Feral in Backyard... Help!

orangepoe

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I feed several feral cats... I have 1 momma and kittens in my garage with a heater & another feral on the side of my house in a cooler with heating pad. I have been feeding another feral in the woods near my house for a couple of months now and now he has decided to come in my backyard. He runs when I get close but knows the sound of my voice. Only problem is that I have a Rottweiler who goes in the yard to pee/poop and I don't want him to see the cat. We tried trapping the cat but of course he was too smart to go in the trap even with tuna in it. We put a styrophome house with hay in it but he never want in.. What can we do? He seems to be making it through the winter ok since We are in CT & just had a blizzard. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
 

ondine

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You may be able to train the cat to come at certain times - put his food out at the same time every morning and evening.  No changes - he will get used to coming to eat at those times.  He may be making his rounds, so if you can note when the cat comes into the yard now, you can build your schedule around his.  Make sure you keep the dog out of the yard at those times.

I would also leave his food inside the trap.  Set it so it doesn't spring the first week you do this and he will get used to eating inside it.  That way, you can make a vet appointment and set the trap that day.

Thank you for helping them all!
 
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