How to Safely Catch a Cat

Cats make great pets. However, when you are trying to catch one that doesn't want to be caught, or trying to catch a cat you don't know, things can get hairy. Since cat scratches and bites can lead to serious infections, you need to take safety precautions when trying to catch one.

Things You'll Need

  • Gloves
  • Towel
  • Catching noose
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Instructions

    • 1

      Protect your arms and hands. Put on a long-sleeved shirt or jacket and leather work gloves. This will keep the cat from breaking your skin while giving it a soft surface to dig into if it feels the need to bite or scratch.

    • 2

      Drape a towel or blanket over the cat if the cat is cornered or relatively motionless. This will help keep the animal still while you get a firm but gentle grip on the back of its neck.

    • 3

      Herd cats in flight into a confined space, like a room or kennel. You can do this by walking behind them as they move and slowly guiding them to a safe place to catch them. Don't try to jump on a cat or make quick movements toward it, which will cause it to panic and try to escape.

    • 4

      Use an animal-catching noose, which is a long hollow pole with a rope pushed through the center. At the end of the rope is a loop, which you slip over the cat's head. Once the loop is around its neck, pull the rope to tighten the noose. The rope secures the animal safely while the pole keeps it at safe distance from you.