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.