Cat Network Humane Trapping Guidelines
1. Establish a feeding routine. Feed the cats in the same place at the same time every day.
2. Make an appointment with Cat Network for the number of cats you hope to trap at one time, and arrange to borrow traps ($60 cash refundable deposit per trap.) Call 735-0604 or email info@catnetworkofstanislaus.org .
3. If you are trapping cats that have been well fed for some time, feed them lighter meals for a week before trapping. You want to create some desperation level for them so that your trapping efforts go faster. The evening before trapping feed a lot less than usual, then remove all the food.
4. On the day before you appointment, at regular feeding time set the trap(s.) Line the trap with newspaper folded in half lengthwise and put tuna or smelly canned cat food on a small folded section of newspaper at the back of the trap. Put a trail of very small food bits and juices on the newspaper from the front of the trap towards the back. Move away from the area but stay close by where you can see, or at least hear, when the trap has been sprung. Don't stay so close that you may scare the cats, and stay quiet while the cats investigate the trap. Never leave any set trap unattended. If you are trapping several cats at one time, you may be better off covering the traps at the beginning. This will help you keep the cats calmer and minimize scaring off other cats. Typically when cats get caught they start thrashing back and forth which scares off the other cats. It also may cause them to bleed form injuries.
5. Immediately after a cat has been caught in the trap quietly approach and cover the trap with a large towel or similar cover large enough to cover the whole trap. Give the cat a few moments to calm down, then move the covered trap to a safe, quiet location indoors. If you are trapping several cats at one time, you may be better off covering the traps at the beginning. This will help you keep the cats calmer and minimize scaring off other cats. Typically when cats get caught they start thrashing back and forth which scares off the other cats. It also may cause them to bleed form injuries.
When storing cats the night before surgery you should protect your floors with plastic, newspapers, old towels or bath rugs. Never try to touch a trapped cat. Do not attempt to feed the cats before the surgery. They are typically so freaked out and will not eat or drink and you just create more moisture in the trap.
6. If you do not catch any cats, or catch fewer than intended, by 9pm the night before the clinic, call the clinic and let them know. They can then give that appointment to someone else.
7. On morning of you appointment day, transport the covered, trapped cats to the clinic. Do not transport in the trunk of your car if there is no air flow. If you transport in the bed of a pick-up truck you will need an additional blanket tied down over the traps and secured to the truck. If the bed of the truck is hot also cover it with a towels, blankets, or rugs before putting the trapped cats in it. Never leave the trapped cats in a hot vehicle, not even for one minute.
8. The clinic staff will call you to tell you when your cat(s) is ready to be picked up. Your pick-up time could be as early as 3 pm. Take the cat(s) home to the same quiet, safe, indoor location to recover from surgery. Following feeding instructions given by the veterinary office. Most cats are allowed a light meal after 8pm of the day of surgery. Do not run errands with trapped cats in your vehicle.
9. The next morning or afternoon, release the cat(s) exactly where they were trapped. Do not hold any cat longer than 36 hours unless there are complications and a vet has told you to do so. If you fed the cats after surgery and they did not eat, release the cats asap. Some cats will not eat in captivity and can suffer complications form lack of food and water. Cats are happiest when they get back to their routines and familiar territories.
>^.^< You have now done TNR !