Can anyone in the midlands lend me a feral trap please?

[Hippykitty]

The visit at the vet went well. Sam was given a clean bill of health - for her age. I was told to take her back only if she showed symptoms again.

Re the eartipping: the vet said that he hadn't done it for 20years and that it wasn't policy, but he understood my reasons (not wanting to put a cat under the stress of trapping and the op when unnecessary). He's going to have a word with his colleague and asked me to phone back in 2 weeks for their decision.

The ferals went missing for about 24 hours. For various reasons I think one of the neighbours locked the kittens in her house. The mother was still around, looking very forlorn. The kittens turned up this afternoon.

The woman and her live-in boyfriend had said they wanted one of the kittens. They don't take good care of their cats. Since I've had Polly and Sam, they've had about half a dozen cats killed on the road. They don't take their cats to the vet went it's obvious that they need to go. She has a spotless house, but couldn't give a damn about her cats. So to put her off the idea, I stupidly told her that last year I'd asked for donations of £30 for a cat. I saw her eyes light up.

The following evening, after returning from the vet. I had to pop to local shop. On the way, I decided to drop in on this woman to ask if she'd mind not feeding the family as this would make it easier to catch them. I expected a friendly chat, but was met by her aggressive boyfriend who accused me of making money from the cats.  He continued to be very abusive.

Shortly after this the kittens went missing. I couldn't help wondering whether they were trying their hand at "making money" from feral kittens.
I think they may have quickly learned how demanding kittens, especially ferals can be. She has never had a litter tray in her house, so I wonder how she reacted to the inevitable accidents?

Well, the kittens are back, and I'm still looking for a trap! I've tried CP but they keep saying "ring next week". The is the second time I've rung "next week". Grrrrrgh!

[Hippykitty]

Maybe Liz meant "medicate"?

I know that true ferals can be tamed. Vic and Fred were born wild, so were their younger siblings. Some of the people I homed last year's rescues to have sent pics of them looking very happy. Alfie, one of the young set, definitely born wild, has settled happily with Rebekah's other 4 cats, and is very touchable.

The ones in my verandah are definitely feral. The mother (known to a neighbour as 'Dotty'), has been around the area for a long time. I think she's had kittens before. Her kittens were definitely born wild, I'm not 100% sure about Dotty.

No luck with a trap. I have a promise of one from Pauline, at WellCat, but the people who were supposed to have returned it yesterday, haven't. She's going to phone as soon as it's back. I've also contacted CP - no luck, though they are sending vouchers to spay mum and neuter her mate (who seems to have wandered off, she's got a new one, known locally as Socks, hanging around, maybe waiting for her to come into heat, maybe I'll do him!). I've also asked for the Inspector at the RSPCA who helped with food and a cat tree last year - she came round as the result of a complaint about there being lots of cats in the house - to see if she can help with a trap. She was great last year, though I had to insist that she didn't take the cats. She was fine about this as she could see how well I was taking care of them.

I'm thinking of buying a bloomin' trap! I've seen them on the 'net for £35. Worth it if I keep needing one. I was going to buy a microwave for Xmas (old one given up). Best laid plans.....

I'll chat to the vet later. Fingers crossed for Sam. Will let you know what he says about Sam, and the eartipping. Unfortunately, my friend Rebekah is very busy at the mo, so getting to another vet with an awkward feral might be difficult. I'll need her help to get the mother into a carrying cage anyway. (She'll be temporarily 'stored' in a kitten pen).


Maybe I should beging another thread.
How do I prevent mum and the other kittens from becoming trapwise? I'm concerned that mum, especially, will see a kitten in the trap and either refuse to go in herself, or move her other kittens. I really want to get mum before she gets preggers again. She may already be, but I don't think so. The kittens still half-heartedly suckle.

Also:
Should I immediately TNR mum? Or should I wait a while after she's been spayed, so that the kittens aren't deprived of her too soon. They're about 7-8wks old now. Will she make them harder to socialise if she remains?
Experienced rescue advice needed please. Thanks.
Sorry, didn't mean to write "War and Peace" 

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

That is exactly why our vets won't and I do agree with their opinion.

I would have thought it was common sense really    The other thing to bear in mind when sedating, not all cats respond to the sedative plus it does affect how much sedation the vet can actually use, it's quite hard to judge the amount when a cat has sedation in their system already, again another good reason not to do it unless it's absolutely necessary.  I've sedated the odd cat in my care but only for handling purposes for the vet, I have found say out of 5 cats, only 2 have been handleable enough when sedated with the ACP which I presume would be the sedative the vet would use.  The funniest one was little Bob, he had to be sedated for bloods, although a softie, he turned into Satan when Sean was trying to test him, I sedated him at home and he seemed quite relaxed for a time.  As soon as Sean went to do anything with him, he would whizz his head round quickly and bite him, Sean then christened him Beelzibob 

[Ela]

That is exactly why our vets won't and I do agree with their opinion. Although if someone had a secure outbuilding where there were no places a little one could go and put itself in danger like on beams in barns etc and not too many hidey holes it could be acceptable, but us poor fosterers do not have that facility.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

Our vets will not allow us to drug any of the ferals.

I totally agree with this and I can't believe a vet would allow them to be sedated.  If a feral is safely contained and has no escape ie in a spare room or cage, then my vet will allow this but if they are loose and they wander off, the cat could end up dead so it's not a good idea.

[Janeyk]

Super! thanks very much 

[Ela]

2 in the post for tomorrow 1 for use now and another for a rainy day

[Janeyk]

I would write something like ,'Do I belong to you if so please ring whatever your number is. If you cannot get a paper collar please PM me with your address and I will send you one.

thanks alot Ela, no luck getting one - I've pm'd you

[Ela]

I would write something like ,'Do I belong to you if so please ring whatever your number is. If you cannot get a paper collar please PM me with your address and I will send you one.

[Janeyk]

as we've found that we can just stroke him so I am wondering whether he belongs to someone or been abandoned

As you can stroke him can you placie a paper collar on him with a message on for a few days.

Thanks, I'll have a go, what should I put on, just ask if he belongs to anyone and leave my no?

[Ela]

Ela our oldest feral was 15 and we have them from 3 upwards and yes these are true ferals and I have the battle scars to prove it!

Please don't think I was doubting you. Perhaps you are a cats equivalent of a Horse Whisperer. Funnily enought my youngest Grandaughter (age 7) seems to be gifted when it comes to they who must be obeyed cats. Anyone else go near them they will kill yet she can go into a pen and within minutes they are all round her.

Still we have been lucky as they are food driven so we can drug them as needed

Our vets will not allow us to drug any of the ferals.

[Ela]

as we've found that we can just stroke him so I am wondering whether he belongs to someone or been abandoned

As you can stroke him can you placie a paper collar on him with a message on for a few days.

[Janeyk]

The ferals round here will let us get quite close but not touch them, the ones I recently trapped are tamer for eg I can sit infront of Zippy and talk to her while she eats but if my arm went to stroke her she'd be off.  Pebbles who goes in next doors with Tiggy will just eat and sleep on Christine's bed but she still cannot stroke him.  I have a male to still trap but I'm confused as we've found that we can just stroke him so I am wondering whether he belongs to someone or been abandoned, he looks feral and his fur is a bit matted and feels like an outdoor cats.

[Liz]

Ela our oldest feral was 15 and we have them from 3 upwards and yes these are true ferals and I have the battle scars to prove it!  Still we have been lucky as they are food driven so we can drug them as needed

Our latest boy Blue is 18 months to 2 years old according to the vet and untouchable with  shredding tendancies but he loves his food and his treats and will stay here safe and warm and loved all beit from a distance!

I would speak to the vet about the ear tipping nowadays its a lot nicer than the good old days of half an ear missing.  Our vet does it with the ones return to the outside also makes it easier to spot any similar newcommers.

[Millys Mum]

Its definitely worth asking the actual vet HK, many receptionists take things into their own hands which actually have nothing to do with them! She may personally be against it so gave a negative answer.
Good luck with your appt

[Ela]

Feral cats can tame down in our experience anyway as I'm sure DD will concur

You and others must have the magic touch.   In all the years I have dealt with ferals and what must be hundreds possibly thousands I cannot recall one what I call true feral that has tamed down. Hundreds of others that have seem as wild as they come but we took in before they were perhaps 6 months old and others that must have at some time in their life been domestic but turned back to their feral ways have however tamed down again.

[Liz]

Feral cats can tame down in our experience anyway as I'm sure DD will concur.

We have just adopted 3 ferals froma farm back in May and they are now "taming" down nicely - We can pick up Ragamuffin aged 8 for a few mins before she wriggles to go down follwed by a major grooming session on her part, Ragamuffin is food driven and now squeaks for his breakfast and finally Miss Cissy aged 14 is touchable in her safe places - my old in tray with her balnkie and her box with Blankie not bad for this lot who were all trapped at the begining of May by a wonderful lady who loves ferals as much as we do - she thought there were only 2 and knew thay had to be moved, she got 4 for her troubles and one sadly died but these 3 came to us and love being indoor cats and use the litter tray and love their radiator beds and our lot accepted them

We also have Dear Ace untouchable but coming on after 3 years since he lsot his Mum Miss Gracie he is trying so hard and head butted my leg in the kitchen last night then spent ages trying to figure out why but baby steps and time and letting them come on at their own pace works for us

Most of our lot are ferals and have a domestic of the same age which does help the taming process - thats my opinion anyway nd had worked for us over the last 10 years in fact our Alpha male is a feral diabetic so he gets lots of handling with food now twice a day and he is 13 and on a good day a loveable rogue on a bad day reminds me why he spent the first 6 years of his life being knocked out by the vets for injections!

[Ela]

These are very tame ferals. They are definitely feral,

Perhaps they are what I call garden cats. That is cats that were once domesticated but let down by society. To me true a feral is cats that are as wild as they come and won't go anywhere near a human and will never tame down.

[Hippykitty]

When I rescued the last lot (Fred's gang) I had an argument with a woman on reception - secretary or VN? I'm not sure - and she said, in no uncertain terms, that the vets would not ear tip. I'm taking Samantha for her check up on thursday and will talk to the vet about this. If this is their policy, I'll have to use another vet. Unfortunately, these are the most local vet. Maybe I can twist Rebekah's arm for help with taking them elsewhere.   

I'm hoping to trap the mother and father, who also hangs around lots.

These are very tame ferals. They are definitely feral, but must have had lots of contact with people. They hang around while I put out food for them. The kittens were more jumpy than mum. I'm hoping to lure them into my kitchen, then trap them once they're in.

I have a high pain threshold......maybe I can pick them up (wearing thick clothes) and carry them to the 'feral room' which will have a kitten pen set up.

[Millys Mum]

Hope you can sort yourself a trap HK, im glad you have chosen to go ahead with your project 

My ferals are also tipped and no problems so far, infact the ear heals quicker than the spay wound!

[Janeyk]

All of ours are ear tipped too

[Ela]

Sorry I cannot help with the trap,  we have 12 and all are in constant use. I know you really want the little one 'done' ASAP but a few more days especially in the early stages of pregnancy will not matter too much.

The vet I use won't eartip, according to the receptionist/vn, saying that it bleeds too much.

Unbelievable, is there another vet you could go to?  We have dozens if not hundreds ear tipped a year, I have never known one single cat have a problem because of ear tipping.

Thank you for helping those less fortunare than our own pets.

[Hippykitty]

I've been ringing round trying to borrow a feral trap asap so that I can trap and neuter the adults of a family of cats who have taken up residence in a lean-to at the back of my house. The only people who can loan one can't do it till the end of next week. I'd like to get the female to the vet before then incase she's in the early stages of pregnancy.

If any rescue can help me with this sooner, I would be very grateful.

Does anyone have any ideas about persuading a vet to eartip? I'm hoping to return the adults to the colony, but rehome the kittens. The colony cats are very much alike. Without eartipping it would be hard to know which ones had been done if I have to do this again. The vet I use won't eartip, according to the receptionist/vn, saying that it bleeds too much.