Paw Prints in the Snow

Last week I wrote about a tabby cat I had seen (once) on our property here in the country.  He was hunting in the field in front of our house.  I only saw him the one time and then no more.  So I had assumed he was only passing through and had moved on.  Then after our first snow (of three in a row) I found cat paw prints in the snow.  I showed you those (and some of an opossum) in my last post.  A couple of things happened after that.  We got two more snows – the second one being close to a foot.  And . . . I stopped seeing opossum tracks.  Also the food stopped disappearing in the two places I feed opossums.  This made me sad as I realized the snow was too deep for the opossums to venture out to look for food.  I could only hope they would make it until the thaw.

 

 

After identifying cat tracks following our first snow, I started setting my trap again.  However, the temperatures were horrifying – wind chills up to 15 below zero.  I couldn’t leave the trap set unless I was home and available to check it every few minutes.  Certainly an animal could NOT sit in a trap for any period of time during blowing snow and low low temperatures.  I was having no luck with the trapping.  I thought it was possible that there could have been more cat tracks after the second (very deep) snow.  But within 24 hours we were getting our third snow – which would have covered any previous tracks.  Then, on Thursday of last week, I found cat prints again.

 

 

I was out very early that morning to fill bird feeders and head to the kennel and cathouse.  I immediately saw the tracks.  I followed them all over the property.  This cat had been to several locations in my yard.  I was encouraged that he had made it through the worst of the blizzard-like conditions.  But the temperatures were still terrible and I couldn’t imagine where he was sheltering or what he was eating.   Now that I knew the path he had taken around my yard, I found a place on the path that was protected from the snow and I started leaving dry cat food out.  The problem was that almost immediately the huge number of birds I was feeding found the cat food and demolished it every time I put it out.  I started waiting until dark (when birds roost) to put the food out.  But it was never eaten (until daylight when the birds came back).  And I saw no more cat tracks.  There were also no more opossum tracks.  The only tracks I was seeing were of the bunnies.

 

 

I was worrying about this cat and quite discouraged.  Then, on Saturday morning as I came downstairs just after sunup, Husband said – I saw your cat.  He explained that only a few minutes before, just at daybreak, he thought he saw an animal move across our driveway.  He jumped up and went to the window and saw a tabby cat.  He raced out the front door but the cat had completely disappeared. 

Sunday was the first day that temperatures modified a little.  So I left the trap set all day in our driveway.  I leave it set every day now up until we go upstairs to bed.  Still no cat.  Friends – keep your fingers crossed.

 

The rest of Alyssa's gift came. So wonderful.

 

 

The rest of Maria's gift came. So wonderful.

 

 

Also Ginny – THANK YOU.

 

And Cynthia – THANK YOU. 

 

NOTE:  Tomorrow I am going to do a rare “winter” Wildlife Wednesday post.  See you then.

 

Comments

[Cynthia]

I really hope you can catch that tabby!! I have noticed foot prints on our back balcony but am pretty it's a local cat coming to visit our cats at the patio door. We have many people in the area who let their cats out daily which frankly I don't agree with. They think cats are find outside in the winter, even strays?? I wanna say Hello...cats are desert creatures !!! We live in a heavy traffic area and sadly not everyone is kind to cats they see outdoors. People would never leave their dogs outside but cats no problem ?? The local refuge is finding it hard also during Covid so we have been contributing more to help out. Paws crossed you get that tabby safely inside & hopefully the opossums can get back to your food supply soon. Sorry for the rant but I wish people were kinder to cats !

[Ginny& the Fur Family]

I agree with Cynthia so much. It is a hard world for cats out side in the cold winter, especially in snow. I have a very wild cat I feed every night and as soon as I put food out side here comes the birds. It came today and I got some food out in time for it and I breathed a sigh of relief. Thankful to see it made it through this snow. We started feeding the birds out back under a little sheltered spot. Here comes the other out side creatures to eat. We even see red foxes.
Keep setting the trap I am sure you will get the cat soon. With warmer weather it will be coming out more. Please let us know if you catch it. We thought about all the out side work you do with all your rescue work and prayed you would be alright. It got so slippery with black ice. The sun is out today here in Fur a Way Land today. Have a great day.

[Maria in FL]

The poor kitty and opossum! I often wonder how even wild animals survive in conditions such as you're experiencing. It's truly remarkable. Best of luck catching that kitty....he/she has no idea how lucky his or her life will become if he or she just ventures into that trap!

[Timmy Tomcat]

So lucky our feral is holed underneath our shed (and in it since some critter dug a hole in the floor) and can make it to the house for food. I am thinking she digs out after each snow. We purr for whoever is lost out there so sad

[John Bellen]

The best of luck in catching your tabby. His life will improve tremendously if you can trap him.

[meowmeowmans]

Thank you for sticking with it, Chrystal! We have our paws crossed that you'll be able to rescue that kitty soon.