Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparation
• Method 2 of 3: Catching the Cat
• Method 3 of 3: Finding a New Home for Your Cat
• Tips
• Warnings

In order to control the number of stray animals, the legislation of many countries provides for the capture and sterilization of stray cats and dogs. If a dirty cat is wandering around the neighborhood, and kittens are hatched in the basement, you should catch the animals and take them to a shelter for stray cats, where they will be warm and safe. Perhaps you find a lost pet that needs to be returned to its owners, or just an animal that you want to settle in your home - all this will make the world a little better. You need to learn how to properly catch animals, and this article will talk about the stages of this process.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparation

1. 1 Observe the cat for a while. Before you decide to catch an animal, observe it for possible signs of illness and injury. It is important for your safety and for the safety of the cat to be able to assess the condition of the animal, as this will allow you to understand what kind of help it needs. If the cat has been walking around for several days, then do not be too lazy to watch her. If the animal is friendly, it will be much easier for you to catch it, and if not, then you have to work hard.
   • If your cat moves strangely, breathes heavily, salivates, sleeps all the time, or behaves unusually, call the animal control service. Do not try to approach an animal showing signs of illness. There are a number of diseases that are carried by cats and which are zoonotic, that is, transmitted from animals to humans (and vice versa). A serious and practically incurable disease is rabies, transmitted through the saliva of an animal when bitten by a person. The specialists working in the animal control service have the necessary equipment and protection to safely catch sick stray cats.
   • Not all cats need to be caught. Do not try to grab a well-fed and well-groomed cat with a collar. Talk to your neighbors and find out whose cat it is.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

   
   
   Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgery Dr. Elliot, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal care. Graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Has been working in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

   Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
   Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgery

   Pippa Elliot, an experienced veterinarian, explains: “In some countries, cats are caught and spayed (castrated in the case of a cat), and then released into the wild. If a cat's ear has been clipped to one end, most likely it has already been spayed and does not need to be caught. "

2. 2 Use a trap. Traps are simple and safe mechanisms that can be used to gently trap a cat. Put some food inside the trap. The lid will slam shut (blocking the exit) when the animal enters. After catching a cat, do not get it out of the trap, but take it to the veterinarian.
   • The trap can be borrowed from an animal shelter. There is no need to buy it, although it can come in handy if you live outside the city, where animals often appear who need to find a new home.
   • If you cannot find or use a trap, take a cat carrier or box and use the food to attract the animal. But before using a carrier or box, talk to your veterinarian, because many veterinarians will not accept a cat that has not been caught with a pre-made trap. A ready-made trap will do the job better, but a carrier with a box will do (if no other options are available).
3. 3 Do not try to catch the cat with a pillowcase or bag. This will not only anger and scare the animal, but it can also traumatize it. In addition, a frightened cat may attack you. Do not, under any circumstances, handle the animal with your bare hands. Treat him as if he were a wild animal, even if you plan to domesticate him. Everything takes some time.
4. 4 Prepare a place to keep the animal. You will need a special place where you can keep your cat, even if you intend to take it for neutering (neutering) and then releasing it. Your best bet, of course, is to capture an animal that can be spayed right away so you don't have to keep it at home. But if you decide to keep it for a while, you need to find a suitable place.
   • Place the animal in a quiet place so that it can calm down. Choose warm and dark places - this will allow the cat to come to his senses and feel safe.
   • If you plan to take your cat to the vet in less than 12 hours, do not feed the animal, but be sure to water it. In addition, opening the trap or carrier risks scaring the animal again.
5. 5 Agree on sterilization (castration). Call the clinic and make an appointment to neuter your animal.

Method 2 of 3: Catching the Cat

1. 1 Start feeding the cat a couple of days before the intended capture. The animal must have a reason to come to you, and this will help you lure him into the trap.
   • Once you've agreed on a neuter / neuter time, stop leaving food one or two days before the scheduled time and before you catch the cat.
   • Feed the animal with ready-made dry food or canned cat food. If you don't want to buy cat food, use fish (canned).
   • Don't give milk to your cat. The fact that cats love milk is a misconception as it is difficult for these animals to digest dairy products. Feed your cats solid food.
2. 2 Place a trap and put food in it. Use the same food you gave your cat for several days. Place a piece of paper or a pillowcase at the bottom of the trap to prevent food from falling through the grate. Leave food at the entrance to the trap to lure the animal, and in the far corner of the cage so that he has to go completely inside the trap. Tighten the spring of the trap.
   • Traps come in different designs, but they are easy to deal with. Usually, you just need to open the door and secure it in a special way. Once the animal is inside, the door will slam shut and the cat will not be able to get out.
   • Cover the trap with a towel or cloth, leaving the entrance open. This will make the trap less suspicious. Some tricky cats prefer to have a straight-through view. Therefore, if you are having trouble catching the cat, open the back of the trap (opposite the entrance) or do not cover the trap at all.
   • Don't put food on your plate. When the trap slams shut, the cat can get scared, break the plate and get hurt.
3. 3 Look into the trap regularly. These traps are safe, but you shouldn't leave your cat outside for a long time. It's important to keep checking your trap to see if you've managed to catch the animal. If possible, take him home to a prepared place or take him to the vet.
4. 4 Bring the cat into the house. When the cat is trapped, cover it with a cloth and take it to a designated location. The animal will be calmer if you bring it into a dark room, so dim the lights and cover the cage.
   • Leave the cat in the cage. Do not let the animal out of the trap or try to transfer it to the carrier, otherwise you will have to start all over again. After capturing and carrying an animal, it will want to hide somewhere further, and a cage is best for this. Don't worry - nothing will happen to the cat.

Method 3 of 3: Finding a New Home for Your Cat

1. 1 Neuter / neuter the animal and treat it (if necessary). In addition, it is necessary to vaccinate the animal (at least against rabies and distemper), get rid of parasites (fleas and worms) and conduct a test for feline leukemia. In some hospitals, these services are free of charge.
2. 2 Release the animal outside. After neutering, the cat is kept under supervision with access to a tray, food and water for 5 days. Cats can be released the next day after castration. You can release the animal where you caught it, or in a completely different place.
   • If you are going to release the animal somewhere else (that is, not where it was caught), help it get used to the new habitat (this may take several weeks). To do this, regularly leave food and water for the cat. Remember that a cat released in unfamiliar territory may not survive without prior care, because it will not find food and water; there is also a risk that the released animal will kill other cats in the struggle for territory.
3. 3 Contact an animal control organization or a shelter that does not euthanize animals. If you live in a city, letting your cat outside can be dangerous. In this case, it is better to take the cat to a shelter - there they will find a new home for her.
   • As a rule, stray cats are rarely taken from shelters. Therefore, it is better to release the animal where you caught it.
   • Many shelters neuter / castrate animals at their own expense. So don't throw away your receipts.
   • If you can, keep your cat at home until she has a new owner. Some shelters simply don't have enough space for all the animals.
4. 4 Try to find a new home for your cat yourself. If the animal has no owners, and you cannot keep it for yourself and do not want to take it to a shelter, find another home for it. Post ads, ask around, and find the right host candidate.
   • Ask friends and family if they would like to take the cat. This will give the animal a secure roof over its head, and you will be able to visit it.
   • Place your ads on the internet. Describe the situation honestly and in detail.
5. 5 Consider keeping the animal for yourself. Many stray cats live in apartments and behave like ideal pets. Consider if you have enough time, money, and space to care for your cat. If you do decide to keep her, make sure she is friendly and show her to the vet regularly.

Tips

• Some shelters may lend you a trap (free).
• Cats treat different people differently. If the animal does not come to you, ask a companion to call him.
• Sometimes it can be difficult with animals raised in the wild. If the cat you find is aggressive or asks to go outside all the time, release it (after showing it to the veterinarian).
• Wear tight clothing to protect your skin in case the animal starts scratching.
• Do not take your cat to shelters where animals are euthanized. First, check the information about all local shelters and take the animal to the right one.
• Determine if the cat is stray or feral.You may need the help of a specialist for this. One of the signs of feral cats is that they never meow.
• If there is no animal shelter in your city, ask the corresponding request on the Internet and look for such shelters in the nearest cities and regions. Perhaps in one of them they will agree to help you.

Warnings

• Animal bites are dangerous. If you are bitten by a cat, see your doctor and quarantine the animal in case it develops rabies or another contagious disease.
• Don't give food to a cat that has an owner, unless they let you do it. The cat may have dietary restrictions (for example, due to diabetes). The cat can also get used to eating outside and get away from the owner.
• You can take kittens by the fold at the top of the neck, but do not do this with adult animals.
• Take kittens away from the mother with care. Kittens should stay with their mother for up to 4-6 weeks. If you catch a nursing mother, her kittens may die without her.
• Stray animals carry infections, including feline leukemia virus, so wash your hands and clothes before handling your own animals. Keep a stray cat away from your pets and their belongings (carriers, litter boxes) until you show it to your veterinarian.