Advice needed

There has been a feral cat living in my back yard for about 3 months. I have been feeding it and made a warm bed for her to sleep in. She needs to be spayed asap. I have noticed a male cat hanging around the last few days. I have a 3 story cat cage on wheels and managed to catch her in it last night. It has also gotten below freezing at night so it was really best that I caught her. I moved her inside to a quiet room but she hasn't eaten, drank water or used the litter box in 24 hours. Should I be worried? She is so scared. I feel so bad for her. She probably doesn't even know how to use the litter box. How am I going to get her out of the cat cage and into a carrier to get her to the vet? I have never dealt with a feral cat before. I feel like I'm in over my head! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

It's really wonderful that you're doing this! Full ferals are very difficult to deal with. For trap neuter release programs, we usually trap the cat in a humane trap and take the cat, trap and all, to the vet just because it's so difficult to handle them. They are very scared and it's heartbreaking, but it's the best thing for them.

Cats naturally "know" how to use a litter box-they typically are attracted to substrate like litter for eliminating waste, so if she's not using it that's her choice. Does the carrier fit inside the cage you have? If it does try to put it in there with a blanket and maybe a pee pad (they sell them for puppies at pet stores-this is for if she doesn't leave the carrier at all after surgery) and hopefully she will think this is a very good place to hide and she will dart inside after you leave the room. Then you can come back and close the door and take her to the vet. Call the vet or clinic you're going to and make sure they have experience spaying ferals. Some clinics have special programs for ferals and you can get a discounted rate, too.

If the carrier strategy does not work, be extremely careful. Scared, cornered cats can be very dangerous. Rabies is unlikely, but you don't know for sure and even if she isn't sick she could cause a lot of damage. Actually, the only scenario I'd feel comfortable with is if the room is completely devoid of ANY place to hide, and you set up the carrier and open the cage and leave, then she would probably go into the carrier. Even then, wear some heavy duty gloves to close the carrier door. But otherwise if you need to handle the cat directly at all, I don't think you should try it yourself. Call your local humane society or shelter and see if they have a volunteer who's used to working with ferals who can come over and help you out.

Set out some really tasty food in the meantime like canned tuna or chicken baby food (Gerber or Beechnut jars). Leave her alone as much as possible, and when you're not trying to scare her into a carrier, drape a towel over the cage so she feels safer and more hidden. It's fine if she doesn't drink anything, but try to get her eating soon if at all possible.

Thank you for doing all this for her. She doesn't know it, but it's a very wonderful thing.

You really want to get her to the vet ASAP and not put any more undue stress on her.  The low cost spay/neuter clinics around here will not accept a feral cat unless it's in a humane trap.  some regular vets also will not see feral cats.  Be sure that where you are taking her that they have experience with feral cats.  Tell them how you have her and maybe they will let you bring her in the cage. 

You must be careful  with her.  Make sure if you do plan on opening up the cage that you have her in a place where she cannot run somewhere and hide.  Be sure the room is cat proofed. 

Also to help calm her down, put a light blanket or sheet over the cage.  You can also play some calming music for her. 

It is normal for her not to want to eat.  She is very frightened.  You really can minimize her stress by getting her to the vet very very soon.

I got her into a vet to get spayed in the morning. I think my husband is going to call our local animal control and see if they will help us get her in a crate. I put some wet food in her cage and she hissed at me over and over. Do you think spaying will ease the tension or make it worse? Of course, she is getting spayed anyway. I don't think she is more than a year old. I'm dreading the recovery but it is best for her.

Should I put her back in the cage to recover? Or, get a smaller crate. I just like the fact that I can keep a litter box in the cage. I have attached a picture. I put a heating pad on the second level and she sleeps on it. I will get a sheet to cover it.

Yes, the cage would be a great place for her to recover for a few days.  Are you planning to release her after she recovers or try and socialize her and keep her inside?  This will make a difference on where she should go after recovery.

I hope that you are able to transfer her to a carrier or trap.  I am uncertain if Animal control will help or not.  I gather the 3 tiered cage is too large to transmit her. 

Do you think she is a true feral cat or is it possible that she is a stray cat that has some feral tendencies?  If she is truly feral, she will not make eye contact with you or make any meowing sounds.  She may yowl in fear and hiss with fear or aggitation.  Mainly, how has she acted as you have been caring for her?  Will she come up to you or runs when she sees you and only comes out to eat after you are inside? 

She may be easier to handle if she is a stray.

Blessings on you for helping this cat!  I agree with ShadowsRescue - the crate will make it easier for you to deal with her.  The confined space will help make sure you can get her into a carrier it needed.

If you decide to keep her inside, the cage is an excellent place to socialize her.

She has not meowed at all but she will make eye contact with me. Right before I caught her she would come up when I put her food out but she wouldn't let me touch her. If I made the slightest move toward her she would run. I am open to letting her be inside if that is what she wants.. I have two other cats. One is somewhat timid but stays by my side all the time. My other cat is extremely sociable to the point it drives us crazy. He is very high maintenance. It is driving him crazy that this new cat is in the next room and he can't have anything to do with her. I'm sure this adds to her anxiety because she can probably hear him.

Animal control said they would be happy to help and they are coming at 3:30 today. I hope she eats something before then.

justsyd said:

She has not meowed at all but she will make eye contact with me. Right before I caught her she would come up when I put her food out but she wouldn't let me touch her. If I made the slightest move toward her she would run. I am open to letting her be inside if that is what she wants.. I have two other cats. One is somewhat timid but stays by my side all the time. My other cat is extremely sociable to the point it drives us crazy. He is very high maintenance. It is driving him crazy that this new cat is in the next room and he can't have anything to do with her. I'm sure this adds to her anxiety because she can probably hear him.

Animal control said they would be happy to help and they are coming at 3:30 today. I hope she eats something before then.

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That is great news that Animal control will come and help.  I hope it goes well.  When she is in a carrier or trap, keep it covered for her.  Also no food after midnight.  But do not be surprised if she doesn't eat at all.  When they are afraid, they won't eat.  You will be allowed to feed her after the spay.

If you give her the choice to come inside or be outside, I am certain she will choose outside as for now it's where she feels safest.  If you are open to socializing her and keeping her inside, after the spay is the perfect time.  She can recover for a few days in the 3 tiered cage.  She will need a room of her own, with no contact from your other cats.  Cats need to be introduced very slowly.  Also, she first needs time to  adjust to indoor living and you need to get to the point where you can  be near her or handle her.  This could take time. 

After a few days or a week in the 3 tiered crate, you could allow her time in a room by herself.  Just be certain that the room is cat proofed.  If there is a bed in the room, it should be picked up or put flat on the floor.  Under a bed is the first place a cat will hide and it's almost impossible to get them out.  Also block off under and behind all large furniture.  Cats can squeeze into very tiny spaces.  You do want her to have a safe place to hide so keep the 3 tiered crate there for her.  She may decide it's a great place to hide.  Keep all windows tightly shut and watch for curtains or blinds. 

A feliway diffusers would be a great item to have.  Also you might want to try some Composure calming treats or Composure liquid max.  It is a nonsedating calming supplement that might help her feel more calm and secure.

When you are ready for cat to cat intros I can post some articles and a great video for help.  Yet, allow her time to adjust to her new home, you  and get some socialization skills first.  I have some tips and articles on socializing too if you are interested.

Keep us posted.  I hope it goes well with the transfer!  You are so lucky to have Animal control to help. 

It's great Animal Control came to help! She may be drowsy from the anesthetic after the surgery, so she actually might be a little more receptive to you then.

If you do decide to try and socialize her, this page has an extremely detailed method that's been used for lots of frightened shelter cats: http://bestfriends.org/resources/socializing-very-shy-or-fearful-cats. I hope things go well!

@justsyd   how did it go yesterday?  I hope the kitty is safely in a carrier and all went well.