Feral Square Trapping Tips

Trapping Tips

If the cat or colony is being fed at a certain time, then I suggest trapping at that time. Otherwise feral cats come out very early in the AM or very late at night. They come out when it's quiet

Make sure the trap is clean and as free as possible of human scent. Wear gloves when you handle it and set it up.

Placement of the trap is important also. Better to place it in a some what hidden area. Next to a bush or tree, or off to one side. Don't place it where there is a bright street lamp shining down on it.

You may need to disguise the trap. You can do this in a number of ways including, putting a clean blanket or material over it. You can use a card board box or branches. Needless to say you need to keep the doorway of the trap uncovered. Some cats will be more inclined to go into a trap if they can see through the rear, makes them think they can get out that way. Some do better if only the door is open.

Do not put food out the day you are trapping unless it is in the trap Always make sure there is fresh clean water out. A hungry cat is a trapable cat.I know it sound cruel, but it isn't really, you are trying to help the cat.

Bait for traps can be almost any type of food. Cat food, human foods such as chicken, steak or fish ( no bones of course). Tuna and Mackeral usually will work when all else has failed.

I use a bait trail for difficult cats. I bait the trap, then walk about a food away and put another piece of bait, then another foot away another piece. You get the idea, have a trail that leads to the trap and the food. Don't put to many pieces out only 3-4.

Some cats just seem to realize somethings up. These are the ones who just won't go into a trap food or not. Some cats get sneaky and try getting the food out without getting into the trap and the do. I have had to get inventive with more than one cat over the years. Catnip in the back of a trap got one I'd been trying to trap for months.

You may want to line the inside of the trap with newspaper. If not when you transport the cat make sure to have some plastic under the trap for accidents. Plastic is easier to clean then your cars seat or carpet.

You need to keep an eye on the trap. You can not just leave a trap for a day and come back the next. You may also want to put up a sign in the area saying that you are trapping the cats. Some people will release a cat if they see it in an unattended trap. Of course there are also those sick individuals out there too.

On occasion a cat will freak out when trapped it usually will happen to some extent put if you cover the trap completely and have it in a queit place the cat will usually settle down. I have however ran into a few cats that didn't settle down and actually hurt themselves in the trap by banging their head against the bars

When you get the cat, be careful, cats can go wild in a trap and they can hurt you. Wear gloves to pick the trap up, leave the trap covered by the blanket and take the trap in doors if you can, like a garage, some place quiet, very important for the cat to remain in a quiet place covered in-between trapping and taking to the Vet which you will need to do ASAP. Hopefully the Vet will be able to hold the cat after the surgery for 24 hours. This is to make sure the cat doesn't have complications or hurts it's self.

Remember, this maybe a cat, but this cat has not been socialized to humans and will is still a wild animal with teeth and claws like razors. Having been bite and clawed badly a few times, I don't want it to happen to you.

It is also a good idea to clean traps inbetween cats. First clean the trap with soap and hot water. Then use a solution of one part bleach to thirty-two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray it on and let it stay on for at least fifteen minutes and thirty is better.

Ferals just have a natural reaction to swipe or try to catch anything that pulls a way from them. I think that is instinctually to all cats, but maybe more so in ferals due to their hunting skills. Try to not pull away from the cat in a fast manner. The slower the better and less likely you will get scratched. It is perfectly ok to tell even a feral cat NO! in a stern voice. Most ferals are pretty quick on the up take and learn what is not good behavior.