I can't lose Tiny too....

Three feral kittens were born in my backyard last year (Ruby, Tiny, Socks). A couple months later, Socks disappeared and never returned. Ruby died on June 3rd mysteriously. And now, I'm seeing the same signs in Tiny that I did with them. Weight loss, matted fur, becoming vocal (it feels like she's trying to tell me something's wrong).

I can't catch her to take her to the vet. She's too feral, and trap savvy. She's so skinny. Wasting away before my eyes. Could this be FeLV? Could all three kittens have had it? Please help, I'm so so scared. I can't lose Tiny. She's the only one left. I've been taking care of them for a year now and I love them...

Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sadly, it could be just so many things. Maybe run the SNAP test on the next few TNRs. It may help answer that question.

As to the trap, you can try. Wash the trap. Spray a lot of feliway around the front of it. Spray some catnip (or sprinkle some) deep inside it. Cover it in leaves/sticks, or go to a place that sells appliances, and ask if you can have one of their boxes, and cover it in cardboard (except the entrance, of course). Set it right next to where you feed them - leave it there for a couple of days. Then use kentucky fried chicken (or greasy baked chicken from the supermarket) OR tuna or sardines as the enticement into the trap. I put cardboard down over the wires with a gap between the entrance and the trip plate, so they have to take that step to reach the bowl pushed all the way up in the back. I usually leave a little trail of food - a small plop at the front of the trap, and a small bite on the cardboard.

The trick it is to disguise the trap, make it smell inviting, and use food they can't resist.

Another trick from a long-time rescuer (hissy): If she's aggressive about territory, tape a mirror facing inside (but on the outside so you can get it off while she's in the trap). She'll want to defend her food from that cat and run in there. This only works for territory aggressive kitties though.