Feral cat spay in winter

Next time you trap, cover the trap completely once the cat is inside. (But you probably knew to do this, and this particular cat continued to struggle, poor thing.)

I wish you would consider keeping her for a while, perhaps housed at first in a large dog carrier or draped cage (or in a cage large enough to hold a kitty cube as a hidey hole). She sounds a bit fragile to go back outside right away. Did you ask the vet to give her an antibiotic injection, to help prevent infection of the incision, by the way. Who knows; she may be once of those 'ferals' who had a home once. We've had some pleasant surprises when we've housed a recovering cat, to discover it was scared but perfectly tame. A couple have found very good homes that way.

Read my blurb, 'Taming the Tiger,' for some tips on housing her comfortably.

Good luck.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats

You're exactly right That's also why I transferred her into a plastic carrier, versus a metal crate. After I covered the door with a towel, she retreated to the back corner (calmed down would be saying too much).

What I have at home is a medium sized metal dog crate. But then again, with it being all metal, I'm worried that she may react the same way she did in the trap...

The vet did an initial check-up last night when I dropped her off. She's actually only about six months old, judging from her teeth, which would explain why she's so light.

(But you probably knew to do this, and this particular cat continued to struggle, poor thing.)

I've never seen a feral struggle too long once the trap is completely covered. It has to be quick, though. Quite often they're calm when you check the trap, but start freaking out when you approach with the sheet. Generally we move away after covering the trap, leaving it is until the cat has settled down, before moving the trap to a holding area.

If the crate is large enough for at least temporary housing (can accommodate a small litterpan, clip-on dishes and a box or kitty cube), simply drape it completely for a while then gradually uncover at least the sides.

Campus Cats is fostering the wildest cat of our career right now. She was hit by a car and I had to corner her in a basement stairwell and scoot her into a net. She naturally associates me with the pain and fear of that experience and literally poops her pants at the sight of me! She is housed in a large draped cage right now (huge dog crate, actually) and lives downstairs with my housemate so she is spared the sight of me.

Good luck with your little lady! At least you got her before she started spewing kittens.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats