Plagued By Failures

Last night, at about 5:00pm after setting my trap over 6 times and catching 5 racoons and the trap going off, I was about to call it a night.

Manx, the manx kitten who wanders outside and I have made a slow relationship with was giving me some releaf.

Soft, after the rain. I had not fed them in two days so they would get trapped, but poor Manx would not go in. She and the other kitten I am trying to trap (and yes, they are kittens) won't go in trap except a little bit for the food I put around it. They have seen Racoons and another cat get trapped in it.

I had a can of tuna with me and opened it, about to put it in the trap. Sweet Manx ran to me crying out in her mewing, the same mewing she gives me when she spots me. Only instead of her giving a few yards, she wanted that food bad. I set it down and she slowly ate, and I stroked her head, the first time she let me touch her.

What was my response?

Grab her up and take her in.

With my two fingers, I should have used my full hand, I picked her up by the back of her neck. With my other ungloved hand I expected to grab her tummy and bring her in. But without thinking I executed this plan and looking at my hand and the hissing kitten I was holding.

She got out of my hand and ran off.

I almost cried. Manx finally trusted me, and I think I hurt her poor little neck.

Manx still awaited me tonight, hungrey, mewling, but keeping her distance.

Using Kippered Herring in the trap now, and Manx loves the taste, but won't enter trap.

Since I just moved the trap from the dumpster area to the woods, I have caught myself a male kitty. A big orange boy in my colony I named Sampson. I'll have a picture of him when I get my film developed. I had kept catching racoons since than.

I'll post some pictures of Manx to, and her cute little stub. She hops like a bunny and has a bunny tail, but is 100% kitty.

I am just real bummed out from hurting poor Manx.

Trapper Charlie

I have learned that you don't think, you just grab. The best way I have found to capture feral kittens is to lay on the ground on my belly near their bowl. No threat. When they come up, they start eating, I do a hissy grab, quick swoop to scruff their neck, scramble to me feet carefully and put the kitten in a nearby carrier. Works every time, kills my arm, but doesn't harm the kitten and it does work.

She will come to you again, her hunger will drive her in. Also try catnip, sprinkle it inside the trap. I have even been known to put kitty litter inside the trap (yes it falls through) but it makes them not feel the steel under their pads.

Trapper Charles..what a wonderful thing you are doing trying to trap these kittens to take care of them. I think every caretaker has spoken about the frustration of the one that "got away" for a bit. However, I'm sure you will be able to trap Manx at some point. Hissy gave you some great ideas.

Good Luck and God Bless you for what you do.

Katie

For our kittens, other than the "grab" method, I've used one of the 36-inch cat crates. They're quite large...I think this is the one:

Large Crate

Basically, I run a string through the back of the crate to the top corner of the front door. I put the food in the very back of the crate. When I'm positive the cat or kittens are all the way in the crate, I pull the string and hold tight until I can close the latch.

Seven of our kittens were trapped that way.

Now, none of the kittens were "thrilled" with going in the crate, but even the most skittish ones eventually did. I think the size of the crate is more conducive to overcoming trust issues, since it's not as confined a space as the traps. Just make sure you don't pull at the wrong moment and catch one in the door, and make sure you hold the string until you can latch the door.

Most of our crates are now used for recovery duty; once the kittens were in the crate, we never had to transfer to anything.

The disadvantage is that you obviously have to be there for the capture. The crates are big, so you need room in your vehicle or garage for them. Also, with the crates, MAKE SURE the crate you're using doesn't have a bottom that can slide out. The cheaper non-folding crates (the ones you have to put together) are much more likely to fall apart or have a bottom that slides out. We had a cat escape from an improperly assembled, cheap crate and it wasn't fun. Now I only use the folding crates and I use no-slip plastic wire ties to make sure the bottom stays in place.

Night Two-

Much of the advice I have got thus far is nice. Some of the methods tried.

The large cage was a fine idea. I did something similar with a cat carrier for the one kitten I caught before winter.

Since than I have tried this method with no luck. I even tried to use an upside down shopping cart. Both string method. They go in a bit, but not enough.

I have taken a lot of Hissy's advice. I need to get a digital camera with a flash to show what I am doing.

I took the trap and set it at the edge of the woods. I have caught WAY to many Racoons. I filled the bottom of the trap with a small layer of newspaper than a quarter of an inch of kitty litter, careful to not let it get under the trigger for the trap.

I also put a could of branches over the trap.

Since the beginning I have put it on concrete in my parking lot. I moved it just lastnight with little sucess, but more than I have had in a while. Got one handsome boy named Sampson who returned from the vet today.

Manx came close lastnight, but was wary of my hands.

I baited it with herring tonight. It worked lastnight better than smelly cat food and tuna. Only makes sense cats would love the most digusting food on earth.

Till than snapping pictures with my camera to develope and scan. I want pictures of my pretties to billboard up.

Also spotted a cat that has been shy of coming out. He wears a collar and licence. Obviously a boy who has been mounting my unspayed ferals! He catter walls, so I assume me may not be spayed. Poor boy though depends on one of his back legs more than another and is pretty thin, even for a long cat like he is. Trying to trap him to so I can return him to his owner (provided they promise to neuter him if he is not!).

I hope this kitty did not escape from somebodies window who misses him, or worse, somebody in the local apartments, because Fairview has a million of them, abandoned him outside.

I hope tonight goes well. Wish my luck and keep my in your prayers.

I do wish you luck, I know how frustrating it is. If you have to stay close and man the traps, wear some vanilla extract on you to mask your human scent, or spray feliway on your clothes. I know, expensive spray, but it masks your human scent.

Good luck!

I CAUGHT MANX! Will forward pictures in a bit.

She was mostly worried about the caged bottom. Cover it with kitty litter and they love it. The herring may have helped!

YAY!

GREAT NEWS!!

I'll be looking for the photos

Spotz

WOW , my congrats to you

Congrats!!!!!!

Katie

Yep that kitty litter works wonders, if they aren't hungry, they go in to pee. Just don't use clumping litter, that doesn't fall through the trap as easily-

Congrats on getting Manx!

Tonight Manx was caught. Although harsh at first, she in the small bathroom warming up slwoly. She likes being touched, combed, and has eaten a bit.

She likes touch, not quite purring, but snuggling into the touch. The trick is in the ears.

No ear mites, gave her some advantage on the back of the next after a good fur combing.

She sheds alot.

But now, for the scary news.

Feeling her belly is was quite big. Really tight to.

I felt along the bottom of her tummy. Not smooth, but bumps.

I could be wrong, because I have only delt with mostly farm animals with this, but she may very well be pregnant. There are male cats all around the Metroparks. It is safe to assume she is. I will see what the Vet says.

Till than, I need to worry about keeping her safe and locked away in the room. Get her a nice box and some old fabric for a nest.

Got a kitty litter box in there.

I assume because she is eating she is carrying a full load. I have cared for her for a while, feeding her for some weeks now. Her coat is not bad, but rough.

I can only fear what many of these things will mean for Manx. I have not delt with kittens in a long, long time.

Also her being a Manx with a stub tail I believe they are a bit genetically flawed.

I hope she is not pregnant, but if she is, I guess that is a gift in some respects to.

Because the tips of her ears being a bit raw, she is in fine shape.

Food did well for her and the summer flus, diseases, fleas, ticks, and other kitty horrors have not got her yet.

But maybe, frightfully, she may have been sir'ed upon long ago.

Will keep you posted.

I am glad "Manx" is doing ok so far and no big health issue with her . Gosh I hope she is not pregnant , poor thing . Are going to let her have the kittens or will you spayed her anyway ? Yes please ,keep us up dated

Charles, if, when you take Manx to the vet, she is pregnant, there are several things you can do. Start feeding her kitten food. This will help her get some condition and get the right nutrients a pregnant and (later) nursing cat needs. Also, you can offer her kitten glop. It's tasty, easy to lap and is high in nutrients and vitamins.

Kitten Glop

8 ounces water
1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin
8 ounces whole evaporated milk (not skim)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (not low fat)
2 tablespoons plain yogurt (not low fat)
1 large or 2 small eggs yolks (raw)
1 teaspoon clear Karo syrup
*1-3 drops liquid pet vitamins
*1 capsule acidophilus
*1 drop Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

*Optional, though very beneficial.

Boil the water, add the gelatin and mix well. Add the following ingredients in order, mixing well after each addition:

1/2 of the canned milk
Mayonnaise and Yogurt
Rest of the milk
All other ingredients

You can substitute canned goat's milk for the canned evaporated milk, if you prefer it. This mixture will keep in the fridge for up to four days. It is jello-like in consistency in the fridge so you can just scoop out as much as you need and warm. You can find pet vitamins at a pet store or your vet, and acidophilus and GSE in the liquid form at a good health food store.

Good luck with her, she sounds sweet.

Sorry to not update for a day. Caught the second kitten I was after. Bless Hissy's advice in kitty litter in the trap. Although after the trap needs cleaned for obvious reasons relating tot he purpose of kitty litter.

The second kitten is an orange boy my wife named Bosco. Small, about three months old. He and Manx used to hang out a lot and I took a lot of pictures of them together with my 35mm camera. Dropped it off for developing today.

I always thought Bosco was a girl because other tom cats mounted him. Poor thing is really a guy!

Seperated the two in two bathrooms. Bosco did the traditional try to destroy a way out and climb. Got my shower curtain to, even though I tucked it away real nice around the hanger.

Got him down and wrapped in a towel I combed him. He'll lay on my lap if I put him there and will stay so long as I comb and speak softly. No purrs yet, just silence and wide scared eyes. If I can get response out of him within a week after his vet appointment I may try to feral train him.

Manx on the other hand is doing well.

She is going to be a Mommy.

Took your Advice on the kitten food. This glop will be a fun mix to, buying supplies today.

Made her a nice box which she is already laying in.

Wife was a bit angry this morning to walk in and step on a present Manx left on the bathroom rug. Cleaned it up real nice and set Manx in the litter box to let her know it was there. Put just a couple of her droppings in it to to give her the hint.

A moment ago I went in and she used the litter box, so I am a happy man right now.

Usually I would spay the feral even if it was pregnant, but Manx is being sweeter everyday. She cries when I am near the bathroom door in the kitchen and wants pets and to be combed. She'll rub up against me and lay on my lap when I put her there. Still does not understand when I tap something I want her to come close. But she is learning slowly to overcome her fear.

She spends some time on the window sill looking at. Going to try a dangly toy today. Kittens have a week and a half to two weeks left. Plenty of time to get ready.

I discover my food is pretty hard and she struggles with it. May need to put out for some soft food like Iams. Canned food and left over chicken and beef from Wendy's was what I fed her as a feral. Her coat shows though that although it made her more healthy, she still needs good eating. Rouch coat.

Cut the barbs out of her thick but still short coat. She loves being combed and now rolls on her back to expose her tummy purring.

Since she is being so nice, I think she would not abandon kittens she would have here like some ferals sometimes do in captivity. I only fear since she is a Manx (and the vets says looks like a true Manx, and since it relates well was dropped off in the Metroparks as a kitten probably) she may breed cross breed kittens that are not quite healthy. I think in some ways unless Manx breed with one another they become flawed and may have health problems.

I really want to see kittens and than I don't. But I am sure they will find good homes, even if they end up with little stub tails like her. She is like a bunny.

Trapper Charlie

Both Manx and the boy sound really nice to me . I think it is great that you can pet and comb them both . It sounds to me that both must have bin dumped at some point maybe ??? I understand you will not spay at this point and would be really hard to do . I sure would not be able to do that myself , specialy since she is so far into pregnantsy as you said . I hope the kittens are going to be very healthy kittens for you and mom .
Great job Trapper Charles

Charlie, thank you for the update. It sounds like everything is going along well for Manx. It's great that she's bonding with you already, because it means she may trust you to touch an examine her kittens. Great job in catching Bosco too. Maybe a visit with Manx will calm him a little?

I always thought Bosco was a girl because other tom cats mounted him. Poor thing is really a guy!

Click to expand...

OMG...I cracked up soo much after reading that...but isn't it true....during kitten season intact males will go after anything.

I just want to say what a pleasure it is to have you on this site. Your advice and your story updates have been wonderful. I just know that Manx and Bosco are in good hands.

Katie

I'm a little late in welcoming you to TCS Trapper Charles, but you know... work and all...

I just wanted to add my congrats! There's no better advice that Hissy's on anything cat, and Kumbulu is our complete expert at pregnant mom & kitten care.

Just an alternative idea even though you're having great success with the kitty litter on the bottom of the trap... hubby and I use those large "wee-wee" pads they sell at pet stores for dogs. Less mess.

Are there any manx boys in the colony? That's where the problems can occur with breeding manx's. Breeders don't breed two tail-less cats together because of the increased risks of spinal birth defects. If she was bred with a full tailed cat, more than likely those particular birth defects won't be an issue.