Trapping — SCRATCH Inc

Helping Homeless Cats

A recent national opinion poll shows that 81% of Americans believe it is more humane to leave a stray cat outside to live out her life than to have her caught and killed. (Alley Cat Allies)

A “stray” can mean different things to different people. It can be a cat that was abandoned by her owners and left to fend for herself. It can be one of the many offspring she produced which now fall into the category of “feral” because they were raised without human contact. It can be one of a group of cats that have been drawn to a food source and formed a colony through their mutual desire to survive and their need for companionship.

If you are one of the well-meaning members of our community who are feeding a stray cat or even a colony, please continue to do so, but you cannot stop there. The cats you are feeding are reproducing at an amazing rate and are attracting more and more cats to join the colony. The only answer that has been proven successful is TNR or trap-neuter-return. Each cat must be trapped, altered, vaccinated, ear-tipped and returned to the colony. Once the entire colony is altered it will not continue to grow. Sterile cats do not attract newcomers and if one shows up because of the food source it can be handled in the same manner.

This method of free roaming cat colony management allows the cats to continue their lives however long or short and keeps them healthier and safer. As the colony grows smaller the amount of food must decrease to discourage drawing the attention of other cats and wildlife. The goal is to give cats that are already destined to live outdoors a better life until that life ends naturally, and to reduce the number of cats and kittens that are taken to shelters to be euthanized.

If you are feeding strays or just want to help the homeless cat population, please consider taking the next step and join the many cat advocates in our community that are learning to manage free roaming cat colonies using TNR.

Trapping Guidelines

SCRATCH will lend traps to the feeders of colonies, that we are actively working on, for the purpose of trap training the cats and desensitizing them to the presence of the traps. This makes trapping much more successful. SCRATCH does not lend traps for the purpose of trapping to euthanize healthy feral cats. The following trapping guidelines should help you get started on the TNR of your feral cat colony.

Supplies: Traps, wet food, tuna, sardines, towels or sheets for drapes, paper towels, jar lids, plastic fork, flashlight, binoculars, scissors, pliers, duct tape, paper and pen, newspaper, heavy leather gloves, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, jug of water, garbage bags (to cover seats), first aid kit.

Begin a regular feeding schedule, preferably evenings, so the cats get used to feeding at a set time. If you are not the only feeder, please put up a sign letting people know not to feed the day you plan to trap. It may be helpful to feed the cats out of the traps to desensitize them to the traps. You can do this by using a zip-tie to secure the door in the open position. Start by feeding at the front and gradually move the food to the back. The day you want to trap, remove the zip-tie and set the traps. We recommend trapping the night before, or the morning of your scheduled clinic, so the cats will spend a minimum of time in the trap.
Find a level area on which to place the trap. Lay one sheet of newspaper, folded lengthwise, on the inside of the trap. This helps conceal the trip plate, is more comfortable to lie on and keeps the trap clean. Use a small amount of wet food or tuna and place at the back of the trap. If cats are reluctant to enter the trap put a very small amount of food or drizzle some juice at the entrance of the trap. If cats are trap shy, you can wire the traps open and feed them their daily feedings from inside the traps. This will make them feel secure about entering them on the day that you actually set the traps. You might also try covering the trap with a towel; some cats like the darkness the covered trap provides. Stay close by yet unobtrusive, and check traps every 15-20 minutes. Never leave traps unattended.
Once a cat is trapped, the cat will probably attempt to find a way to escape, and might even become a bit bloodied around the nose. Don't be alarmed; drape a towel or sheet over the trap to help calm the cat and prevent injury. As each cat is trapped, set it in a quiet, level area out of the weather. You will need one trap for each cat that you need to trap and may only have one cat in each trap. If you happen to trap two at a time, do not try to remove one of the cats from the trap. Just bring a carrier for the extra cat to recover in after its surgery. Remember to wear heavy leather gloves when moving the traps to prevent injury to your hands.
Transport cats to the clinic, in the traps with drapes in place, in a covered vehicle. Cover your seats with plastic in case a cat gets car sick or potties. Do not transport in an open pickup or the trunk of a car.
Release cats in the same location they were trapped. Males can be released in 24 hours after neuter, females that are not nursing should be kept 48 hours after spay. Follow clinic instructions for post op care.

These are very basic instructions for trapping feral cats. If you have any questions or special circumstances, please email scratchcats@gmail.com.

Managed Colony with a dedicated feeder.

The cats are fed at the same time everyday which is very helpful when planning the TNR. Traps are set near the feeding area on a flat surface away from the sun.

Cats will inspect the traps before venturing in.

If food is withheld the night before then cats will be hungry and eventually go in the traps.

Once a cat enters the trap and steps on the trip plate the trap will close.

These are Tru-catch traps which close by gravity. They are less likely to scare the cats.

Drape a towel or sheet over the cat to keep him calm.

If you are trapping in Spring and Summer, you must always look for kittens.

These kittens are not accessible yet. The mama will bring them out soon and at that point she can be trapped and the kittens placed in a foster home. You can trap a nursing cat and have her spayed as long as you return her in 24 hours. It is not ideal, but sometimes there is no other option.