Item : They have fur coats on. Item : They will be fine if they can find a dry smallish space to curl up in especially if all together. Under a house or shed would probably be fine. It’s very likely they have such a space available in order to survive yesterday without getting soaked. I’m still interested in the little dark tabby if you succeed in trapping them.
Largish cage sanitised with dish soap to get rid of any possum/other cat smell lingering from the last use. Especially important that bit as fear/stress smell lingers and will warn them not to enter the cage. Bait the cage with tuna or sardines right at the back. Let them eat in there for a few nights without trapping them. Regular dry food outside for the nervous. Tuna etc. inside the cage is the reward for the bold. When they get confident going in for the delicious, and they’re all in there together, gently close the trap. Also, draping a towel over the top of the cage will help you to close the trap without them getting alarmed by sudden arm movements. A bit depends on the type of trap, so practicing beforehand with the cage would be a good idea.
From the photos it seems they let you get pretty close, so sitting beside the trap might be a good way to be in position to close the door when a suitable opportunity arises. Unless the camera was zoomed I guess. The backpack so close to them is really good sign that they are not scared of your smell.
Then drape towel fully over the cage and transport them to the vet/refuge etc. Put thick towel over cardboard under the cage in the car in case they wee or stress poop through the base of the cage.
Be aware that you can catch almost any cat in almost any trap - ONCE. So you’ve got to get it right the first time as they won’t let you trap them twice.
If you miss one or two, you might be able to set the cage with tuna out again the following day so see if they’ll approach it. The smell of the rest of the family on the cage might actually help with this.
They’ll be fine there as long as they are dry and its not too drafty. Being able to cuddle up to each other for warmth and reassurance would be a good extra. You might like to give them each a litter pan with earth in it so they can start to housetrain themselves. Earth or potting mix might be easier for them to use rather than bought kitty litter - and the earth can go back into the garden once used. A cover/towel over part of each cage will help stop drafts.
Item : They have fur coats on. Item : They will be fine if they can find a dry smallish space to curl up in especially if all together. Under a house or shed would probably be fine. It’s very likely they have such a space available in order to survive yesterday without getting soaked. I’m still interested in the little dark tabby if you succeed in trapping them.
The black cat who hangs around here sometimes curls up on my hot water heater to warm his tush
These are very valid points, and put my mind at ease. There must be somewhere they’re hiding beneath.
I would love some guidance on how capture all of them in one fell swoop.
Largish cage sanitised with dish soap to get rid of any possum/other cat smell lingering from the last use. Especially important that bit as fear/stress smell lingers and will warn them not to enter the cage. Bait the cage with tuna or sardines right at the back. Let them eat in there for a few nights without trapping them. Regular dry food outside for the nervous. Tuna etc. inside the cage is the reward for the bold. When they get confident going in for the delicious, and they’re all in there together, gently close the trap. Also, draping a towel over the top of the cage will help you to close the trap without them getting alarmed by sudden arm movements. A bit depends on the type of trap, so practicing beforehand with the cage would be a good idea.
From the photos it seems they let you get pretty close, so sitting beside the trap might be a good way to be in position to close the door when a suitable opportunity arises. Unless the camera was zoomed I guess. The backpack so close to them is really good sign that they are not scared of your smell.
Then drape towel fully over the cage and transport them to the vet/refuge etc. Put thick towel over cardboard under the cage in the car in case they wee or stress poop through the base of the cage.
Be aware that you can catch almost any cat in almost any trap - ONCE. So you’ve got to get it right the first time as they won’t let you trap them twice.
If you miss one or two, you might be able to set the cage with tuna out again the following day so see if they’ll approach it. The smell of the rest of the family on the cage might actually help with this.
Thank you so much!
They come right up to my feet and hassle me for wet food lol
I’m going to do another ring around of refuges this week before I grab the traps as well just in case.
I was going to keep them in my garage which is massive, till I get them to the vet. Do you think that’s OK?
They’ll be fine there as long as they are dry and its not too drafty. Being able to cuddle up to each other for warmth and reassurance would be a good extra. You might like to give them each a litter pan with earth in it so they can start to housetrain themselves. Earth or potting mix might be easier for them to use rather than bought kitty litter - and the earth can go back into the garden once used. A cover/towel over part of each cage will help stop drafts.