stray neighborhood kitty

[legally blonde]

A few nights ago, I discovered a stray kitty (actually, my cats discovered this kitty b/c she was right under my window and Morty and Manilla went nuts). So, I put out a little bowl of cat food out for her, hoping that she would eat some. When I woke up the next day, the food was gone. I've been doing this for several days now.

I was thinking that I should try to catch this poor little kitty in a humane trap, only I'm not sure what I would do with her after that. I can't really keep her right now because I already have two kitties in a small studio apartment (although I'll probably be moving within the next six months to a bigger apartment). I'm not sure if there are any shelters in the area, but I don't know if I would feel okay about just giving her over to a stranger.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should do?

[superconnected]

1. Most shelters euthanize 5 out of 6 cats.

This stray would be safer if you gave her to a stranger. Craigs list is a good place to start.

[Lisa0825]

2. Do you have a no-kill shelter near you that you trust?

Some places call themselves no-kill when they don't deserve the title, so be sure to aks for their stats if you don't know. The shelter I work with takes a donation to take in a cat, and it depends on how old, how is its health, etc. They will also take as little as $10 a month if necessary. They just need a way to help cover expenses.

[japple]

3. Your veterinarian might be able to help. Call and ask if they know

about any humane agencies or groups that foster homeless animals. My vet is actively involved with pet rescue and advocacy and even keeps some of the animals in the rescue program in her office. My sister's vet will sometimes keep a homeless pet in their office for a few days to see if someone is interested in adopting it. My sister has "sponsored" several stray kitties--she pays the vet's office for medical care for the stray and then pays their fee for boarding until the animal gets adopted. Also, if there is a vet school near you, you might check with them.

[demnan]

4. My take

after a few weeks of enchanting you with her ever more numerous appearances you will fall in love with her. At that moment, she'll walk right into the apartment. It happened to me.

www.catster.com/?202939

[roguevalley]

5. this baby chose you. that is something from a cat. they are very picky. :)

[legally blonde]

6. Thanks for your advice, everyone

I realized the other day that I actually do know someone who rescues stray pets (one of the law librarians at my school), so I'm going to talk to her as well about some options in the area. She might even be able to loan me one of her humane traps, so I don't have to buy one myself. I'm also going to contact my vet and see what he says. Unfortunately, I've been out of town for a couple of days visiting my parents, so my little stray has been without a good meal. :cry: But, I'm going home tomorrow, so hopefully she'll come back.

[legally blonde]

7. update

A couple of nights ago I saw my kitty again--I got home around 10:30pm from class and there he was--eating from the bowl I set out by my door. This was the first time I actually got a good look at him--he's orange, with long hair (very pretty). I managed to get about 5 feet away from him, but he wouldn't let me get any closer.
So, I talked with the law professor I know who rescues animals and she offered to let me borrow a humane trap and help me find this kitty a forever home. Hopefully I'll have some luck over the weekend and I'll be able to catch him without too much trouble.

[Lisa0825]

8. That's great!

I'm glad you found a way to help the kitty!!! :pals:

[legally blonde]

9. attempting to trap . . .

I got a humane trap today and I just put it out with some wet food. I usually don't see the kitty until 10:30 or 11:00, but I'll keep my eyes out.

[IndyOp]

10. I learned from one of Lisa's posts that you have to be careful trapping...

If the cat enters the trap to eat the wet food and ants are attracted by the food, too - the cat can be badly bitten by the ants. I think Lisa's rescue suggested putting Sevin dust which kills ants in a ring around the trap...

:shrug:

You might check with the woman who loaned you the trap.

Good luck!

:bounce:

[legally blonde]

11. oooohhhh

good point. I did not think of that. It's still pretty cold here in STL (especially at night), so that problem didn't cross my mind. I'll have to get some of that when I go to the store today.

Well, I didn't have any luck last night. I know that he visited, though--the food bowl I usually keep out (and was planning on using in the trap but it was too big so I transfered the wet food to another bowl) was licked clean. This kitty is very smart.
:banghead: He didn't go huge pile of tempting cat food in the scary cage.

Does anyone have any suggestions to increase my luck tonight?

[IndyOp]

12. Maybe you won't need any Sevin if it's cold...

To increase your luck -- :shrug: -- put the trap with delicous food in the same exact location you usually put the bowl and make that the only food available. I think you are close to catching a kitty!

:hug:

[legally blonde]

13. good idea, IndyOp

I'll try that tonight. I was going to put the trap in the same spot with the food bowl last night, but it's in a spot that's exposed to the parking lot (i.e., no bushes to hide the trap), and I didn't want my trapping activities to be really obvious to my neighbors (who probably already think I'm a crazy cat lady--lol). But I think that's probably the best thing to do.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. If you can catch the kitty, consider this. Giving her to a stranger

who is willing to take her will undoubtedly be a better life than the one she has to look forward to right now. Sometimes you just have to take the chance. Life is not good for most feral cats.

[legally blonde]

15. okay, I just caught kitty

and he's way bigger than I thought he was. I think I'm in way over my head with this one. I did bring him in my apartment and put the cage in my bathroom, but now I'm afraid to let him out, because I think he might attack me. What should I do?

[radfringe]

16. I'm assuming he's spitting/hissing/growling?

he's freaked out from being trapped... cats react two ways -- lots of spitting/hissing/growling -- or they freeze-up

do you suspect he may be "feral"? If so - then don't let him out - you'll never get him back into a crate/trap

one way to "calm" him down is to cover the cage - it makes it darker inside and gives the cat some sense of security

[IndyOp]

17. Contact your friend or a local cat rescue and ask them to come look - Beg!

Plead! Cry a little, if necessary. I would need experienced help to assess the cat and decide what to do next. It doesn't seem to me like you should leave him in the trap more than 8-12 hours at max without food or water - but ask your friend.

If he really is feral you may need to hand him over immediately to a rescue or the humane society or release him... If you are concerned about your safety, don't let him out.

You could also check to see if there is a trap-neuter-release program in your area - these programs neuter and release adult ferals. By so doing, the animal gets to live out its life without 'contributing to the creation' of a new generation of ferals.

If, after he has time to calm down, he seems like he is not feral and the bathroom is a cat-damage-proof room you don't have to use, you could put out a litter box and food and water, stand behind the trap and open the door. Then you should exit the room fast! If he is very stressed, chances are he will stay in the trap even after the door is opened (and not attack you). Leave food and water just inside the door so you can change them tomorrow or the next day without having to disturb the cat.

Please let us know what happens next!

Angels tread where mere mortals fear to travel... O8)

[legally blonde]

18. well, here's the scoop . . .

I called my friend and she came over in the morning--we decided that this kitty was way too feral to be put up for adoption. Since it was Sunday and everything was closed (all the shelters, vets, etc.) we decided the best thing to do was to release him on a friend's farm about 20 miles south of the city. At least he stands a much better chance away from the city, cars, and roads.

I feel like I've done more harm than good today--I've taken him away his home territory--I think I was pretty selfish and silly to think I could do this on my own. :sigh:

[IndyOp]

19. I am sorry. If you believe he stands a better chance away from

city, cars, and roads, then he is better off now, even if he has to figure out how to navigate his new territory. It is Spring and this is the best time of year for him to be moved to a new territory, while food is relatively plentiful.

He could've been hit by a car tomorrow. If you had handed him over to a shelter he would be dead by now for sure. He may live a long time as a farm/woods cat. You may never know.

Your heart was most definitely in the right place. :hug:

[legally blonde]

21. thanks, IndyOp

I was so upset Sunday night--I still feel guilty about this. :cry:

[demnan]

20. There's a new stray around my place too

I saw him/her last night. Poor stunted little creature with slanty eyes. I left food twice, yesterday and today. But I can't take another cat in my small place, yet I can't watch them starve.