feral cats in my backyard
So, I have a family of feral cats in my backyard, that include mother cat, 2 kittens, and possibly a father cat. I have been trying to catch them without any success.
I rented a humane animal trap from my vet (Briarcliff Animal Clinic), and according to their instructions, as well as the research I've done, I baited the humane animal traps accordingly. Unfortunately, the mother cat seems to be especially wiley, and repeatedly has managed to eat the bait food I have placed in the trap without tripping the trap door.
I have contacted the Georgia Humane Society, which then referred me to Catlanta, which basically just sent me an email telling me how easy it is to trap cats, and detailed the exact same instructions I have been following without any success. I have tried contacting Friends of Animals without any success, as I adopted a cat from them, and I thought they may be able to help. I contacted my vet to see if they knew of anyone who could help me, and they had no one. I called Dekalb County Animal control, and they are unwilling to help me, other than renting me another humane animal trap.
I am at my wit's end. Everyone keeps telling me "good job on caring," but no one is willing to lend a hand. I think I need someone who has more experience with this. I just need someone to help me catch the cats. I am willing to take the cats to the vet myself. I plan to TNR the adults, but thought since there are 2 kittens, I could socialize them and find them good homes.
Does anyone know of someone who could help me? Pretty please? I do not have a lot of money but am willing to make delicious baked goods for a helping hand.
Incidentally, I live in Decatur, Dekalb county (in Georgia, it's an Atlanta suburb).
Thank you in advance.
cross-posted to atlanta.
I rented a humane animal trap from my vet (Briarcliff Animal Clinic), and according to their instructions, as well as the research I've done, I baited the humane animal traps accordingly. Unfortunately, the mother cat seems to be especially wiley, and repeatedly has managed to eat the bait food I have placed in the trap without tripping the trap door.
I have contacted the Georgia Humane Society, which then referred me to Catlanta, which basically just sent me an email telling me how easy it is to trap cats, and detailed the exact same instructions I have been following without any success. I have tried contacting Friends of Animals without any success, as I adopted a cat from them, and I thought they may be able to help. I contacted my vet to see if they knew of anyone who could help me, and they had no one. I called Dekalb County Animal control, and they are unwilling to help me, other than renting me another humane animal trap.
I am at my wit's end. Everyone keeps telling me "good job on caring," but no one is willing to lend a hand. I think I need someone who has more experience with this. I just need someone to help me catch the cats. I am willing to take the cats to the vet myself. I plan to TNR the adults, but thought since there are 2 kittens, I could socialize them and find them good homes.
Does anyone know of someone who could help me? Pretty please? I do not have a lot of money but am willing to make delicious baked goods for a helping hand.
Incidentally, I live in Decatur, Dekalb county (in Georgia, it's an Atlanta suburb).
Thank you in advance.
cross-posted to atlanta.