Many people, seeing a sick or injured cat on the street, want to help it.
But animals are not always willing to contact people. And then the question arises: how to catch a cat without harming the animal or getting hurt yourself? Veterinarians answer: you need to be patient and prepare special devices. How to catch a stray cat?
We evaluate the animal
It is sometimes not so easy to distinguish a street dweller from a pet that has accidentally found its way outside its home. It is a mistake to assume that a stray animal must be emaciated and dirty. The street poor people are often fed by compassionate people. In addition, a healthy animal takes care of its fur and looks no worse than its domestic relatives.
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between domestic cats released by their owners onto the streets and stray inhabitants of streets and yards. In this case, it is necessary to observe such a cat for some time.
If an animal is outside in the evening and at night, then most likely it does not have a home. Walking domestic cats are usually accustomed to returning from the street at night.
Many owners let their pet out into the yard after putting an anti-parasitic collar on it. Its presence indicates that the animal has an owner and is not stray. Caring owners also attach a tag to such a collar indicating their phone number and address. Purebred and valuable animals are often microchipped so that in case of loss the rightful owner can be identified.
A cat that comes outside for the first time experiences severe stress if it has never left the apartment before. Therefore, the behavior of some pets found outside the apartment may be similar to their wild counterparts. As a rule, stray animals do not trust humans, especially if they have spent their entire lives on the street.
Pets associate people with food, warmth and comfort, so a lost animal is more likely to make contact even with a stranger. These cats have a well-groomed appearance and a beautiful, shiny coat. Upon closer inspection, you can note the cleanliness of the eyes and ears, and trimmed claws.
If the cat is a contact cat, then you should pay attention to the condition of the paw pads. If they are soft, then the animal rarely visits the street and is most likely lost. Coarse pads indicate that the cat is constantly outdoors.
Domestic cats are most often neutered, and unlike neutered cats, this is not as difficult to determine. Scratches, torn ears, wounds on the face and body, received in the process of protecting its territory and during fights for the female, indicate that the animal is homeless. Constant scratching and biting indicates that an outdoor cat is infected with fleas.
You should be especially careful about animals outdoors during the winter season. Poor food and cold are faithful allies of cat death. In winter, owners are less likely to deliberately let their pets out of warm apartments, so the chance that a person is lost is small.
We recommend reading about how to stop a cat from marking its territory. You will learn about why a pet leaves marks at home, how to wean a young and adult cat from marking, and how to prevent marks. Here's more about why cats sleep on their feet.
First steps
The first stage of acquaintance requires caution, since the cat can attack a person and scratch him. The first step is to conduct an inspection in a friendly and respectful manner. To find out the cat's mood, place a palm above its head
If he nuzzles or purrs, he allows himself to be petted
To find out the cat's mood, place a palm above its head. If he nuzzles or purrs, he allows himself to be petted.
If the cat rubs against his legs and purrs, then perhaps he is bored and wants attention. Unconditional trust is evidenced by the fact that the animal sits comfortably on the person's lap.
Next, they ensure that the cat climbs onto her lap on her own.
Then they carefully teach her to limit her movements and lift her into her arms. At first, to avoid injuries in the form of scratches and bites, wear long sleeves and do not walk with bare legs or bare feet. You can't look a cat in the eyes
You can't look a cat in the eyes
Choosing a toy for a cat
The cat should not be given a reason to be aggressive. Human touch and fear can cause inappropriate behavior. Another common method is to try to lure the animal towards you with treats. Once the cat is on your lap, you can pet it and give it a treat. But at the same time, the animal cannot be restrained by force. Another way is to smear your hands with a product with a pleasant smell for cats - for example, valerian.
Fear of touch takes a long time to heal, but the new owner must be patient. At first, the cat is not picked up and contact is not required if the animal seeks privacy. Light touches are only possible if the pet itself approaches the person.
Nervous excitement should always be a signal to stop contact. And it manifests itself like this:
- the tail trembles;
- ears drooped towards the head;
- shoulders and limbs tense;
- pupils are dilated.
You should not immediately try to pick up the cat, as this will most likely result in injuries - bites and scratches.
First, the cat is accustomed to your hand by placing it palm down on the floor; you can place the cat’s favorite toy nearby. You need to wait until the cat comes up and rubs itself on your arm or leg. In this way, she wants to make sure that the object present is not dangerous. If a person initiates contact, the animal may respond with an attack.
If the cat attacks, pick him up early
If the pet has given the go-ahead, the palm is slowly raised to eye level and held in this position for a while. Then they begin slow stroking. You need to stop before the cat gets tired of close contact with a person.
Experienced animal lovers are sure that raising a kitten from the street is difficult, but possible. The main thing is to follow simple rules
It is important to understand that changing behavior takes a lot of time. Therefore, you need to be patient. Before you think about how to tame a wild kitten from the street, figure out whether you need it
Before you think about how to tame a wild kitten from the street, figure out whether you need it.
The difference between pets is that they are people-oriented. Cubs, seeing a person from birth, feeling his smell, get used to trusting and reacting positively to the one who caresses and feeds them. Street animals, without an owner, gradually forget about trust and love for people, and therefore begin to react aggressively.
When to contact a specialist?
If an escaped cat climbed a tree or fell into a sewer hatch, it is better not to climb yourself, so as not to get hurt. There is a special rescue service for catching wild animals. We need to contact them. They will help you get the animal without causing harm. If an escaped pet shows signs of rabies or other dangerous diseases, you should not approach it under any circumstances. This is done by specially trained people together with the veterinary service.
Having set out to help a street animal, a person inevitably faces the need to catch it. Everything is easy and simple if the cat reaches out to you when it meets you, demonstrating exceptional friendliness. Such animals are waiting for human help, and picking them up from the street is not difficult.
However, the situation is completely different with timid and cautious cats, who do not really trust humans and prefer to keep their distance. In addition, it is important to distinguish a potentially aggressive animal from one that is simply fearful. Volunteers of the Murkosha shelter talked about how to do this and what behavioral tactics to choose in the article “How to distinguish a wild cat from a shy one? ".
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Important! When interacting with stray animals on the street, use disposable medical gloves. As a rule, novice volunteers have a vague idea of the capture process, so next we decided to answer the most frequently asked questions to help you figure it out.
Can all cats be caught and which ones do not need to be caught? To improve the situation with homeless animals, the catch, sterilization, vaccination and release (TSRV) program works well. There is quite good evidence of this practice even without a subsequent device, which, of course, is still preferable. The more street animals pass through the WWTP through volunteers and charitable organizations, the higher the effectiveness of our joint work. But there are still a few exceptions that a novice volunteer should take into account. 1) It is obvious that cats on their own, although they are exposed to great danger, are still domestic. Since not all such pets have collars, it is better to check with your neighbors in the yard if the cat belongs to one of the local residents and make sure that it is ownerless before grabbing the cat catcher. 2) A cat with signs of rabies (aggressiveness, drooling, convulsions, paralysis, etc.) must be taken from the street, BUT not you. Contact the service for catching stray animals, reporting the symptoms, external signs of the animal and the exact address. 3) Some cats have adapted to life on the street so much that they behave in the urban jungle like their wild relatives. They are very careful, hide well and run away at the slightest sign of danger. Of course, such animals are worth catching in order to be sterilized, vaccinated and released back, but this is really very difficult to do.
What do I need to catch it myself? 1. Kotolovka. A special trap for cats with a tightly slamming door. Perfect option. You can ask about rentals at animal protection organizations, shelters, or among experienced volunteers. If not found, use the next option. 2. Carrying. For your purposes, you need a durable plastic carrier with a removable lid and a metal door. Firstly, the presence of a door allows it to be used as a trap, secondly, such material is easy to disinfect, and thirdly, a removable lid will allow the veterinarian in the clinic to most carefully remove a cat from the carrier in a state of severe stress. 3. A fragrant and tasty treat. Used as bait and positive reinforcement. 4. Plastic bowl. Wet food suitable as a treat should not be placed directly on the ground. 5. Time and patience. In addition to the direct process of catching, feel free to spend several days taming a timid animal. Yes, with a competent approach, it may take some time, exceeding one free day, but the likelihood of a successful outcome of the operation increases. And it's better for the animal. Be prepared in advance for the fact that catching and all subsequent mandatory activities will take you the whole day.
Important! Blankets, rugs, sheets and similar items are not suitable for catching a cat. You risk missing, since a person’s reaction is inferior to a cat’s, and after such an attack the cat will no longer come within a cannon shot of you. In addition, you can overdo it and harm the animal, or it itself will rush to attack, defending itself.
How to catch a cat on the street? Earn her trust and offer favorable conditions. The simplest thing is to feed the animal in the morning and/or evening. At first, you leave food (choose one type and do not change in the process) near the cat’s shelter and move away at a respectful distance. With each feeding, reduce the distance a little. When the cat stops being afraid of you and begins to let you approach, offer her food inside the carrier. This stage is also carried out in several passes: at first the food is almost on the threshold, with each feeding move the bowl deeper. As soon as you realize that you can quickly close the door without missing the nimble cat, it’s time to act. Please note that a mistake will cost you lost trust and you will have to start all over again, so there is no need to rush.
This method of capture is much preferable, since harsh methods for cats with weak psyches are a strong psychological trauma, the consequences of which you will have to deal with for a long time. Accordingly, by speeding up the process at the beginning of the journey, you will not achieve anything good and will not gain time.
When should you contact professional trappers? This option may be relevant for you in the following cases: • the cat is aggressive, does not make contact at all and is clearly ready to attack; • the cat hid in some hard-to-reach place and essentially found itself in a trap; • emergency situation (threat of immuring cats in the basement, bullying, demolition of their habitat, etc.) – the choice between stress and death is obvious.
Important! Based on the experience of working with cats at the Murkosha shelter, harsh catching is extremely stressful for cats, greatly undermining their previously weak trust in people . The socialization of such animals subsequently takes a lot of time. Therefore, do not resort to aggressive methods unless necessary. And, of course, choose a specialist based on the recommendations of experienced volunteers.
What should you do next when the cat is caught? Take him to the veterinary clinic, having previously arranged an appointment (highly advisable), so as not to spend half a day in the waiting room with a frightened animal. For detailed information on the necessary tests, precautions in terms of infection safety and the principles of quarantining a stray animal, read the following material from the Murkosha shelter: “Safety rules when communicating with a stray animal".
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Fans of furry creatures are often faced with a situation where they need to catch a cat. The prankster could run away from home during the sexual hunt or end up on the street out of curiosity. And then you have to solve the problem by finding ways to catch the cat. Often there is a need to return a lost pet to its rightful owner or catch a stray cat for further transfer to a shelter or a new owner.
Read in this article
Preparing a trap for a stray cat
There are tricks to catching a wild cat. Stray animals that live in the street environment for a long time are very cautious and are not inclined to trust humans. In this regard, various devices in the form of traps are usually used to catch them.
A thick cardboard box, a stick with a rope and tasty bait are suitable as a means of catching. Yummy food to attract a cat should have a solid consistency (milk will spill in the box) and have an attractive smell (dry food, canned food for cats). The bait should be placed on a plastic plate for the safety of the animal.
A carrier with a vertical door can be used as a trap for an outdoor cat. The door is secured in the upper position and a rope is tied to it. The bait is placed in the carrier.
You can borrow a special trap for animals from specialized services for catching stray pets or from a shelter.
To learn how to catch a street cat, watch this video:
How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced people
11.11.10 12:46 Reply to the message How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced Leya users
Main cat NGS
11.11.10 12:50 Reply to message Re: How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced Ourfin Juice users
I'm not a 100 dollar bill to please everyone
11.11.10 13:49 Reply to message Re: How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced users Julie
El saber no ocupa lugar
11.11.10 13:53 Reply to the message How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced Leya users
11.11.10 14:47 Reply to message Re: How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced NOTaSya users
Main cat NGS
11.11.10 14:59 Reply to message Re: How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced Ourfin Juice users
I'm not a 100 dollar bill to please everyone
11.11.10 15:01 Reply to message Re: How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced users Julie
Main cat NGS
11.11.10 15:04 Reply to message Re: How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced Ourfin Juice users
I'm not a 100 dollar bill to please everyone
11.11.10 15:11 Reply to the message How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced Leya users
11.11.10 15:42 Reply to message Re: How to catch a wild cat? Need advice from experienced Ourfin Juice users
As Nastya already wrote, we caught it in a net with a long stick, the cat hisses in the net; we throw on a blanket, cut off the net from the net and shove the cat into the carrier. (Before that day we were on a diet) Gala2008 also told us about the net on our forum. Thank you! The thing is great.
The trap, by the way, never helped me - the cat jumped out of it faster, or the door flew at her along the ridge, or there were simply misfires. Well, maybe I'm not such an advanced user of it.
The best kind of word is deed (c)
Corrected by user 574704 (11.11.10 15:43)
Understand why sharpening a cat's claws is so important
Cats “speak” in the language of smell. On the soft pads of their paws there are glands that secrete an odorous secretion. The animal's sweat with a unique smell remains on them. Thanks to this method, cats leave their messages or unravel other people's information. This method allows you to mark the territory, indicating that the place is occupied.
Cats also scratch to relieve stress and keep themselves in good physical shape. While sharpening its claws, the cat tries to stretch the muscles on its back and paws as much as possible. These sensations give her real pleasure.
Cats scratch surfaces that are pleasant to the touch - keep this in mind when creating or purchasing a scratching post. And try to be as patient as possible: it will take some time for the cat to like the new item.
You will probably be interested to see how one cat is not bored, but tests the patience of a Buddhist monk: the video has gone viral on the Internet.
Trap installation and safety precautions
To catch a street non-contact cat, you should follow the following safety measures:
- You must wear thick gloves on your hands, clothing must be tight and cover all parts of the body.
- Before you catch a wild cat, you should accustom the animal to your presence. You need to talk to him, calm him down, try to lure him with delicious food. Contact should be established for at least 2 days, constantly feeding at the same time.
- You should not pick up, much less unexpectedly grab, an unfamiliar cat, even one of calm behavior.
- Once the animal is no longer afraid, you can place a trap.
- The bait should be placed in front of the entrance to the box or cage, as well as in the corner farthest from the door, so that the cat has to enter the trap completely.
- Despite the different designs, the cat-catchers have the same principle of operation: as soon as the animal is inside, the door must close.
- After the street cat is caught, it is better to cover the cage with a cloth, creating twilight. This will calm the animal, which is under severe stress.
It is better to immediately take a street native caught in a trap to a veterinary clinic for examination and the necessary tests. It is also important to follow safety precautions when removing a cat from a trap or carrier.
Other breeds
As a hunter for a private home, you can purchase the following breed of cats:
- European Shorthair. Smart, active and inquisitive pets, distinguished by courage and bravery. The European Shorthair cat adapts to any weather conditions and is distinguished by its affectionate behavior. In the fight against rodents, animals have proven themselves to be ruthless killers.
- European tabby. The color of the animal is similar to that of a tiger. Tabbies are distinguished by their strong structure and muscularity, have a strong, large head, sharp teeth and claws. The hunting instinct is inherent from birth, so they grow up to be excellent mousecatchers.
- Turkish Angora. Cats of this breed have snow-white fur and blue eyes. Despite its defenseless appearance, the Turkish Angora tends to live in the yard and lead an active life. Thanks to fearlessness and curiosity, the pet effectively catches mice.
Catching a pet
There are fewer difficulties in catching a cat that has found itself on the street by accident than in catching a wild animal. A pet trusts a person and makes contact easier. To lure, you should stock up on an arsenal of goodies in order to identify the preference of the lost one. Being predators by nature, cats will sooner or later appreciate the offered treat, and contact will be established.
When feeding even a domestic-looking cat, you need to stock up on a carrier for transporting your pet, and also take measures for safe contact with the animal. You need to wear thick gloves when handling the cat. It's better to approach from behind.
If the animal is distrustful and has spent some time outside, a trap can be used to catch it.
How long will it take to train
Individuals are taken into foster care for up to 12 weeks, then the process proceeds without complications, because cats are pets by definition. Up to 4 weeks, kittens are of suckling age. You cannot take them away from their mother. They take them into the house together with their parents, or wait until they grow up. This is the easiest animal to tame. In a day or two, the cat will be caressed and walk on your hand.
Important! Old cats are also taken into the house; they can be tamed, but it will take more time. If the cat has lived outside for several months, taming will take longer.
The animal may be frightened by unkind people, so it will avoid contact with the owner for a long time
If the cat has lived outside for several months, taming will take longer. The animal may be frightened by unkind people, so it will avoid contact with the owner for a long time.
A way to catch your escaped kitten
Catching the house
If you call a shy cat, but he doesn’t want to go and is hiding somewhere, you can try to lure him out. The main thing is not to scare off. A bait is suitable for this. With its help, kittens are lured out from under the sofa or closet. While the fluffy ball is eating, you need to communicate with it and calm it down. You can try to gently stroke it or pick it up. If you are planning a trip, you need to put him in a carrier. Just sit it with its muzzle facing outward so that the cat can see what is happening.
How to fish on the street and in the yard?
This can be done in the same ways: using treats and traps. An escaped cat with or without kittens must be lured. Sooner or later she will get hungry and come for a snack. When a pet knows its owner, it is more willing to make contact. But to avoid the animal escaping and getting lost, it is necessary to close the doors and windows. Cats jump out of windows, get injured and can simply get lost.
First stage
The first stage of acquaintance requires caution, since the cat can attack a person and scratch him. Check in first, demonstrating friendliness and respect
To find out the cat's mood, place a palm above its head. If he nuzzles or purrs, he allows himself to be petted. At your next meeting, you can pamper your new pet with something tasty.
If the cat rubs against his legs and purrs, then perhaps he is bored and wants attention. Unconditional trust is evidenced by the fact that the animal sits comfortably on the person's lap.
A cat rubbing against its legs is a good sign
Next, they ensure that the cat climbs onto her lap on her own.
Then they carefully teach her to limit her movements and lift her into her arms. At first, to avoid injuries in the form of scratches and bites, wear long sleeves and do not walk with bare legs or bare feet.
You can't look a cat in the eyes
When the cat begins to calmly perceive the presence of the new owner, you can spend some time with her - for example, 30-60 minutes, for example, reading a book. And the cat is offered toys that are sold in a pet store.
Choosing a toy for a cat
The cat should not be given a reason to be aggressive. Human touch and fear can cause inappropriate behavior. Another common method is to try to lure the animal towards you with treats. Once the cat is on your lap, you can pet it and give it a treat. But at the same time, the animal cannot be restrained by force. Another way is to smear your hands with a product with a pleasant smell for cats - for example, valerian.
Fear of touch takes a long time to heal, but the new owner must be patient. At first, the cat is not picked up and contact is not required if the animal seeks privacy. Light touches are only possible if the pet itself approaches the person.
Nervous excitement should always be a signal to stop contact. And it manifests itself like this:
- the tail trembles;
- ears drooped towards the head;
- shoulders and limbs tense;
- pupils are dilated.
Full pupils and pinched ears are a sign of tension
Animal at home: what to do with it?
After you have managed to catch a cat on the street, you need to carry out a number of manipulations. First of all, the animal must be fed. In this case, you should offer several products to choose from. Even hungry pets remain conservative in their choice of food. You can offer your cat dry food, as well as natural products: cottage cheese, lean meat, boneless fish. As a rule, the animal will choose food that is familiar to it.
Place a bowl of clean water next to your food. Some exhausted individuals do not immediately attack food due to lack of strength. The selected animal may experience severe dehydration in the summer. In the future, your cat should always have filtered water.
After the animal has eaten, it will need a toilet. On the first day, if you don’t have a special cat litter box, you can limit yourself to a box, the bottom of which needs to be covered with polyethylene and filled with regular sand. Outdoor cats, accustomed to burying feces in the ground or sand, will accept the innovation more calmly than a tray with industrial litter.
If a captured cat shows signs of damage to its skin and fur, it should not be bathed. Street dwellers are often sources of ringworm. In this case, water procedures will aggravate the infection and are unsafe for humans. Any animal picked up on the street should be shown to a veterinarian on the first day. The specialist will conduct a clinical examination of the pet, prescribe tests if necessary, and give an opinion on its safety for humans and other pets from the point of view of infections.
After examination at a veterinary clinic, if there are no contraindications, the cat can be washed. For the water procedure, it is better to use a special antiparasitic shampoo for prevention purposes.
The next step in caring for an animal taken from the street is treatment against worms. For this purpose, drops on the withers are best suited. If the animal is calm, then you can give the drug in tablet form.
Veterinary examination
The cat is immediately taken to the veterinarian
If the doctor does not find any diseases, the animal is treated for fleas and worms. It happens that there is no veterinarian nearby. This happens in remote settlements. Then the animal is sent to quarantine. The cat is isolated in a separate room or at least a cage to prevent contact with other residents of the house. But it should be remembered that some infections are transmitted by airborne droplets - for example, calcivirus. The cat is given dishes for food and drink, and a separate tray is placed.
The first three weeks require quarantine
The duration of preventive isolation is 14-21 days. During this period, the animal is observed, behavior, appetite, and appearance are assessed.
Table 1. Dangerous symptoms when examining a cat in quarantine.
Name of organ, system | Violations |
Wool, leather | Bald patches, growths, dandruff, peeling, neoplasms |
Eyes | Tearing, discharge, redness, swelling of the eyelids, incomplete opening of the palpebral fissure, visibility of the third eyelid |
Respiratory system | Runny nose, pus from the nose or crust around the nostrils, trouble breathing |
Ears | Abundance of sulfur, crust, especially in combination with an unpleasant odor |
Musculoskeletal system | Lameness, unnatural position of limbs, etc. |
Nervous system | Fear of light, water, depression, apathy |
Digestive system | Appetite disturbances, diarrhea, bad smell of stool, presence of pus, blood, and other foreign products in it |
Mucous membranes | Blueness or yellowness |
urinary system | Bad smell of urine, presence of blood in it |
They check the condition of the internal organs by feeling the stomach and observing the cat’s reaction. It is also a good idea to measure your body temperature. The norm is considered to be 38...39 °C.
The cat should have its body temperature measured
If any signs of disease or infection are found, then you should find an opportunity and still show the cat to the veterinarian. At home, without special tests, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe therapy. In severe cases, this can lead to the rapid death of the animal.
Finding the owner of a lost home
If you suspect that a pet has a legal owner, you must take steps to find him. Of course, having a chip or tag on the collar with a contact phone number or address is the best option for both the pet and the owner. If there are no contacts, then you will have to look for an old house through advertisements.
First of all, you need to look through advertisements in newspapers, social networks, as well as paper alerts about the loss of a pet with similar external signs in the area where the cat was found. Many owners begin an active search, posting in special groups, and also posting advertisements in their area of residence.
A veterinary clinic can advise the owner of the animal if the pet has a characteristic color or is a representative of a rare breed. In any case, you should leave a contact number at the nearest veterinary office in case the owner goes there.
In large cities there is a special 24-hour “Lost” service. After calling there, you need to name the approximate breed or special characteristics of the found cat, indicate the place where the animal was found, and leave your contact numbers.
Social networks allow you not only to post an advertisement about a found animal, but also to photograph it, which increases the chances of finding the owner. If there is a shelter in the city, you must provide your coordinates and a description of the pet you found. Often owners look for their lost ones there too.