Need URGENT advice to recapture 2 ferals hiding under sofa in spare room

Hi all. Long story that I won't go into, but briefly:

2 x 5-6 month olds, one spayed female one unspayed male. Foster decided they were upsetting the other kittens she had and let them loose in a spare room (rather than crating or confined space). Now both are well-hidden either under or inside one of those fold-up sofa beds! The female was friendly on her own but the stress of going to the foster and now being back with her wilder brother has made her skittish and unapproachable.

The foster wants me to come in the next few hours to collect but I have NO idea how I'm supposed to get two angry little cats back into carriers when they won't even come out from under the sofa. I could take a trap but am hesitant because it is so stressful on them. I would truly appreciate any advice or suggestions on the best/easiest way to do this. No judgements please...it's been hell of a past week and I am at breaking point. I just want to get these two sorted ASAP with the minimum amount of stress to them both.

We do have some sedatives that we use in emergencies but I have no way of monitoring the dose when there are two cats as it has to go into food?! If anyone can help, would be eternally grateful! Thank you!

The only thing I can think of is to take the sofa apart - the mattress or cushions off at the very least.  This will expose them and they will probably run into the carrier for safety.  Maybe put a little food in the carrier?

I'd be afraid to use the sedatives - for the very reason you state.

Thanks for the suggestion Ondine! We managed to recapture both cats but it was a dreadful, highly stressful situation that I hope I NEVER have to go through again! More so for the poor cats than us humans (one of whom should have known better and not released two unsocialised wild cats into an open room). I sustained a nasty bite to my thumb and both kitties I fear will be terrified of people for the rest of their lives (even the little girl who may have had some chance previously of socialising...) Big lesson learned today...just sorry it was the hard way for everyone involved.

KylieR said:

 
Thanks for the suggestion Ondine! We managed to recapture both cats but it was a dreadful, highly stressful situation that I hope I NEVER have to go through again! More so for the poor cats than us humans (one of whom should have known better and not released two unsocialised wild cats into an open room). I sustained a nasty bite to my thumb and both kitties I fear will be terrified of people for the rest of their lives (even the little girl who may have had some chance previously of socialising...) Big lesson learned today...just sorry it was the hard way for everyone involved.

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See if you can get some flower essences into the kitties.  Rescue remedy or Spirit Essences.  It will help with the trauma.  You can also try Composure feline treats or Composure Max liquid.  I love the liquid as it works a bit faster.  I would also use a feliway adaptor.  Play calming music for them and slowly work with them.  They may be traumatized for a few days, but with love, patience, kindness, yummy food and a few remedies mentioned above and they will forget about the episode. 

Oh, poor dears.  But you know what?  No matter what happens now, they are better off in your care than in their life outside, so a little dust-up won't hurt them.

Thanks for helping them!  Make sure you have that bite attended to.  They can be nasty ...

ShadowsRescue said:

 
See if you can get some flower essences into the kitties.  Rescue remedy or Spirit Essences.  It will help with the trauma.  You can also try Composure feline treats or Composure Max liquid.  I love the liquid as it works a bit faster.  I would also use a feliway adaptor.  Play calming music for them and slowly work with them.  They may be traumatized for a few days, but with love, patience, kindness, yummy food and a few remedies mentioned above and they will forget about the episode. 

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Thanks for the advice ShadowsRescue. I bought some Bachs Rescue Remedy and used that, which seems to help. Both are eating well and a lot more settled!

Oh yeah Rescue Remedy is wonderful for trauma and the faster you get it into them after the stress the better it works, great job!  

KylieR said:

 
Thanks for the suggestion Ondine! We managed to recapture both cats but it was a dreadful, highly stressful situation that I hope I NEVER have to go through again! More so for the poor cats than us humans (one of whom should have known better and not released two unsocialised wild cats into an open room). I sustained a nasty bite to my thumb and both kitties I fear will be terrified of people for the rest of their lives (even the little girl who may have had some chance previously of socialising...) Big lesson learned today...just sorry it was the hard way for everyone involved.

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If it makes you feel even a little better, at t 5-6 months you did not really have much chance of socializing anyway.  The latest truly 'successful' socialization I've seen (cat would actually approach humans for affection and let self be pet, not simply learn to live relatively at peace in a house) involved cats that were maybe 14  weeks at the start :/ I am sorry you had to go through this but as someone else said I am sure the kittens are in good hands with you.