I captured a feral tom in my house last night

I keep a ground floor window open at all times for my cats to
get in and out as they please.

In the last several months, a feral tom has been getting into the
house
through that window at night, and the sounds of him fighting my
cats used to wake me up 2 or 3 times a week around 3 am.
I would get out of bed and run into the kitchen but by the time I
would get there, I would only see his tail disappearing through the
window
into the night.

So I propped the window up with a stick, tied a cord
to the stick, and ran the cord into the bedroom.
About a month ago, I heard them fighting, and I pulled
the cord trapping him inside. He went completely wild,
screaming, bouncing off walls, knocking furniture and
objects down, etc.

In the end, he hid in a cupboard where he spent the night, and
I released him in the morning, thinking that he'd be scared enough
of the experience to not come visit again.

Last week, he started coming inside again. Last
night, I again trapped him inside, but this time
I managed to get him into the cat carrier. It
wasnt easy or pretty--I had to use an improvised
noose on a stick thing, like the dog catchers
use (I used 2 tubes from a vacuum cleaner and
plastic clothesrope). I'm sorry I had to do it that way, but
he was again so utterly nuts and wild that I couldnt
handle him.

So now the question is: what should I do?

1. take him to the vet to have him neutered.
The problem is that he's a wild animal, so
the vet may get hurt.

2. take him to the humane society: they'll
kill him, so not an option

3. drive him 20 or 30 miles into the
boonies and release him there.

Any other options?
Thanks.

So now the question is: what should I do?

1. take him to the vet to have him neutered.
The problem is that he's a wild animal, so
the vet may get hurt.

This is my vote. Make sure the vet knows he's an untamed feral - some vets
are able to handle them. If he has a squeeze cage he can give the guy a
jab without endangering himself or his staff. Once that's done it might
be possible to find someone willing to try to tame him.

"223rem" wrote in message
oups.com...


1. take him to the vet to have him neutered.
The problem is that he's a wild animal, so
the vet may get hurt.

My vet gladly does this. Often.

223rem wrote:

So now the question is: what should I do?

Many vets treat feral cats, especially for spaying/neutering, to
test them for any serious illnesses, and vaccinate them.

I wonder if he belongs to a nearby feral colony. If he does, then
performing a "trap, neuter, and release" is the best thing to do.
You've already got the first one down.

One suggestion is to try to find a feral rescue group in your area.
They would probably know about any cat colonies in the area where he
either belongs already, or could possibly be introduced and intergrated
into it. They would also certainly know of vets who work with ferals.

It's not impossible to tame a feral, but there are no guarantees.
Some cannot adjust to being close to humans, and are better off
living in a feral colony where a rescue group watches over them,
making sure they're fed and getting medical treatment if necessary,
and not reproducing. On the other hand, some friends of mine took
in an adult feral cat who wouldn't let anyone near him for over a
year, and now he's a lovey-dovey, purring, belly-exposing lap fungus.
So you never know!

Good luck,
Joyce

223rem wrote:

1. take him to the vet to have him neutered.
The problem is that he's a wild animal, so
the vet may get hurt.

The right vet will know how to handle ferals properly - in a squeeze
cage as Dan says, and wearing thick leather gloves. Motorbike gloves are
what we use in our group. Do you have the number of a nearby rescue
group - call them and ask which vet they would recommend for neutering
ferals. You will be doing this cat and yours a huge favour by getting
him neutered, good luck to you. He will probably live much longer and
more peacefully. If you just release him a long way off he will be out
of his territory with increased dangers as a result.

HTH

Deb.
--
http://www.scientific-art.com

"He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would;
He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield

Dan M wrote:
This is my vote. Make sure the vet knows he's an untamed feral - some vets
are able to handle them. If he has a squeeze cage he can give the guy a
jab without endangering himself or his staff. Once that's done it might
be possible to find someone willing to try to tame him.

What he said.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he

223rem wrote:
Any other options?

http://www.alleycat.org/resources_ancare.html

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he

On 2006-03-30, Debbie Wilson penned:
by getting him neutered, good luck to you. He will probably live
much longer and more peacefully.

And he'll father far fewer unwanted kittens!!

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca

Good resource. My trapping method wasnt very humane, I'm afraid.

Have him neutered and shots if you can, please. Driving him away will
either create a problem for someone else, or take him away from his food
sources (he could starve or be attacked for being on another cat's turf.)

Some vets specialize in feral spays and know how to do it. One here (in
Seattle area) will gas them while still in the crate if needed. Call the
Humane Society or other animal groups for a vet recommendation. You
could also call your own vet -- they may do it or have a referral.

This guy may calm down quite a bit afterwards. Maybe you could start
feeding him outside and take it from there.

I hope you can help him out. Let us know!

Good luck,

Rhonda


223rem wrote:

So now the question is: what should I do?

1. take him to the vet to have him neutered.
The problem is that he's a wild animal, so
the vet may get hurt.

2. take him to the humane society: they'll
kill him, so not an option

3. drive him 20 or 30 miles into the
boonies and release him there.