FERAL CAT SOCIETY OF AUSTIN & CENTRAL TEXAS
(A Texas Non-Profit Corporation organized under 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code)

                                        TRAPPING POINTERS

FERAL CATS

Technically, feral cats are born and raised without human contact. Their instincts are highly
developed for survival, so they are extremely fearful of people. Feral cats breed frequently,
adding to an already overwhelming pet overpopulation problem. Without intervention, their
lives are filled with danger, disease, hunger, fear, temperature extremes, and usually end in a
slow, painful death. Humane population control of feral cats is a crucial step in preventing
suffering and proliferation.
Cat Care Society – Lakewood Colorado

UNDERSTANDING FERAL CATS

Many studies have shown that cats do not have a detrimental impact  on wildlife on
continents. Many people still feel that cats are to blame for the depletion of songbirds and
other animals.  However, over sixty studies on feral cats have been written from different
continents throughout the world—all showing three very important points:
1. Cats are opportunistic feeders, eating what is most easily available. Feral cats  
are scavengers, and many rely on garbage and handouts from people;
2. Cats are rodent specialists. Birds make up a small percentage of their diet
when they rely solely on hunting for food;
3. And, cats may prey on a population without destroying it. If this were not so,  we
would no longer have any mice around.
Spay Austin Coalition - Austin Texas

TRAP SPAY / NEUTER AND RELEASE

• Establishing a feeding schedule ahead of time may help to gain
  

the confidence of feral cats and make trapping a more realistic  task.

• Take a mid size, durable cat carrier along on trapping ventures in
  

case you encounter an obviously tame cat.  Occasionally one of
these can be placed manually in a carrier for transport.  If at all in doubt, do not       
attempt this.  You do not know this cat’s vaccine history.

• Time trapping attempts to coincide with veterinarian availability.
  
• Hold trapped cat in safe, quite area and keep trap covered with a
  

thin cloth to calm and comfort the cat.  Do not hold the cat in the
trap for a period to exceed eight hours or so. The cat should have no food or drink
within eight hours of going to surgery.

• Sardines or canned fish cat foods make good bait.  Do not put any
  

materials in the trap other than the bait.

• Be sure to provide the veterinary clinic with a durable carrier to place the cat for
  

transport back to the colony.

• DO NOT TRY TO TOUCH WILD TRAPPED CATS.
  

Riverside Veterinary Clinic - Austin, Texas

POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

• Because vomiting may occur, do not feed until the morning after surgery.  
  
• Small amounts of water can be offered as long as no stomach upset occurs.
  
• Keep the incision / suture site (s) clean as possible.
  
• Make sure the clinic uses absorbable sutures so not removal is required.
  
• During recovery period, watch for swelling, discharge, pain or loss of
  

appetite.  Make sure the cat fully recovers from the anesthesia.

• If possible, hold the cat for an eight hour recovery and observation period.
  
• Holding area should be clean, quiet with climate control and low light if possible.
  

Town & Country Veterinary Clinic - Austin, Texas

COMMUNICATION WITH CLINIC

Securing an advance understanding with the veterinarian and his staff can greatly
simplify things.  This understanding might include:

• Costs of spay or neuter, rabies vaccine and diagnostic testing prices,
  

know which days wild cats could be spay / neutered, drop off and pick
up times and other related clinic policies.

• Each time a cat is dropped off, make sure that the admitting staff is
  

informed that the animal is a totally wild cat.

• Be sure the admitting staff member writes down your request for
  

absorbable sutures and left ear notch.

• Veterinarians will spay / neuter kittens that are twelve weeks old and have attained
  a weight of about two and one-half pounds. Some kittens may actually be
  adoptable.
  

Riverside Veterinary Clinic - Austin, Texas

CARING FOR A FERAL COLONY

• Keep the entire operation as simple as possible.
  
• Involve property owners and neighbors.
  
• Have a back up who lives or works near the colony.
  
• If the feral colony of cats is being fed, then they need to be fed and   watered once
  every day.
  
• Feed a good quality cat food and protect it from ants by using a ring of  ANIMAL
  SAFE ant repellent around the base of food and water bowls.
  

Riverside Veterinary Clinic - Austin, Texas

USE OF A SAFE TRAP

• We recommend the use of an Animal Safe Trap such as the Havahart model shown
  above.
  
• Be sure that the trap is large enough to hold the feral cats that you wish to trap.
  
• These traps are available at your local home building products store.
  
• For trap use instructions please click on the cat photo above or:
  

(Copy the URL below and paste into your browser)

        http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/Instructions/1088_1089trap_instructions.pdf