Recently, I trapped and sterilized 5 feral cats in my community – 4 of which were females!

Now, I’ll admit…

I was initially reluctant to trap them using trap cages. I felt it would be less stressful for them if I could win their trust enough to catch them by hand.

But after a few months of feeding them daily, I realized this wasn’t possible. While they were coming closer, they still wouldn’t let me touch them, so I knew grabbing them by hand would be dangerous.

Plus, two of them were pregnant again, so I knew I had to take action ASAP.

This was my first time trapping cats in Thailand, and I’m pleased to say it was much more successful (and easier) than I expected.

So, if unsterilized feral cats are in your community and you’re unsure what to do, this guide is for you.

Here’s what I’ve learned about how to (successfully) trap and sterilize cats In Thailand in a way that causes minimal stress!

Why It’s Important To Sterilize Cats In Thailand

Lack of sterilization is the primary reason there are so many stray cats in Thailand.

Unsterilized stray cats in Thailand reproduce rapidly. In other parts of the world, stray cats typically have two litters yearly. But I’ve seen Thai cats giving birth four times a year!

In fact, one of the stray cats I feed got pregnant just a few weeks after giving birth while she was still nursing!

However, the sad truth is that 75% of kittens born on the street in Thailand will die before they reach six months old.

The surviving kittens will start reproducing as young as 4 to 5 months old. As a result, one female cat and her offspring produce hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of cats in their lifetime!

Therefore, TNR (trap, neuter, return) is the only effective AND humane way to lower the ever-increasing cat population in Thailand.

Plus, along with reducing reproduction and mortality rates, there are many other reasons to sterilize stray cats, such as to protect your pets and the environment.

But unfortunately, only a handful of organizations sterilize cats in Thailand on a mass scale. So, as cat lovers, we need to do our bit by sterilizing the unowned cats within our communities.

My TNR Experience

I first encountered this cat colony when I found and rescued a young kitten. Initially, I thought the kitten was alone. But soon, I saw many unowned cats were living in the area.

The cats were all afraid of humans, but they were starving. So, while they wouldn’t come too close to me, they would happily eat the food I put down for them.

As time passed, I saw two female cats have kittens. When the kittens were a few weeks old, they would appear curious about the world but still highly timid.

The kittens would not leave their mum’s side or come close to me, so I could not catch them. Unfortunately, most of them soon disappeared, and so I can only assume that they got sick and died.

I knew I had to do something about these cats. Otherwise, not only will they quickly multiply, but kittens will be born into suffering and die.

And the thought of the mama cats having to watch their babies die over and over again broke my heart!

However…

Some of these cats proved to be more feral than scared. So, I realized the only way I could sterilize them was to set up traps.

As I had never trapped cats before, I was a little apprehensive. I spent hours researching how to do it in the least stressful way for the cats.

I brought three cat traps, and together with a neighbor, we spent a week trapping and sterilizing these cats.

Here’s what I learned along the way…

3 Things To Do BEFORE You Sterilize Cats In Thailand

TNR can be highly stressful for Thai cats used to the freedom of free roaming. Moreover, they may already fear and distrust humans.

So, plan things well to avoid causing unnecessary stress or losing the small amount of trust you’ve worked so hard to gain!

Here’s what you need to do BEFORE you sterilize cats in Thailand…

1. Liaise with a vet

Before catching a cat, find a vet willing to sterilize them. Then, let them know the day/time you plan to bring them to the clinic.

Also, tell the vet if the cat is feral, as not all vets are willing to handle feral cats.

2. Determine if the cat could be pregnant

If the cat you’re trapping is female, there is a high chance she will be pregnant, even if she doesn’t look it.

Trapping a pregnant cat in Thailand is a problem, as due to cultural beliefs, most vets will not sterilize her. Sterilizing a pregnant cat involves aborting the kittens, which is a very controversial practice here.

However, in some parts of Thailand, it is possible. For example, the Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket will sterilize pregnant cats. I also found one vet clinic in Phuket (iRak pet hospital) that does it.

While it is a hard decision to make morally, it is generally safe to spay pregnant cats, even if they are heavily pregnant.

However, you should know that spaying pregnant cats increases the risk of bleeding. Plus, the incision will be bigger than usual, meaning the recovery time is longer.

3. Ensure the cat (if female) did not recently give birth

While you can spay pregnant cats if you feel comfortable doing so, you should NOT sterilize a cat that has just had kittens.

Here’s why…

Sterilizing a nursing mama cat means taking her away from her babies for an extended period.

I recommend buying one that is 70 – 80 cm in length. This is important for this cage style as the trap door drops at an angle. So, if the cat is not fully inside, the trap door may hit their back as it shuts.

Newborn kittens need to drink milk from their mother every few hours. When you take a cat in for sterilization, they must stay at the clinic for at least 24 hours, usually longer.

So, of course, you CANNOT leave the kittens alone without their mother for this length of time.

I also don’t recommend bottle-feeding the kittens while the mother cat is getting spayed. The kitten’s smell will change, and the mother cat might reject them.

So, wait until the kittens are of weaning age (4-6 weeks). At this point, you can catch the mum and kittens, spaying the mum while fostering the kittens until they’re ready for adoption.

Alternatively, wait until the kittens are eight weeks old if you plan to leave them on the street while spaying the mama cat.

How To Sterilize Friendly Stray Cats In Thailand

So now you know what to consider beforehand, let’s talk about how to catch and sterilize cats in Thailand.

If the cat is friendly (i.e., they allow you to touch them), your job will be MUCH easier.

In this case, you can pick them up and put them in a carrier or plastic basket to transport them to the vet.

If they are a bit skittish, I recommend distracting them with a plate of tasty food. Then, gently but firmly ‘scruff‘ them at the back of the neck while eating.

When you correctly scruff a cat, they will go limp, and you can easily put them in a carrier.

***As a side note, if the cat is very friendly, only catch and sterilize them if you are 100% sure they do NOT have an owner.

How To Sterilize Feral Cats In Thailand

Use a cat trap if the cat is fearful and does not allow you to get near them.

You can buy these on Lazada, where many sizes are available – I have this cat trap.

You may also be able to borrow a trap from a rescue center or private rescuer in your area.

How To Set Up A Cat Trap

Cat traps are easier to set up than they look.

Typically, you connect a rod to the trap door and the metal plate. Then, when the cat steps on the metal plate, the rod triggers the lever, shutting the trap door.

Here is an instructional video for the standardized cat trap you can buy on Lazada.

Best Time To Trap Cats

So, let’s talk about the trapping process.

Firstly, trapping feral cats for the first time can be stressful and nerve-wracking, so I recommend getting someone to help you.

The best time to trap a cat is early in the morning for two reasons:

1. This is when they are most hungry
2.  Once trapped, you’ll only have to wait a few hours before the vets open

If your vet is open until late, you can also consider trapping early in the evening. If you catch the cat in time, you can take them to the clinic before it closes, where they can be sterilized the following morning.

Note that if you trap a cat at night, you’ll need to put the cat (in the trap) somewhere safe until the vets open the next day. This could be in a garage or spare room of your house.

I prefer trapping cats in the morning as they can go straight to the vet and be sterilized that afternoon.

Step-By-Step Guide To Trapping Stray Cats

Whenever you plan to trap, schedule ample time to do so, as there is a chance you won’t trap the cat straight away.

Moreover, if you’re trapping multiple cats, it could take several hours to get them all.

Taking A Feral Cat To The Vet

When you have successfully trapped the cat, immediately put a large towel over the trap.

Cats get stressed when the trap door closes. However, placing a towel over the cage helps to calm them down quickly.

If your vet clinic is already open, take them straight there. Put down pee pads in your car in case of any anxiety-induced accidents, and keep the towel over the cage throughout the trip.

If you’re trapping multiple cats, as soon as you trap one, move them to a different location so the other cats do not see the cat in distress. For example, you could put them in your or your neighbor’s garden or garage.

If the vet clinic is not yet open, keep them in a safe space until it is. Do NOT leave a trapped cat on the street unattended.

Releasing Sterilized Stray Cats

Once you’ve taken the cat to the vet, take a sigh of relief as the hard part is over, and your job is almost done.

Ensure the cat gets adequate time to recover from the sterilization before being released back to the street.

Male sterilization (neutering) is not so invasive, so male cats typically only need to stay at the vet clinic for one night. In most cases, male cats can go home the next morning.

Female cats, however, have a longer recovery time, and the exact length will depend on the size of their incision.

Typically, female stray cats must stay at the vet clinic for a few nights to ensure they do not rip their wound open and get an infection.

If the cat was pregnant when spayed, the incision will be bigger. In this case, they should stay at the clinic for 5 to 7 days.

If the stray cat is friendly and you have space at home, consider caring for them yourself during their recovery period. This will surely be a less stressful option for them.

But if you do this, I recommend you confine them to one room to limit their movement and ensure they do not lick the wound excessively.

When it is time to release the cat, release them in the same spot where you trapped them.

It’s normal for just-sterilized stray cats to run off and hide, so you may not see them much for the next few days. Regardless, leave them plenty of food and water to help them recover and re-settle.

Teaming Up To Make More Impact

Trapping and sterilizing stray cats can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if it’s your first time. That’s why I strongly recommend teaming up with another cat lover in your community.

Perhaps you’ve spotted someone feeding the stray cats on your street. Why not start a conversation with them and suggest working together to sterilize the cats?

Or, if you have a friend who loves cats as much as you do, tell them about your TNR plan and ask if they’d like to help out.

I’m fortunate enough to have a cat-loving neighbor with whom I sterilize the stray cats in our area. I can tell you firsthand how much of a difference it makes to have a ‘TNR partner.’

So, rather than trying to tackle this task alone, seek help. Not only will it make the experience much more enjoyable, but you may even make a new friend!

FAQ’s On How To Sterilize Cats In Thailand

Why should you sterilize cats in Thailand?

Sterilizing stray cats in Thailand reduces both the reproduction and mortality rates of the stray cat population. It also improves the cat’s health and quality of life and reduces territorial aggression among community cats.

How long should a stray cat stay at the vet clinic after sterilization?

Male cats can typically go home 24 hours after being neutered. Female cats take longer to recover, though, often needing to stay at the clinic for 3 – 7 days.

Can you spay a pregnant cat in Thailand?

Most vets in Thailand will refuse to spay a stray pregnant cat as it goes against cultural beliefs. But while controversial, spaying a pregnant cat at any stage of the pregnancy is generally safe.

Can you spay a nursing mother cat?

If a cat is nursing kittens less than one month old, refrain from spaying her until the kittens are eight weeks old and weaned. Spaying a nursing mother cat involves taking her away from her kittens and putting them at risk of death.

Where to buy cat traps in Thailand?

Many humane cat traps are available to order on Lazada and cost between 500 and 1000 baht. Opt for a cat trap that is at least 70 cm long.