Skunk problems!

I got an email the other day about a small cat colony (at least five adults and a litter of kittens) that live in an industrial park near me. One of the cats has an injured leg and is limping but I haven't been able to see him yet. I decided to start caring for them and TNR the colony but I realized while feeding them this evening that I have a bit of a problem - the cats share the area with a skunk family! I saw 3 or 4 of them but there are probably more. The little suckers are not like the skunks I'm used to either. They seemed to have little fear of me and just stood around when I walked by. I set down a bowl of food near where the mom and kittens were and in a minute a skunk was up there eating.

I realize that by feeding the cats I will also be feeding the skunks. I guess there is no way around that. But what worries me is when it comes time to trap the cats. How do I make sure that I don't get a skunk in the trap? And what would I do if I did? I wouldn't be able to let it out without getting sprayed. Any ideas?

Is there any place to put any kind of table to feed the cats? The skunks can't jump. In fact, those outdoor tables for poolside? With a center pole? Great for feeding cats and not the wildlife.

But yes, trapping you'll probably trap skunks. We did, quite a few (and raccoons and possums). The skunk probably sprays when the trap snaps. If you cover the top and the long sides of the trap BEFORE trapping, you can walk up to release the door without the skunk seeing you, and they'll just bolt.

Oh those stinky little stinkers. I have skunks that come around my yard too for the cat food. Try to just get on a "day" schedule if you can for feeding the cats. If you can, morning. Then you will be more likely to trap cats. If you trap a skunk, they will automatically spray in the trap from fear of just being trapped. Unfortunately, they can spray up to five or six times consecutively . . So it is possible they will spray again as you approach. They will usually pound their two from feet first before they spray. Skunks don't like to spray so they will try to scare you off first with the pounding. Much luck to you to trap only cats !!!!!