Question:
Hi, it's Ian from Melbourne, Australia, writing the first of what will no doubt be many messages here. I'm so glad to have found this site! For ten years I've been dealing with the legacy of an irresponsible neighbour who moved away leaving several fertile female cats behind. I was always a dog person but have come to deeply appreciate and love cats in this time. I'll write elsewhere about what this has all involved, but for now I need some help. I've taken probably 30 or 40 cats to the vet over the years for desexing, but usually individually. On a few occasions I've taken several kittens at once who, because they were hand tame and docile, gave me no trouble when it came to getting them into cat carriers. I recently had 4 6-month male kittens attended to with no problems. But there remain one male and three females, two of them tortoiseshells who I've been told are notoriously difficult to pick up and transport from place to place, no matter how tame and loving they may be otherwise. This is certainly proving true in this case. The other female is a grey tabby who may not have been a problem if she hadn't been spooked/alarmed by my abortive efforts with the other two. This is part of the problem, that I lose the surprise factor. I've been scratched and bitten a couple of times now, and have had to postpone 3 vet appointments so far. But now it's getting desperate, 'cause they're 7 months old and the females will soon be in season with an eager Blackie boy responding to their needs...
So, firstly, can anyone suggest an effective way of picking them up which won't allow them to struggle and bite their ways out of my hands? And do you think I'm fighting a losing battle trying to take them all at once, and may have to make individual appointments? 3 of these particular kittens are from a separate litter/mother to the other 5 who were born to one of our females who had escaped from the vehicle taking her to the vets, disappeared for two weeks and came back pregnant... The "difficult" kids were born in the grounds of an empty house next door, and became trapped/wedged in a gap between a wall and a shed. I heard the crying and tried to free them, couldn't so rang the fire brigade! They were great... but I ended up with an extra family to raise myself in the process.
Sorry to go on at such length, but I'm so relieved to have discovered a site where I can share my concerns and difficulties as well as joys, and maybe get some experienced practical advice.
Answer:
If you can wrap a towel or thick sheet around the to bind their legs in while you place them in the carrier. It works for me and Phenom. She hates getting into her carrier!
Welcome to TCS by the way!
Answer:
If I have a cat that is giving me a hard time with carriers, I simply put them in backwards - with butt/back to the back and then by the time they get on their feet, you have the door shut. You could also try and wrap them in a small towel and stuff them in there
You might want them to get more used to the carrier being there and open - if you can take the door off or make sure it can't close accidently, then put some kitty treats or even feed them in the carrier once in awhile.
You have to get them to know the carrier is NOT a bad thing.
Answer:
Does your local shelter have a humane trap you could borrow? They catch a lot of ferals around her by leaving food in the trap. The cat goes in the door closes and their left in the cage with food for the night.
Answer:
I let them miss their meal and when it's time for the carrier, which they hate, I put them in with their food. I have to plan this the night before so I don't forget to not let them eat.
Answer:
I didn't even read your full post (before I decided to reply) but I posted the same case as you (almost) a month ago... I was balling when I posted and had missed my cats vet appointment! Wrap the cats snuggly in blanket or a towel so that their extremeties (claws, paws, legs) cannot place attack or restraint in this process! It worked so nicely after my four attempts to get my kitten in her carrier and 3 scars later! If you feel you cannot do this alone seek help from a shelter! I'll post my link in a second for suggestions....
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=124579
Seeing that my kitten is a semi-feral and very timid she was one tough cookie to handle!
Answer:
I put the carrier on end, door facing the sky...and drop kitty in butt first. For extreme cases, I wear a pair of leather welding gloves.
A somewhat larger crate type cage might help too. The bigger the door, the easier it is to squeeze kitty in. That's my experience anyway.
Answer:
Originally Posted by beandip
I put the carrier on end, door facing the sky...and drop kitty in butt first. For extreme cases, I wear a pair of leather welding gloves.
A somewhat larger crate type cage might help too. The bigger the door, the easier it is to squeeze kitty in. That's my experience anyway.
Can you imagine, one must sport a pair of welding gloves to get that ball of teeth and claws in the cat carrier!
Something I need to do when the time comes to put them in the dreaded "cat carrier."
Answer:
I had to wear gloves when trying that with my kitten (mechanics claws) she scarred my hand and my chest... Took me four tries to get her inside... She kept digging her claws in my skin and climbing up on me! Whooo I will use the towel method evertime from now on!