Figuring out how to round up my feral

[spinbaby]

This comfortable looking fellow came in through the cat door a couple of years ago and has been living here ever since. He’s completely feral—I’m permitted to look at him from a distance, but he has a strict no-touch policy. Someone had him neutered and ear tipped at one time and he may actually have another home somewhere, although I’ve never found out where. But he knows we’re always good for a meal and a warm bed, so he’s settled in here for the winter. But now he has some kind of scabby-looking wound on his tipped ear and it’s probably best he see a vet, both for the ear and because he should have shots, even assuming he was vaccinated when he was neutered. I just can’t figure out how to do it. Last year when he was limping, I trapped him for a trip to the emergency vet—a traumatic experience all around and it took months for him to trust me at all. I’m really at a loss of what to do.

[Mr.Bill]

1. Tranquilizer in his food?

Check with the vet and see what they can give you.

[Walleye]

2. That is a problem. I always worry that my feral will need medical attention. Don't know what I'd do

Been taking care of him for 10 years got him neutered as a kitten. He comes to my second floor deck Back door for dinner every night. He lets me pet him and he has come a few steps inside but he freaks out when I shut the door. I really love that cat though he’s very sweet

[Phoenix61]

3. I'm with Mr Bill, drug him.

I’m sure your vet can help you with that. If not, find one that participates in a TNR program as they are used to dealing with feral cats.

[Lunabell]

4. Do you have a TNR group who will help trap him?

I work with It's Meow or Never in Tallahassee Fl. Where are you? Maybe we can help or find someone who can.

[spinbaby]

10. I volunteer with a TNR group

Two problems with that plan: they don’t have wellness clinics until March and also I will never get this cat to walk into a trap ever again. I’m going to have a chat with my regular vet to see about a sedative. We’ve dosed him with Capstar in his food before, so a sedative might work.

[secondwind]

5. He's a beautiful animal.. I love the photo........good luck!

[Bayard]

6. If you can't touch him to treat him yourself,

I don't see any other way other than to trap him. Maybe when you get him home, you can spend some time taming him instead of just cutting him loose. Do you have a bathroom you can close him in? Then just go in and sit with him regularly for a few days, without trying to touch him. Bring food and treats.

He already trusts you to a degree if he's coming in your house and sleeping.

[3catwoman3]

7. Tranquilizer in the food and a vet that will...

...come to the house?

[In_The_Wind]

12. This is the best way.

[crud]

8. We got a vet housecall

I trapped her in our bathroom before the vet arrived and the two of us held her down with a towel, while he gave her a shot. She wasn't too happy about it, but it was much less stressful than a car trip in a crate. She stayed away only a day or two. Stayed out of the bathroom for a year after that!

[Merlot]

9. I have the same situation at my house

I'd been feeding this fella for years, strictly outdoors...last summer he found the cat door and little by little he's made himself at home. Not quite as comfortable as your cat looks but it's just a matter of time I'm sure. He had a close call with a coyote this summer and had a big scratch on his neck. Luckily it wasn't deep and healed on it's own.

He has health issues, really itchy dry skin and somewhat hard abdomen. I'd love to get him to the vet but don't want that trauma and loss of trust that you mention. So I'll be as interested as you to see what replies are. It took SO long just for him to be comfortable, he's finally ok with being in the house with the door closed and not dashing out the cat door.

One thing I have learned from having a "hands off" cat is that a lot of the issues that would have called for a vet visit with my other cats just have to be left alone and so far they've healed or at least gotten slightly better. I give him all kinds of good food and kind words and provide a safe haven...that has to be enough.

[Boomer]

15. This is the compromise I've reached with our ferals.

I provide the best food and shelter support that I can and otherwise I leave them alone. They find being touched or trapped so traumatic that I'm just not willing to put them through that unless it's a life-and-death matter.

[fierywoman]

11. Do you know "Tiny Kittens" on youtube?

They deal only with ferals and have a wealth of info ( and sympathy).

[IcyPeas]

13. TinyKittens often uses gabapentin to calm ferals

so I agree with others above about trying to sedate.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

14. I take gabapentin..lol

I tend to be feral...lol
My cat Othello who is not feral,he loves the smell of my gabapentin. When I pack my meds for the week he finds the gabapentin bottle,rolls it to me. I hold the bottle take off the lid,and he puts his little nose into the bottle to sniff it. Bottle opening is too small for him to take any pills out.

I couldn't help remembering this when you mentioned gabapentin.

[Merlot]

16. My Luna cat did the same thing with the calmsforte

just the sound of the bottle would bring him right over and he'd get pretty assertive about trying to get to them.

[hamsterjill]

17. Just want to thank you for caring for him.

I do rescue and TNR in Texas. I am always grateful when I see kindness extended to one of the kiddos.

Thank you.