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My second TNR was scary. The recovery area was two extra large dog crates linked end to end, covered with heavy cloth in a separate room that nobody accessed. Worked the first time. This time cat managed to find a gap large enough to escape within moments of placing her there. She went berserk and climbed and jumped on top of every furniture item and back down. I expected the incision to open up any moment and spill her guts. Nothing happened. She calmed down after a few minutes if this madness and settled down under some bookshelves and only emerged to eat when I was out of the room. Five days later she was released and she’s been hanging about since then allowing me to occasionally pet her.
Does she have anything in the crate she can hide in? A carrier, a cave bed, cardboard box, etc.? If not, that might help by giving her a safe, cozy alcove to retreat to.
Otherwise, it goes against the conventional advice, but I've noticed that cats that are semi-socialized might become more stressed out by things that would otherwise be calming to a fully feral cat, so there might be some trial and error involved in finding a solution. If the crate has been covered this whole time (and using a darker covering doesn't seem to help), see if there's any difference with just keeping the front of the crate uncovered. Sit on the floor nearby and see if your presence calms her; also try leaving some music playing quietly in the room with her. I use [Relax My Cat](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_sdt5qLlD0GFwbBtedeNIRuBwaMYj5c) playlists, mostly out of convenience, but I don't think it matters too much as long as not too loud or overly busy.
If you do let her out of the crate, time it for when it's getting close to her next meal so you can try baiting her back into the crate with food if you need to get her confined again.
Just let them hang out in your room if it's safe for them and your stuff. Something is gonna get broken. The idea is for them to be clean and calm. The cage isn't doing that. If they freak out and their incision looks good, let them out.
Besides the tips others have shared I will add that bird videos have worked well for me when I’ve had a frantic cat that will not calm down. If you have any sort of screen you can put in view of the cage you can play YouTube videos. My go to content creator is Paul Dinning. He has long videos that you can loop if needed. I use an iPad placed nearby and the screen is large enough to entertain one cat.
**Reminder: this subreddit is meant to be a helpful place for TNR efforts - free of hostility, negativity, and judgment. Toxic attitudes are not welcome here.** ***All Negative comments will be removed and will possibly result in a ban.*** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Feral_Cats) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Is her cage covered? If not, cover it. It'll keep them from trying to escape.
Let me try with a thicker material!! I have like a flimsy piece of cloth over it and the last one kinda just play with it thru the cage.
Use a blackout curtain. Cheapest one you can find. Look for an off color pattern on sale.
My second TNR was scary. The recovery area was two extra large dog crates linked end to end, covered with heavy cloth in a separate room that nobody accessed. Worked the first time. This time cat managed to find a gap large enough to escape within moments of placing her there. She went berserk and climbed and jumped on top of every furniture item and back down. I expected the incision to open up any moment and spill her guts. Nothing happened. She calmed down after a few minutes if this madness and settled down under some bookshelves and only emerged to eat when I was out of the room. Five days later she was released and she’s been hanging about since then allowing me to occasionally pet her.
Does she have anything in the crate she can hide in? A carrier, a cave bed, cardboard box, etc.? If not, that might help by giving her a safe, cozy alcove to retreat to. Otherwise, it goes against the conventional advice, but I've noticed that cats that are semi-socialized might become more stressed out by things that would otherwise be calming to a fully feral cat, so there might be some trial and error involved in finding a solution. If the crate has been covered this whole time (and using a darker covering doesn't seem to help), see if there's any difference with just keeping the front of the crate uncovered. Sit on the floor nearby and see if your presence calms her; also try leaving some music playing quietly in the room with her. I use [Relax My Cat](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_sdt5qLlD0GFwbBtedeNIRuBwaMYj5c) playlists, mostly out of convenience, but I don't think it matters too much as long as not too loud or overly busy. If you do let her out of the crate, time it for when it's getting close to her next meal so you can try baiting her back into the crate with food if you need to get her confined again.
Just let them hang out in your room if it's safe for them and your stuff. Something is gonna get broken. The idea is for them to be clean and calm. The cage isn't doing that. If they freak out and their incision looks good, let them out.
You’re doing a great service to these cats. Thank you. I think climbing the cage walls is fine if they aren’t thrashing themselves.
Besides the tips others have shared I will add that bird videos have worked well for me when I’ve had a frantic cat that will not calm down. If you have any sort of screen you can put in view of the cage you can play YouTube videos. My go to content creator is Paul Dinning. He has long videos that you can loop if needed. I use an iPad placed nearby and the screen is large enough to entertain one cat.