A stray cat could become your new best friend.
A cat that lives on the street without a human to provide it with care may or may not be comfortable interacting with people. Some street cats are strays that may have once lived as pets but were abandoned by their owners or simply got lost. Some may have a home where they are fed and receive attention but prefer to spend most of their time outdoors. Other cats are truly feral -- cats that were born "wild" and survive on their animal instincts. Unless they are rescued as small kittens, feral cats are almost impossible to tame as pets.
Instructions
Trapping a Stray Cat
1. Assess the demeanor and well-being of the cat. If it appears to be friendly, healthy and well-fed, it is likely to be someone's pet and you should not take it home. A cat that is shy but interested in contact and that appears hungry or ill is likely a displaced pet and is a good candidate for rescue. Cats that run from human contact, live in colonies and act aggressive are probably feral and should be approached with great caution.
2. Befriend the cat by bringing it food on a regular schedule. Leave an open can of aromatic cat food near to where you believe the cat is living, and then leave. Do this for several days, always at the same time. After four or five days, put out the food and sit approximately 15 feet away from the cat. Sitting on the ground makes you appear less intimidating than standing. If the cat is too afraid to approach the food with you in sight, leave and try again in a few more days.
3. Bring a crate to the feeding spot after the cat has become comfortable enough to eat with you in sight. Place the food within 3 or 4 feet of the crate and move it a little closer over the course of seven to 10 days. The goal is to move the food gradually, first to the edge of the crate, then just inside the opening, then toward the middle, until the cat has to walk all the way to the back of the crate to get the food. While you are moving the food farther into the crate you can also sit closer and closer to the crate, but do not touch or speak to the cat.
4. Close the lid on the crate once the cat is all the way inside. Do this as slowly and calmly as possible without startling the animal.
5. Take the cat to a veterinarian for a health check and to see if it has a microchip that identifies an owner. If the cat does not have a current owner, spay or neuter the animal if needed.
Caring for a Stray Cat
6. Prepare a quiet room for the cat before you bring it home. Remove any valuable furnishings that may be ruined while the cat is learning to live indoors. Provide a litter box, food, water, a comfortable bed, a cat tree and toys to keep it occupied.
7. Visit the cat in its room at least twice each day. Sit on the floor and do not try to touch or make eye contact with the cat unless it initiates interaction. Bring treats, such as cubes of cooked tuna or chicken and place them on the floor, 2 or 3 feet in front of you. Read a book or engage in another quiet activity and occasionally provide more treats. Over time, move the treats closer to your body until the cat is comfortable taking a treat off of your knee.
8. Offer treats directly from your hand once you think the cat is comfortable. Pet the animal only after it initiates physical contact with you.
9. Introduce the cat to the rest of the house after it has become calm in your presence. Allow it to explore one room or area at a time when the space is quiet. Leave the door to its usual room open and provide an unobstructed pathway so it can return to its "safe place" as needed.
Tags: after become, contact with, feral cats, with sight