Catching a stray cat?

I discovered there's a scraggly big cat living in my shed and keeping my own cats out of their warm sheltered bed, and eating lots of their food. I don't know about live-trapping as this will likely just catch my own cats and they're older and I don't want to risk them being caught away from heat overnight. Any suggestions?

Can you keep your own cats looked in the house/garage/barn/shed until you trap the stray?

Sue this is possible, it means relocating them to the barn, which they've never been in, but it may be the answer. They have never been inside a house, so at their advanced age, and with the dogs here, I think that might be the better option.

Now to see if I can locate a live trap.

I hope you are able to catch the big stray!! More than likely it is a big Tom that has taken up residence and is making his territory known!

So you don't have to relocate them for long, I would get the trap and put food in the trap for a week or so. Wire the trap so it stays open and traps no one. Soon the cats will be familiar with going in and out of the trap to eat. Then remove your kitties and bait the trap with something really yummy. I bet you will catch that stray in minutes, then your own kitties can go back right away.

I believe you're right Smokyriver. I've noticed the odd spray around the place. YUCK. I'd like to catch and neuter him. I don't mind if he stays as long as he doesn't harass my other cats or push them out into the cold. They were here first.

Schipperkesue wrote:So you don't have to relocate them for long, I would get the trap and put food in the trap for a week or so.  Wire the trap so it stays open and traps no one.  Soon the cats will be familiar with going in and out of the trap to eat.  Then remove your kitties and bait the trap with something really yummy.  I bet you will catch that stray in minutes, then your own kitties can go back right away.

That's an excellent idea.  Definitely should keep the stress to a minimum.

We must have posted this at the same time Sue. Great advice! I have borrowed a live trap and will get it set up as you suggest tomorrow after work. Thanks.

The welfare of kitties is always close to my heart!

Me too Sue. I plan to catch and fix this one if it all works out. Then whatever comes will come, but at least s/he won't be making any more.

Good luck to you! We are currently trying to tame a feral cat.  In two years we have gone from hearing him fight with our cats in the bushes to having him move into the barn and actually come into the house for meals.  He will meow sadly at you then hiss in the same breath.  I am thinking he is a she.

It's heartbreaking isn't it? People who don't understand cats don't realize how much they just want to give and receive affection and love. To see that transformation to meowing, coupled with the defenses of hissing and being all tough is really encouraging! Sounds like progress to me anyway.

don't know what you will think of this but I thought about your post on cats and treating them nicely when I looked at this youtube. I like that there are people out there making the effort to treat animals with respect so it is in keeping and not a total hijack! granted, these are not barn cats

Very cool Magdelan. I enjoyed it a lot.

I loved this. Thank you for posting it.

Very powerful thank you for sharing