Trapping a feral kitten requires a great deal of care. Keep in mind that this kitten is not your average cute and cuddly feline.
Feral cats have tremendous survival skills that allow then to thrive in the wild. Improperly handling a wild kitten can lead to serious injury to you and possibly the cat. The feral feline can scratch, bite, or carry infectious diseases. Approach a wild kitten or cat with caution as they may view you as a predator and attack.
What Is a Feral Kitten or Cat?
A feral cat is a one that has not had any contact or socialization with humans. They are for all intensive purposes wild animals, with wild instincts. They typically live in colonies with other wild cats. Feral cats live harsh and short lives.
The average life span for a feral cat is around two years of age. Feral felines spend most of their lives foraging for food and water. Female feral cats spend most of their short lives pregnant and nursing kittens. Wild cats can be harmed by cars, mean people, temperature extremes, and disease.
A stray cat or kitten is different than a feral feline. Strays are usually lost or abandoned house cats that end up on the streets. They generally lack the survival skills of a feral cat and are often rejected from feral cat colonies. Strays have a better chance at being socialized to live with humans than feral cats.
Why Trap Feral Felines?
There are two main reasons people trap feral felines. First, many people want to trap, neuter, and release feral cats into their wild habitats. It has been found that trap-neuter-release programs are the most effective ways to reduce the number of feral cats.
Second, many people want to adopt feral kittens as house pets. Feral kittens have a much better chance than adult feral cats of being socialized. In fact, the younger the feral kitty, the more likely socialization with humans will occur. Kittens younger than five months hold are the best candidates for taming. Adult feral cats do best in their wild habitats. They prefer living in their colonies and following the rules of wild cat society.
Trapping a Single Kitten
When trapping a single wild kitten, never use your bare hands. You could be seriously injured.
Use canned food to lure the kitten closer to you. Throw a towel or blanket over the kitten while it’s eating and distracted. Pick the kitty up and put it into a cardboard box or carrier.
Take the kitten to the vet for examination. Isolate the kitten from your other pets until medically cleared. Be patient. It takes time for a feral kitten to warm up to you. Don’t be surprised if it hides under the bed for a few weeks or more until it feels more comfortable around you.
If a kitten appears seriously injured or sick, call your local animal control department so that they can remove the kitten safely.
Trapping a Feral Cat Colony
Trapping and releasing feral cat colonies on a large scale is a big undertaking. It involves community involvement and lots of equipment. While I’m definitely no expert on the trapping of large feral cat colonies, here are a few tips to make the process easier:
Get plenty of man-power and help. This is no one person job
Let your neighbors know that you’re trapping cat colonies
Join a local cat trapping club/group to show you the ins and outs of trapping
Here’s a video from Alley Cat Allies showing a more detailed look at colony trapping.
