First off, please make sure the cats are indeed ferals. As now, the kittens are, but you need ot make sure th cats are not someones pet that they just don't care about. If you trap a cat who you think is a feral ( it has happened many times) and it is really just a neglected pet you could find yourself in a situation you would rather not want to be involved in. But from the sounds of it, I think you are pretty safe.

Here in Oregon we have Feral Cat Coalition (almost every state has one) and also a Stray Cat Alliance. See if there is a FCC for your state or area.

The adults obviously have bee around people before. They sound tame, just afraid. As any cat would be who does not have the security of a home. Contradictory of what some believe, even feral adults CAN be tamed! I have done it many time. Although it takes a little bit of patience. With adults, you need to give them time to adjust. With kittens, you do not want to give them that time. It is reccommended that kittens not be allowed to hide under things. They need to be forced to be held, petted etc. If you wait for them it can be too late.

Traps can be obtained by the Humane Society of your local FCC. Sometimes they wave the fee and loan it to you once you have signed a release form. It can be easy to catch a few kittens at a time with a trap, especially if they are young. They usually never leave eachothers site. They are eachothers protection, their eyes.

Pregnant or lactating females can also be very easily trapped. They need the food and will do anything to get it. If you do indeed have a feral or stray cat group nearby, they will end you the trap. Once you catch the kittens and adults, they will be tested for FELV and FIV among other things. They should be given flea treatment, dewormed for both roundworm and tapeworms, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, sometimes microchipped, and the have the tips of their ear cut off. This shows that the cat had been fixed.

If they test positive for FELV or FIV most likely they will be put down. This helps contain the spred of the disease to other ferals and also pet cats.

You can use sardines as Moonson suggested. You can also use wet cat food or tuna. If you chose to use tuna make sure it is tuna in water, not oil. If you do happen to catch a kitten you will need thick gloves if you wish to handle them, which of course you will need to. I never really used traps, I just grabbed the little fellers and took them home. No gloves either. Of course I got bit a few times, but I am rabies vaccinated so who cares. hehe

Also when you take the cats to the vet (the adults) have the vet scan them for a microchip. Some pets are stolen or became lost and there could be an owner out there looking for them! Also it's probably not a good idea to have your dog with you while you are trying tolook for the kittens. This will only make them more apprihensive (sp?) to go to you.

When you chose to take the cats or kittens out make sure you are in a secure room where there is no chance of escape. With my kitten, I got the room ready. I had a cat box, food, water, toys etc. I caught her with my hands so I just sort of put her in the room. She hid under the bed for a few days. Every day though I would entise her with some wet food and she would come out. I then would grab her and hold her close, gently stroking her ears. For all who do not know, when you stroke a cats ears it calms them. There is a nerve located in the inside of the ear that sends calm signals to the brain. Some people use this to sedate pets before a plain ride.

Adults should be left to acclimate on their own. They will soon come to realize that you are providing for them. Even if not completely tame, they will know who you are and come to trust you as their caretaker. Kittens can be easily placed after they tame down. Keep in mind thogh, that some kittens are just skitish to begin with.

The sooner you get to the kittens, the better. If you catch all th kittens I can help you place thm. I do rescue work and have plenty of people looking for ferals right now. People who have adopted previous ferals usually like to adopt another. You can advertise on my site or I can list them on Petfinders though my orginization. Whatever you do , please do not place a free ad. Animal bunchers and collectors look at free ads all the time and they aquire over 80% of their animals from free ads. These pets can be sold as food, sold to labs or used in backdoor breeder programs.

If you need any help please do not hesitate to contact me. I will do whatever I can to help you place these cats into loving capable homes. You can contact me at [email protected].