Don't leave a trap sitting out in the open, but lean it up against something, like a wall, fence or curb. You should have one or two more traps than there are cats, so it's easier to catch the last few. Position the traps around the feeding area, along pathways normally traveled by the cats and in other nearby areas where the cats are known to gather. Place the traps in the territory - Put all the traps out in the territory at the same time. Finally, lift the rear doors, place bait inside and then close and lock the rear doors. If you have a trap with a narrow trip plate, tape a piece of cardboard onto the plate to extend it. Do a quick check to make sure the traps are all in working order, then tuck a folded sheet between the handles of each trap. If possible, do this out of sight of the cats. Prepare the traps - Line up the traps in a row a comfortable distance from the colony's feeding area, rear doors facing the same direction. When mass trappings fail to get all or almost all of the colony, it's often because the trapper only allowed for one day and something went wrong, like bad weather, unexpected foot traffic, loud construction noise or a similar disruption. Leave enough time - Always plan on at least two days to trap an entire colony, three days if you're after ten or more cats. Check the site periodically to make sure no one stops by and leaves out a bowl of kibble. It is critical to withhold food the day before the trapping so that they'll be very hungry the next day. Before most will go in, they need to be hungry enough to overcome their fear. Withhold food - Feral cats are naturally wary of entering the narrow confines of a box trap. For more on feeding patterns, also see The 7 Steps of TNR. Try to pick at time that will work best for the trapping, such as late morning as opposed to 2 am. The cats will quickly learn to be there, waiting for you. To train them, put out their meals in the same location at as consistent a time as you can manage. If you know where and when the cats show up, then you also know the best time and place to set out your traps. These preparations are discussed in more depth in The 7 Steps of TNR.Įstablish a feeding pattern - Feral cats are much easier to trap when they've been trained to eat in a predictable pattern.
Identifying emergency veterinary care, in case it's needed post-surgery, is also highly recommended. Spay/neuter appointments must be scheduled, traps borrowed or purchased and transportation arranged. You need to find a holding space that is warm, dry, secure and large enough to house the number of cats you plan to trap.
The logistics - Well before the trapping begins, a number of pieces must be in place.
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