HUMANE TRAPPING INSTRUCTIONS
(Adapted from Feral Cat Coalition)
revised 9/7/2000
These instructions assume that trappers are using
either traps from the Tomahawk
Live Trap Company or one of Cat Network's custom-made box traps.
Specifics regarding the traps may be slightly different if you are using
another type of trap. Make arrangements with one of the vets on our list
in advance of trapping. You may want to take a pet carrier to the vet's
office and ask the vet to transfer the cat into it after surgery. The
carrier will be more comfortable for the cat if you need to care for the
cat.
PREPARATION FOR TRAPPING
If possible, get the cats used to being fed at the
same place and time of day. You might try leaving the trap unset during
routine feeding so that the animal will get used to seeing and smelling
it in the area. If you are using the BOX trap, you can leave off the
door, and place the food in the back of the trap to accustom the cat to
eating inside the trap.
Don't feed the day/night before trapping. The
cats must be hungry. Notify others who may feed the cats not to leave
food out.* Trap the night before your surgery appointment if possible.
Cats should not eat 12 hours prior to surgery.
Prepare a protected area, such as a garage or
enclosed patio to hold the cats after trapping and before going to the
vet. Lay down newspapers to catch the inevitable stool, urine and food
residue. You may want to use pieces of wood to elevate the traps off the
newspapers. This allows the mess to fall through the wire away from the
cats. Spraying the area ahead of time with a cat-safe flea spray (like
Adams or Ovitrol) will discourage ants.
Prepare the vehicle you will use to transport
the cats. Use a thick layer of newspapers or newspaper over plastic to
place under the trap.
If trapping at night, bring a flashlight.
SETTING THE TRAPS
Plan to set traps just before or at the cats'
normal feeding time. This is often at night. Dusk is usually the best
time to set traps. Don't trap in the rain without adequate protection
for the trap. Don't trap in the heat of day.
Fold a piece of newspaper to line the bottom of
the trap.
Use smelly food to bait the trap. Don't forget a
spoon, can-opener, and a cap to place on the can of un-used food. Canned
sardines, canned tuna or even fried chicken are very effective Use a
small paper plate or an additional small piece of paper to hold the
food. Dribble the newspaper with a little food juice and place the food
at the very back of the cage, as far beyond the trip plate as possible.*
After baiting the trap, set the trap according to the enclosed
instructions, depending on if you are using a Tomahawk trap or a box
trap.
After setting the trap, cover it with a large
towel or piece of towel-sized material. Fold the material at the front
end of the trap to expose the opening while still covering the top and
sides of the trap. The cover will help to camouflage the trap and serve
to calm the cat after it is caught.
Place the trap on a level surface in the area
where the cats usually feed or have been seen. If trapping in a public
area, try to place traps where they will not be noticed by passersby
(who may not understand that you are not trying to harm the cat).
WAITING FOR SUCCESS
Never leave traps unattended in an unprotected
area, but don't hang around within sight of the cat. Wait quietly in an
area where you can still see the traps without disturbing the cats.
If you are using a box trap, and are targeting a
particular cat; you can use a squirt gun or spray bottle filled with
water to discourage other cats as they approach the trap.
As soon as the intended cat is trapped,
completely cover the trap and remove the trap from the area if other
cats are not in sight. You may consider putting another trap in the same
spot if it seems to be a "hot" one.
When you get the captured cat to a quiet area
away from the other traps lift the cover and check that you have the
correct animal. The Cat Network tips the left ear of every animal we
alter so we can avoid repeat animals.
KEEP THE CAT COVERED. Uncovered, the cat
may panic and hurt itself thrashing around in the trap.
HOLDING PROCEDURES
After you have finished trapping, you will
probably have to hold the cats overnight until you can take them to the
vet.
Place cats in the prepared protected area. Don't
feed them. You can place a small bowl of water in the trap by opening
the trap door just a couple of inches and placing the bowl by the trap
door. Try to use a bowl that won't be tipped over easily. An empty cat
food or tuna can works well.
Keep cats covered. They will probably be very
quiet as long as they are covered. Don't allow children or pets near the
traps. These are wild animals which scratch and bite.
Change clothes before having contact with your
own pets as a precaution against spreading any contagious diseases the
cats might carry. Always isolate the feral cats from your pets.
TRANSPORTING TO THE VET
Carry the cat to the vet in the covered trap. Do
not try to transfer the cat into a carrier because it is dangerous and
you risk the cat escaping. Bring a pet carrier with you, and the vet
will transfer the cat to it after surgery. If the carrier is to be used
for recuperation as well, place plenty of newspaper or a small litter
box inside. After the cats are transferred, hose off traps and disinfect
them with bleach. Store the traps in the "unset" position.
RECUPERATING THE CATS
If the veterinarian has indicated a serious
medical problem with the cat which you will not be able to treat, you
must make the decision on whether it is safe to release the animal or
kinder to euthanize it. Cats can be treated for mange, ear-mites, worms,
and mild upper-respiratory infections by placing the appropriate
medicine in canned food. Discuss this option with the vet. We want to
avoid suffering and a slow death.
Both female and male cats may be released as early as 24 hours after
surgery as long as they are alert and there appears to be no medical
complications such as bleeding or swelling. However, if you can hold the
female cat at least three days, it allows a longer time for the stitches
to heal. A large pet carrier works well as a recuperation cage, but a litter box must be
provided.
Place carrier in a quiet, protected location away from children and
pets. Provide fresh food and water by placing the dishes just inside the
door, without disturbing the animal.
The Cat Network
has a limited number of recuperation cages which can be borrowed for a
nominal deposit. Get advice or assistance from an experienced Cat
Network member before attempting to transfer the female cat into a
recuperation cage.
KITTENS
If young kittens are involved, remember that
they should not be weaned from the mother before 4-6 weeks of age. If
you are trapping a lactating female, you may want to wait until you have
located the kittens and they are old enough to wean. If you have
captured a lactating female, and you do not want to release her, this
female must be released the next day following surgery so she can care
for and nurse her kittens. It is a risk, but the kittens will otherwise
starve.
Females with kittens will be attracted by the
sound of their kittens if the previously captured kittens are placed in
a covered carrier just behind the trap. Similarly, kittens will be
easier to trap if the previously captured mom is in the carrier. Never
place the "bait" animal in the trap or anywhere where it may
be harmed by the trapped animal. Even moms can hurt their babies if
frightened enough.
Some kittens can be caught without a trap but
are still too wild to be handled easily. Use a thick towel to pick up
the kitten to help protect you from scratching and biting. This also
helps prevent the kitten from squirming away from you.
If you wish to tame and foster the kittens to
adopt out, they should be taken from the mother at 4-6 weeks. If you
wait until the kittens are older than 4-6 weeks before trying to tame
them you will find the job progressively harder with age. For advice
regarding the taming and/or fostering of feral or orphaned kittens
consult your veterinarian or The Cat Network.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING A TOMAHAWK TRAP
Lift the front V-door by pushing the top of the
door in and pulling the bottom of the door upward. There is a small hook
(called the trigger) under the top of the cage on the right side. This
trigger is attached to a rod which is connected to the trip plate. The
trigger hooks onto a tiny brass roller located on the right side of the
V-door. The trigger holds the V-door in an open position while raising
the trip plate. When the cat enters the trap, it will step on the plate
as it approaches the food at the back of the trap causing the trigger to
release the door and close the trap. Make sure the back door is latched!
Cover the trap with a towel if you have not already covered it, to calm
the cat.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING A BOX TRAP
The box trap is very simple to use and is manually
operated. This allows you to set the trap for a particular cat. The
front trap door is held up by a nail which is attached to a long string.
When the desired cat enters the trap to eat, you pull the string firmly
and quickly which releases the nail, and the door slams down, trapping
the cat in the box trap. This is especially effective for trapping more
than one cat or kitten at a time.
Place the front door into the slots on either side
of the front opening. Lower the door until the drilled hole near the
bottom of the door is even with the top of the trap. Place the nail with
attached string through the hole for about 1/4 inch or until it holds
the door up (see drawing). The nail can be placed through the hole in
either direction, depending on where you want to stand - behind the trap
or in front of it. Un-spool the string to the desired length. You want
to be far enough away from the trap to allow the wary cat to approach
without fear. When the cat of your choice enters the trap, allow it time
to start eating the food. When its attention is only focused on eating,
spring the trap by pulling on the string. After the door goes down,
quickly place a towel or sheet over the trap to calm the cat (if you did
not cover it prior to setting the trap).
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