Advice on taking stray to vet

[guest]

I have been feeding a stray kitty for several years.He is very timid but will allow me(& only me) to pet him at times.He usually shows up during the night,eats a bowl of food & goes on his way. Sometimes I won't see him for 3 or 4 days.I'm guessing that's because he was "roaming".I have seen even less of him lately.A few days ago he came back.He is noticably thinner & is not eating much.He'll eat a little & will then lie down in a corner of the deck.That last part isn't so unusual.I have sat with him for an hour or so before & then he leaves.But he was out there in the corner all of last night.I'm very worried about him.I don't know how to take him to a vet.He is so skittish & I don't want to scare him.I know I have handled this wrong from the very beginning & should have done something more.But what can I do now?

[davet]

usuually found that putting them in a pillow case worked well

[Ash]

If you really want to help him you have to be a little more forward I'm afraid. Maybe you might scare him but it's for own good! Put an open carrier on the deck close to where you feed him. Then, try to get as close a possible next time you feed him and simply take him, quickly and firmly, and put him into the carrier. Don't hesitate, just do it. Good luck! If you can keep him inside with you from then on.

[Paulette]

We have strays in our yard so we invested in a humane trap which we bought at Home Depot - it was very reasonable. I don't feed cat for a day or so and then put something very tempting (like sardines) in trap and they go in. Then you can bring cat to vet (do not take him out of trap). This kitty may be ill so if you can don't wait any longer. But be prepared for the fee!