I have a little feral colony consisting of four cats, one of whom just popped up recently. Now I'd been giving serious thought to getting the three adults TNRed, I'm new to all this and feel way out of my depth, but this fourth one may be in urgent need of veterinary care, so I need to figure out how to capture her first. She (I think it's a girl) is on the young side, seemingly not yet mature but not what you typically think of as a kitten. She resembles a miniature cat at this point. Something is terribly wrong with her right eye. I thought it was missing at first because the eyelids are almost completely closed and what I can see of her eyeball looks dark and cloudy. Otherwise, she seems healthy and spry. I didn't note any discharge, which I think I would've seen on her mostly white face, so maybe it's not infected...? I tried googling, the stuff of hypochondriac nightmares, I know, and now I'm wondering if something traumatic may have happened to the eye. I'm just really hoping it isn't something like FeLV or eye cancer. That isn't likely, is it? She is such a little dearheart and I get a good vibe from her, even though she's too skittish to approach me just yet. Her behavior reminds me of how my second kitty, rescued at 5 mos., acted when I first brought her home. She displays interest in making a connection, her body language is cordial, she's fascinated by the sight of my kitties through the glass door. She just lacks confidence. I feel confident that I could get her socialized in no time at all. And this one really, really, really deserves a good home.
Sorry for the digression! So, anyway, I'm new to the concept of trapping ferals and have been asking cat people I know for advice. So far I've been told that I should try to ascertain when her meal times are, so I'll know when to set the trap. One friend gave me great advice (maybe?!). She said I should get either a trail camera or a baby monitor (with video, of course) and literally keep an eye on the feral situation, take notes on feeding times, that it would make TNRing everyone much easier. Please don't think I'm crazy...
...I went ahead and bought the baby monitor. If I contact a local rescue, will they loan me a trap? if the little girl visits the same time other kitties are there, how do I manage to catch only her? I've seen her alone and sharing a food bowl with the big boy of the clan. And now I have another worry... What if she's pregnant? I was hoping to get her spayed immediately. When do females begin ovulating?? Can I work with a rescue org. to get her medical expenses taken care of? Or maybe partially covered?
I'm kind of a nervous wreck about this! I really want to get this little girl medical attention ASAP.
Sorry for the digression! So, anyway, I'm new to the concept of trapping ferals and have been asking cat people I know for advice. So far I've been told that I should try to ascertain when her meal times are, so I'll know when to set the trap. One friend gave me great advice (maybe?!). She said I should get either a trail camera or a baby monitor (with video, of course) and literally keep an eye on the feral situation, take notes on feeding times, that it would make TNRing everyone much easier. Please don't think I'm crazy...
I'm kind of a nervous wreck about this! I really want to get this little girl medical attention ASAP.