If a cat is trapped and shows any of the following signs, immediate veterinary care my be necessary: Nasal discharge, wheezing, coughing Mucous around eyes or facial area Visible wounds Emaciation Intense panting or shallow breathing Bleeding Failure to urinate or defecate for more than a day Blood in urine Diarrhea Pale or white membranes on nose and/or gums Other abnormalities or signs of disease

Feral cats tend to quiet themselves down in a  trap when it is covered. Be sure that the trapped cat is in a temperature controlled ( 68—78 degrees Fahrenheit), secure environment with an absorbent pad or newspaper under the trap to absorb urine. Never leave a cat in a trap outside unattended. Never leave a cat in a trap for long periods indoors either.

A Tru-catch Trap called the 30D Wildcat Deluxe is recommended and can be ordered at Heart of the Earth Marketing. This trap is recommended because:

• Tru-Catch trap doors close quickly but gently with less noise than other traps. This is less frightening for the cat and poses less risk of inury.
• Tru-Catch traps have a trap door and a back door that lifts up for easy acess. This makes it very easy to feed the cat in the trap without risk of escape.
• Tru-Catch trap are coated with brown paint, so they are easily camouflaged in shrubbery.

Other items you will need when trapping are newspaper or absorbable bed pads, one large towel to cover each trap and bait. Sardines in water, tuna in water, Fancy Feast, or other smelly foods are recommended. To maximize your chance of successfully trapping a feral cat, the trap can be wedged open with a wire clothes hanger for a few days or even a week prior to be actively set. Cats fed repeatedly in the open trap will habituate to it. Once the cat has grown accustomed to eating in the trap, it can be set.

Shelters and Fencing
Cat Shelters can be custom constructed or salvaged from pre-existing wood boxes, storage bins and large Styrofoam shipping containers (often from hospitals). Necessary features of a good cat shelter are:

• Easy access – this includes an opening that is low and just large enough to allow access but prevent cold air from infiltrating.
• Stability. If necessary safely stake the shelter into the ground do it doe not wobble.
• Warmth and insulation. If bedding is used it must be replenished frequently to prevent spread of parasites and disease.

For more great cat shelter ideas, go to www.pacthumanesociety.org.You can protect your colony of feral cats by containing them in a cat enclosure. Go to www.purrfectfence.com for more information.