Limping Stray Cat
 

There was a stray cat in our back yard this morning when I took Bella and Sprout out to play. He or she was limping pretty severely, and one hip was clearly higher up than the other. I ran inside (with the dogs) and grabbed Tasha's (our cat's) cat food, and ran back out. I tried to lure the kitty with food but it jumped the fence and ran (limped quickly) off.

I would like to capture this kitty and take it to our vet (it clearly needs veterinary care). But I don't know how? I called the Animal Shelter and they said that if they were to help me by capturing it, it would probably be put down, as chances are it is severely injured.

I need a way to safely (cat's safety and my safety too) capture this cat, so any suggestions would be helpful.

I DO have a feral cat trap (it's safe) that I plan on attempting to use, but this cat seems awfully smart and very skittish, so I'm not sure if that will work.

If it doesn't...I'll need suggestions.

"Let it be" - is not an option so please don't suggest that.

This is the first time I have seen this kitty, but we have only been here 2 weeks. I hope it comes again for it's own sake. I don't even know if the injury is from a vehicle, another animal, or a birth defect, I have no idea. I could not get close enough to find out.

Thank you in advance :thumbup:

Poor kitty. I hope you can find a way to help him/her. Would the shelter help you ctah it if they know you are going to take the cat to your vet?

The feral cat trap may be your best option. If you have a garage, you can leave the door open slightly and try to lure it into your garage with food then close your door so at least it would be confined to a smaller area. It could be running because it's hurt not necessarily because it's feral. Cats will generally shy away from things that are unfamiliar to them anyways, however they arre very curious. They will generally let their curiosity get the better of them so you have to use that to your advantage in trying to capture one. I hope you are able to catch it so you can get it the help it needs. Just be careful not to get yourself hurt. And just also remember many times feral cats can carry contagious diseases.

Thank you. He or she hasn't been back since this morning. Bella's napping after playing all day.

I keep looking out the window but have not seen hide nor hair of the kitty. Thank you for the suggestions.

No, I don't believe this is a feral cat. I think it (once) belonged to someone. The area we live in really isn't an area where feral cats are. That doesn't mean it's not carrying communicable diseases though. I wouldn't bring this cat inside...I just want to capture the poor thing and take it to our vet. We've moved, and used to have a TON of feral cats near our old home. That's why I still have the trap for them. :]

I hope it comes back! :cat:

I would definitely set the trap. Hopefully you can catch this poor baby. I found a cat like that a few years ago.....$2,100 later :eek: .... found her a home and she is fine now! :) Sounds like a dislocated hip...in the cat I found they had to do a FHO.

That was my first thought too, because the hip was definitely 'kitty whompus' (pardon the pun). It wasn't limping like it had something stuck in its paw...it was more of a 'whole backside limp'.

We're using the trap and I hope we can catch it too. Thus far...I haven't seen it again.:(:(

Poor baby. I hope maybe it went home and, if not, I hope wherever it is someone is taking care of it.

I agree with the feral cat trap being the best solution.

I had to trap a feral cat a few years ago and it took a couple of tries, cats are fast even when injuried and or pregnant.

Also will warn you please be careful and do not handle the cat without proper protection. They can harm you with their claws since that is their defense, and being hurt or in pain could elevate this for the poor kitty.

Good luck and keep us posted.

It's now the next morning and still no kitty. I really hope it isn't owned by someone who is just letting it limp around like that. :'(

You are a kind lady! :)

I know exactly how you're feeling, we had almost the same scenario a few years back.

I wonder, in the meantime, if it might be worth you asking around your neighbours/neighbourhood whether anyone has any information on him/her? I ended up putting a few posters around and home-made flyers through doors....it worked for us! :D Good luck! Sally + Harry x

I did go around our area knocking on doors. Most people weren't home or didn't answer their doors - but those that were had no idea what cat I was talking about.

I may try the flyers, it could hurt! Thank you for the suggestion.

(still no sign of kitty today) :(