Expert: Jessica - 8/28/2009

Question
I have adopted 3 feral cats that i trapped myself. I am in the process of moving and still can only pet one of the 3 cats and can catch none. I bought 2 safe traps-any tips on catching them indoors?

Answer
Hi Brooke.  Thank you for helping out these kitties!  So far, indoor trapping has worked out just as well as outdoor trapping has for me.  Withhold their meals the night before you intend to trap them, and then set the traps up with a nice, aromatic canned food the next morning.  It has never taken me more than a couple hours to catch them, although I know some people have had a tough time.

It has helped me immensely to have a couple of kitty play-pens (cat condos) or large dogs crates to use during times like these.  I can move the cats from the traps into the cages and keep them there for a couple weeks if absolutely necessary.  If you are in a situation where you will have a narrow time frame for moving the cats, you may want to consider purchasing a play-pen or seeing if your local animal shelter rents out dog crates.  This way, you can begin trying to trap them now, and you can place them in the cage as you trap them.  Once you are able to move them to the new place, it will only be a matter of moving them from the cage into a carrier.  With some thick gloves and a decent hold on their scruff, this usually isn't too difficult to accomplish.