View Full Version : I need to catch wild kittens
aguilar64
Jan 8, 2008, 05:59 PM
Any suggestions... I have tried warming up to them but they seem to run away after I get to close... so I need some suggestions
CaptainRich
Jan 8, 2008, 06:01 PM
Why do you need to catch them?
In case it's none of my business, have you tried a Have-a-Heart trap/cage?
aguilar64
Jan 8, 2008, 06:03 PM
They are for my girlfriend... and no what is that
CaptainRich
Jan 8, 2008, 06:09 PM
It's a gentle means of trapping live critters:
Have-A-Heart Traps | Havahart Animal Traps | Live Animal Trapping (http://landscaping.about.com/cs/pests/gr/HavahartTraps.htm)
shygrneyzs
Jan 8, 2008, 06:29 PM
What does your girlfriend want with wild kittens? I do agree with Rich on the gentle trap. Have used to trap unwanted critters and there is no harm done to the animal.
A humane trap is the best and most often only way to catch feral/wild cats and kittens.
Make sure you use smelly food like canned cat wet food or tuna, and if you cover the
Trap with a blanket or towel to make the cage look more like a cave or cubby. If you
Leave it uncovered, they are less likely to go into it.
You might not be able to tame them, but you could always do a trap, neuter, and release
Program with a low cost vet or animal shelter. If that is the case, you need to provide them with shelter, and food and water daily. Alley Cat Allies has a great site with lots of information on taking care of feral cats. Good luck, and remember to get them fixed even if you are not going to keep them. They will inbreed and just keep making new feral kittens.
Link to alley cat allies Alley Cat Allies (http://www.alleycat.org/)
The other thing to remember is, if you want to tame them, please take your time. They will tear you up if you try to handle them right out of the trap. Cat bites are nasty. I was
In the hospital for 5 days on IV antibiotics due to a cat bite in the hand this past August.
Please go to Alley Cat Allies and read up before you proceed in order to create as little stress as possible for both you and your feral kittens.
Good Luck!
Annalise12
Jan 15, 2008, 09:32 PM
If you really want to catch them you should let them come to you if not leave a bit of food out and watch them I have a park where I live and I go looking for kittens there and I found 4 dead kittens in the bin it was so sad
aguilar64
Jan 15, 2008, 09:56 PM
Do you live in Lufkin tx
aguilar64
Jan 15, 2008, 09:57 PM
Oh she needs some kittens because she works at a barn an they need some cats to hunt down the pest
Annalise12
Jan 16, 2008, 12:02 AM
Oh sorry I'm from Australia I hope u find some cats bye
RubyPitbull
Jan 16, 2008, 07:00 AM
Aguilar, HSK has given you some very useful advice. Do you have a local animal control or shelter? They will usually rent out traps to people, or if your girlfriend can assure them that they will have be given food, shelter, water, and the proper medical care, they might trap the kittens for your girlfriend and help her with the medical costs if she can't afford it. As HSK states, those kittens need to be spayed/neutered so they will not keep reproducing. They also need a proper medical assessment/treatment prior to being rehomed in the barn. They may be full of worms, parasites, and fleas. If she is working around other animals, they need to be vetted.
bushg
Jan 16, 2008, 07:47 AM
If she will contact a feral spay & neuter release program... they would be more than happy to trap them and neuter them for free. There would be guidleines to follow, but I would think it would be a win, win situation.
I hope the barn group remembers even if they are feral, food and water and some medical attention still need to be provided to make their lives easier.
carolbcac
Jan 16, 2008, 09:23 PM
You usually can pick up a humane trap at Lowe's. The raccoon size works well for cats. Practice setting it, it takes a little bit to get the hang of it, but they are not hard. While you are making arrangements for getting the kittens to the vet for shots and spay/neuter, it may help to get the kittens used to eating in the trap before you actually set it. Just tie the trap door up so it won't fall down and start feeding them in there. They should lose their fear of the trap so when it is actually set you may luck out and get both of them at once!