Trap, Neuter, & Return

Always make sure you have an appointment before trapping. NEVER SET A TRAP WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT! 

We highly encourage you to get the cat(s) used to a feeding schedule if possible. A meal at the same time in the evening or late afternoon every day-before 9pm- is best so the cat is used to a schedule and dependent on that meal. This will set you up for success when it is time to trap them.  

Trap Training: If you have a safe area to keep a trap set up all the time this would be an ideal space to establish as your feeding site. You are training the cat to get used to being around the trap. Do not actually set the trap until you are ready to capture the cat. Keep the door tied open. You do not want to trap the cat by accident and have to release it. It can be incredibly difficult to trap them again if this happens.  

Place a thin layer newspaper on the bottom of the trap. 

Slowly move the food dish toward the trap and then eventually in it. Get them used to eating in the trap by slowly moving the food further into the trap. Try doing this a week or more prior to trapping.  

A day or two prior to the appointment reduce the amount of food you are providing. You want to leave out just enough that they eat it all immediately and there is nothing leftover they can freely snack on. Do not keep food anywhere else during this time and save your high value canned cat food for trap night. The goal is to get them to show up where you need them to when you need them to. 

The afternoon/night before surgery, keep everything routine. Place a small amount-about 2 Tbsp. or so- of cat food in the back of the trap and set the trap. Now would be a good time to use canned cat food.  

Once the cat has been trapped, cover the trap with a breathable blanket or sheet and move the trap into a safe covered area away from other animals and kids to keep them overnight until their appointment. Please keep the trap covered at all times to help ease the cats' stress. Please make sure the trap is working properly beforehand so there is no chance of the cat escaping or the trap malfunctioning. Set the trap and poke the pressure plate through the side bars using a stick. The trapdoor should snap closed quickly. Gently tug on the door to make sure it cannot be pushed open by the cat trying to escape once caught.