Catching an injured cat?

[Big Stevie]

Any advice on catching an injured cat?

There's one that appears in my garden that is limping. A few cat owners on my road started alerting neighbours about it, asking who's it was as they were concerned. They think it must belong to someone new on the estate as they all seem to recognise each others cats, but not this one. It looks like it's wearing a collar but hard to tell. We've all agreed it needs catching to take to a vet to be checked over as it might be in pain, which the cat neighbours will do.

We've all been leaving bowls of cat food out in the garden to try and coax it to us, but it scarpers when it sees anyone. It's clearly eating enough to survive through this cold winter, so it's either got a home or surviving on the food we leave out for it? I can't use any cage trap until next month when I have a week off work, as I'd want to be checking it though the day and first thing in the morning, but maybe we can share it amongst us?

So, are there any humane cage traps that are successful?
If caught, do cat collars have owners details?
Are cats generally micro chipped?

[Jaska]

I know of three cats who have limps because of breaking their legs several years ago and getting their legs pinned up (two from car collisions, one from an air rifle being shot at it...), all three are fine just very visibly limp.

Not saying don't go through with your plan, just if it's not howling it's hopefully not in major pain.

For traps a box of dreamies is the ultimate way to catch a cat, they'll follow that stuff over a cliff

Edit - and yes, most cat owners would microchip their cat these days I'd say, but if the owner recently moved as you say they're very likely to have forgotten to update the address but the name will be on there

[CallThatMusic]

Sometimes easier to pick up an injured or distressed cat by wrapping it in a towel gently…

[AndyAudi]

Big Stevie said:

We've all been leaving bowls of cat food out in the garden ….
So, are there any humane cage traps that are successful?
If caught, do cat collars have owners details?
Are cats generally micro chipped?

Yes, cage traps that have a pedal inside that closes the door are very effective, I caught sone ferals to neuter successfully. Especially if you have been pre/feeding so it’s used to a feed source.

Cats protection will have as they use all the time, prob best to co-ord with neighbours so everyone else stops feeding when you are trying to trap.

Cats protection will scan for chips

Only issue is they may not give the cat back if they can’t identify the owner, so you may wish to borrow trap & do yourself, paying the vet etc.

[bigpriest]

It's a waiting game with cats, could take days or weeks for it to be confident enough to approach you so keep the routine going. Alternatively, find the neighbour who hates cats and it will run up to them and sit on their knee.

[CzechItOut]

Have you posted pictures of the cat on your local Facebook groups to see if he does belong to anyone? As above, he might just have an old injury which has been treated, but has left lasting damage?

Otherwise, tt might be easier if only one household put food out. The cat would then associate that house with food and it could be easier for the residents to build a rapport with him.

I managed to do this with a stray on our estate. He was very skittish generally, but within a few days of me putting food out every night he was waiting by our back door for his evening feed, a few more days and he'd allow me to stand there while he ate and within a week or so he was in our kitchen lolling about and we were able to put a paper collar on him.

[Big Stevie]

Haven't posted photos as the cat doesn't come close enough to take any, and I don't use any Facebook groups, maybe the neighbours can.

[Zaichik]

A snare or spring trap would do the trick - any cat you catch would then be injured.
Difficult to target at just cats though so maybe not what you are looking for.

[Simpo Two]

Zaichik said:

A snare or spring trap would do the trick - any cat you catch would then be injured.

I can't think of a more stupid suggestion.

[Gretchen]

Contact your local Cats Protection. Volunteers have traps, scanners and access to vets etc. they’ll come out and trap, scan, return or take in, neuter, vet treat and re-home if no owner found.