How to catch a cat with no appetitie!

Hi Everybody,

We have a true feral in the yard that seems to be having trouble eating and drinking. We have been trying to catch her for several days with no luck. She can't eat so she is not enticed by the trap. Got her to come up to a plate and my sister tried to catch her with no luck. She is losing her energy so we might be able to catch her soon, but at what cost? We need to catch her now- she is in a lot of pain. My sister and I disagree on whether it's better to let nature take its course or better to scare her and take her to a vet when she is so ill.I am for putting her to sleep if that is what is called for. I called the vet and asked them their opinion and she acted like what was wrong with me for even asking. I should mention I don't have much money.

If anybody has any ideas on how to catch a feral that will definitely not go in a trap, please send them my way. She is getting weaker so there is some urgency here.
Please send some prayers and vibes for this little one too!

Thank you!

If you can borrow a drop trap, it may work.  But if she won't respond to bait, you won't be able to lure her into or under any trap.

The only other thing I can thing of is netting her. Have a carrier or crate ready and get a bigger, heavy fishing net.  She will probably use a lot of energy resisting but if you are quick, you can pop her, in the net, into the carrier.  You will probably have to cut the net to get the carrier door closed.  Then get her to the vet or emergency clinic.  It sounds like she needs to see one soon.  Poor thing - thank you for helping her!

Depending on what the vet says, euthanizing her may not be the worst solution.  If she is as sick as she sounds, it may be a blessing for her.

Thank you for your response Ondine. She came near at feeding time which was late today as my sister's kids were running around out there at the regular time. I had purchased chicken baby food and she wanted to eat that so bad! She just kept standing there and looked so miserable! I also tried mature cat milk, some crab meat, tuna- everything! When she did come near I managed to give her a pet on the back then she moved back. I can tell she wants help. I would have tried to catch her again, but the vet is no longer in.
I am so afraid that I am not going to be able to help her. First I am afraid I won't be able to catch her, then what if I can't afford the care the cat needs??

There is a "family" of five ferals out there that have lived together for about 10 years. There was a feral who stopped by for a while then when he was getting sick, he walked into the house one day! We named him Old Dude and put him to sleep. Was terribly sad even though we didn't know him very well. This is the first feral of the five to get so sick. Her "Sister" keeps rubbing her and watching over her. It is so sad.

Well, I will try first thing in the morning. I pray that this all works out right!

Thank you again!

Yes, she sounds like she really needs help.  Thank you for taking the initiative with this poor kitty!  Keep us posted, please ...

Can't find her anywhere! I am in tears that this is happening... i feel like I really drop the ball, like I could have tried to catch her sooner... I didn't realize until too late that she was so bad...
I feel miserable and so depressed....

Oh, sorry to hear this.  Perhaps she will be back.  Be prepared just in case.  If not, we can only hope she is no longer suffering.

I literally can't stop crying... I am so sad...
I can't believe I failed this little one. Her name was Beauty by the way...

I waited all day... all day nothing...praying God would give me another chance but she never came.

She was very weak yesterday, but strong enough to run away from us. At least I got to pet her back just once.

I'll keep a little hope alive but I don't think she is still with us....

You have not failed Beauty at all. Some feral cats just cannot be trapped, and some are not meant to be trapped. It's not uncommon for animals to go off by themselves into the woods or to a place where they feel comfortable when they sense they are dying. If she's passed, then her suffering is over and she's at peace. At least she will have died knowing that someone loved her and cared about her.

Have you asked your neighbors if they've seen her? It's possible someone else was trying to help her and managed to get her inside, or at least saw where she was heading. I hope you're able to find her and either help her or have some closure. I'm very sorry for the pain you're going through.

Beauty showed up today...was sleeping in the box we left on porch with a comfy towel in it. Popped the top on and took her to the vet.
Beauty was put to sleep at 12:30 today. At least she is in no more pain.

Thank you for all of your help.

JIL05 said:

 
Beauty showed up today...was sleeping in the box we left on porch with a comfy towel in it. Popped the top on and took her to the vet.
Beauty was put to sleep at 12:30 today. At least she is in no more pain.

Thank you for all of your help.

Click to expand...

Oh I am so very sorry.  At least  you were able to help ease her suffering.  She came to you for help.  Please know you did all you could to help her.  You are in my thoughts.  RIP dear sweet Beauty.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Know that you did all you could for her and were with her at the end, and she knew it.   

Oh, so sorry to hear this.  But you were there for her when she needed you and that is so important.  RIP, sweet Beauty.

All the team at TCS are so very sorry for your loss, JIL05. 

We close these threads out of respect.  Thank you for starting a thread on our Crossing the Bridge for your beautiful girl.

RIP Beauty