Feral Post Op Care
Feral Cat Post Op Care
You are already a hero for the feral cats by trapping them and taking them to be altered and vaccinated.
Now after their surgery, the cats will need your care and attention during the recovery period before they can be returned to their outdoor homes.
- Never relocate an animal as it will become disoriented and can die.
- Cats typically recover from the anesthesia used for their surgery within 24 hours.
- Cats can be returned to their territory when fully recovered with coordinated mobility.
- Some cats require additional time to allow the anesthesia to wear off fully. If a cat is still wobbly or does not appear to be fully coordinated, it would be best to hold onto the cat for an additional 12-24 hours before returning them to its colony.
- Prepare a holding area ahead of time.
- A garage, extra room, bathroom, bathtub, basement, or laundry room will work. The space should be quiet, sheltered, warm and dry, and off-limits to other animals (and children). Cats cannot regulate their body temperature while recovering from anesthesia.
- Under the trap, place a piece of plastic (shower curtain or large trash bags) topped with newspaper.
- The paper will absorb urine and spilled water. There may be a few drops of blood on the newspaper at the cage's bottom, but this is normal.
- Keep the trap covered until you are ready to release. Never put your hand in the trap. Feral cats will bite if handled.
- Offer food and water after they wake up.
- Open the trap door one to two inches and slip in a couple of small dishes. You can refill them with dry food and water from outside the trap. Don't put your hand inside. If you feel you cannot safely slide a dish in without the cat trying to escape, then don't feed them. The cats will be OK, and they can eat once they are released.
- Return the cats to the same location where you trapped them.
- Early morning is a good time as it is quieter. Point the traps away from roads or high-traffic areas so the cats don't run into them. Open the door of the trap and remove the cover. Keep your fingers and hands as far from the cat as possible when opening the trap. If the cat will not leave, prop open the door with a stick and leave it for a bit.
- Once you have returned the cats, provide food and water.
- If you are the cats' caregiver, you can resume the cats' regular feeding schedule. The cats may stay away from the area for a few days after being returned, but they will come back eventually.