And except for the real extreme ferals, I do get them socialized and turn them into loving kitties. The ones that are hard to reach, I end up advertising them as good mousers and barn kitties, plus it helps that a friend of mine owns a goat farm and she takes a group of them every so often. I am out of the kittie business for awhile though. I recently lost a rescue that has completely shattered me. I had her since she was 5 days old and when she died, something inside me died as well. I will happily help anyone who has questions, but when it comes to taking in anymore litters and ferals, I am shutting my doors.
As far as trapping, you need to buy the cheapest and foulest smelling cat food you can find. You can also try buying a few cans of sardines, and take the juice and dribble the juice all over the cage to entice the kitty. I have even taken strips of green onion tops and tied sardines from inside the cage hanging down behind the trigger. I had to figure out how to use something to hang the fish that the cat, if they did eat it, wouldn't hurt themselves. Once they are trapped, you want to cover them right away with a dark cloth and move them somewhere that it is quiet and cool to keep them calm. I have been TNR for over 12 years now, and it really never ends, because there are buttheads out in the world who do not spay and neuter their animals, and they will just dump these unfortunate creatures out in the woods, or near a barn (like our place) and wash their hands of it thinking the cat will be "fine." It really is a never-ending job, and right now, I just need a break for it as I recover from the loss of my sweet Bacardi. You can email or PM me if you have any more questions. I will be gone tomorrow on an anniversary trip, but will get back with you as soon as we get home.
