Fighting male cat hanging out round my house

[margypops]

I was wondering if you guys could give me tips on how to catch a male cat who has been really a lot of bother, he injured my cat 2 weeks ago and she was really in pain for a few days , nothing broken but really hurt her back, its hard to leave a door open he comes in.So Animal control told me I could trap it then if there is an owner they could claim it.I hate to do it but I am so afraid for Tweety now I dont think hes fixed and she seems to be the only female cat in the area.Any tips on setting a trap, are evenings best any do's or dont's ..thank you so much  

[margypops]

no hes not feral he is quite nice to humans but doesnt come near me because I have had to defend Tweety from him..My cat was fixed when I frsti got her 2 years ago .I have tried to find out whre he comes from the neighbors who also have trouble with him,he is a fighter,  say hes a stray ..No Tweety is an outside /inside cat she would be unhappy to be kept in when she found us she was outside I couldnt do that to her, in CA other critters are everywhere ...well I have to get to it, get the trap today or tomorrow and see what happens ..I will let you know its hard for me being such an animal lover ..

[nancyjac]

First and foremost is getting both cats (your Tweety, if she is not already and the stray male) spayed and neutered. Male cats generally don't mess with spayed females.   .  If that doesn't happened, you are going to have this problem over and over again with other cats and so will the lady you are giving the male to..  Another male will simply move in to fill the void.  Feral cats stay away from people, so if this one is coming into your house, he isn't feral.  More likely he is just being allowed to run loose by his owner or his owner recently turned him out.  Secondly, if stray or feral cats, skunks, possums, snakes, etc. frequent you yard, you need to keep Tweety indoors or in a protected/supervised area when she is outdoors.  

[Jade59]

Yeah, I was thinking that myself.  The trap won't discriminate.  

[margypops]

oh lordy I just had a thought what if I catch something else, like a skunk, a possum, a rattler, or someone elses old man ...lolhahahah

[margypops]

hahah you are great jade ..I love this forum you are all so caring..yes they said I can use a trap from them they charge $20 and you get $10 back when you return it, I think that's a good deal,  they would take him but hes a mutt they'd put him down .Now I have to be positive and go do it .Thank goodness I found this woman with barns

[Jade59]

Oh, good you can get the trap.  Let us know how that goes, Margy.  Of course it's not something you want to do, but the way I see it, we love our kitties more than the strays and have to protect our babies.  I hate to clap my hands and scare a cat, but I can't let another cat think it's welcome in our yard.  Actually, Jade takes care of that Very well.  She's a real laid back sweet cat, but man, a cat on HER property she doesn't want here and she gets low to the ground and is amazingly fast chasing that cat away. It's truly something to see!

[margypops]

forgot thats good advice Pip, hes not feral but no one seems to own him ,I will put it out 'untriggered' but I may be feeding the populace ...lol before I get him theres stray dogs aswell

[margypops]

yes they have said they will even bring it out and collect it, but I cant let them take him he would be doomed so the lady that took the black one will have him for her barn,he wont come near me as he thinks I will yell and Tweety is scared stiff of him, he really hurt her I thought she was dying..he goes round the neigborhood fighting. So I am going to pick up the trap from animal control  this week when I have plucked up courage , apparently they will show me how to put the food in, set it I think you said swampy.I didnt have to do this with the little black one he let me pick him up, and I used Tweetys carrier . He really has us on edge..as hes even come into the house when we are not looking..anyway it sounds easy enough, maybe put it out in the garden after dark..theres always the chance other cats will be caught there a lot around here, but I will just let them out .

[Jade59]

Hi Margy, so sorry for your stress and Tweety's injury.  I'm glad to hear she's okay.  As you know, I'm here in CA also and years ago, I was told by Animal Control, they would supply a trap. If they didn't offer one, maybe that's no longer the case.  Call back and ask, though.  I certainly understand where you're coming from since we used to have an unneutered (sp?) male on our street that created havoc.  Thankfully, it disappeared before we got Jade.  

Best!

[Piparskeggr]

What Swampy said...

Use the trap in the open , non-triggered position for a few days as a feeding station.  When It looks like this cat is comfortable with the situation, set the trigger.

Maybe there is a feral cat rescue society in your are that can help.

[swampcritter]

Will Animal Control supply the trap?

You start by feeding the cat. Let him come around. Once he gets used to being around you and getting food, then you trap him.