A Possible Solution To The Cat Problem, But I have More Questions

17 years ago

I thought maybe my thread about my dead male bb would be at it's end, so here's some new info.

First, Kathy and others, I totally agree with you in that it is not fair to invite these birds to my yard when their safety is in jeopardy. In all my years of birding, I've never had a cat problem, so this is a first. I know absolutely nothing about cats, but I'm confident this cat grew up in the wild as opposed to being a stray and just appeared here for some reason.

I spoke with my vet yesterday and she has agreed to take the cat and attempt to relocate her. She will loan me a carrier/trap and instructed me to place it where this cat seems to "hang out" so that she can get used to its presence, smell, etc. Their office often receives calls for people looking for an outdoor cat and in fact she did get a call from a man looking for a "barn" cat, supposedly to help with mice and rats.

This will be a difficult task at best as I have no idea how I'll manage to get her in the carrier! Do any of you have any suggestions? If this doesn't work, I will call animal control, but their task would be the same and I'm sure they wouldn't sit around for very long, waiting for her to show up, if that were the case. I really need advice on how to make this work.

Kenn, if you're reading this, I'm sure it was Daddy and not the new male. Though the new male is larger, he looks somewhat immature to me. He continues to guard the box with its completed nest, but whether Mama accepts him as her new mate is yet to be seen.

Oh...since it may take several days for this cat to get used to seeing the carrier, what can I do in the meantime? Would it be best to plug up the entrance hole and hope Mama will build another one elsewhere? I just don't know what to do!!!

Many, many thanks for your kind words and support. I'm still very upset and I pray this plan will work. Thanks, too for the links provided in the other thread. Again, any advice is most appreciated.

Donna

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Comments (11)

anita55
17 years ago
Hi Donna, I have trapped cats and kittens so I can tell you how to do it.

Open the trap so that the cat can walk in and out freely. At the far end of the trap put canned cat food, and do this for several days until the cat is comfortable going in and eating there. Pick the food up by evening if it's not eaten or you will have raccoons and possums visiting. Once the cat is comfortable going into the trap you need to set the trap and put the same catfood in. Once the cat is trapped cover the trap with a large towel, or sheet. This will keep the cat calm. I would use gloves while handling the crate since if it's truly a feral cat he may thrash around and lash out at you. You don't want to get bitten or scratched. Use the handles on top of the trap. Keeping the cat covered put layers of newspaper and plastic in your car or truck before putting the trap in. The vet will sedate the cat right in the trap. Any other questions you can email me at maddogs518@a o l.com.
anita55
17 years ago
IF you can open this link you can see what the trap may look like. There are variations but they all work the same way. The vet will show you how to set the trap.

http://www.wildlife-traps.com/cats.html?gclid=CIegk4Tm4ZoCFQVxFQodW10QBQ
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donnalovesblue
Original Author
17 years ago
Well, I just picked up the trap at the Vet clinic and was shown how to use it. Let's hope it works. The only problem is that on Sat., the clinic closes at 12 noon and of course on Sunday, no one is there except to feed the animals and only for a short period of time. I will put food in early tonight and see what happens and hopefully she will eat comfortably there for a few days, but who knows!

In the mean time, I will try to keep vigil this weekend as much as I can in hopes of preventing another potential disaster. Mama Blue has not been around for over a day which leads me to believe she has abandoned the nest. The other male is still around and for some reason, remains interested in the box.

Wish me luck.

Donna
anita55
17 years ago
Hi Donna, did they tell you to feed the cat at night? It is very likely that the food will be eaten by raccoons. Do you see the cat during the day? If you do see it in the daytime I would only put the food out during the day. If possums and raccoons come you will be wasting your food and your time. They will finish the food before the cat gets a chance to eat. If you put the trap out at night, which I don't recommend make sure you check from time to time to see who's eating the food. It's much better if you can do the trapping in the daytime.
djohn36755
17 years ago
Good Luck Donna - I've used those traps to catch racoons in my barn that were eating my horse's feed. They hissed, and acted so mad but I managed to re-locate them. I'm glad the vet will help you with the cat. He/she really needs to be caught - not only for the sake of your blues but for his/her own sake. Feral cats live a miserable life...... Keep us posted and good luck!
cindy
anita55
17 years ago
Another thing, you don't want to trap the cat and have it confined in the trap for several days. I would only try to trap the cat on the day before you can bring it into the vet. So not at all on a Saturday, but Sunday afternoon or evening would be better because then the animal is only confined overnight. Keep him or her covered and quiet. It may take a few days of putting out food before she goes into the trap. If you can place it where you can watch it's better. Then you'll know who is going in there. Pick the food up before dark, though, unless the cat only comes after dark. If that is the case you may catch a raccoon overnight and be careful releasing that. You may even catch a different cat. That is another dilemma! It happened to me, and I also caught a raccoon by accident when I was trapping at night. It's interesting that some cats only show up at night, and even in the middle of the night, and some come to eat during the day. My female feral (I named her Fanny) comes during the day.
anita55
17 years ago
This is my cat, Fannie (Mae). I think it looks like she is complaining about the food or the service. Please let me know how your trapping proceeds and if you need help I'm here.
donnalovesblue
Original Author
17 years ago
I picked up the trap yesterday at the vet. Late afternoon, I placed some food in it, but did not set the trap. She finally arrived, was a bit wary of the trap, but managed to take a few bites. I will repeat the process today and tomorrow and surely, by Monday, this will render success. Since the office closes at noon today, I thought it would be better to get her there on Monday when all 3 vets and a full staff are there.

Mama blue is back at the box and I am keeping my fingers crossed that a 2nd nesting will happen. I'll check the box later today or tomorrow for eggs.

Can't tell all of you enough how much I appreciate your advice and support. MANY thanks!

Donna
rxblue
17 years ago
Hi Donna,

I read about this a couple of years ago, probably on this forum. It's called an anti-hunting cat bib. It probably would not work for a feral cat, but for people with pets, it is an option. When I first heard about this I thought it was a joke, but it's not. You can google "cat bib" and find lots of information. I have included a link.

Phil

Here is a link that might be useful: Anti-hunting cat bib
rxblue
17 years ago
Here is another link

Here is a link that might be useful: Cat bib
anita55
17 years ago
Donna, no news? What's going on ?

A Possible Solution To The Cat Problem, But I have More Questions

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