Catching a stray cat.

First, the cat is not really stray. He ran away the day we moved and months later made it back to our old home. He won't let anyone get near him now. He will come eat but runs if anyone gets close. We have tried traps - he won't go near. Are there any drugs I can use to knock him out? Any suggestions? I'm afraid the neighbors are getting tired of him and might hurt him.

patb said:

First, the cat is not really stray. He ran away the day we moved and months later made it back to our old home. He won't let anyone get near him now. He will come eat but runs if anyone gets close. We have tried traps - he won't go near. Are there any drugs I can use to knock him out? Any suggestions? I'm afraid the neighbors are getting tired of him and might hurt him.

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I think its just using a trap which is a solution.

You had him earlier?  You can perhaps have as part of the bait, somewhat he connect positively.   Best something smelling you and or your old home.

Or a good recording of your voice or other sound he connects with his old home.

Also go around the neigbours and try to explain you are doing your best to catch him, so please wait patiently...   If you cant go around them and talk, leave leaflets in their post boxes.

Ask also, not to feed him anything, so the only food he can get is this in the trap - or the place you are preparing for trapping him.  Perhaps soaked with your smell - which you later on will have inside the sharply loaded trap.

As a common trick is to give food in an open trap "not loaded".  So he get used there in this place is always food.

An extra idea, is perhaps there a TNR or rescue group where you lived?  They can surely help you with the practical about  cathing him.

I mean, you dont mention it, but you probably have moved many miles away, and its not easy for you to go to your old place and patrol nor set up traps...

Good luck!

As Stefan said, tying the trap open and feeding him ONLY in the trap will get him used to to idea of going in.  Once he's used to it, you can set the trap to spring.

I would definitely tell the neighbors you are doing your best to get him.  Once you do trap him and bring him to your new home, it may be a challenge to keep him confined for awhile (at least two weeks).  But that is the only way he will learn to recognize his new territory.

Good luck!

I have informed the neighbors and they have put traps in their yard. I have used his old food bowl as well as clothing with our smell on it. He just won't go close. I have gotten close enough to talk to him but he just looks at me and does not respond. I have tried everything and most of my neighbors have been very cooperative. I just can't get close enough to catch him. I'm thinking someone must have done something to make him so skiddish. Any other ideas or drugs I can use to sedate him long enough to get him in a carrier? I'm desperate.

You may want to try special catbait here: http://pestcontrol.domyownpestcontrol.com/search?w=cat bait&view=grid

I tried special bait for an opossum once and it worked great.

I might just try the shellfish stuff. Thanks.