Trapping Feral Cats In Winter

For cats who have learned to step lightly to avoid triggering traps slide a stick through the side holes of the trap just in front of the trigger plate and a few inches off the trap floor.

Trapping feral cats in winter.

Don t use anything folded on the floor of a shelter. Cats rely on body heat to stay warm so keep your shelters small for colonies with just a few cats. This is important because feral cats can serve a purpose in our neighborhoods but a stray mama cat can give birth to 24 kittens in one year and that s a lot of cats roaming the neighborhood. I ve learned through my experience in trapping and socializing feral cats that they are really smart and unless you go in with a plan it s not nearly as easy as it may seem.

Step one get the right kind of cat trap. Most brands of live trap work essentially the same way but follow the instructions particular to the model you get. Community cats also called outdoor stray or feral cats are well suited to living outdoors usually in close proximity to humans and can survive winter on their own. Provide a buffer from wind and snow.

In this post i ll explain how to catch a feral cat in a trap in four easy steps. Leave enough time always plan on at least two days to trap an entire colony three days if you re after ten or more cats when mass trappings fail to get all or almost all of the colony it s often because the trapper only allowed for one day and something went wrong like bad weather unexpected foot traffic loud construction noise or a similar disruption. Before trapping feral cats in cold months though it may be wise to first provide a shelter. Bales of straw are great insulation and a good windbreak.

For more populated colonies go with multiple shelters of a larger size. Avoid blankets which absorb. Trapping cats in winter may also offer an opportunity to prevent the birth of more kittens come spring. Build your winter cat shelter in a safe spot concealed from predators where your feral cats can feel safe.

A medium sized trap should be fine for most feral cats and raccoon sized animals. The cat will be forced to step over the stick and her paw will land harder on the trigger plate just beyond it springing the trap. During winter you cannot safely trap and keep feral free roaming cats warm enough to heal properly after spay neuter surgery. All cat traps are not made equal.

They are resilient and able to live and thrive in all varieties of locations weather conditions and climates. Set up your trap in an enclosed area to protect the cat from the cold. If possible trap as far away as you can from the shelter you ve built. Bushes or a covering of fir branches hide shelters well.

Bedding for feral cat shelters. Obtain a live trap. Warm and dry because it resists moisture straw is the top choice for insulation and bedding in your feral cat shelters says alley cat allies.