How can I transport my skittish stray cat to the vet safely?

Hello! The safest way to take the cat to the pet shelter would be to trap it, if at all possible. Feral cat traps are the safest option because they automatically close after the cat enters. A pet carrier or box with some food that you can securely close after the cat enters will also work. Most people use canned cat food or tuna to lure the cat into the trap. A common oral sedative for cats is a drug called Gabapentin that can be mixed with food, but this is a prescribed substance and not one I believe you can purchase over the counter. I also caution that if the cat is very wild, it will still be able to bite and scratch you while sedated, so you will still need to contain the cat in some type of carrier. Cats can carry the Rabies virus, so I want you to to stay safe! The animal shelter may offer some types of traps or sedation drugs to assist you in bringing the cat in. Try calling them and seeing if they can offer you any supplies to help! I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

You can try wrapping him in a thick towel first then placing him the the carrier. You can also try a non-conventional carrier, such as a large hamper with a lid wired to the top. A housecall veterinary service is also an option.

How lovely of you to look after this stray cat! She's beautiful. You are absolutely right that she should see a vet, as that will be the only way to know for sure how far along Shadow is in her pregnancy. You could see if there is a mobile vet clinic in your area that can come to your house to see her. Some of these mobile vets will have a fully decked out mobile unit including an x-ray machine. If you don't have one of those in your area, then I would bring her into the vet. Hide the kennel out of sight, and set up it up so that it is standing up with the door open at the top (I hope this makes sense lol). Pick her and carry her over to the kennel, and then gently lower her into the kennel. Have her seen by a vet as soon a possible. I hope this helps!

Poor Puss! I know vet visits can be a challenge with some anxious kitties. As far as calming aids that you can get over the counter, you could try a calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure along with Feliway spray in the carrier - these are generally quite safe, and can be purchased at pet stores or ordered online without a prescription. Effects are usually pretty mild, though, so if he's extremely fearful this may not be enough to make a difference. If you have a regular vet who has seen Puss before, you could call them to discuss your concerns. There are some great prescription medications like gabapentin or trazodone that can be very effective at calming anxious kitties prior to a vet visit - but you would need a prior veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with a vet in order to get prescription meds before the exam. If the visit isn't urgent, you can try placing the carrier out with the door open in an area where Puss spends a lot of time to let him investigate it and get comfortable on his own. By dropping treats in the carrier and letting him go in when he's comfortable, it can be much easier to get him in for his visit. If he needs to be seen right away, then you can use a blanket or towel to put over him, pick him up, and put him in the carrier without being scratched or bitten.

I would take the door off of the carrier for now and leave it out at all times. Put treats and eventually feed her in the carrier. It may take weeks to get her used to it. Then put the door back on and keep feeding her in there. Eventually you should be able to close the carrier to take her to the vet. Also you may talk to her vet about some sedation or anxiety medication that could be given prior to her appointment time. Good luck. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I'm not sure what you are alluding to. Are you worried the cat may be contagious to you? Are you worried about the mites getting in your car? It is possible for humans to catch the mites depending on what type of mange the cat has. That being said, if the mites get on your skin it usually only causes a mild rash and resolves on it's own unless you are immunocompromised (that would be a different story). I suggest you either trap the cat in a humane trap or if the cat will allow you to pick it up then put it in a regular carrier. Cover the trap/carrier with a large bed sheet and put it in your car and take it to the vet. The mites don't live long when they are not on the host so you don't have to worry about the environment or the car. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. What a beautiful cat and creative name! This looks like a dilute tortoiseshell (tortie) and is most likely a female. I would provide a box outside near where you are feeding her so that she will be more likely to hang around. As she gets more comfortable with you and more used to human contact, you may eventually be able to keep her inside the garage and then eventually inside the house. Some cats who already have a taste of outside can be difficult to keep strictly indoors and might constantly try to escape.