no idea how to catch it. Any of you know what would cause a feral kitten to just wander into a house unnoticed? All windows has been closed since weather turned cold and the back door is the only other way into basement and it's opened only when someone comes in or go out. Also any of you know who may have humane trap that I can borrow to catch the kitten? I am in the "thumbs" area of Michigan.

12-14-2011, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
cooncatbob Cat Addict Join Date: May 2011 Location: Carmichael, CA. Posts: 1,600	Most rental stores have "Haveahart" box traps in a size suitable for a cat. __________________

12-14-2011, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pixall Tom Cat Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 322	Cutie. What are you going to do with him when ya catch him? At this age you could most likely socialize and adopt him out. Good luck with the little one, keep us updated on your ninja kitten. Also, A feed shop or shelter would be nice places to look for rental traps, maybe a feral organization in your area would lend one to you for free, I know Community Cats of Maryland does free trap rental to people looking to TNR or trap kittens. __________________ Kitties: Kyra, Calico DSH 1.5years old; Orphaned kitten Tucker Est. B-Day 10/12/11 Welcome, Trevor! Est. 6 month old foundling Goodnight sweet Sasha, Until we meet again enjoy your time playing at the bridge. Ferals: Ziro, Salt(MIA), Shiva, Rose, Marcel, Pseudo Shiva, Boy-Shiva, Mr. Tibbles, Garfield, Mystery Cat Plus a couple more. And more are coming every day, now that my stations are the only 'safe zones' from the trapping.

12-15-2011, 08:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
koneko_otaku Jr. Cat Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 61	If I can make the kitten docile, I'll probably keep it indoor for the winter, then introduce it to the barn cat. He/she will be fixed probably over the summer at the latest. If it remains a holy terror and hard to tame, I may have to take it to the shelter. Will start checking around for traps now that some shops are open for the day. Last edited by koneko_otaku; 12-15-2011 at 08:21 AM. Reason: typo

12-15-2011, 02:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Leazie Premier Cat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 9,002	Aww, what a cutie pie. I hope that you are able to tame him/her and intergrate her into the furry family. __________________ Mommie to Bob, Simba, Miss Baby, Missy, Gracie and Molly Brown

12-15-2011, 05:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pixall Tom Cat Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 322	A shelter wouldn't be the ideal situation if he is a holy terror(most shelters would put him down after an initial 'adoptability test'). I would suggest contacting a feral organization and see if they have someone willing to foster to socialize if you cannot tame him. I have experience taming kittens and can shoot you some very helpful links if you would like. Remember, food is your greatest ally in the taming process. __________________ Kitties: Kyra, Calico DSH 1.5years old; Orphaned kitten Tucker Est. B-Day 10/12/11 Welcome, Trevor! Est. 6 month old foundling Goodnight sweet Sasha, Until we meet again enjoy your time playing at the bridge. Ferals: Ziro, Salt(MIA), Shiva, Rose, Marcel, Pseudo Shiva, Boy-Shiva, Mr. Tibbles, Garfield, Mystery Cat Plus a couple more. And more are coming every day, now that my stations are the only 'safe zones' from the trapping.

12-15-2011, 06:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Claiken Cool Cat Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,105	i would say they chose where they wanted to live but thats just me lol

12-27-2011, 04:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
koneko_otaku Jr. Cat Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 61	I am getting closer to touching the kitten. He (she?) comes out within a minute of me bringing the food down and I am able to get to about 3 or 4 feet away (over a meter away) before it runs off. A lot better than when I first found it over a week ago. Just a few more days before I can touch it and it doesn't run. Name suggestion? it is defiantly a tuxedo cat with white mustache, chin, and chest plus 4 white paws. Almost perfect symmetry.

12-27-2011, 04:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
cooncatbob Cat Addict Join Date: May 2011 Location: Carmichael, CA. Posts: 1,600	Well there's always Sylvester if it a male. __________________

12-27-2011, 05:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
BotanyBlack Cool Cat Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ky. Posts: 1,428	wow that is one seriously cute face. Or Penelope (the female cats name Pepe Le Pew was always chasing)

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