Need to catch 2 cats

warren5421 · Jul 27, 2025

I have 2 cats dumped, semi-ferala male and a female, on me I need to catch. I think they have been in a humain trap as they walk right by it without going for the food. How can I catch them without hurting them? We have a place here that will take and keep if they can't be gentled. They have almost a 100% adoption rate. It may take a year or so but they get them where they will set and be handled.

contender · Jul 27, 2025

You are likely correct in your thought about them being previously caught in a cage. After they get caught once,, they become VERY cautious about entering another one.
It takes work to overcome their fears.
First off, using a humane cage trap,, with just ONE trap door is required.
Next,, a piece of heavy cloth (towels etc,) need to be placed on the bottom of the cage. (Walking on the wire alerts them.)
Open the trap door AND wire it open to where it will NOT trip. (I'd use zip ties.)
Cover the cage sides & top loosely with cloth or even small brush. Leave the back exposed so they can see "through" it.
Start by baiting it just outside the door. After several days of them being able to eat at the opening,, you move it a few inches towards the inside. get them accustomed the the food without any fear of the trap. Again, slow movement towards the back of the trap with the food will get them used to a good meal, & not getting caught.
Once they are very casual & comfortable entering the trap w/o the fear of getting caught,, then you can plan on actually trapping them. Once you are SURE they are comfortable entering the trap,, then you can actually set the trap to capture them.
Once you catch them, cover the ends to allow them to settle down. Be VERY, VERY careful in all this heat. Do not allow them to stay in the trap for very long at all. Water is critical.

Bear Paw Jack · Jul 28, 2025

The, thanks for that. I caught the first Cat but the second one has apparently been caught before. Now that I have a dog, it could be harder.

GasGuzzler · Jul 29, 2025

We have feral cats in our neighborhood and I guess they're all related somehow if you go back far enough. We don't feed them but others do so they don't go away. I have caught one when trying to catch 'coons and armadillos that were messing up my lawn. I used an old fashion trap-door trap. I can see your problem cats avoiding one of those.

warren5421 · Jul 29, 2025

Thanks Contender. The male walks right by but the little female has started eating the food but she will run if a leaf drops. Will see how long it takes.

contender · Jul 30, 2025

It does take a bit of time to gain their "trust" of the cage. Not a quick method,, but it works.
BTW; It helps if you are using (2) cages. One for each cat.

Fox Mike · Jul 30, 2025

Kitty treats might be a help too. I used them to get Callie into the travel cage for transport to the vet. Started with a few near the door and finally in the cage (whatever that thing is called). Worked for me. She was WILD when she showed up.