How to Build a Feral Trap

Feral refers to an undomesticated wild animal that cannot be adopted as a pet. The most common type of feral animal that you will come across is a feral cat. These cats were born in the wild and cannot be tamed or domesticated. However, if you have a feral cat near your home that you feel is in danger, if it appears to be starving or predators are an issue, the best thing to do is trap the cat and take it to your local animal shelter, where trained professionals will know how to handle it.

Things You'll Need

  • wooden boards
  • nail gun
  • plywood
  • chicken wire
  • air stapler
  • pull stick
  • gate latch
  • 35 foot cord
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Instructions

    • 1

      Join wooden boards together to create a frame. The size of the feral trap can vary, but the cat should be able to stand, sit, lie down and turn around comfortably. Use a nail gun to join the wood frame.

    • 2

      Cover the bottom of the frame with a piece of plywood and nail it in place.

    • 3

      Connect 1-inch chicken wire to all sides of the wood frame, except one, and the top with an air stapler to create the walls and ceiling. The wire needs to have small holes to keep the cat from injuring itself. No sharp ends should be present.

    • 4

      Attach a thin piece of plywood to the top of one side of the trap and connect it with hinges. This will be the door of the trap. It should lift up from the bottom.

    • 5

      Put a gate latch at the bottom of the trap. One end of the latch should be on the bottom edge of the frame, while the other is on the door. When the trap closes, these two pieces should automatically latch onto each other to keep the feral cat inside the trap.

    • 6

      Tie at least a 35-foot cord to the pull stick. You will set up the feral trap with some kind of food. Sit and wait from a distance. When the feral cat enters the trap, pull the cord and the door will close. The gate latch will catch, and you will be able to safely transport the cat.