trapping a feral cat for the vet

I have a semi-feral cat that I am trying to get to the vet for a spay. She is not fully feral, as she will eat from a bowl I leave out, but she runs when I get within ten feet.

I bought a humane trap, but I am not sure how to set it up so she doesn't get hurt. Has anyone done this before? I need a step-by-step on the most effective way to trap her.

First, stop guessing. If you are going to trap a cat, you need to follow proper safety protocols. I have linked the pinned thread on humane trapping basics here: Humane Trapping 101. Read that before you set anything up.

Second, do not use the trap as your only tool. If she is semi-feral, you can likely lure her into a carrier instead. I know RiverSparrow has a thread on this: Training Willow to use her carrier. It works for shy cats if you are patient.

Oh my god, I have been there! My Sparrow is actually pretty vocal and friendly, but when I first brought her home she was hiding under the bed for two weeks. I used the carrier training method from my own thread: Training Willow to use her carrier.

Basically, you leave the carrier open with the door latched. Put some strong-smelling food inside. For a semi-feral cat, I would suggest something like the wet food I used in my other thread: Feeding the stray at my complex. The smell is key. Do not try to grab her. Let her walk in on her own.

Short answer: do not use a trap if you can avoid it. They are stressful for the cat and difficult to set correctly.

I have a 14-year-old grey shorthair named Mittens. She has arthritis, so handling her is a nightmare. I had to learn how to move her carefully to the vet. If the cat you are trapping is older or has health issues, you need to be very gentle. I have a thread about this: Taking Mittens to the vet. It explains how to use a blanket to secure the cat without squeezing.

@stever66 I read the pinned thread you linked. It says to use a piece of cardboard to block the exit once the cat is in. I am still worried about her getting a paw caught in the wire.

@RiverSparrow I tried the carrier method last week but she would not go in. She is too skittish. Do you think the food smell is not strong enough? I used dry kibble.

Dry kibble is not strong enough for a feral cat. You need wet food, preferably the kind with a strong fish or chicken smell. Also, if she is going to the vet for a spay, she will be stressed. I have a thread on managing stress for cats with health issues: Managing stress for Whiskers with CKD. Even if she is healthy, the principles of keeping her calm apply. Do not rush the process. Give her a few days with the carrier open and food inside.