How to Set Cat Traps

Feral cats live outdoors and get food by hunting, scavenging in garbage cans, or from friendly humans. Unfortunately, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, outdoor cats are often not spayed or neutered, and feral cats are over-breeding. More kittens means more future cats and more future kittens. The ASPCA recommends using the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method to help keep the feral cat population manageable. To help implement this method, you will need to know how to trap a cat in the first place. Following are some tips and strategies on accomplishing this according to guidelines provided by advocacy groups the Neighborhood Cats, the Alley Cat Allies and the ASPCA.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat trap
  • Newspaper
  • Oil-packed tuna
  • Burlap sack
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the trap, taking care to do this in an area that the cat does not frequent, so that you do not scare or alert the animal. Unlatch and lift the back door of the trap. Line the bottom of the trap with folded newspaper, which will protect the cat's paws from the floor of the wire cage.

    • 2

      Place about 1 tbsp. of oil-packed tuna at the back end of the trap, as suggested by Alley Cat Allies. Drip some of the tuna-scented oil over the newspaper on the bottom of the cage. Place 1/2 tsp of tuna just inside the trap entrance to attract the cat.

    • 3

      Slide the rings on the left and right side of the trap entrance up as far as they will go, then lift the front door.

    • 4

      Flip the lever on the inside of the trap so that it leans against the front door, holding it open. Moving the lever will raise the trip plate at the back of the cage. When the cat steps on the trip plate to eat the food, the door will shut behind it.

    • 5

      Set the trap in an area that the cat frequents, and which is surrounded by bushes or low trees. Drape a burlap sack over the cat trap. To make the cat less wary of the trap, camouflage the burlap by covering it with leafy branches. Close and lock the back door. Your trap is now ready.