What are my odds of retrapping a feral cat

I posted about 6 months ago about tnr. I did trap and fix 1 mother cat, 1 tom cat and 2 kittens.

We kept the mother and 2 kittens but released the tom cat after he recovered. My dilemma now is

I need to retrap the tom cat. I have been feeding him for the last 6 months and he has been doing well.

Then for a week he disappeared. He then reappeared last night with an injured foot.

I need to get him to the vet. I put out the trap and he did come around but unfortunately he was

standing there when another cat got caught in the trap. He witnessed the whole event.

I knew it was going to be a challange anyway but this didn't help. We are also planning on moving

in a month and I was going to try and retrap him anyway and keep him too. This has just sped up

the process. I'm afraid he might have a nail or something in his foot that needs immediate attention.

What are my odds on retrapping. Has anyone had luck with this or do they really get trap savvy?

Hi, I've been concerned with these very questions.  After getting much advice the upshot seems to be that it all comes down to the individual cat - it might happen....it might not.    Here's my two threads that might help:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/252432/retrapping-ferals-how-long-is-their-memory

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/252884/trapping-one-cat-and-not-another-cat

I have still had no luck trapping the injured cat. He still comes onto my porch every night to eat.

He hasn't been eating much though. Just drinking goats milk for the most part. He's still holding up his left foot

so I don't think its gotten any better.

I just ordered a drop trap. It won't be here til Wed. this is my last resort. Do you all think he will be wary of this too.

My front porch is very small. This is a townhouse and he isn't used to seeing anything on it except his food. I plan

on hiding in my car and waiting for him to go under it. "fingers crossed" and pulling the line from there.  My biggest

fear is that he will be spooked when he sees this contraption since he is so afraid of the other trap.

I regret not keeping him the first time after I trapped and neutered him. Now I just found out that another cat that I thought was my neighbors was ran over. This cat was the sweetest cat and she told me it wasn't hers, it just took up

with her and she fed it. I just don't want the same thing to happen to this beautiful tuxedo cat.  Pray he hangs on til

Wed.

Thanks for your support here.

Good luck vibes to you    

I know it's got to be hard wanting to help and not being able to.   The drop traps do look very different, maybe give him a couple of days with it out there just to get used to seeing it, inching the food every closer under it?    What kind did you order?

Thanks. I ordered this one.

http://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30249

I really didn't find a lot of choices out there for drop traps but read that they work for trap savvy cats.

So would you advise not to put the food under it the first day? Just let him get used to seeing it.

I don't want to blow it but I need to catch him quick to get to the vet.

That trap looks useful - I'll be interested to hear your experiences with it because I might need one one day.     As for whether to put the food under it or not at first, really your instincts have to rule here.    There are pros and cons I can see to both approaches.    If you go the route of putting the food only under the trap there may be a day or two that he doesn't eat while being scared of it till he gets hungry enough.   So does he seem in good enough shape to handle missing some meals?    Other side, if he needs vet care right away then maybe worth the risk.   Up to you, good luck and thanks for caring about this kitty

babywantsbling said:

Thanks. I ordered this one.

http://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30249


I really didn't find a lot of choices out there for drop traps but read that they work for trap savvy cats.
So would you advise not to put the food under it the first day? Just let him get used to seeing it.
I don't want to blow it but I need to catch him quick to get to the vet.

Click to expand...

normally you would feed the cat(s) for a few to let them get used to it. but, given the fact that you are dealing with an injured cat do it a soon as he goes in.

here is a good video on how to use a drop trap - even though you will be using a different model of drop trap the principles are the same.

good luck!

Hi, I have talked with someone who has used a drop trap on MANY cats. She said the best way to use it is to set it up and get the cat used to it.  Add the food and let him eat there and a day later sneak up on him!  Not sure of the type you are using, just make sure you have a humane trap to coax the kittie into to transport to the vet.  Good luck! 

Box Traps- I still use my havahart traps - but the box trap is amazing. You can also build your own!! I have had a lot of success catching the smart, sneaky, and trap wary cats with them!

The box trap is a bit more of a traumatic experience for the cat because of the need to coax it out of the box into a smaller trap - but definitely worth it when all else fails!

I'd recommend having at least 2 people when using the box trap. You may need one person to "encourage" the cat into the smaller trap while the 2nd person closes the small trap/carrier.

"Encouraging" the cat may include using a stick (use a blunt stick - nothing pointy - be gentle!!) or tapping the box to scare the cat away from u (and towards the opening of the small trap).

I found that having a LARGE Tarp or blanket over the box calms the cat. After setting up the small transfer trap - lift the blanket ONLY there. The cat will run into it (thinking it has found a way out). Be prepared to close the small trap because it will happen FAST

I visited my vet yesterday and explained my situation. He thinks "just a guess of course", that he may have a bite wound. Im skeptical since

he's fixed but anyway, he gave me liquid Orbax and wants me to sneak it into his bowl and see if this helps him. He also said he thinks I should

get him used to seeing the drop trap before I put his food under it. I did get it in today and am going to wait a few days before I put it out so

he won't be freaked out and not eat his food. I really want to get this antibiotic in him first.

He did come around LATE last night. 2:30 am. Yikes, I had to wait up for him to make sure he got the meds and not another cat. He got

most of it but not all. Better than nothing I guess. I am going to reduce the food tonight so he gets all the meds.Hopefully. He's not very

hungry anyway since he feels bad.

He is such a great vet. He offered to come over after I trap him and sedate him if I can't get him transfered to the other cage and then treat him.

I should say "if" I trap him. That's a big "IF".

He does sound like a great vet!   Getting the antibiotics in first sounds like a really smart plan - wishing you luck

I have had my fixed colony members get into the occasional fight. This happens when aggressive breeding cats visit

Very few cats are "trap happy" meaning they are easy to trap more than once.... but it can be done.
If you feed daily or?....then hold off on the feeding schedule a few days, then use multiple traps...at least three..perhaps you can borrow for local cat orgs, city or spca.
Place the traps in different areas he frequents and use a variety of baits. Canned cat food, tuna or house scaps, anything with a good smell.
I like to cover my traps with long grass, weeds, etc so that all they see is the opening.
Run the traps often, at least every 3 hours till you run out of time. Close the traps and leave them in place, take a breather.
I'll bet in a day or two of "trap effort" you will have him.
Don't give up

Yes, definitely stop feeding him a few days beforehand so he will be desperate. :nod:

Update. I got him tonight! Many sleepless nights and watching other cats go in and out of the drop trap. Sigh. He would not go under it.

Finally tonight he did. The transfer was even trickier. He would not go into another small transport cage so we coaxed him into a large

dog cage where he will have to stay til my vet can get over here on Monday. That cage will not fit in my car.

Thank goodness my vet is a mobile vet. Anyway, he has another injury. His ear. I feel so much better that he is off the street.

He just can't defend himself out there with that injured foot. He is still on the antibiotics so that will have to suffice til he sees the vet.

Then I have to figure out if I can socialize him. We have had pretty good luck with 2 out of 3 that we have now. Plus we have to hope

he will get along with the ones we already have. Sheesh. Wish us luck. I have really fallen in love with him.

BTW, those drop traps are just the best when all else fails.

Amen to drop traps!!

Vet came to my house today. He snuck up behind the cage and injected him with the sedative. A few minutes late he was out. He then examined

him right there on my garage floor. First thing he noticed was the cat was covered in fresh loose stool. So he had to clean him up. Not sure if this

was just spontaneous from the injection or what. But I did notice he had diarrhea the night before in his litter box.

He then examined his foot and said it was fractured but didn't feel a splint would do any good since he would manage to get it off somehow.

His ear was also damaged from an attack of some sort. This happened sometime after the fracture, this I'm sure of. He couldn't defend himself

with the injured foot. He treated him with an steroid, antibiotic,  gave him a pain shot, applied Revolution and he also gave him a tape worm injection.

He also gave me a pro-biotic to add to his food.

Now, the big shocker here is he told me the cat was 8-9 years old. I couldn't believe it. The spay and Neuter clinic wrote that he was only 2-3 years old.

My vet said they were wrong. Not that, that changes anything, I still plan to keep him but wondering if he will have a harder time adjusting to indoor life

and my other 3 ferals. He is crying and crying at night which breaks my heart to hear.I have harp music playing but it doesn't seem to help.

Since we are moving in 2 weeks, vet said leave him where he is so he won't be traumatized twice. He is such a beautiful cat. I just want him to have

a better "rest of his life."  He is not social at all but neither were my other 3. Only one of them really are, and one is on the way after almost 8 months.

He is crying right now. The other 3 hear him too. Last night they did something none of them have done before, they came to my bedroom door, throwing

themselves at it and crying alot. Im sure because of his crying. One even jumped at my doorknob trying to get me up.

Im also afraid the neighbors are going to start complaining. We are in a townhouse so connected right to them.

Advice? Thanks

I saw on another thread someone had luck with classical music, maybe something other than harp music would help  - maybe a little Mozart?    I am considering indoor socializing too and I'm worried about the neighbors being upset by howling too.    Maybe others with experience in this will weigh in.   You could try Spirit Essences - I have had some luck with these.   There's "feral cat rehab" one.   I'm glad the vet was able to help him and I hope things all work out for the best

aww I hope he feels better soon. Do you have a nice hiding place for him to go? I found my rehab feral (Dusty) was much less anxious after I built him a little secure fort.

Thank you. Yes he does. I have two large dog crates connected. The back of the cage is covered and has a bed and blanket.

The front cage has his litter box and food and water. Tonight he moved to the front cage which is uncovered. Usually if he is

in the front he will retreat to the back when I enter the garage. This time he didn't. He just stayed there. Which gives me hope.

He still cries. Never during the day. Just late at night. I can't wait to be able to move him to our new home so he will be inside and

he can start socializing with us and the other cats. I hate that he is so isolated. He is eating well. The pro-biotic that my vet gave me

is amazing stuff. I guess the antibiotics robs them of a certain enzyme which gives them bad diarrhea. This stuff has really helped.

His ear is looking better too since he isn't scratching at it anymore.

I really can't say what his foot progress is since I never see him standing or walking anymore inside the cage.