If you want to try to grab the kitten, try FOOD. Many years ago I rescued five feral kittens living in our yard in Menlo Park, one by one, by luring them closer and closer with bits of cat kibble, until I could grab them. (Note: This mostly took place in the middle of the night when they were frolicking on our patio, and I hid behind a screen door.) We kept one, found a home for one, and took the rest to the Palo Alto Animal Shelter.

Be aware that if you manage to grab the kitten, it may well be covered with fleas, so don't take it anywhere in your house that could be easily infested until you have treated the kitten if necessary. (Our kittens went straight to a bathroom.) Also be aware that if you see one very young kitten, there may be more nearby in the "nest" being watched by Mom, so keep your eye out for them.

Take the kitten to an animal shelter to see if it has been microchipped, and thus already has an owner, and/or to see if anyone has reported it missing. (Also check Fogster and Craigslist for reports of missing pets.)

Various humane societies and animal-rescue groups also rent humane traps (put food at the end of a cage, animal goes in, door shuts behind it). I rescued mine all "by hand", but that's not necessary.

Hi Cat Lover,
I did finally rescue "Buster" this morning, and got a little chomp for my efforts (not unlike how couples treat each other at times!). I did post in our neighborhood for him, with no reply. He's at the rescue getting fixed and chipped, and will come home with me. Not quite my plan, but then when is life up to our plans?

Buster turned out to be "Olive" and she's at Nine Lives in Redwood City. They have a fundraiser in early September; wine tasting and silent auction.