JustMe
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Elvis
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« on: May 21, 2008, 02:56:04 PM » |
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Well, the Rock n Roll feral littermates are way overdue for their checkups. Any TIPS on getting them into their carriers without us losing a lot of blood? This is Bette Davis. She is going to be problematical since I can't pick her up, EVER! We can pet her, but that is about it. Cassi did manage to put a retaliatory scratch on Bette's pink little nose. Payback, is a B*%#*  Sissy, here, will tolerate being held briefly. Loves to be petted.  |
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"One cat just leads to another." ~ Ernest Hemingway
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trudy1
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« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2008, 04:20:44 PM » |
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JustMe, what do they do when you put the carriers down on the floor? Will they go into them eventually?
And also, do you have any live traps? Have-a-Heart traps? Can You borrow one?
If they will go into or near the carriers, put just a very small amount of the food they like the best. Of course if they go in, close the door immediately.
I had to put a raw chicken leg into the carrier for one of my wild chausies.
If You have a bunch of carriers, put them around and when you see a cat next to one, just slip it right on in.
But I would start putting the carriers out now, so they can start getting used to them. I always have at least one on the floor. some of the cats sleep in them, etc.
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The Greatness Of A Nation And It's Moral Progress Can Be Judged By The Way It's Animals Are Treated-Gandhi
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trudy1
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« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2008, 04:22:36 PM » |
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If You can pet Bette, then can You scruff Her real quick?
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The Greatness Of A Nation And It's Moral Progress Can Be Judged By The Way It's Animals Are Treated-Gandhi
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Fizzy1
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« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2008, 10:24:22 PM » |
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I have no experience with ferals, but my first thought was to start with some Rescue Remedy or similar. Maybe the vet would suggest a sedative??? Good Luck!
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JustMe
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Elvis
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« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2008, 05:24:28 AM » |
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Trudy,
Right now, they associate certain carriers with going to the vet. I do keep one carrier that never goes to the vet in my office (I work at home) all the time which they can go in and out of as I feed one of the senior cats in that crate. So, maybe that would be the one to "trick" her with. Hmmmm..
I don't have Have-a-Heart traps. Suppose I should invest in one. I should have mentioned, these ferals are now indoor cats that we adopted several years ago from their rescuer.
fizz1,
We've never tried rescue remedy. I'll look into that.
Thanks.
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"One cat just leads to another." ~ Ernest Hemingway
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trudy1
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« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2008, 09:26:34 AM » |
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Probably try the carriers for now. I would still put them all down. They will start to trust them after a day or two. Put a nice blanket or whatever, make it real comfortable for them.
Let Me know.
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The Greatness Of A Nation And It's Moral Progress Can Be Judged By The Way It's Animals Are Treated-Gandhi
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catwoods
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« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2008, 09:34:55 PM » |
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Wishing you luck with this. Those girls have sweet but wily looks in their eyes, they won't be easy to trick. I think Trudy's right, if there's a treat they absolutely go bonkers over, try placing that in the carrier, after leaving the carriers around awhile. The little stinkers are so darn smart! My mother used to use fast food fish sandwiches to get her ferals into carriers, but you might not want to go the junk food route. Those restaurants, and their dumpsters, were in the neighborhood, so she surmised that the cats got used to that food when they were still out on the streets.
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« Last Edit: May 22, 2008, 09:36:47 PM by catwoods »
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ranger
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« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2008, 05:14:59 AM » |
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Socks used to be so hard to pick up when I had to take her to the vet I would always make her appointment first and then if I couldn't catch her I would take one of the other two. She would be so scared she would bite and/or pee every time. Once I snatched her up and after I shut the carrier door realized I was soaking wet and so was the entire carpet.
Can you sneak up on them? Sometimes I would be able to snatch her up but if I missed the first time it was battle on. If they will allow you to walk up to them you might be able to grab one. I never had any luck leaving a carrier out and in my experience feral cats are even smarter than domistic cats. They sure are cute though.
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catbird
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« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2008, 06:17:54 AM » |
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Although not feral, some of my cats are very difficult to get into a carrier because they know what is coming. I have some real escape artists. And they are much faster than I am!
I put the carrier in a bathroom, which is small and has nothing to hide under. I do that at least half a day ahead of time. When I get hold of the cat, I go into the bathroom, shut the door, and try to pop the cat into the carrier. That way, if the cat gets away, I can catch him/her again without too much trouble. (I have the bungee cords at the ready to secure the carriers, since some of mine can open the latches.)
Maybe some variation of this bathrooom technique might help you.
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rom6
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« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2008, 06:47:38 AM » |
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When I had to catch Yellowcat, I lured with food, grabbed, and dropped him into
a collapsible cage on it's side with the opening on top. The door is bigger than a
carrier's and the drop prevented him from digging in with his hind legs. Hope this
helps. I also think the "trap in the bathroom" is a great idea. You'll win that fight!
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"Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail." -Kinky Friedman
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petslave
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« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2008, 08:31:45 AM » |
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I agree with the bathroom trapping - even if you have to chase her around, it's a small space so it won't be as traumatic for either of you. Maybe you can feed them in there for a few days first, then one day just shut the door on them. Take a big towel or blanket in & engulf one, scruff, then crate. Or of you have a bigger cage, you can stuff the whole package in, cat & blanket. Don't try to hold them like a normal cat after catching - always have their scruff & face them away from you so they don't snag you with their front claws (probably don't need to tell you that!)
The crate or carrier tipped up on end so the door opening is facing up is also a big help - I use this one all the time. That way you can scruff them, then lower them down rear end first into the crate without having to stuff them in horizontally (which doesn't usually work with the ferals). I have one of those carriers with a top that flips up in addition to the side door, but it's small & hard to put them in that way.
And warn the vet that they will probably need to be muzzeled & bagged! When I took Mia in last year, I just said, "She's feral", but that apparently wasn't enough for them to take precautions because she acted so sweet on the exam table. But once they had her in the back for a blood draw, uh oh, big trouble.
Good luck, and we want a detailed story of the captures!
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lesliek
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« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2008, 04:04:42 PM » |
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Don-I'll buy 2 for my houdinis ! Thats a great idea.
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"the world's most inept extortionist"
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catwoods
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« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2008, 04:20:10 PM » |
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That does look good, I could use one or two myself.
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petslave
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« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2008, 08:49:46 PM » |
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Hey, add some wheels & a collapsable handle & you have an excellent multi-cat vet visit mobile!
How did you get the air holes cut in such a nice scrolled pattern on top?
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catmom5
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« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2008, 04:30:38 AM » |
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I had a carrier made out of plastic that looked like a picnic basket. It was easier getting them into it than the front loaders, but several of mine were able to push the door up just enough to get just a paw or nose up. I was always afraid that they would get their head caught ~ don't know if the strap would have made a difference. I like your idea because the whole top is one piece. I'd buy a couple, too!
BTW I love your avatar. Chuckles was such a beautiful cat!
catmom5
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