How to grab a feral kitten to get it into a crate

ldg

ldg

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Someone just recently experienced the "hellion" part of this - but to minimize the risk to whomever is attempting the grab, I thought I'd share this method. MA first shared it with me when Gary and I first started rescuing.


The "Hissy Grab"

To quote Hissy: "I can share with you how I capture feral kitties that come out to eat. I call it the hissy grab and it takes patience and strong arms. But basically once they accept me as being close, I begin to lay down on the ground on my belly next to their dish. This decreases the threat I pose to them by making me on their level. Once they get used to this, I raise my arm up in front of me so it hangs over the dish. Once that is accepted, and the kitten is eating, I swing down quickly grab the scuff, roll over on my back, and get to my feet and put kitty in a carrier nearby. I have caught a lot of babies this way, but the best way to trap them would be if you can get them to go in a carrier and just shut the door- it is less stressful for you. Mom is going to be difficult and probably have to be trapped. Your local animal shelter should have cat traps for rental. You can buy them, but they are spendy.

Just be careful, do your best to keep your face and arms away from the flailing claws and be sure the carrier is close enough that you can get to it easily. You have to be quick and it's best to have protection, because once the scruff of the neck is grabbed that kitten will turn into a hellion with claws. But it can be done."
Click to expand...
Just thought I'd share this advice again so others needing to grab kittens may do with better chances of not getting clawed and bitten!


Laurie
 
arlyn

arlyn

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I had my recent success with a grabber tool like this one

It is only ideal for smaller kittens (3 to 6 weeks or so).
It completely encircles the head without choking and can safely get them into carriers.

Great method if time is of the essence (which it was in my case) or if you have especially timid kittens or an overprotective mom-cat.

I have used a method similar to MA's for many years, and if time is not an issue, it's really the best way to go for you and the kitties.
 
sarahp

sarahp

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Thanks for the info Laurie! I'm going to give that a go next time I have to. I'm also going to invest in some thick gloves that still allow me to scruff a kitten!
 
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I have a grabber, a net and kevlar-lined guantlets--all available online from ACES. But the most important thing is to know how to scruff a cat or kitten.

Grab them by the relatively loose skin at the back of their necks and either lift them off the ground or pin them to it--done properly the cat cannot hurt you no matter how hard it fights.

Safety when handling stray or feral cats cannot possibly be stressed enough. If you are injured while attempting to handle a scared and struggling cat you will be of little help to yourself or it.

Use your judgement. If you have experience handling cats in stressful situations you may opt to simply scruff the cat. I've done that several times. But if you don't think you can do that use the equipment. I personally prefer the gauntlets and the net....
 
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