A Co worker has been feeding this feral cat for years now and this morning she say a huge gash on his side. There is a fox that roams around her backyard and she thinks the fox may have did it. Should she try to capture the feral cat and what about the fox? Thanks
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Feral Cat Hurt
- Thread starter harmony1224
- Start Date
She should definately try and trap the poor kitty and bring it to the vet..It sounds like it really needs some medical attention!!
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- #3
Should she get a feral trap from the humane society if so what do you put in it to trap the cat? What happens if she traps the cat and the vet is not open does she keep it in the trap until the vet does open? Sorry for so many questions.
Also should she try and have animal control come out for the fox and have him released somewhere else?
Also should she try and have animal control come out for the fox and have him released somewhere else?
This kitty definitely needs medical attention ASAP. Yes, your co-worker should trap him. Usually humane societies or shelters have traps to lend - they will require a deposit which will be returned when the trap is.
The floor of the trap should be lined with cardboard cut to fit - if newspaper is used and it blows around, it will scare the cat away. Don't put cardboard on the trip mechanism itself. The cardboard will make it more comfortable for the cat to sit on once he's trapped.
If the trap can be put into bushes or under evergreen tree boughs to camouflage it, that will help. You can drape a large dark-colored towel over the trap as well - it helps to disguise the trap. You'll want to cover the trap in any case as soon as the cat is in it. It will calm him and make him feel safer.
Under no circumstances should the trap be left unattended. Your coworker should stay and watch from a distance while she's attempting to trap.
Many people have success with very smelly foods - tuna or sardines, for example. Some swear by KFC!!! Put just a bite of food at the entrance to the trap, another bite near the trip plate, and a small amount at the back of the trap. The hungrier kitty is the more motivated he'll be to go in. Ideally, if you can withhold food for 24 hours and then trap, your odds of getting kitty will improve. Your co-worker also needs to find a vet who is willing to handle a feral kitty. She should do this ASAP. Tell her to get a reference from the local shelter or humane society. Vets who work with ferals know that it's usually impossible to stick to a set appointment, so they will give you a tentative one. If you don't get the kitty, call the vet right away to let them know and re-schedule. The kitty can be kept in the trap if necessary overnite, but try not to make it any longer than that. Keep the trap covered, but lift the towel up at one end for ventilation and don't put it anywhere that's too warm. Face that end away from any view of people. Keep the trap in as quiet a spot as possible. Don't try to transfer the kitty to a carrier. Take him to the vet in the covered trap.
Regarding the fox - I'd hate to see him put down which is what may happen if Animal Control is called. On the other hand , he could very likely be the culprit in this poor kitty's injury and if so, it's obviously dangerous for the cat to continue to be exposed to him. Your coworker could call Animal Control and ask what their protocol is in this situation. Hopefully they can remove and relocate him. Tell her not to mention anything about the feral cat - she doesn't want Animal Control trying to trap ferals in your area since they WILL put the cats down.
Please tell you coworker she's wonderful to be taking care of this poor little guy. If he hasn't already been neutered, when she traps him, she should get that taken care of too. I wish her and this kitty lots of good luck.
The floor of the trap should be lined with cardboard cut to fit - if newspaper is used and it blows around, it will scare the cat away. Don't put cardboard on the trip mechanism itself. The cardboard will make it more comfortable for the cat to sit on once he's trapped.
If the trap can be put into bushes or under evergreen tree boughs to camouflage it, that will help. You can drape a large dark-colored towel over the trap as well - it helps to disguise the trap. You'll want to cover the trap in any case as soon as the cat is in it. It will calm him and make him feel safer.
Under no circumstances should the trap be left unattended. Your coworker should stay and watch from a distance while she's attempting to trap.
Many people have success with very smelly foods - tuna or sardines, for example. Some swear by KFC!!! Put just a bite of food at the entrance to the trap, another bite near the trip plate, and a small amount at the back of the trap. The hungrier kitty is the more motivated he'll be to go in. Ideally, if you can withhold food for 24 hours and then trap, your odds of getting kitty will improve. Your co-worker also needs to find a vet who is willing to handle a feral kitty. She should do this ASAP. Tell her to get a reference from the local shelter or humane society. Vets who work with ferals know that it's usually impossible to stick to a set appointment, so they will give you a tentative one. If you don't get the kitty, call the vet right away to let them know and re-schedule. The kitty can be kept in the trap if necessary overnite, but try not to make it any longer than that. Keep the trap covered, but lift the towel up at one end for ventilation and don't put it anywhere that's too warm. Face that end away from any view of people. Keep the trap in as quiet a spot as possible. Don't try to transfer the kitty to a carrier. Take him to the vet in the covered trap.
Regarding the fox - I'd hate to see him put down which is what may happen if Animal Control is called. On the other hand , he could very likely be the culprit in this poor kitty's injury and if so, it's obviously dangerous for the cat to continue to be exposed to him. Your coworker could call Animal Control and ask what their protocol is in this situation. Hopefully they can remove and relocate him. Tell her not to mention anything about the feral cat - she doesn't want Animal Control trying to trap ferals in your area since they WILL put the cats down.
Please tell you coworker she's wonderful to be taking care of this poor little guy. If he hasn't already been neutered, when she traps him, she should get that taken care of too. I wish her and this kitty lots of good luck.
I am adding {{{prayers and vibes}}} for the safe trapping & treatment of the cat. A WARNING, though - just a precaution, mind you, - be sure that you wear lots of protective gear & avoid contact with saliva, as foxes and raccoons can carry RABIES! IF you or your co-worker were to get bitten, the doctors may recommend that you take the rabies treatments, so just stay safe!
I will be praying for all of you! Bless you for caring!
Maybe there is a wild animal trapper in your area you can notify.
Yes, she should absolutely trap the cat. He needs medical treatment and also needs to be neutered and vaccinated if he has not had this done already.
Trapping instructions: http://www.alleycat.org/pdf/humane.pdf
Trapping instructions: http://www.alleycat.org/pdf/humane.pdf
I meant that for the Fox.
She can trap the cat but let a professional get the fox.. That way you can find out if he has rabies.
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- #9
UPDATE: She went and got the trap yesterday but has not seen the cat at all. It usually comes to her house at dinner time and for breakfast. I pray that this poor cat did not die somewhere all alone. Please pray that she finds this poor kitty Thanks
I will keep prayers coming also.
{{{{prayers and be safe vibes}}}}
I hope your friend can catch the poor cat soon
I hope your friend can catch the poor cat soon
Harmony - so sorry to hear that poor kitty hasn't shown up. Cats, like other animals, will sometimes "hole up" somewhere when they're sick or injured. One of my feral kitties did that. He wasn't eating, was drooling a bit, and I couldn't get him to go in the trap so I could get him to the vet. He then disappeared for 3 days - 3 days of heartache and crying for me. On the fourth day he showed up and ate a full meal, as if nothing had happened. There's a chance this little guy will come back too. I've been hoping for the best for him since you posted and I'll keep doing that.
Just another thought: if she's not already doing this, tell your coworker to leave out food and water for the cat all day and night. Raccoons and other wildlife may eat it, so she'll have to keep replacing it. This way, if the kitty shows up at some unexpected time, at least he'll have something to eat.
Just another thought: if she's not already doing this, tell your coworker to leave out food and water for the cat all day and night. Raccoons and other wildlife may eat it, so she'll have to keep replacing it. This way, if the kitty shows up at some unexpected time, at least he'll have something to eat.
