How to Catch Kittens in a Barn

Barns tend to attract pregnant cats because they offer warmth, ample hiding space and food such as mice. And pregnant cats means kittens. If you don't want to take them to the shelter or move them into your home, consider spaying and neutering them to keep them as barn cats. The Washington Humane Society notes that barn cats can protect your grain from rodents and eliminate the need for poisons. Spend a lot of time in the barn with the kittens if you plan to domesticate them. In either case, it may take days or even weeks to catch them.

Things You'll Need

  • Kitten kibble
  • Humane trap
  • Towel or blanket
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sit in the barn periodically throughout the day to observe the kittens and see if the mother is around. Remain quiet and try to figure out where they sleep, play and eat. Check the loft and small spaces behind hay or equipment.

    • 2

      Contact your local Humane Society for assistance if the feral mother lives in the barn, too. She might become aggressive if you approach her kittens. Humane Society personnel can help you catch and relocate the family.

    • 3

      Place kitten kibble or canned food near their favorite hiding spots, and sit a few feet away from the area when you can. Place an unset humane trap nearby; keep the outside of it covered with a towel or blanket. Sit near the kittens as they eat. Speak softly to them but don't try to pet them or pick them up.

    • 4

      Continue spending time in the barn while the kittens eat, gradually moving closer to them over the course of a few days or a week. Keep soft treats in your palm and lay them beside the kittens to encourage them to sit next to you.

    • 5

      Move them to another location once they willingly come to you and allow you to hold them. If they don't warm up to you, don't set food down for a day. Instead, place the food in the set humane trap to catch them. Relocate them immediately after trapping.