We are trying to trap 2 stray kittens (they are hiding in an old trash compactor). We thought that withholding food would get them to come out but it's been a week now and they aren't cooperating. We are worried they will starve. What should we do? Thank you!
2007-02-03 10:35:19 · 13 answers · asked by Kim H 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
whatever you do do NOT retain the food. give them food every day. your scent will become familiar enough that they will know that you are a good person and come out. the idea is to put the food close to them and each day move it back no more than a foot. eventually you can get a cat trap and take them to the shelter. after 90 days you can claim ownership. that is the best part. the reason for the 90 days is to allow the owners to reclaim them. if they dont they dont want them bad enough.
2007-02-03 18:22:11 · answer #1 · answered by darth_daniel19910 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try a couple of different methods.
One is a trap. You might be able to borrow one from a local animal rescue group. Or ask the animal resuce group to trap the cats for you.
The second method takes more time where you spend days luring the cat to you and it might not work. Put the food out a little ways from where they are hiding. Do this at the same time every day and do it every day. Early in the morning or evening. Put out a smelly, tasty treat like tuna for cats or something. If the kittens come out, talk to them in a soft, sweet voice. Stand closer and closer to the dish as the days go by until you can reach down and touch them or pick them up. Reach down and slowly and gently get them by the neck so you have a good hold and they can't get away from you.
I wouldn't withhold food -- that might make them more feral -- a hungry cat might be more wild.
You want kittens that feel safe and comfortable and are looking for you to come.
2007-02-03 10:47:02 · answer #2 · answered by Shaggy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can rent a couple of live animal traps from the local Agriculture and Feed store (they sell gardening tools and goods for horses). They're primarily used to catch rodents, but should work for some cats.
You could also jury-rig a system by putting a can of food in a carrier and leaving it with the door open. A piece of string can be used to pull it closed from a distance. This is useful as you can run the string from the carrier door to inside your window so you can keep an eye on it from the inside. (Not so useful if you're not within line of sight)
You could also contact your local humane society for help. They have traps and experience with this sort of thing.
I would take the kitties to the vet right away. If you MUST handle them before they get shots use a pair of heavy gardening gloves
Hope this helps
2007-02-03 10:56:39 · answer #3 · answered by LX V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it like a hole?Well if it is I would get something like a long peace of fabric that the kittens could cling thier claws onto and they might just climb up.And if it is'nt call the animal control like the ASPCA and have them set a trap. They put food in the trap and then they leave it there for a while and then they should come out because they smell the food.
2007-02-03 12:15:34 · answer #4 · answered by [L] 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many animal control centers will loan or for a small fee lend you a trap for capturing strays. If this isn't an option, call around at vet offices that can refer you to the right agency or place. Best wishes
2007-02-03 10:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think about a no kill shelter really check it out first. Sometimes these places are really bad. The people mean well but I think an animal is better off in a humane shelter possibly awaiting death then crammed into some crappy flea ridden no kill shelter.
2016-05-24 00:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by Ethel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
borrow a "have a heart" trap from your local animal shelter, and bait it with food. Sounds like they will be really hungry at this point and it will probably not take long to catch them.
2007-02-03 12:21:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they sell traps that won't hurt an animal. you can buy them where they sell supplies for farms ,maybe a hunting store. put a little food in them and they go in there to eat and the door closes. it will not hurt them at all.
2007-02-03 10:43:08 · answer #8 · answered by donnalee m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting fish or milk outside the erea. Their cold and scared. And waiting for mom. Not mature enough to explore. Be patent and consistant. And eventually they will trust you.
2007-02-03 11:01:47 · answer #9 · answered by gotabedifferent 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont trap them thats mean. Try luring them out with fish or chicken or some other type of meat.
2007-02-03 13:00:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋