How to catch a feral cat

If a cat suddenly squats in front of you and meows at you, or there is a “Cerebellar Ax” rolling happily in the yard, you may consider catching this little guy and finding him a warm home. Whether it’s a lost pet looking for a home or a feral cat looking for a new home, rescuing them can improve the community and be an experience worth remembering. Read the following to be fully prepared and learn how to catch stray cats and help them stay away from danger.

Method 1 Preparation work

1 Observe stray cats carefully.

Before approaching or capturing a stray cat, carefully observe it for signs of injury or illness. For your own safety and the safety of your cat, please determine your cat’s health before considering how to rescue it. If a stray cat keeps showing up in a regular area, take some time to observe it up close. If the cat has a gentle personality, it will be much easier to rescue, otherwise the problem will be more difficult.

2 Set up a live animal trap.

Live animal traps are easy to make and safe to use, and can capture cats effortlessly without harming them. Put some food in the trap as bait, and when the cat walks into the trap, the door will fall down, trapping the cat safely in the cage. After a stray cat is trapped, do not take it out of the cage, but take it to the veterinarian with the cage.

3. Avoid using improper methods to catch cats.

Do not catch feral cats with bare hands or using items such as pillowcases. This may irritate and injure the stray cat, endangering its own safety. Never catch stray cats with bare hands. Remember that most of them have become feral. The second and third generation cats have never been in contact with humans, and domestication also takes time.

4 Prepare space for stray cats. 

Even if you send it to the veterinarian soon, you should also consider preparing a safe place to house the stray cat. The best time to catch a stray cat is to avoid it being in heat so you can take it to the vet and have it neutered directly when it’s in good health. If you need to keep the cat at home for a period of time, you need to find a quiet place at home to house the stray cat. And be sure to isolate the native cats at home!

5. Make an appointment with the veterinarian to check the cat’s body and perform neutering surgery.

Many cities around the world have animal rescue agencies, small animal protection organizations, and animal diagnosis and treatment institutions that cooperate with each other to provide free sterilization or very low-cost physical examinations, immunizations, and deworming for stray animals. For details, you can consult relevant local organizations or animal hospitals. Regardless of your future plans, the first step in catching your cat is to take it to a veterinarian for a health check.

Method 2: Catching stray cats

1 Feed a stray cat a few days before you plan to catch it.

Feeding can lure stray cats back to your property and be attracted to the food in the trap.

2 Set up traps and put in bait.

The bait can be the cat food or meat pellets you have been feeding. Line the cage with paper or pillowcases to make the bottom soft, and then put some cat food deep in the cage so the cat has to get in to eat. Put some cat food on the cage mouth as bait, and then adjust the spring of the cage mouth.

3 Check traps regularly.

Although live animal traps are safe, you should not leave a cat unattended in a cage for too long. Check the trap at least once a day to see if the cat has been caught. If caught, immediately take the cage back to a prepared resting place in the house or take it directly to the veterinarian.

4 Bring the cat inside.

Once the cat is trapped in the trap, cover the trap with a cloth and lift the cage securely into the house. When transporting a cat into the house, the cat will feel more at ease if the surrounding environment is dark. Please dim the lights and cover the cage.

Method 3: Find a new home for stray cats

1. Neuter the cat and ask a veterinarian to treat it if necessary.

For cats to be sterilized, they should at least be vaccinated against rabies and canine distemper, dewormed (flea or other insects), and preferably checked for feline leukemia.

2 Release stray cats.

After the sterilization operation, the female cat needs to be kept in a cage with cat litter, food, and water for observation for 5 days. The male cat can be released into the wild the next day after the operation. If you are not ready to adopt it, it is best to put the cat back into the wild. Where it used to be.

3 Contact your local cat association or no-kill animal shelter.

If you live in a city, releasing your cat into the wild may be irresponsible. Cat associations and small animal shelter organizations are better homes for cats, and they will help cats find a new home.

4. If necessary, find a new home for the cat.

If you believe that the cat has no owner and it is difficult to care for it yourself, it is best to find a new home for it on your own. You can send messages on Pet Circle, ask around, and find a reliable person to adopt a cat as a pet.

5 Consider adopting a cat.

Many stray cats become very cute pets after getting used to family life. Think carefully about whether you have the time, money and a good environment to keep a pet. If you decide to get a cat, take it to a thorough veterinary examination to make sure it is safe to keep before taking it home.