At the Site

Consider spraying the trapping area with a cat-safe insect spray to discourage ants. Please ask your veterinarian what he or she recommends and do this a couple of hours before you trap. Then, place a large spoonful of appetizing food bait directly on newspaper—not in a bowl, please—at the far end of the trap closest to the trip plate. Slide the door back on and be absolutely, positively certain it is locked. Use a zip tie if necessary.

Dusk is a popular time to trap, and in fact, trapping the night before surgery is the preferred timeline. Place the trap on a level surface since cats dislike wobbling and cover the trap with a towel or cloth. Fold back the material at the front so the opening is exposed. Then set the trap. Once a cat is trapped, keep the trap covered with the cloth. This is extremely important for the safety of the cat, so NEVER leave the cat in a trap without your attention: It could be stolen or released. Also NEVER leave a trapped cat in the car. In a trap, the cat can really hurt itself, “bashing” to get out and may be extremely afraid. Please always cover the trap with a towel at all times when dealing with a trapped cat.

Did you know cats stay calmer if they can’t see so much? They’re more likely to injure themselves thrashing around in the trap. In very hot weather especially, however, be careful to leave sufficient air ventilation for the trapped cat. Don’t trap if heavy rain is expected, for risk of drowning is real.

Read On:

Help is Here
If you’re new to colony care and trapping, Stray Cat Alliance can help. Please contact us through our contact page. We provide humane traps and training on all aspects of trapping for the purposes of TNR for people in southern California...

"T" is for TRAP
So you’ve assumed responsibility for a community cat colony. You want to get the cats vaccinated and fixed. Great! You’ll need these supplies first...

“N” is for NEUTER, “R” for RETURN
Be sure you’ve made appointments with clinics or veterinarians for cat surgeries before you trap. Before taking the cat to the vet—ideally the next morning—keep it in that quiet holding area...

Surgery Prep
Before you embark on your trapping expedition, think about protection—the “what ifs” that could occur. Prepare the holding area in your home for pre- and post-surgery...