General Information

Stress in Feral Cats

Feral Kittens

FeLV Testing

Sick Cats/Euthanasia

Trapping Instructions

TRAP/NEUTER/RETURN PROGRAM

Information for Feral Cat Caretakers

Trapping Instructions:

Feral cats, like all wild animals, will strike out when frightened and unable to run away. NEVER stick your hand or fingers inside the trap!

In order to trap effectively, you will need the following:

• One humane trap per cat. You will be more successful if you trap as many cats as possible in the first trapping session.

• A can of tuna in oil, sardines in oil, mackerel, or other enticing bait. If you are using moist cat food, use a food like Fancy Feast which is highly desirable.

• Lids or small containers to hold the bait (optional).

• A large towel or sheet to cover the entire trap. Plastic tablecloths are an excellent choice because they allow moisture to run off in inclement weather. Before a cat has been trapped, cover the trap’s sides and top. This will calm the cat and lessen the risk of injury once it is inside the trap.

• Gloves for your protection.

Withhold Food – You must withhold all food from the cats you intend to trap 24 hours before trapping. This will ensure that the cats are hungry enough to enter the traps. While this may be hard, particularly if the cats appear hungry, remember that you are doing what is best for them.

Preparing the trap – it is best to do this away from the trapping site. Do this so that if a trap does not work properly or goes off too easily it will not scare off the cats. Unlatch the back door so you can get your hands inside the trap, but be sure to relock the door before trapping. If your trap does not have a rear door, secure the front door with a twist ties so it won’t keep falling shut while you work. Place approx. one tablespoon of bait along the back of the trap (in a lid or container if you choose). Drizzle some juice from the bait along the trap towards the entrance in a zigzag pattern. Place about ¼ teaspoon of bait in the middle of the trap on the trip plate. It is important not to leave bait in the front of the trap; this may satisfy the cat and they will leave without setting off the trap. Set and cover the traps, and leave quietly. The cats are unlikely to enter the traps if you are standing nearby. Check the cats every two hours if possible.

After trapping, cover the entire trap before moving it which will help to keep the cats calm. It is normal for cats to thrash about inside the trap, and you may be tempted to release them. Even if a cat has already injured themselves, do not release them. Most injuries from traps are very minor, such as a bruised nose, scratched paw pad, or bloody nose. The cat should calm down once the trap is covered.

Release the cat in the same place you trapped him or her. Open the front door of the trap and pull back the cover. If the trap has a rear door, pull the door up and off, remove the cover and walk away. Do not be concerned if the cat hesitates a few moments before leaving. They is simply reorienting themselves to their surroundings. It is also not uncommon for the cat to stay away for a few days after release. Keep leaving food and water out, and they will return eventually.