My semi-feral cat avoids traps. How can I finally catch her?

If she won't let you catch her you can set up a humane trap (most animal shelters have ones you can rent) or a carrier and place some warmed up wet food or even some warm fried chicken in it. The smell is usually enough to entice the cat to enter the carrier/cage so that you can safely trap them. If she has been roaming around a new location, a checkup with your vet to make sure she is not injured or ill from the experience is also smart.

If there is a TNR program in your area, this would be a great option for getting them spayed and neutered - they are old enough to do this now. To catch them, you can get live traps and leave them out overnight with cat food inside - when they go in to eat, the door closes behind them.

I am sorry to hear about your frustrations with this kitty. I don't think you are likely to be able to trap her with a normal cat carrier if she is this shy as she will likely run as you approach it. I would see if there is a local rescue group or animal shelter in your area that has traps they use for this issue. You can read more about ideas to help capture these kitties at https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/tips-for-hard-to-trap-cats/

You can try to lure her in with tuna. Or your best bet is to borrow a "cat trap" from your local humane society or Animal control facility OR you can just buy one like this https://www.walmart.com/ip/OxGord-Live-Animal-Trap-24-X-7-X-7-GFA-Catch-and-Release-Humane-Rodent-Cage-for-Rabbits-Stray-Cat-Squirrel/48095808?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=693&adid=22222222227035491470&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=75975829594&wl4=aud-273067695102:pla-176373722194&wl5=9028263&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112354462&wl11=online&wl12=48095808&wl13=&veh=sem These are safe to use and won't harm her so that you can get her back inside. I wish you luck in getting your sweet girl back inside the home and back to safety. Hopefully she won't be too traumatized and will go back to her normal sweet self.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding the stray cats. It will likely take you time to gain their trust. I recommend feeding them daily or whenever you have time. Eventually they will likely pet them and then take them to your home. Unless you use a humane trap, there really isn't another way to catch them. Good luck!

Hello, I would recommend using a feral cat trap to trap the cat and take it to an animal shelter. They will be able to examine and treat the cats under sedation. It often takes a very long time to socialize feral cats, and some may be wild animals forever no matter how much effort is instilled. I hope this is helpful.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am not a lawyer or with law enforcement so please do not consider this any sort of legal advice. This is a tough one. You can always call the animal shelter/ animal control near you. Perhaps you could just offer the cat food off your property? Start with just a little off your property, then move closer and closer to the neighbor's? Or, if she is friendly toward you and you can handle her, you could consider trying to make her your official pet. In most cases, if you can get her into the vet for a checkup, a vaccine or two, and a microchip-ideally, then she is yours and you can claim her as your own outdoor cat. Of course be aware that other cats may head your way when you start placing food outside - you may end up back where you started. Best wishes to you and the kitty!