need help trapping my feral housecat

bertha venation

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Skittles is 11 years old. I brought her in when she was six weeks old, but she completely resisted socialization. She's lived in the house quite happily, although I have to trap her to go to the vet.

I'm moving across the country. I found homes for my others who can't go with me, but couldn't find a home for Skittles.

Skip ahead to home improvements, necessary so we can sell the house more easily. The workers' noise terrified Skittles from the instant they started on the first day, so I let her out. After all is quiet for a few hours at day's end, she comes back in. I let her back out in the morning before work begins.

Now I have found her a home with a friend - and here is the problem. I have to trap her so I can take her to my friend. For the last four nights, she has refused to get into the trap, the silly goose. Twice I've set it out for when she comes to the door to come in. Twice I've set the trap inside the house (and withheld her dinner). As when I've trapped her for the vet, I'm using good, smelly stuff, too - tuna and sardines. She just will not go in.

I'm at wits' end, and could use some advice. Thank you.
 

JMJimmy

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Once she's in the house, get her into the bathroom or another room where there's nowhere to hide and close the door - set the trap inside and wait

OR go in with a towel


or pillow case

 
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bertha venation

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Once she's in the house, get her into the bathroom or another room where there's nowhere to hide and close the door - set the trap inside and wait

OR go in with a towel

or pillow case
Thank you, JMJimmy.  These are great ideas.  The only problem is that she is too wily to allow herself to be herded into one room.  I sure appreciate your input, though.
 

JMJimmy

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A towel can help here too - hold it as wide as possible and slowly encourage her to move (you don't want her to be afraid, just annoyed that this large strange thing is a little too close.  Close all the doors of rooms you don't want her to go into and keep the light off in the one you do.  They'll seek a "cave" to hide from the big bad towel
 
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bertha venation

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A towel can help here too - hold it as wide as possible and slowly encourage her to move (you don't want her to be afraid, just annoyed that this large strange thing is a little too close.  Close all the doors of rooms you don't want her to go into and keep the light off in the one you do.  They'll seek a "cave" to hide from the big bad towel
Ok, this might actually work.  Thank you.  I'm giving the trap one more try tonight - she hasn't eaten (at least not cat food) in two days.  That breaks my heart, but as you surely know, it works.  If she doesn't go into the trap tonight, then tomorrow night we try the Big Bad Towel.

Of course, then the trick will be keeping her in the bathroom while I try to get in.  
 

JMJimmy

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Of course, then the trick will be keeping her in the bathroom while I try to get in.  
Same deal - stretch the towel across the doorway before you open it and calmly walk in - if you have someone else there it helps - they can close the door behind you.  The towel should keep her hiding behind the garbage or toilet and if she tries to make a run through the towel you can drop the towel on top of her to secure her and keep you protected from scratches.  Have the carrier on hand with the opening facing up in case this happens.  You can pick the cat up while it's under the towel and gently as possible drop her in.  Pro tip:  It's best to make sure the towel is touching the ground through the entire process... if they think they can scoot under a crack between the towel and the floor they'll try.

If you do make it in, place the towel on the floor and sit with the cat until she calms down, giver her some pets until you're both ready to do the cat burrito.
 
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bertha venation

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Same deal - stretch the towel across the doorway before you open it and calmly walk in - if you have someone else there it helps - they can close the door behind you.  The towel should keep her hiding behind the garbage or toilet and if she tries to make a run through the towel you can drop the towel on top of her to secure her and keep you protected from scratches.  Have the carrier on hand with the opening facing up in case this happens.  You can pick the cat up while it's under the towel and gently as possible drop her in.  Pro tip:  It's best to make sure the towel is touching the ground through the entire process... if they think they can scoot under a crack between the towel and the floor they'll try.

If you do make it in, place the towel on the floor and sit with the cat until she calms down, giver her some pets until you're both ready to do the cat burrito.
Thanks for your good advice, Jimmy.  My sister and I successfully deployed your towel strategy, and got Skittles into the bathroom.  I got in there with her.  But being feral, she was too tough for the purrito.  But several super-good scratches and a significantly deep bite later, she's been to the vet and back.  All is well.  Thank you.
 
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