Trapped feral

A friend had three young cats coming to her home for food. I loaned her my carrier to try to capture them. I didn't expect to get one of the cats within 24 hours. Last night I put the cat in our basement with food, water and litter. The second I opened the carrier it jumped out, scrambled up the wall and tucked itself under the rafters in my basement ceiling. I'm in the process of lining up a vet for a spay/nueter and check up. Does anyone have a suggestion for how to get the cat back into the carrier? I'm hoping it will come down to eat and at some point. Once it trusts being around me, I'll put the food inside the carrier. So far it has not come down yet. Maybe it's still too terrified and will eventually come down?

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for taking care of the cat.

Yes it is terrified, but regular food and warmth will go a long way towards building trust.

In the immediate future, provide food (on a regular schedule--this is important), water and a litter box (perhaps mixed with a bit of dirt).  He will come down and eat if he is hungry enough.

Do you know how sociable these cats are--was your friend able to pet them?

PS:  you might want to alert your vet NOW that you will be in the process of trying to trap more cats and would like to be able to bring them in immediately for s/n.  Even if the vet can't do it that day, given the circumstances, he might be willing to board the cat over night and do it the next day.  Simultaneously, the cat should be given its rabies shot, deworming and anything else deemed appropriate.

The cat is still in our basement and won't come out from behind a partial wall. It sits up in the rafters almost all day. However, it is apparently coming down during the night to eat and use the litter box. It probably waits for the house to be quiet before it comes down. Over the weekend we were able to nudge it out and hand feed it cat treats and pet it a little bit.

I have spoken to our vets office and they are ready for the cat. I just have to get it into the carrier. Does anyone have tips on how to grab it without getting it too upset?
 

Carroll said:

Does anyone have tips on how to grab it without getting it too upset?

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Carroll can you buy or borrow a humane trap?   That's really the best way as any form of grabbing will lead to some upset and potential injury.  Some shelters and rescue groups rent or loan them out.   Then you can feed the cat in the trap (fix it so it won't spring) for a few days and then set it when you are ready.   Good luck!