Helpful Hints
1. To time trapping, schedule feeding times (ie. once in morning, once at night). Cats will become accustomed to schedule and appear. Do not leave food out all the time. This will also help to avoid attracting/catching animals you do not want to trap.
2. Place food in the back of the trap. The trap is released when the animal steps on the steel plate.
3. If a cat is reluctant to enter trap, de-sensitize by rigging trap so it will not close. (ie. use a dowel stick). Place food near trap. At next feeding, place food closer, etc. until food is inside. This may take a few days. Eventually, place food at the back of the trap. When the cat is no longer fearful and enters trap completely, remove dowel stick at next feeding. (be sure to have a vet appointment scheduled!)
4. To reduce stress and injury:
- Try to minimize the time a cat is in the trap (ie. Trap the night before the vet appointment). Captured animals can injure themselves trying to escape.
- Once caught, place a blanket over the trap
- Keep cat in a safe, quiet place (ie. garage)
- Place trap on newspaper and elevate trap using two bricks underneath, one in front, one in back (in case cat urinates).
5. If possible, keep cat indoors (or garage) after surgery. Females, in particular, need time to recover (approx. 3 days).
6. If you can keep the cat for recovery, bring a separate crate to vet. Place a small litter box (add shredded newspaper) in front and blanket/towel in back. The cat can be placed in crate immediately after surgery.
7. While recovering, the cat may not eat, but provide daily food, water. Take necessary precautions when opening crate.
