Trapping FAQs
If I trap a cat whose ear is already tipped, how would I know if it needed to be updated on inoculations?
Usually when people are trapping in a particular area, they are the primary cat caregiver and are aware of the cats' history. Volunteers helping others trap will ask questions before setting out the traps: how long have these cats been here, who's been caring for them, who owns the property, have any been to a veterinarian, has anyone trapped here before, etc. Therefore, it would be rare to trap an unknown cat that was already ear-tipped.
If it does happen, the appropriate response depends on your circumstances.
If you live in a town or municipality which monitors feral colonies for vaccinations, take the new cat in for vaccines.
If there are no legal requirements to having feral cats vaccinated annually, and the cat is not injured or ill, release the cat.
Some feral cat caregivers trap & get their feral cats vaccinated and examined annually. If your colony is small enough, and you can manage that level of care, terrific. For a good number of us, we're too busy trying to round up & sterilize as many other cats as we possibly can, so it's onto the next cat.