So much for that

[days_unfolding]

I just tried to get Harlee in the cat carrier, and she scratched up my arm even though I was wearing long sleeves and gloves, and ran away. I don't know what I'm going to do with her. Does anyone know where to get a net such as those that the shelters use? Maybe I'll ask the shelter from which I adopted her.

I think that I'll take a nap.

Comments

[pageeater.livejournal.com]

I don't know about a net, and maybe it's too late for this...but I used to play a game with my cat and the carrier. I kept it always open, in the corner of one room. From time to time I'd put a new toy or a treat in it...and the kitty learned to come and go. I did this more often than "trap" him in it...so he always took the gamble when something was left there for him.
All's fair in love and war. *smile*

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

I used to be able to lure Harlee into the carrier with tuna, but my mistake is that I didn't give her tuna often enough when I wasn't taking her anywhere. I might see if some other food might work.

I keep the carrier out all the time and open. The irony is that she sometimes will lie in the carrier when she wants to.

[bandicoot.livejournal.com]

I know my vet has a way of handling wild kitties. When I took Mousie in for spaying, I warned him that she was wild, but she wasn't any problem for him. I think it's in how you pick them up - he does it in a way that doesn't give them any way of getting at him, but unfortunately I haven't seen him do it.

I'm not confident enough that I can do it that I've never tried grabbing Buff to get him in a cage and neutered.

I tend to try more indirect methods that involve training (or habituating) to accept being handled for food. It worked really well with Rocki, who did not like being handled at all but has gradually become a snuggle-bunny. But of course, that's not a short term solution.

I'd suggest you call your vet and get some handling advice - how to get and hold her safely so you can get her in the cage. They're better experts than we are ;)

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

I think that the vets hold them around the middle, so that the cats can't scratch with either their front or back feet. Harlee loves being petted, so it was easy to pick her up, and I had her in a similar grip. She struggled, but couldn't get away. The problem happened when I put her into the carrier. She grabbed the top of the (top-loading) carrier with one paw. I tried to get her to let go, and that's when she scratched me and ran.

I might ask the vet for advice. Thanks.