Relocation should only be used as a very last resort to a feral cat nuisance problem. Cats tend to be very territorial, so the chance that they will stay in a new territory is only about 50 percent. If the cats leave their new home, they will face starvation, predation, busy roads, etc., and the chance that they will survive is very low.
Before Relocating Cats
RMACA strongly recommends that EVERY cat/kitten be spayed/neutered BEFORE they are relocated. It is much easier to neuter a feral cat while you have it in your possession. Whenever you release an unaltered feral cat that has already been trapped once, you run the risk of not being able to trap it again. Most feral cats wise up very quickly and are difficult (often impossible) to trap a second time.
Once You Trap the Cats
A secure, safe area must be available to confine the cats after you trap them. A tack room, chicken coop, or large dog kennel all work nicely. The area must have four walls that are securely attached to a roof. Most horse stalls will not work because a cat or kitten can scale even a ten to 12 foot wall with ease. If there are no escape holes on the walls or roof, and you can be sure that the door will not accidentally be left open, the cats can just be confined within the barn, garage, etc. Remember though, cats can squeeze themselves through the tiniest of holes (as small as two inches wide), so make sure everything is fully patched beforehand.
Confine the cats for at least four weeks. This confinement period will allow the cats to become accustomed to their new territory while they gradually forget about their previous one. Put boxes, crates, or cat carriers with blankets, towels, hay, etc. in the confinement area so the cats have good places to hide and keep warm. Put out a clean litter box for the cats — at least while they are being confined.
Releasing and Caring for Cats
Feed the cats once or twice a day, around the same time every day. When you feed them (even while they are being confined) call “kitty, kitty” or make some other noise, so that they will begin to associate that noise with feeding time. Then, once they have been released from confinement, they will respond to that noise for their daily feeding. If you choose to feed the cats once a day, feeding in the evening (around dusk) is suggested. This will help to draw the cats in for the night, when predator activity tends to be highest. Offer plenty of food and water to the cats. Many people believe that feral cats can survive on mice alone and will not hunt if they are fed. This is a myth. Feral cats will catch mice whether they are fed or not because of their strong hunting instinct. Furthermore, often just the smell of cats is a deterrent to mice. By not feeding, you run the risk of slowly and cruelly starving the cats to death.
If at all possible, try to relocate at least two or more cats from the same colony to the same new home. Cats depend on each for companionship and they also cuddle with each other for warmth in the colder months. Having a familiar buddy will also increase the likelihood that they will stay in their new home permanently.
