How-To Trap Humanely

Feral cats need to be trapped humanely in order to sterilize, treat and release them back into their community to live healthy, long lives. However, the logistics and mechanics of actually trapping a wary feral cat can be a bit sticky for a beginner. Not to worry, there are some solid steps you can take to safely trap a feline neighbor without too much stress on you or the kitty. 

STEP 1: Choosing the right trap

The best trap to use for a trap-wary cat is the reliable drop trap. Since the mechanism for trapping the cat is manual, patience will be a requirement. However, it does give you the choice of which cat you trap since other traps just capture whichever cat strolls in. Alley Cat Allies have created a list of some efficient options for especially hard to trap cats. They also have information on other kinds of traps, such as box traps. 

STEP 2: Customization

Camouflaging the trap is a great way to make the cats more comfortable around it. Covering the trap with a natural material like burlap with leaves or small branches placed around the top, sides, and on the floor inside the trap will lessen the trap's "unknown" factor for the cats. Be sure that none of your additions interfere with the trap closing.

STEP 3: Acclimation and incentive

Cats will naturally be more fearful of something strange and new in their surroundings. To make sure that the introduction of the trap doesn't disrupt their behavior patterns, acclimating them to the traps will be essential. This can be a bit of a waiting game. Placing unset traps in secure locations with plenty of food in it and leading to it can be a sure-fire way to get any kitty used to the trap and begin positive association.

Incentive comes by way of food. Food that is especially smelly will work best. Canned tuna, baby food (that doesn't contain onions), catnip and other foods like that work super well. Create a trail of food to the trap and place a heaping amount of it in the back of the cage itself. Some people withhold food from the cats usual eating spot for up to 48 hours. Do NOT withhold food for more than 48 hours as it's simply not healthy for the cats. Also never withhold water!

STEP 4: Choosing the right location

Cats will feel more comfortable to explore a new object if it is in an area that they feel safe. These areas are usually out of sight for humans. Placing a trap in a more secure place, like an alley or behind a line of bushes will increase your chances of a successful catch. 

If you're trying to nab an especially trap-wary cat, then there are a few tricks to lure them in. Trap-wary cats will usually circle around the trap to see if there's another way to retrieve the food inside. One way to confuse a cat trying to sneak a treat out of reach is to place two traps side by side with their entrances facing opposite directions. This way, the cat will circle around one trap, see that there's an alternate entrance and may walk right into the next trap.

STEP 5: Take a break!

Cats are much smarter than people give them credit for. If a cat will not go into the trap after repeated attempts or they set off the trap accidentally, they won't be willing to go anywhere near that trap for a bit. Take a break of a week or two so that both you and the cat will be fresh again. This, again, means you need to have a lot of patience. The trap-wary cat needs to be reconditioned to think of the trap as a safe object. 

You can do this! Have some patience and a lot of tuna and you will succeed.