Oral Contraception???

Hi there. I have a feral mom with four kittens that I have been feeding for the past couple months. I was hoping to be able to tame the mom and have her spayed as her kittens are now no longer dependent on her and are on their own for the most part. So far I have been unsuccessful in taming the mom. So I tried to trap her, I ended up trapping a couple raccoons instead and they were not happy with me. So out of fear of being bit by a raccoon I stopped trying to trap her. I know that she could possibly have more kittens this season and I really need to do something about this. So I thought I would inquire about oral contraception. I did see something about Megecat online but there was really no info about it. I thought if there was such thing, I could put the mom on it until I am able to tame her and then take her to be spayed. She also has one female kitten, so if I don't at least get the females taken care of soon I am going to have a pretty large colony by next year. If anyone could help me with this I would really appreciate it. I have been worried sick over this. Thanks in advance!

As far as I know, there are no non-surgical contraceptives for cats available in the U.S. There was a product called FeralStat but it had a lot of side effects and seems to have been taken off the market. Even where Megecat is available, I think it's a pill or injection, so it would be hard to give to a cat who isn't tamed yet.

I would keep trying to trap her (and the kittens, at least the girls). You shouldn't just leave the trap out all night; if you do the trapping correctly you shouldn't get any raccoons. Fix the trap so it won't spring shut. . .zip-tie the door or wire it or something. Then feed the kitties in the trap for a couple weeks. They'll get so used to it that they won't even notice it anymore. Then when the time is right, unwire the door so it'll close, and it shouldn't take long before you catch her.

Yes, I agree with Willowy in that you should not leave the trap out all night. Just tie it up and feed her in there for a few days. Then set the trap at her usual feeding time and in she should go.

I have not heard of any non-surgical cat contaception that is safe and approved. And as Willowy said, it is an injection. Much luck with trapping mom cat and the kittens and thanks for caring about ferals

Ok, thank you so much for your replies. I had the trap out at night because she only came around at night. So last night I did not leave food out and instead put it out this a.m. She ended up coming by and is actually here right now too. So instead of using my trap, I rigged up a cat carrier with fishing line on the door so I can close it manually from inside the house. I tested it about 10 times and it worked great so we'll see. I have no problem sitting there all day and catching her that way. If that fails I will revert back to the trap. I was reading some things on the board about some cats ripping their nails off from clawing the trap, etc. so that really scared me, which is why I would prefer using a plastic carrier. I'll keep you all posted. I already have 14 indoor rescue kitties and now 6 outdoor strays, someday I'm hoping to do more but right now I cannot. I'll keep you posted!

That's how I caught my mama cat and her babies (I was afraid the babies would get hurt from the trap). Hope it works for you, too!

Yes, we've had to use that method too. Vibes for success! !!!!

All of us replying have a fair number of both indoor rescues and outdoor TNR kitties LOL. We all do as much as we can, whenever we can, whatever that is, when it is.

Phew! That makes me feel soooo much better! I was starting to have doubts that I should try it that way but I'm going for it! Just want to call the vet tomorrow to see if I can bring her in as soon as I trap her. He works with all the rescue groups around here so I'm hoping that's how he handles these situations. Thanks again, will keep you posted!

Sending mega vibes for good luck with capturing this kitty. I also have used the crate/rope method in the past with much luck. It is just quite traumatic for the cat because you have to reel in the crate to latch the door, but it does work. Either way, this has to be done and I will be hoping to hear good news from you tomorrow

Just an update. The vet that I usually use, who also works with rescue orgs to trap and spay/neuter, said they won't take the cat until she gets her vaccines. So I would need to trap her, make an appt for vaccines, then make another appt for her to be spayed. Not quite what I was expecting and not quite as easy as they made it sound since she a wild girl. So they told me to try the humane society. The woman there was so nice and she told me that they do surgery Mon - Thurs so if I can trap her Sun night to Wed night I can just bring her in. If they don't have time that day they can keep her overnight and fit her in another time. Unfortunately, the vet won't be in tomorrow or next Mon and Tues. So I'm going to have to try to get her Tues night thru Wed. So disappointed that my vet wouldn't work with me on this but glad to have found someone who is willing. Keep those vibes coming! Thanks!

Wow, that is so odd! So much easier to vaccinate her during the surgery! Strange.

But so glad you found an alternative!

Keeping the vibes headed your way!!!!

Yeah, I have to say, I have never heard of that before. I M glad you found an actual TNR org. that will help you. continuing to send vibes your way Much luck with trapping her, you are doing a great deed for this kitty

Yes, very strange indeed, I was shocked. Especially after explaining that I would have to trap her and that it would be difficult to get her to one appt (spay) let alone two. The reason I even go to this vet is because he works with the local rescue orgs, I know he understands my situation of having 14 indoor cats, while other vets around here "don't get it". I thought he would happily take this kitty whenever I could get her, didn't even cross my mind that he would turn me away. Now I'm wondering if I should find another vet for my babies, ugh. Thanks again everyone, I'm aiming for Wed. a.m. to trap her.

Well, if the other vets don't get it, and your vet is a good DOCTOR, I'm not sure I'd move over that, especially since you did find an alternative. But I would consider chatting with him/her about such an odd policy.

A vet we LOVED worked at a vet practice that had one of those forms when you bring the cat in for spaying/neutering that had that little box you just check if you want them declawed at the same time. We had a chat with them about it, and now they sell Soft Paws and hand out informational brochures that clients have to sign that they've read before they'll schedule a declaw.

I wouldn't dump a good vet over one policy like that. A lot of vets aren't comfortable handing ferals at all, much less following all the usual TNR protocols. I do think a vet should be flexible, though, so I probably would be a bit annoyed as well.

Got her! I was able to lure her into a large plastic kennel with some tuna and actually closed the door by hand, no fishing line needed! I decided today that I would use the dog kennel/crate that I have, which I have only used for multiple cats. I figured it would work out best that way, then she wouldn't be left in a small carrier for hours. So she's in there with some food until tonight, water and a small litter pan. The spay clinic opens at 7 a.m. and I plan on being there right then. I'm hoping that since she is in this big crate, I can keep her in there for a few days to recover. My other option was a basement bathroom but I know now that I would never be able to get her in a carrier to put her back outside. She is so nervous and I feel really bad. She's panting and crying and at first really freaked out and tried to claw her way out. I wish I could make her understand why she is in there. I hope she makes it through the surgery ok, I'm worried that her nervousness prior to surgery will make her have a complication. Also, I have decided to stick with my vet. I will just explain to him next time I'm there what happened. I really wanted to take her to a regular vet and not the humane society because I've never dealt with them before. Well keep the vibes coming so that she makes it through ok! Thanks again to everyone for the help!

Originally Posted by stacy_s

Just an update. The vet that I usually use, who also works with rescue orgs to trap and spay/neuter, said they won't take the cat until she gets her vaccines. So I would need to trap her, make an appt for vaccines, then make another appt for her to be spayed. Not quite what I was expecting and not quite as easy as they made it sound since she a wild girl.

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It's not safe to give vaccines and spay at the same time, that might be the reason why they wanted to do it in 2 appointments? Vets over here don't do it because if the cat has any allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock for example) from the vaccine, they won't notice it because the cat is anesthetized and it can be fatal.

Glad to hear you were able to catch her. If she's still very nervous you could try to cover the cage with towels or something, that sometimes calms animals because they feel more safe when they're not in plain sight. (I've been told this works for yowling kitties during car rides too, haven't had to try though).

Thanks to everyone for their vibes! She had surgery yesterday afternoon, I picked her up this a.m. She is in the big kennel and seems to be sort of ok with it so I'm going to keep her in there for a few days before letting her out. I want to give her a fair amount of time to heal. She's eating and using the litter so it's working out great. Next mission: trapping her baby girl. Then I'll move on to the 3 males. I will be setting up feral housing next week as well. Thanks again everyone!

Oh Stacy I missed your first post about this - !!!! Congrats on trapping her! So glad things went well.

Now for your next trapping efforts!

Originally Posted by NorthernGlow

It's not safe to give vaccines and spay at the same time, that might be the reason why they wanted to do it in 2 appointments? Vets over here don't do it because if the cat has any allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock for example) from the vaccine, they won't notice it because the cat is anesthetized and it can be fatal.

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Of course, with feral cats, no one counts on being able to trap them again for a spay after vaccinations.. or for vaccinations after a spay. Tens of thousands of cats around the U.S. have been trapped over the last 20 years, and sterilized and vaccinated at the same time. Doesn't mean it's safe... but... there really isn't a practical alternative.

Thanks again LDG!