How do I catch stray cats until I can find them homes or find their homes?
Dogs are so cool! asked:
In the area that I live in we have way too many stray cats. There is one with an infected eye that I would like to take to the vet. There is also a young cat down in the woods. Do you think I should leave them alone or find them a home? And to find them a home I need to catch them, how do I do that?
I forgot to mention I will foster them around two other cats a dog and a lot of people (we have a lot of visitors)
In the area that I live in we have way too many stray cats. There is one with an infected eye that I would like to take to the vet. There is also a young cat down in the woods. Do you think I should leave them alone or find them a home? And to find them a home I need to catch them, how do I do that?
I forgot to mention I will foster them around two other cats a dog and a lot of people (we have a lot of visitors)
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August 17th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
food
patience
August 19th, 2009 at 4:29 am
Use a cat trap. You might be able to get one from the animal control office or check on the web. It is a humane trap and does not hurt the cat.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Be a good person and find them a home:)
Catching them.?
Ehh you can set up those BIG traps so that they wont get hurt and neither will you.
:))
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Their to wild to put in a home. Get a cat cage and put some food in it. When it goes in shut the door..
bl
August 25th, 2009 at 3:58 am
trap. many shelters can loan you one. but i suggest seeking the aid of a feral cat rescue group, as they cant usually be adopted. they might be able to help you set up shelters and feeding stations for them.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
call up the rspca and notify them of the strays and the condition most of them are in. I would not recommend trying to catch them yourself.
Some cats aren’t as fierce but that all depends, there are some that may scratch and bite you in the process and who knows whether they are carrying diseases or not that could in turn be infectious to you.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I agree with the answers before me; Havaheart, or humane traps do wonderfully to get the cat. Use the one that’s about 12″x12″x30″. you’ll have to talk with any of your neighbors who are feeding them, and work together. Also, have a plan of what to do (which vet she’s going to, etc) before you even set the trap. It will take you several days to do, but it’s worth it to the cat, rest assured.
Trapping works best when you withold food for a day of two before the trap goes out. Then, put something very enticing into the trap, like sardines. Place the trap somewhere somewhat secluded, like against a building, or halfway into some bushes. Don’t bait the trap with anything but the food. No plates, no cans. Or else, when you catch the cat, you’ll have a plate banging around in there with her.
The kittens pose a problem. If they’re still nursing, you can set the trap only when you know where she’s keeping the kittens. Even when you do catch her, immediately go back to where the kittens were, and make sure they’re still there. You’ll want to scoop them up, and take them with mom, if you can. The vet that will spay her will advise you on what to do with them. If they’re NOT nursing, you will have to get them used to being fed like mom did, withold food, and try to trap them too.
Get a hold of a local rescue group (I can help you if you need) and see if they can assist you in trapping (perhaps loan you a trap!) or finding homes for them. Most shelters will indeed euthanize feral cats, but unless you can find a shelter willing to try to gentle her, or you’re willing to spay her, and re-release her on your property, you’re somewhat out of options. The kittens will likely be able to be gentled and adopted out.
If you need anymore help, please feel free to drop me an email!
August 29th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Call your local Humane Society or animal control. They’ll come by and tell you what you need to know about trapping these animals. They’ll likely have these cat traps placed. They’ll leave food at the end of the cage and a wire door open. The traps will be spread out. It depends on how many traps you think will trap the cats.
You can also call the Trap, Spay/Neuter and Release programs. They trap stray and feral animals. They also vaccinated these animals and release them back into the wild. Some may be taken to the humane society or adopted if they are adoptable.
You can set up a cat enclave in your yard. I had a dog cage that some stray cats used to sleep and hide out in. Some still use the cage but some use my garage for shelter.
Good luck!
August 30th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Best way is a live trap. You can sometimes borrow or rent them from local animal control, or they may even set up the trap for you. Or, you may have to buy one. I bought one from my local farm supply store. About $35 for a raccoon-sized Havahart trap. Absolutely worth every penny. Just set the trap, put some food inside (anything will work, really–cat food, dog food, scraps of meat, tuna, etc). Make sure the bait is all the way in the back of the trap. I like to place the trap in a corner or some location that a cat or coon can’t reach through and grab the bait without going into the trap. Once they are in the trap, they step on the pan and bang! the door shuts behind them. Then you can either take them to a shelter, have animal control pick them up, or take them to a vet.
The livetrap is the best and easiest option. My neighbors were feeding a stray mama cat but didn’t really want to care for it. Mama cat was wild as they come and would get into our trash and try to beat up my kitties. Few days later, one trapped cat. Then I trapped all but one kitten and a couple other strays. Local animal control picked them up or we delivered them to the shelter. They were feral so I doubt that they were adopted, but it’s better for them to have a quick and painless death to me, then be hit by a car or torn up by coyotes or dogs. Anyway, if you want to keep them and care for them that’s even better. Some ferals make wonderful pets in the long run. Many ferals are really just once-loved cats that were dumped by their owners, and they are just scared and would love a new home.
Best wishes to you!
added: Here’s another tip if you use a live trap on wary ferals. Open the trap door but run a thick stick through the sides so the door cannot close (it’ll make sense when you do it). Bait the trap every day for at least a few days, then remove the stick, bait again and set the trap. It’s best to do this with multiple traps at once if you can, if you have several cats to catch. If the bait is hit each time, you know you have a good spot, and if it isn’t, you can move the trap. OTOH, other cats aren’t as careful and will get caught even after seeing another cat in the trap or even watching the trap in action. So don’t give up. Also, obviously check each trap a minimum of once daily and every 12 hours would be better. If the cats are very wild, leave as little scent as possible at the set and don’t disturb the area. If you can check the traps from a little distance that may help. Again, not all cats will need this much work and caution, but some are very wild and may even be trap-shy. Sorry for the long answer!
September 1st, 2009 at 8:47 am
u can ask your local spca or heaven can wait affiliate. They will provide u with cat cages that will trap the cat. U put food in cage, animal goes in and cage closes. U then can take it indoors and keep the pet indoors so it doesnt escape. Slowly make friends and gain trust with the cat.Once cat see’s u mean them no harm and more familiar with u , u can give cat good home, or place the animal to good home . Ferrel cats are hard to place in a home
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
Ask any rescues locally if they have a cat trap you can hire or borrow. Good luck.
September 5th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Here are some artcles about strays and ferals, mostly ferals.
Here is a collection of videos on trapping cats. They are pretty good. You will need one or more medium-sized traps.
#
Best trap:
You don’t say how tame they are and that makes a big difference. If relatively tame, you might be able to lure them in to the house and take them to the vet in a carrier.
If wary of humans, I would feed at the same time each day, early evening is good. Set the food well away from you and do not stare at them or make noise. Try 25 ft away or more. Just that they are close enough to see and smell you at first is enough.
Every few days position yourself a couple feet closer. This does take at least a couple weeks.
Next, only if they show absolutely no sign of aggression, position the food right next to you so they brush against you to get it. After a few more days, touch briefly. When they are okay with this try petting.
It can be a long process and if the cats are truly feral they may never be tame.
Another important thing is to not touch any stray animal then touch your own. Change any garment that might have the strays’ hair or saliva on it and scrub your hands, nails, and forearms with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
You can transmit diseases via your hands. And should you suceed in capturing the cats or luring them in, make sure they are kept quarantined in a separate area til you can bring them to the vet.
Good luck.
September 7th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I think you should catch them and try to find a home for them. To catch them you need to get food like wet cat food, turkey, chicken, and the less expensive dry cat food. You also need water, saucers or cat dishes, and patience. Set the food and water on the end of your patio in the cat dishes or saucers, wait inside and go about your daily buisness. Every so often check if some of the food or water is gone. If it is then move it a little closer to your house. Keep doing this until it is right next to your door. Make sure there is always food and water in the dishes. Now you need to look ot your window and when a cat is eating or drinking slowly open the door. The cat will most likely run off keep doing this until the cat stops runing off.Then you slowly come out (the cat will run off, keep doing this until it doesnt.) Make sure your have some food in your hand. slowly offer it to the cat until it comes to your hand. Let it sniff you and try to pet it. when it lets you pet it , it has your trust. Then get the cat and take it into your house when your ready. You have now caught a cat.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
If you want to catch them, you do not need a trap. All you need is infinite amounts of food and water(this will build keen trust between you and the cat, which is what you want). The cat will later become inhabited in your area, thus, you can easily transport them to a different vicinity. Trust me, a trap is a bit malevolent and extravagant. Food is your best weapon, thus, animals come where they can satiate their hunger. It doesn’t take long whatsoever to manipulate the cat(s). They’ll be enamored of the home where food, water, and shelter is provided. However, if you wish to remain asunder to the cat, the cat trap or the assistance of the humane society is the inevitable option.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Get a live animal trap. Farm supply stores usually have them. A humane society might have them, call and ask them, and tell them your plan.
A lot of vets will do free or reduced care on feral cats, as to spay or neuters.