Hi! 

These are some basic instructions to help aid people who are trying to trap.

First, never trap without a plan. Check with local services about a TNR appointment before trapping.

You also want to make sure you connect with neighbors to explain what TNR is so they know what you are doing, and explain how you need their help by not feeding during a TNR process. For better success, you should withhold food for one or two feedings before you trap. However, ALWAYS have water available, but NOT in the trap.

Set up a recovery area in advance so you are prepared at home when you have to pick up the cat and are not overwhelmed. The cat will remain in the trap overnight. If you can, elevate it with a pallet or similar, or at least lay it on some newspaper. The recovery area should be at least 65 degrees because the cat will still be under anesthesia, and cannot control its own body temperature. It can go into hypothermia and die. Once the cat is back at your house recovering, you can drop food down from the top. Above all, NEVER transfer out of the trap or open the door to put anything in it.  

Line the trap with newspaper so the cat has something to walk on and so it can help absorb any waste. Bait the trap with something smelly like mackerel, sardines or tuna. All items are usually available at the dollar store.

Fully cover the trap with something light in the summer and heavier in the winter. This can be done before or after trapping. Some prefer after so the cover doesn’t scare the cat away, especially when it’s a little windy. If you have set the trap uncovered, cover it immediately after trapping the cat. It usually calms them down.

Never leave a trap unattended. If it’s set where you can’t see it, check it every 30 minutes in summer, and every 20 minutes in winter. Also, NEVER set a trap in a rain or snow storm. Do NOT let the trap set overnight, as they are prey for other animals. Unset it before you go to bed.

If you trap the night before spay day, DO NOT leave the trapped cat outside overnight. It must be put somewhere safe, for example a garage or a basement.  

It must be heated in the winter.

If you trap a nursing mom, don’t panic. She can be fixed and returned the next day or the same night if instructed to do so by the spay clinic. She will be able to continue nursing. If you trap a pregnant mom, she can also still be fixed. 

With all of the unwanted kittens already born that either freeze to death, or get eaten alive from flea infestation, it is the most humane way to help more. They simply go to sleep with no pain. If we hold one mom and her kittens, it literally takes 3-4 months by the time they are fixed themselves and ready for adoption. There are so many more we can help that are already born. That is why we choose to terminate any pregnant cats.

For more tips on trapping, go to alleycat.org

Download these instructions