Just caught a feral, now what do I *DO*??

minka

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I thought maybe I should make a new thread so I could get straight to the point.

I caught Marla in the trap, but I'm not sure what to do now. :dk:
The cage is squished inbetween a bush and my building, and I mostly covered it with a blanket, but it's supposed to get down to around 46 at 7am, will she be okay like that? I'm worried getting her out from behind the bush and up three stories will be too stressful, is it better to just leave her there?

I'm like.. excited but panicking at the same time. X__X

And of course at 6am I'm going to be calling Everywhere to get her an appointment tomorrow.
 
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Willowy

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I definitely wouldn't leave her there. Someone might release her, or take the opportunity to do something worse. Just cover the trap with a thick blanket and take her upstairs. She might thrash around in the trap so hold on tight. Put a bunch of newspaper down in your bathroom (or other small quiet room) and leave the blanket on (with a corner pulled back so it doesn't get too stuffy). If you have to put the trap on carpet, put a garbage bag down underneath the newspaper. Also do that to your car seats before you put her in the car--trust me on that ;). If you can't find a place that will get her in tomorrow, you'll have to figure out how to get food and water in there without her escaping. But hopefully that won't be a problem!
 

whaler

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OK, first off GOOD JOB!:clap:

first thing to do is to make sure that the entire trap is covered so there is no way for her to see out - she will stay much calmer.

next, definitely bring her inside for the overnight. the three flights of stairs will only be a short scare for her, well worth it since being outside in the trap overnight would be very stressful for her.

once inside leave the cage covered and keep her in a room where it will be as quiet as possible so she stays calm. keep the room dark, but not pitch black . when i have had one overnight i play a little soft music - strings preferably - not a bad idea if you have a small radio. if not, don't worry.

only other thing would be to have the bottom of the trap covered before you bring her in. this way she won't see down through the floor of the trap while you are carrying her upstairs.

once again, GOOD WORK!
 
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minka

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Even if she's on the side of the building where no one walks, you think I should move her? I'm just worried about stressing her out. And I'd have to put her on my porch which is less covered than where she is. I thought about leaving a note..
 
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whaler

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i would move her no matter what. can't you keep her in a bathroom overnight?
 
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minka

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Okay.. I moved her onto my porch, with a trash bag underneath and I left the sheet covering the whole cage (including the bottom), is that okay?

No, I can't move her into a bathroom. I only have one and it's right next to my bedroom and that's where Grim's litterbox is.
 

whaler

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yeah, that is fine.

one other thing. if you can financially swing it have her stay overnight at the vet after she is altered. i don't know how the vet that you end up bringing her to is but from personal experience i have found that some vets will just have you get them later in the day after surgery. normally i have used a clinic that specializes in feral cats and they always keep it until the next day. on occasion i have had to use a "regular" vet and when i do i always have them stay until the next morning just to be on the safe side.
 
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minka

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Is the overnight stay so that she has time to recover, or is that for in case she has complications? I don't have a problem with her recovering on my porch.
 

whaler

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a little bit of both, but mostly in case there are any complications - sure, it is unlikely but i like to be cautious. that, and i am on the anal side :).

plus, it will give her a nice warm night for recovery.
 
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minka

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Okay, I'll ask how much it is, but I don't think I can afford it. I'm already kinda dipping into savings for this, but I just couldn't pass up helping her...
 

whaler

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in my area the vets have charged me the boarding fee of $10, but don't stress if you can't swing it. like i said, i am a total worry wart when it comes to this.


i look forward to an update tomorrow.
 
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minka

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Oh, well, yea.. if it's only $10, that's fine.
 

otto

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Congratulations on the rescue. Hope you can get her in tomorrow.
 
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minka

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I am glad that I brought her upstairs now because it's all foggy and gross outside and the bushes would have been wet. :nod:
 
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