Transfer feral kitten from bathroom to cage

newtothis2016

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recently rescued a feral kitten (atleast a couple of months) from my neighborhood about 3 days ago. When I captured him I just let him out in my bathroom (from the cage I caught him in), without first taking him to the vet. :-/ well I'm noticing that his right eye is milky and am going to take him to the vet tomorrow. He's curled up behind my toilet. What is he least traumatizing way to get him from behind the toilet to a medium sized dog like cage? There's no way he's going to let me just pick him up and he hasn't eaten since I've trapped him (so luring him with food won't work). Does anyone know how I can get him to run in the cage without fully traumatizing him? P.S. He was eating the same food outside when he was free so it's not that he doesn't like the food, I think he's just too scared to eat it. Please help!!
 

Kieka

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I don't think you have a method to transfer him without scaring him more at this point. I would put the dog crate on one side and use a towel to kinda brush him into the crate from the other. Keep the crate covered when traveling. He definitely needs to see the vet not only for the eye problem but also if he truly hasn't been eating he is in danger of health problems on that front too. Typically ferals (and former ferals) are very skittish about eating infront of humans. Make sure you are leaving food and water out at all times so he can eat when people aren't around.

Copying this from another feral question I posted to as to how to socialize ferals. Hopefully he can get help at the vet and start feeling better soon. You will likely have to give him medicine and using a purrito will probably help greatly in that along with crate socializing him (see recommended steps below). I got my girl at 4 months old and feral and now she is a love so you can do this. This is my recommendation based on what I did with her:

Step 1, Look up everything you can on socializing ferals. 

Step 2, Get a large dog crate or critter cage. Just big enough for him, litter box, food, water and a bed. And a stuffed animal to curl up with.

Step 3, Keep him in the crate whenever you are not home. Put the crate in a well traveled part of the house but with a cover over the top (just the top, think shade not hide) so he gets used to sights and sounds but feels like he is hiding. 

Step 4, Purrito. Take him out of the crate and wrap him up in a towel. This helps him feel secure. The idea is he can't move and just his head sticks out. Look up online tips how to do one I think Kitten Lady has some good examples from neonatal care tips. 

Step 5, In the purrito pet his head with a finger or toothbrush. 

Step 6, As he gets comfortable loosen the purrito. I should say throughout this part repeat his name and talk to him with his name. So he learns Simon is him basically. 

Step 7, Start just taking him out and holding him. If he runs or gets off your lap put him back in the crate for a little. Take him out. Rinse and repeat. The idea being to teach him he gets loving and pets when on you lap. 

Step 8, Allow him to walk around within arm reach. 

Step 9, Allow him to run around the room and play with toys supervised. Up to this point you are still putting him back in the crate whenever he isn't with someone.

Step 10, Allow him free range of a specific room with the crate set up as his safety spot if he gets scared.

Step 11, Open up rooms one at a time as he gets comfortable. 

At each of these steps you move to the next one when he is comfortable and responsive. If he gets scared at any point and bolt you put him back in the crate as his safe space and let him calm down then try again. Don't push him too far but keep expanding his comfort zone a little at a time. You can also put some treats in a jar and shake it while saying his name then give him a treat. This will help with getting him to come to his name and feel comfortable.

It took me about a month to get Rocket out of the crate completely. She's now 1.5 years and the best of my cats at coming when called. She is very comfortable around me and a little love.
 
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newtothis2016

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Thank you so much for your advice! He is curled up in a corner beside my tub and toilet. The only way I'd be able to push him in by standing over him. Is that okay or would it just be better to push a towel at the end of a stick from the other side of the toilet to get him to run out the corner and into the cage?
 

Kieka

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I'd go with the towel over a broom to shoo him in (if he actually lets the broom touch him he can probably be picked up). You can use another person to help prevent him from running a way you don't want or cut up cardboard box would work as well. 
 
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newtothis2016

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Thanks so much!! I will try it!!
 

Kieka

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Best of luck. Ferals are the hardest cats but they can also be incredibly loyal and loving. I've seen kitten recover from devistating eye injuries with proper treatment so hopefully he will heal up quickly.
 
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