How to capture a stray kitty?

Question

I'm in Michigan, we've had sub-zero weather the past few days. There is a stray cat that has been hiding under our bay window. . We've been feeding it, but have been unable to get near to it, to bring it inside. Any suggestions? It's so cold out...brrrr

btw, I have put an ad in Craigslist looking for the owner....

Answer 1

You can lease a cage to trap the kitten from the animal humane shelter. You pay a small fee to use it and when you bring it back they refund your money. At least that is how it is done here in my community in Indiana.

Answer 2

If the kitty is truly feral (wild), as opposed to simply being a very cautious stray (a cat who once had a home), bringing the cat inside is not a good idea -- it will be very stressful to the cat. A much better idea is to provide a warm place outside for the cat to find shelter, and to put food out everyday (and water, although it is likely to freeze over quickly). The igloos that they sell as dog houses work very well, but you can also improvise, using things like bales of straw.

www.alleycat.org has some great ideas for how to help feral cats.

If this cat is a stray, you still need to do this, but you also need to get the cat inside. You may need to borrow a humane trap for this. You will need to call around to vets offices or the local animal control to find out who is likely to have a humane trap you can borrow. If you trap the cat, however, you have to be watching, as it will be dangerous for the cat to be left very long in the trap during cold weather. If you begin feeding the cat, the cat will probably come to trust you and you can then open the door and the cat will come inside. But traps are much faster, if you are truly concerned about the weather.

Answer 3

I was moving once and my cat ran out the door. It was not wild but very scared because of all the activity around. We tried for over an hour but nothing worked. Finally we used tuna fish as bait and it came like a rocket. The most important thing is to remain a safe, unimposing distance away. It may take a week but if your never a threat the cat should trust you eventually.
P.S.
If it looks like an older cat it may not be used to human contact but used to living in the wild. If it doesn't respond eventually, it probably doesn't want to come in.

Answer 4

If it is getting feed there, place a box trap in the same place with food inside. The trap can look scarey so you can partially cover it with a towel etc. A cold hungry cat will go for it. But if it really is a timid stay it may go a little nuts in your house. Try to keep it in a darker quiet spot until it adjusts and slowly get it used to you.

Answer 5

I would assume, just put some food out and talk to it, but respect it, and keep your distance. Eventually it will come to trust you. If the cat has survived this long, the cold weather shouldn't be to much of a problem for it.

Answer 6

i agree with corinn. keep putting food and water out for the kitty and make a warm place for it to go. somewhere protected by the wind and snow/rain. if it truly is a wild cat then you might never get it inside, but it will be thankful for the warm place to go. if it once had a home it may just be scared because it can't find it's parents and is just being cautious. keep trying and keep up the good work for looking out for our fury friends.

Answer 7

I am in Michigan too. IT IS COLD HERE!

Try using a sardine to lure it in. My kittten book says when you want to get a cat to trust you. use a sardine.

Answer 8

he has to gain your trust, so try going out there and feeding him .and stay with him a few minutes everyday till he gets to know you. let him know your voice he will know your tryen to help him he will get use to you good luck! and bless you for careing!!!!!!