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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / March 2005Ping Megan - Need Help
I know you're mad at me, but I also know you care about cats more than you care about that (you've said yourself that you'll correspond with someone you hate in order to help a cat). Well, I need help for a stray. This is the little gray cat with the too tight flea collar that I tried for two months to trap lat September and October hoping I could get her spayed and vaccinated. I borrowed a humane trap from the rescue group I contribute to and I managed to trap *every* animal with a 2 mile radius of my house *except* for her. She just disappeared after the trap was placed outside. She showed up again last week, minus the flea collar, but very visibly pregnant. She's letting me get *marginally* closer in that she won't run all the way out of the back yard when I come out onto the deck to put food out for the strays (probably because it's awkward to run in her condition), but she still won't let me get near enough to catch her. I started putting kitten formula out for her while she's pregnant, but I don't know what else I can do for her. I'm afraid that if I put the trap out again she'll just disappear like she did the last time and then I won't even be able to make sure she has good food for her developing kittens. I don't think she has "owners" in the neighborhood, because she spends *ALL* of her time in my back yard. I think someone dropped her off when they no longer wanted to care for her (and the a.sholes didn't even bother to take the collar off of a growing kitten!!!). I think the collar must have come off when snagged somewhere rather than someone taking it off since she is *SO* shy around people. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. -- Hugs, CatNipped http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > I borrowed a humane trap from the rescue group I contribute > to and I managed to trap *every* animal with a 2 mile radius of > my house *except* for her. She just disappeared after the trap > was placed outside. Good luck getting the mama-to-be. I know what it's like to set out a trap many times without catching the right kitty. I kept trapping a neighbors cat a couple of years ago when trying to get a gray stray, and then got Bonnie. Keep trying. I'm sure Megan will come through with some advice; she helped me get Bonnie.  SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields > Good luck getting the mama-to-be. I know what it's like to set out a > trap many times without catching the right kitty. I kept trapping a > neighbors cat a couple of years ago when trying to get a gray stray, > and then got Bonnie. Keep trying. I'm sure Megan will come through > with some advice; she helped me get Bonnie. Yep, that's what it was like trying to trap Antonio. I got my neighbor's cat at least 7 times. I also kept getting possums, yuck! Then I learned that raccoons hiss! That one was scary, plus it was the middle of the night when I checked that trap. I found a large stick, opened the trap with the stick, and ran!! Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG > > Good luck getting the mama-to-be. I know what it's like to set out a > > trap many times without catching the right kitty. I kept trapping a [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > when I checked that trap. I found a large stick, opened the trap with the > stick, and ran!! Yeah, me too. I got one raccoon one time and another (*MUCH* larger) raccoon *THREE* times (I can't figure out how he fit in the trap he was so big), two different possums (yuck, they vomit and poop and stink like something dead when they get frightened!), a *skunk* (that was fun!!!), a squirrel, and 5 different cats (one twice). Each time I caught a possum and after I caught the skunk I had to clean the cage with vinegar and Dawn dish detergent to get the smell out - I know it worked because I got cats *after* that. But little gray cat with the too tight flea collar just disappeared until I took the trap in. Hugs, CatNipped > -- > -Kelly > kelly at farringtons dot net > "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG She's letting me get *marginally* closer in that she won't run > all the way out of the back yard when I come out onto the deck to put food > out for the strays (probably because it's awkward to run in her condition), > but she still won't let me get near enough to catch her. If you can get within 15' -20' of her you could probably catch her with a throw net. Throw nets or Duraflex nets are excellent for trapping trap-wise ferals - Throw nets are also very effective for catching a running cat -- as long as you lead her a little. If she comes out for feeding, you can also use a throw net - or even construction netting - as a bag trap.... spread the net on the ground covered with leaves with the bait in the center. Tie the corners of the net to thin rope or cord and pull it closed when she goes for the bait -- she never even sees the trap because its flat on the ground and covered and you can be outta sight. Bag traps work. Black mesh construction mesh costs about .40 a running yard at Home Depot. Good luck. Phil > If you can get within 15' -20' of her you could probably catch her with a > throw net. Throw nets or Duraflex nets are excellent for trapping trap-wise [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Phil Well, I think one of the questions I have right now is *SHOULD* I even try to trap her. I think she's too far along in her pregnancy to spay, so should I just feed her until the kittens are born and then try to catch her and the kittens? If so, how old should the kittens be before I try to catch them? What would the vet do for her now, in the late stages of pregnancy if you think I should catch her? Hugs, CatNipped > > If you can get within 15' -20' of her you could probably catch her > with a [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > I try to catch them? What would the vet do for her now, in the late > stages of pregnancy if you think I should catch her? First you need to decide whether or not to abort. I think you need to speak to your vet about her policies regarding aborting and neutering pregnant cats -- especially ferals/strays - since her policies would probably have a huge impact on your decision. If she's not experienced with ferals - find a vet who is - otherwise she might recommend killing the mother and her kittens without a second thought. Personally, I don't believe in aborting/neutering a female if she's in the third trimester because the kittens are fully capable of living - Thus, the kittens would actually be killed rather than aborted - and I can't live with that. But that's me. If she's in her third trimester, and you decide to let her have her kittens, I would certainly trap her now and allow her to have her kittens indoors where its much safer for her and her kittens. The mortality rate for feral kittens born outdoors is *very*, *very* high - more die than survive. Most of the kittens probably wouldn't survive until they're old enough to neuter (8-12 weeks). Personally, I would trap her now, and if she's in her 3rd trimester, let her have her kittens indoors, and after they're weaned (10-12 weeks) neuter and release the mother and home the kittens. At that time, the mother may even be amenable to homing - many are at that point. If you own your own home, you can easily construct an indoor-to-outdoor enclosure which makes the transition from feral much, much easier. Best of luck. Phil >> > If you can get within 15' -20' of her you could probably catch her >> with a [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] > > Phil I don't think I'll be using my regular vet for this. I just received a quote from her office and for "In heat / early pregnancy" spays (with tests and innoculations) she charges $396.70 to $464.20. For "Late pregnancy" spays (with tests and innoculations) she charges $725.64 to $774.44. That's *WAY* out of my ballpark. I'm going to contact the rescue group I work with or the S.N.A.P group in Houston to see if I can get it done for a reasonable price (since I'll probably be doing at least two if not more spays/neuters. This brings up another question. One of the cats who eats a my house belongs to my neighbors across the street. She was very visibly in heat last week (she had every tom in the neighborhood following her around the whole week). Who here thinks I should "catnap" her to have her spayed and then return her to her owners with a "fait accompli"? Hugs, CatNipped >Who here thinks I should "catnap" her to have her spayed and > then return her to her owners with a "fait accompli"? I do I do! You're already going to heaven, but this might get you a better seat. > >> > If you can get within 15' -20' of her you could probably catch her > >> with a [quoted text clipped - 75 lines] > spays (with tests and innoculations) she charges $725.64 to $774.44. That's > *WAY* out of my ballpark. ...and *absurd* since she *knows* the pregnant cat is a TNR and not your pet cat. To my mind, this alone tells me a lot about the vet and where her heart really is -- in her pocketbook. Now, I'm *completely* convinced that her remorse and alligator tears were just a good CYA act more than anything else. I know your mind about this vet, but I call 'em the way I see 'em. I'm going to contact the rescue group I work with > or the S.N.A.P group in Houston to see if I can get it done for a reasonable > price (since I'll probably be doing at least two if not more spays/neuters. There are a lot of vets who subsidize feral/stray neuters themselves in the interest of helping aleviate the overpopulation problem - and many offer additional discounts for TNR people - there are even some vets who do free neuters for TNR's and rescue groups. If you plan to do a little TNR, you wight want to set up a holding pen for recovery and/or birthing and nursing kittens - very easy and very inexpensive. All you need is a large dog cage, carrier, small litter box and bowls - and a broom stick. The pen could be up and running in 10 minutes. > This brings up another question. One of the cats who eats a my house > belongs to my neighbors across the street. She was very visibly in heat > last week (she had every tom in the neighborhood following her around the > whole week). Who here thinks I should "catnap" her to have her spayed and > then return her to her owners with a "fait accompli"? You cannot legally go on someone's property and trap a cat and have her neutered. However, if the cat is roaming or comes on *your* property and has no ID you *can*. I'm more concerned about the welfare of the feline species that the feelings or wishes of some irresponsible, inconsiderate a.shole. But that's me. The fact that you've been feeding the cat brings actual ownership into question - so if I were you, I'd go for it! After she's neutered, I'd wait a few days and then tell the 'owner' - only because the owner might wake up to reality some day and decide to have the cat neutered. I wouldn't want the cat to be anesthesized and opened again. Phil >> >> > If you can get within 15' -20' of her you could probably catch her >> >> with a [quoted text clipped - 138 lines] > > Phil Oh, that quote wasn't from the vet. I just asked the receptionist to send me over a copy of their pricing for the two procedures. The receptionist said they didn't work with rescue groups to TNR, so I'll just try another place - there are several here in Houston, including S.N.A.P. Hugs, CatNipped > I don't think I'll be using my regular vet for this. I just received a > quote from her office and for "In heat / early pregnancy" spays (with [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > CatNipped Check to see if there is a local chapter of Alley Cats Allies. They are very good about providing low-cost spay/neutering and other help for feral cats (and even for cats that may not really fit the description of "feral" but which are homeless). MaryL I'm going to contact the rescue group I work with > or the S.N.A.P group in Houston to see if I can get it done for a reasonable > price I'm not sure if this is same org, but there's a mobile neuter S.N.A.P. clinic in Huston that covers the Harris County area and does neuters for free. The van operates from 7:45 am to 6:30 pm and has 22 holding cages. Here's the number: 713-862-3863 Emancipet is another mobile neuter clinic in Austin that covers Central Texas. They're more expensive.... $20! The number is 512-587-7729. hth, Phil > I'm going to contact the rescue group I work with >> or the S.N.A.P group in Houston to see if I can get it done for a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > free. The van operates from 7:45 am to 6:30 pm and has 22 holding cages. > Here's the number: 713-862-3863 The mobile S.N.A.P. is only for people on limited incomes and on government assistance which, fortunately, we are not. I did, however, find out how much the spay will be at the S.N.A.P. clinic - $30.00 for males and $45.00 for females with an extra $20.00 for pregnancy spays (going up if there are complications). This does not include the cost of FIV and other test or the cost of innoculations. So, with several females around my house needing to be spayed and vetted, this could run into the hundreds of dollars. For now I'll have to limit it to the pregnant female *IF* I can trap her. Hugs, CatNipped > Emancipet is another mobile neuter clinic in Austin that covers Central > Texas. They're more expensive.... $20! The number is 512-587-7729. > > hth, > > Phil > Well, I think one of the questions I have right now is *SHOULD* I even > try to trap her. I think she's too far along in her pregnancy to spay, > so should I just feed her until the kittens are born and then try to > catch her and the kittens? If so, how old should the kittens be before > I try to catch them? What would the vet do for her now, in the late > stages of pregnancy if you think I should catch her? PS to my previous post: If you she has her kittens outdoors and someone else traps her and doesn't know she just had kittens who need her - or she gets injured or killed, her kittens will die. This is one of the most important reasons for trapping her now and letting her have her kittens indoor where you know they'll be safe and well cared for. Phil > > Well, I think one of the questions I have right now is *SHOULD* I even > > try to trap her. I think she's too far along in her pregnancy to spay, [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Phil I'm glad you mentioned that. I bottle fed a litter last summer who's mother had been hit by a car. The rescue group I foster for just happened to be working with a neighbor to trap strays and ferals in that area and collected the kittens in time to save all of them. We weren't so fortunate with another litter. They appeared to have been without their mother for a couple of days and I think we lost a few kittens from that litter and spent a fortune on vet bills on the rest. W
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