What is the best way to deal with feral (stray) cats as a nuisance?

Question

I do not want to see them be killed. They lay in the middle of the road and do not move for cars.

I called animal control, they want me to pay $40 to get a trap. I can't afford that, my cat has his own problems. Is there any other groups that deal with this situation, so of the cats are kittens?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, a true feral cat - an adult one - is difficult to place even if captured and taken to the animal shelter. Unless you can tame them and then put them up for adoption, there is little that can be done other than trap them and take them to the humane society or local animal shelter and hope that they can find them homes. Most animal shelters will allow you to take or borrow their humane traps which trap without harming them, in order to capture these feral cats and will explain to you how to set the traps up and how to place them.

You usually use as bait some kind of 'smelly' cat canned/wet food or tuna - something that will entice the cat to come into the trap. Please be aware that you may catch something other than a cat, especially if there are possums, raccoons or skunks, etc. in the vicinity tho so approach with caution If your local humane society does not have humane traps they can be purchased at most hunting stores or outlets. Be sure and check your trap(s) daily or twice daily depending on your schedule. It's a good idea to leave water in the trap too, just in case. Oh, and try to leave as little human scent on the cages as possible.

Once you have one of the cats trapped, take it to your animal shelter and let them remove it as they can be quite vicious when frightened - they're trained in dealing with that kind of situation. Hopefully it's not totally feral and can be rehabilitated and become a 'useful citizen' again and find a good home. Good luck and I hope this works for you!

p.s. - is the $40 a deposit? Surely they don't charge for the use of it!! Most of the local ones here don't even charge for the use - just take your name and address so they can find you if need be (like if you don't bring it back!) So sorry you live in an area that thinks like that!!)

Since the animal shelter/humane society isn't being that much help - try your yellow pages for other rescue societies - they're out there and many of them are no-kill shelters. If you note your area, I will try to find you a more local shelter?

Answer 2

I always trap kittens myself. Call animals control and ask if you can RENT or BORROW a trap that you will set yourself. I've always gotten the traps free as long as I leave a deposit and agree to bring in any cats that are trapped. Another place to check is a vet hospital that would be familiar with ferals (probably not a private vet practice... although they might know where you can get one). I don't bother with truly feral adults because (a) they can be dangerous and I don't want to have to get shots or something, and (b) it's hard to trap them, so professionals should do it if at all possible.

Answer 3

The humane society has traps that can be rented just for the cost of a holding fee. Ours charges $50 for someone to rent the trap, when you return it you get all $50 of your deposit back, so really it's free, they just don't want someone walking off and not returning their traps to them.

Animal shelters should be able to do the same thing, rent the trap out for a deposit.

Answer 4

Call animal control immediately. Those cats can get seriously injured. Animal control has the power to block off the road to get the cats. Please do this soon. I understand how you feel about the amount, but think about it. If that cat gets killed and you knwo you could have done something, how bad would you feel?

Answer 5

Have you tried to talk to anyone about possibly taking them in as a solution? If not then the only other things that you can do are take them in yourself and take care of them or call the pound and have them come and pick them up and try to find them a good home.

Answer 6

Here's a group you can try contacting for help
http://www.homelesscat.org/
They are based out of Pittsburgh.

Answer 7

someone told me about alleycats.com They couldnt help me in my area by maybe they can help you. Good luck!