Who should I try and trap first?

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keith p

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Ok tommorow i'm setting up the trap, but who should I try to catch first, mother or one of the kittens?

My theory is if I catch the mom first, the kittens will quickly become dependent on humans, being that im their food source now, not any food caught by mom. Also possibly making them easier to trap. My only concern is that the male may come across them, and being that their mom wont be around to defend them, they may get hurt or killed.


Now if I caught a kitten first, the mom might not trust me again, making it harder to trap her and get her spayed. It also might make her agrresive and see me as a threat. I dont know if that would happen, since she has been really nice and trusting.

What do you think is best?
 
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Originally Posted by keith p

Ok tommorow i'm setting up the trap, but who should I try to catch first, mother or one of the kittens?

My theory is if I catch the mom first, the kittens will quickly become dependent on humans, being that im their food source now, not any food caught by mom. Also possibly making them easier to trap. My only concern is that the male may come across them, and being that their mom wont be around to defend them, they may get hurt or killed.


Now if I caught a kitten first, the mom might not trust me again, making it harder to trap her and get her spayed. It also might make her agrresive and see me as a threat. I dont know if that would happen, since she has been really nice and trusting.

What do you think is best?
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Honestly....I would set the trap and hope mom goes in...but be glad if you trap any of them. If you can get another 2 traps and try to trap the family all at once..that would be ideal.

Katie
 
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keith p

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Ok thanks I was also thinking the mom would be best to trap first. If I can catch a kitten after then it can stay with mom in the large crate I have.
 
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You set the trap and get which ever one goes in. It's not always an option to be selective on which feral to catch first. Which ever one you do, please don't release cause that isn't the one you wanted. It may never go back in a trap again if you do. Good luck!
 
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keith p

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I got one! The mom walked in the trap first as soon as I put it out, even though it had no food in it! But since it was no set properly she walked out. Then I got the tuna, put it in, and within a matter of 1 minute the little black kitten was in! The mom did not even get nervous or run away, she stayed by her food bowl and ate, as if nothing happened. The kitten did not freak out and is now resting in my large crate, with some food,litterbox,toys, and a blanket with it's mom's scent on it. Well just have to hope the surgery goes well.
 
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Originally Posted by keith p

I got one! The mom walked in the trap first as soon as I put it out, even though it had no food in it! But since it was no set properly she walked out. Then I got the tuna, put it in, and within a matter of 1 minute the little black kitten was in! The mom did not even get nervous or run away, she stayed by her food bowl and ate, as if nothing happened. The kitten did not freak out and is now resting in my large crate, with some food,litterbox,toys, and a blanket with it's mom's scent on it. Well just have to hope the surgery goes well.
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That's great that you got one....are you going to try to trap the mom tomorrow or are you waiting until the kitten has been fixed?

Katie
 
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keith p

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Waiting until the kitten gets fixed, it would be too hard trying to hold 2 cats in one crate, and worrying about one getting out while changing the food and litter.
 
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keith p

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Yeah this was good news until my parents came home and had a fit! Now because of them I might not be allowed to trap the mother and other kitten.
 
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Originally Posted by keith p

Yeah this was good news until my parents came home and had a fit! Now because of them I might not be allowed to trap the mother and other kitten.
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oh no, what happened?
 
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keith p

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Well basically im starting a new school around january 24, and with limited time it will be hard to try and get an appointment for fixing, although it's not impossible if I can get at least 2 done before school starts. They also dont want it affecting my schoolwork. They also dont agree to taking the kitten away from it's mother, they think it's cruel. My dad said to me "well mabye I just wont take you to the vet to get the cat fixed" That got me so mad because he supported me 100%, until I actually took action and caught the cat. My mom just refuses to help out at all, even though I may need her help to get the cat in the carrier, she can handle cats better than me.
 
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Hi Keith,
Although it seems like the worst thing to do, sometimes taking a kitten away from its mother is actually the best thing (As long as it is weaned). I know that in the past I have waited too long to take kittens in to socialize, get neutered etc. and then it is too late. They are too wild to help. And then they turn into my Midnight, one of our outside cats that is untrappable.
Good luck with everything!
And Many Thanks to your parents for helping you with the situation!
 
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keith p

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Correction, only my dad is helping me out.... Yeah I agree the kittens are weaned, so taking them away was my decision also, they were more than ready. Starlight was back today, she did not seem to miss the kitten, which meant more food for her. I guess when you are a stray you dont miss others, you have to just worry about keeping yourself alive. Well anyway she was a good mother and she had nice kittens, she is nice too.
 
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