Kitty Capture!

My friend's got a cat kingdom in his backyard and neighborhood. He's taken one kitten and made it a house cat and now there's another kitten (1-2 months) that I would like to get. Any tips on capturing this cat? Mainly, I want to seperate it from it's mother so it's easier but mommy is always nearby. I rarely see the kitty and when I do it's under the patio in the backyard. Any tips on capturing it? I'm really not trying to use cages and traps.

The best way would be to lure it inside your garage or something like that with food. Put some outside your door, then inside the next day, then way at the back so you can rush over and shut him in there with you. Then it's just a matter of calming it down, maybe wait a few hours and try to hand feed it or something until it trusts you enough.

Better yet: get one from a shelter rather than catnapping one from its mother.

You'd better make sure it's weaned before you kidnap it. Or even better: Take both of them and get the mom fixed to stop more unwanted cats.

I would love to get one from the shelter and I did try but they want money and too much information I can not provide. I have money to spend on a kitty but I am a CAG so I will get it for free if it's available.

This kitty is quite elusive because it's mom (Pat) has had kittens months ago and they all died. I feel kinda terrible for wanting to take this one away...

It would be nice to catch all those cats in the neighborhood and spay them but that is going to take ALOT of work. And I don't think neutering cats are free..?

I think I am going to make my move tomorrow and/or Friday. I think I'll just try sneaking around and grabbing it.

Kittens are usually pretty easy to get to come up to you. Just stay calm, squat down, and creep slowly up towards it talking to it softly. Usually kittens are curious and just don't know any better and will come up. Some food in your hand will help or a little bowl of milk to set down close to it, then when it comes up pet it for a little bit and pick it up.

Just dress up some creepy ass dolls and such and the kiddy will.... Oh shit... you said Kitty... My bad.

[quote name='pitfallharry219']You'd better make sure it's weaned before you kidnap it. Or even better: Take both of them and get the mom fixed to stop more unwanted cats.[/QUOTE]

This- I mean, if you can afford 2 cats, this is by far the better option. You get 2 strays off the streets, and you eliminate any issues with the kitten being too young/not weaned/otherwise not ready to leave its mother.

While picking up an adult stray doesn't sound nearly as appealing as an adorable kitten, let me assure you- it is entirely possible, even likely, that mama cat will warm up to you and be a very good pet. And let's face it- if you're taking her baby away, she's going to be around looking for it anyway.

catnip and marijuana.

it always does the trick.

We have a few cats around that came here this time last fall. We've been feeding them, and they just hang around our backyard and keep mice and spiders and other unwanted things out. Most have warmed up to us and run up to us when we go outside, but there's still two that are a little hesitant. Like the poster further up said, make sure the kitten can eat at least soft food before taking it away. If not, you'll have to bottle feed it which is actually a little harder than it sounds, I guess. Haven't tried that yet, but it's great that you're trying to save the kittens

[quote name='mr_burnzz']I would love to get one from the shelter and I did try but they want money and too much information I can not provide. I have money to spend on a kitty but I am a CAG so I will get it for free if it's available.

This kitty is quite elusive because it's mom (Pat) has had kittens months ago and they all died. I feel kinda terrible for wanting to take this one away...

It would be nice to catch all those cats in the neighborhood and spay them but that is going to take ALOT of work. And I don't think neutering cats are free..?

I think I am going to make my move tomorrow and/or Friday. I think I'll just try sneaking around and grabbing it.[/QUOTE]
For a while they were giving cats/kittens away for free from the local SPCA here(northeastern PA) since they had a virtual shitton of them.#

Personally though I'm a dog person and I've been tempted to call the local Chinese restaurant to come hunting in my backyard when my neighbors used to let their cats(which all must've died cuz I never see them anymore)run free and kill the bunnies and squirrels around here.

[quote name='mr_burnzz']they want too much information I can not provide[/QUOTE]

What your Name

If your real concern about the adoption is the money, you know spaying/neutering and getting the shots for a wild cat will cost about the same as the adoption

Bring small amounts of food several times a day and you will quickly earn theier trust. also, you need to keep as much contact as possible. there's a certain point (10-12 weeks?) where if a kittem has not been "tamed" it will remain Feral it's whole life.

Look up "Forgotten Cats" in your area. What they do is catch feral cats, spay/neuter them, and then release them back where they found them. Once they come (or I have also seen them just lend out the traps for you to bring the cat in to them), you can request that they not release the kitten so you can keep as a pet.

As far as getting kittens to trust you, it really isnt that hard if you catch them young. I currently have two cats from a litter that was outside of my mothers house; we caught them and the mother when they were small enough to fit in the palm of your hand... after about a week in the house (with alot of handling), they warmed right up, and are now some of the most affectionate cats that you will ever meet.

I still prefer the Chinese restaurant suggestion. At least someone will get a tasty meal and the stray cat problem will be abated for a while.


Mind you the pigeon and sea gull problem the shopping center down the hill from me used to have disappeared once the Chinese buffet opened up and you're not telling me those teeny tiny things in the one tray are chicken wings. The skin on them is yellow, for cripes sake.

Your racist joke went ignored the first time, so why not try it again, right?

Good luck OP, there was a cat with a bunch of kittens always hanging out in my backyard. We tried to catch a kitten to keep but they were always too fast and ran to spots we couldnt reach.

Oy. Lighten up, will ya? Not everybody is "PC". I suppose I'm supposed to say 'Asian-American restaurant'?

[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']Oy. Lighten up, will ya? Not everybody is "PC". I suppose I'm supposed to say 'Asian-American restaurant'?[/QUOTE]

:lol:

[quote name='mission42']Kittens are usually pretty easy to get to come up to you. Just stay calm, squat down, and creep slowly up towards it talking to it softly. Usually kittens are curious and just don't know any better and will come up. Some food in your hand will help or a little bowl of milk to set down close to it, then when it comes up pet it for a little bit and pick it up.[/QUOTE]

I tried that earlier but it seems Pat (mommy) has taught the baby to be scared of humans. My friend and I played with Pat as a baby but she is super cautious and it's very rare she will come to us and be friendly. I think that rubbed off on her baby.

[quote name='starmask2k3']What your Name [/QUOTE]

They wanted references of people to call. For what? I don't want people bothering my friends for something like this. They also wanted veterinarian info which I don't have. The biggest thing was that they said they WILL come to your home randomly to check on the cat. C'mon, what the hell is that?


[quote name='Gden']If your real concern about the adoption is the money, you know spaying/neutering and getting the shots for a wild cat will cost about the same as the adoption[/QUOTE]

I've thought about this but I would rather get this kitten for free and then get it spayed or do whatever needs to be done. I have a few cat owner friends that have never given it a single shot or anything. Never been to the vet and these are some happy and healthy cats. These people have told me that it's not really neccesary to do anything as long as the cat stays inside all the time. But I think I am just going to play it safe and it least give it all the shots that are reccomended.

[quote name='Sycowulf']Look up "Forgotten Cats" in your area. What they do is catch feral cats, spay/neuter them, and then release them back where they found them. Once they come (or I have also seen them just lend out the traps for you to bring the cat in to them), you can request that they not release the kitten so you can keep as a pet.

As far as getting kittens to trust you, it really isnt that hard if you catch them young. I currently have two cats from a litter that was outside of my mothers house; we caught them and the mother when they were small enough to fit in the palm of your hand... after about a week in the house (with alot of handling), they warmed right up, and are now some of the most affectionate cats that you will ever meet.[/QUOTE]

Hey thanks. I was planning on just waiting for another kitten to pop up in my friends neighborhood if I couldn't catch this one but your method is very good. I'll look into it if things don't turn out.

[quote name='TheRock88']Good luck OP, there was a cat with a bunch of kittens always hanging out in my backyard. We tried to catch a kitten to keep but they were always too fast and ran to spots we couldnt reach.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, tell me about it . Those little guys are quick! This one hops around on his hind legs like a kangaroo or something.
I'm going to try again soon. This time I'm going to have my friend flank it from another side! lol

i knew an old lady whod invite her cats to burger king... you may want to try that......

If I knew there were kitties at burger king, I'd stake out the spot everyday until I get one. lol

Hey I was wondering about feral/wild cats. How the do they survive in the winter? Especially the little ones. I'd imagine most would freeze .

A lot of them do.

They'll often stick closeish to farmhouses and try to get whatever shelter/food they can from there.

[quote name='mr_burnzz']
This kitty is quite elusive because it's mom (Pat) has had kittens months ago and they all died. I feel kinda terrible for wanting to take this one away...
[/QUOTE]

You should feel terrible. How would you feel if all your children died and someone stole your only remaining child away from you? Either take both or leave both.

[quote name='mr_burnzz']I've thought about this but I would rather get this kitten for free and then get it spayed or do whatever needs to be done. I have a few cat owner friends that have never given it a single shot or anything. Never been to the vet and these are some happy and healthy cats. These people have told me that it's not really neccesary to do anything as long as the cat stays inside all the time. But I think I am just going to play it safe and it least give it all the shots that are reccomended.[/QUOTE]

If you are serious about this, it really is cheaper to get a kitten from the shelter that's current on shots. They ask for references and say they'll go check on it, but they really won't. See it from their point, they don't know if you're a lunatic and is getting the kitten to maim, so they're just being responsible, like you should be with their shots.

Otherwise, maybe you shouldn't have a cat.

Also, for people who say to adopt both, not all feral cats can become house pets. They typically get euthanized. Best thing for her might be to capture her and get her spayed and release her.

In fact, here:
http://www.aspca.org/adoption/feral-cats-faq.html

Edit: I'll share an anecdote. At my university, there were a group of about 10 feral cats. One liked like an old cat that someone no longer wanted. People leave boxes and food for them on a hill by the library.

One day, I see a kitten, and I wanted to adopt it, but thought it was too young to separate him/her, and I didn't want to risk bringing home a disease to our resident cat (might be cats, don't remember if we had one or two at the time). I walk that way daily to get to my car, and the next time I see it, it seemed too feral already. Then a few weeks later, I saw the kitten again, who has now grown to be an adolescent... And it now obviously has a broken tail.

tl;dr: Catch them and see if a shelter will neuter them, and release them, or keep the kitten and release the cat.

[quote name='Viol8tor'][/QUOTE]


lmao if only that really worked.

I definitely would not leave just the momma alone after you take her kitten. The momma cat would still see you with her kitten and attempt take it back ,be depressed(who could blame her?),etc.

“I, like many first-time rescuers, tried to socialize a feral cat. He remained under my bed for over a year before I could even touch him. With so many adoptable domestic cats and kittens who are truly happy being indoors, socializing a feral cat should not be the goal.” Quoted from the ASPCA website.

This, just go adopt a precious little kitten at your local shelter, although I may recommend putting out food for the kitten and his/her mom. That actually is a way to get a cat to let you near it a lot of times. You put out some food, and slowly get near to the cat and get nearer and nearer, and sometimes the cat will let you eventually touch it. But just get a damn cat from the damn shelter.

The website does say it is possible with kittens, and it does say food is key.

lol at the pokeball.

I can understand mommy's perspective but that kitten would be much better off inside a home with winter coming. I almost feel obligated to get this particular kitty and keep it safe because I ed up 2 months ago with a different kitty I found. It was so weak and small sitting in the middle of the street just looking lost (seemed like it was abandoned by it's family). I wanted to take it to the vet but I was in a hurry and really did not want to spend money so I just picked it up and walked over to my friends house (also in my friend's neighborhood) and gave it to him to take care of. At the time there was a family in his backyard (1 mom and 3 kitties). They took care of it and adopted it as their own but a few days later it died. This haunted me for a bit cause if I had taken it to the vet it may still be alive but I didn't because it was just easier to hand it off..Poor kitty. RIP

It is cruel to take the baby (anyone can see that) but isn't it cruel to leave it in the cold with a mom that won't be around? I mean, this is a feral cat mom and she has to hunt for food and find warm places to stay and a kitty won't be able to do everything a grown one can. What I think will happen is that Pat will just do it's own thing most of the time (it is a cat) and neglect the kitten. Perhaps that's what happened to her first babies. It is odd that all 3 of them didn't survive.

Well, I'm going to his house now and hoping to see the kitty tonight or in the morning.

[quote name='Moltres423']I definitely would not leave just the momma alone after you take her kitten. The momma cat would still see you with her kitten and attempt take it back ,be depressed(who could blame her?),etc.[/QUOTE]

You are right but it is a cat and they don't hold grudges and forget easily. My friend has her baby in his home and the mom is so nice to us. It will always come to us and rub up on our legs and purr. In the beginning it was a bit sad to see her meowing and looking around but after a little while it just forgot or gave up. Her baby is in good hands anyway.

It sounds like you have made up your mind no matter what we have said, but I will offer this piece of advice: if you would consider not getting any animal medical attention for financial reasons I would highly recommend against getting any animal.

It is ALOT easier to adopt out of a shelter like others have said and they come spayed/neutered.I'd actually go as far to say taking in a feral cat as a pet is crueler than letting it die in the winter if it means that you allow it to reproduce and make more feral cats...

JMO

[quote name='Moltres423']It sounds like you have made up your mind no matter what we have said, but I will offer this piece of advice: if you would consider not getting any animal medical attention for financial reasons I would highly recommend against getting any animal.[/QUOTE]

A million times THIS. Vet bills are part of pet ownership, and you need to be ready to pay them if nessecary. You don't know what your animal will get into- assuming you're actually sucessful at keeping an indoor-only cat (most people I know have to chase the cat back in at least once or twice- and it's not always easy), you can't be sure the cat won't get an injury needing treatment within the home.

If you really can't afford at vet at all, get a rodent. Guinea pigs are friendly, fairly inexpensive, and vet care is much more optional (a lot of vets won't work on them at all). They STINK though, so be ready for frequent cage cleanings.

[quote name='DuelLadyS']A million times THIS. Vet bills are part of pet ownership, and you need to be ready to pay them if nessecary. You don't know what your animal will get into- assuming you're actually sucessful at keeping an indoor-only cat (most people I know have to chase the cat back in at least once or twice- and it's not always easy), you can't be sure the cat won't get an injury needing treatment within the home.

If you really can't afford at vet at all, get a rodent. Guinea pigs are friendly, fairly inexpensive, and vet care is much more optional (a lot of vets won't work on them at all). They STINK though, so be ready for frequent cage cleanings.[/QUOTE]

And don't get gerbils. They cost a bit of money if you actually care about them, like getting quality bedding and stuff to chew, we were spending like $20 a month on them - which is roughly how much our two cats cost, not counting vet stuff, and stupid pet rent at our current place.

In fact, just get a gold fish or ant farm if you're that cheap =P

[quote name='DuelLadyS']A million times THIS. Vet bills are part of pet ownership, and you need to be ready to pay them if nessecary. You don't know what your animal will get into- assuming you're actually sucessful at keeping an indoor-only cat (most people I know have to chase the cat back in at least once or twice- and it's not always easy), you can't be sure the cat won't get an injury needing treatment within the home.

If you really can't afford at vet at all, get a rodent. Guinea pigs are friendly, fairly inexpensive, and vet care is much more optional (a lot of vets won't work on them at all). They STINK though, so be ready for frequent cage cleanings.[/QUOTE]
Guinea pigs make great pets, agreed. They don't stink if you have a adequately sized cage though. I'd say 95% of people try and keep their guinea pigs in a cage like this: http://guineapigdiet.net/images/guinea pig starter2.jpg , which is borderline animal cruelty, because those cages are EXTREMELY small. They have no room to run around(The pig in that pic doesn't even have an igloo.) and the feces and urine is not going to be spread out, its going all in the same spot.

I have one just like this: http://guineapigdiet.net/images/carehabitats-candc.jpg Cost me $40 to make ,has plenty of space, and doesn't start smelling unless I go more than a week without cleaning the cage.

go for the scruff

I just realized that Forgotten Cats is only based out of Delaware, which is great if you live close to it, but chances are you don't. Google for local TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) programs for better results.