How to Rescue a Feral Cat

Capturing a feral cat, while noble, is not something everyone can do. The act may require lots of patience, and once the animal has been captured, a great deal of care must be taken to maintain the safety of the animal and human involved. Feral cats are often scared of people, which can make rescue difficult and sometimes dangerous. Contact an expert, such as local Animal Control, if the cat appears to be sick or dangerous in any way.

Things You'll Need

Live animal trap, one that will not hurt the animal in any way
Cat food, wet food often works best, or other bait (canned tuna, chicken, etc)

Instructions

- 1
  Contact your local animal authority to check for laws regarding the capturing and releasing of nuisance animals.
- 2
  Follow all safety information and directions for the live-trap you have purchased. Place the trap in a location you have seen the cat frequent on your property, and try to keep it some-what sheltered from the elements. Place the food in the back of the trap, or as the directions state. If the food is canned, always remove from the can as there are sharp edges left from can openers and 'pop-tops' that can injure the feline.
- 3
  Check your trap often. Cats are nocturnal, so checking first thing in the morning is advised. Refill or replace food if necessary.
- 4
  Call a vet immediately upon discovering a cat in your trap. Never let the animal loose in your home before a check-up, especially if you have children or other animals in your home. The cat will need to be thoroughly checked out to be sure it is not suffering from any illnesses that could harm you or household pets. Common diseases in feral cats include the almost-always deadly Feline Leukemia. Have the cat scanned for a micro-chip at the vet's office. He may not be feral at all, but scared and separated from his family.
- 5
  Contact local Animal Care and Control to let them know you have captured a stray/feral cat. The cat may be lost and her family may have started looking for her.