Catching Feral Cat

RubyK

Looking for some advise please on catching an injured feral cat. I've been trying to catch him for 2 years :eek:, to have him neutered, now he has an injured paw, so he really needs some help. I've tried to catch him using the cat trap (its a humane trap that closes when he steps on the leaver). He will not go near the trap, despite the lure of sardines. I've caught and neutered a lot of ferals, but this guy is impossible, and I feel so bad for him as he is limping around. He will let me rub him, and out of desperation yesterday I tried to lift him into a cat carrier, but he scrawbed me and ran off (yes purely my own fault, but as I said I'm at my wits end). Has anyone sedated a feral cat (though veterinary meds) to get them into a carrier? Can anyone offer any advice?

Nody

Well if he rubs against you I'd suggest a thick big towel to grab him in along with leather gloves (if you have them) and a second person close by to assist once you got him in a towel. That's what I've been using on our cat once she goes into seizures and she'll bite and kick due to it.

RubyK

Nody wrote: »

Well if he rubs against you I'd suggest a thick big towel to grab him in along with leather gloves (if you have them) and a second person close by to assist once you got him in a towel. That's what I've been using on our cat once she goes into seizures and she'll bite and kick due to it.

Thank you Nody, that's a very good suggestion!

kathleen37

Yes - excellent that you're getting close enough to have a rub.

I'd also suggest stroking him whilst he's feeding. I've found they tend to get used to it quicker as the grub is a distraction.

Again, plan in place - towel at the ready and towel and kitty go in the cat carrier. Have a clean towel for when you bring him home from the vets as lots of cats really, really don't like being in a car.

Also cover the front of the carrier so it's dark (another towel will do) The dark usually helps them calm down a bit.

You are good, good luck!!

RubyK

kathleen37 wrote: »

Yes - excellent that you're getting close enough to have a rub.

I'd also suggest stroking him whilst he's feeding. I've found they tend to get used to it quicker as the grub is a distraction.

Again, plan in place - towel at the ready and towel and kitty go in the cat carrier. Have a clean towel for when you bring him home from the vets as lots of cats really, really don't like being in a car.

Also cover the front of the carrier so it's dark (another towel will do) The dark usually helps them calm down a bit.

You are good, good luck!!

Thanks for the tips kathleen37 - I can rub him no problem, but he is a very big cat, and strong :pac: and my attempt this week to lift him was probably more traumatic for him than anything. I'll def try the towel tip and will cover the carrier, if I get him into it. Thanks again

boomerang

Whereabouts are you? Maybe one of the TNR groups can loan you a drop trap? Different set-up entirely to the regular cat traps. It never lets us down when the cat point-blank refuses to go in a regular trap!

RubyK

boomerang wrote: »

Whereabouts are you? Maybe one of the TNR groups can loan you a drop trap? Different set-up entirely to the regular cat traps. It never lets us down when the cat point-blank refuses to go in a regular trap!

Thank you boomerang, the local TNR have been really helpful, and they are going to get me on of these

boomerang

Great! Just get him used to eating under it for at least a week before you try... It's a one-time chance! He may be reluctant to go under it in the beginning but please stay strong and only give him food under the trap - he will cotton on!

Put the food right at the back of the trap, in the middle. You don't want to catch his tail when the trap falls. When you do go to trap him, keep the string/twine in your hand taut. Have a blanket ready that entirely covers over the trap.

Best of luck OP!