Cat

Feral cats are the same species as the ordinary, domestic cat. The difference is that they don't live with humans and have become wild animals. Some are born into feral groups (called colonies), others become 'feral' after getting lost or abandoned. Colonies can form just about anywhere - on building sites, in hospital grounds and even in factories. Estimates of the UK feral cat population vary widely, but it is likely to be over one million. The big problem with an overpopulation of cats is the impact they have on the local birdlife and the fact that they like nice soft earth flower beds to deposit their faeces. This does not go down well with gardeners. Deter cats from your garden and from around your bird tables by planting Coleus canina, (available from this website). Other options are available.

Best Methods for Controlling your Pest

DIY of The Professionals?

If the advice given in the 'How to prevent entry' section has not worked or is not appropriate, then you may have arrived at a point where you need to capture the problem cat. Provided you have worked out what you ultimately intend to do with the captured cat (re-locate, take to a cat welfare home or take advice from the many cat welfare organisations), then catching the cat is fairly easy.
If you have a large cat problem and the cat welfare organisations are not able to help, then you need to take advice from a professional pest control company.

How to catch that cat:

The only safe and humane way to catch feral cats is with an approved Cat Live Catch Trap.

Place the trap in a quiet and discreet place hidden from public view to prevent vandalism or premature release of the captured cat.
Ensure the trap is sitting firmly on a level surface on that it will not rock when the cat enters.
Ensure that the trap mechanism is working efficiently and that the door closes fully when the trip mechanism is activated.
Pre-bait with cat food until the cat has started to eat the food out of the un-set trap. (tie up the trap door securely)
When you are confident that the target cat is entering the trap and feeding confidently, set the trap trip mechanism.
Next morning you will have your cat.
Cover the cage with a blanket to calm the cat and transport it to your pre-arranged location.
Make sure the cat has a supply of food and water during transport.
It is frequently not necessary to pre-bait and a confident or hungry cat may be caught at the first placement and setting of the trap.

Always check your trap twice a day, morning and evening, release any non-target species immediately and attend to transport of a target species immediately and gently.