Humane Trapping Instructions for Feral Cats

Before you trap

1. We recommend that you establish a routine feeding schedule. Feed the cats at the same time and place each day for at least one week prior to trapping.

2. It is better to 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. Also, if you elect to have the cats spayed and neutered surgery will be easier on the cats if they have not eaten for the past 24 hours.

Start trapping

1. To begin, prepare the traps away from the trapping site. Place the trap on a flat surface as you bait and set it. Do this so that if a trap does not properly work or goes off too easily it will not scare off the cats.

2. Unlatch the rear door and take it off so you can get your hands inside the trap. Be sure to relock the rear door before trapping. If your trap does not have a rear door then secure the front door open with a twist tie so that it won't keep falling shut while you work.

3. Fold the newspaper lengthwise and place it inside the bottom of the trap, to disguise the wires on the bottom of the trap. Do not use newspaper if it is windy.

4. Place approximately one tablespoon of bait (tuna in oil, sardines in oil, chicken, mackerel, etc) along the very back of the trap. Drizzle some juice from the bait along the trap towards the entrance in a zigzag pattern. Place about one-fourth teaspoon of bait in the middle of the trap on the trip-plate, and one-fourth teaspoon about six inches inside the front of the trap. The cat will move his or her paws trying to get the zigzagged bait, thus springing the trap. It is important not to leave too much bait in the front or middle; this may satisfy the cat and she will leave without setting off the trap.

5. Take the traps to the trapping site, near the feeding area. Place the trap on the ground and make certain it is stable and will not rock or tip. If you are using multiple traps, stagger them, and place them facing in different directions. Try to think like a cat and place the trap where it will be tempting. Move quietly and slowly, and try to remain relaxed so your mannerisms will not frighten cats away.

6. Set and cover the traps (a towel will suffice for a cover). Leave the area quietly. The cats are unlikely to enter the traps if you are standing nearby. If you are trapping in your yard you can go inside.

7. After the cat has been caught, cover the entire trap with a towel or cloth before moving it. Covering the traps will help to keep the cats calm. It is normal for the cat to thrash around inside the trap. It is very tempting to release him but he will not hurt himself if the trap is covered. If a cat has already hurt himself, do not release him. Most injuries from traps are very minor, such as a bruised nose, scratched paw pad, or bloody nose. The cat will calm down once the trap is covered.

Things to Remember

• Traps should never be left unattended for more than two hours under any circumstances. It is preferable to quietly check the traps more frequently from a distance. You do not want to leave a cat in the trap for too long. Also, traps may be stolen, damaged, or set off. Someone who does not understand your intentions may release a trapped cat.

• Trapping a feral cat may take some time. Be patient. It may take the cat a few minutes to go into the trap. Make sure the trap is sprung, and the cat securely trapped, before you approach the trap. If you come out too soon you may frighten the cat away.

• If certain cats will not go into the traps, try feeding them in unset traps for several days before trapping. Feed the cats in the same place and time as always. Wire the doors to the traps open and place the food inside. The cats will see other cats eating inside the traps and will likely try it themselves. Once they become accustomed to the traps they will be easier to trap.

Returning the Cat

After surgery, allow the cat to recover overnight in the same trap, still covered. Usually the veterinarian's staff will replace any soiled newspaper in the bottom of the trap with fresh newspaper. If they do not do this, ask them to. Fresh newspaper will make the cats more comfortable during recovery.

Female cats usually need to be held for 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Male cats can be returned to the trapping site 12 to 24 hours following surgery as long as they are fully awake and do not require further medical attention. Make sure all cats are fully conscious and alert before release.

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, pull off the cover, then walk away. Do not be concerned if the cat hesitates a few moments before leaving. He is simply reorienting himself to his surroundings. It is not uncommon for the cat to stay away for a few days after release; he will return eventually. Keep leaving food and water out; he may eat when you are not around.

Never release the cat into a new area. Feral cats form strong bonds with other cats in their colonies. Separating a cat from her colony members and leaving her alone in a new environment will cause stress, depression, and loneliness.

Benefits to sterilizing the stray and feral cats you feed:

 Decrease the overall population of feral cats by stopping the birth of more kittens;

 Decrease mating behavior, like yowling, roaming, and spraying urine, which may cause complaints;

 Decrease the risk of certain types of cancer for cats in your colony;

 Improve the overall health of the feral cats in your colony - sterilized cats live longer, healthier lives;

 Maintain medical records on your cats, proving they are healthy and vaccinated;

 And, stop the tragedy of kitten mortality

So, I Caught A Cat – Now What?

Options for Feral and Wild Cats

1. Bring the cat in the trap to the Humane Society. The cat will be humanely euthanized (feral cats are not adoptable animals).

OR

2. Take the cat to your veterinarian for spay/neuter and release the cat after recovery (12-24hrs). This also requires you to provide fresh food and water daily for the cats that you trap, neuter and release.

Humane Society’s Perspective

The Humane Society of St Thomas believes it is in the best interest of the human community and cat population that healthy feral and wild cats be spayed/neutered and released back into their environment (sick or severely injured feral cats should always be euthanized to relieve their suffering). Trap, Neuter & Return (TNR) is the most important step for a humane, non-lethal feral cat management program.

Assistance is Available

If you chose to be part of the solution of feral cat management but need assistance in trapping or financial assistance in spaying/neutering or feeding your colony, please call the Cat Café Project Director at 513-1854. Assistance is available through this special program designed to end the overpopulation of cats in a safe and reasonable manner. If you do not need assistance please call us anyway so that your colony can be registered with the program to ensure that your cats are not being re-trapped by other responsible citizens!

Remember, you have already taken the first step in ensuring that another cat will not be contributing to the overpopulation on St Thomas. The Humane Society commends and appreciates your efforts in helping to control the needless pet overpopulation on the island. Working together, we can all make a difference in the lives of the animals!

Remember: Spaying just ONE female cat can prevent 420,000 kittens from being born over 7 years! Be part of the solution.

Thank you for caring.