How Do Cat Traps Work?
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Make it Inviting
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Humane or live animal traps, which can be used for feral cats, are wire cages with tempting bait (such as smelly fish) placed in the rear of the trap. The traps are often covered in cloth or other material to make them look more inviting and seem less like a cage than a cave or abandoned animal den. These cages are designed to be sprung by a cat-sized animal or larger.
I'll Just Grab A Quick Snack
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When the cat steps inside the trap, he steps on a trip plate, which will spring if an animal is heavy enough. When the trip plate is pressed, a hook next to a metal cylinder releases the door, trapping the cat. The door stays in place through the use of small magnets or a hook into an O-ring. The force of the slam bolts the hook into the O-ring.
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Refining the Trap
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When using cat traps, please check them at least once every twelve hours. If a cat is caught inside, he will not be able to claw through the corrugated metal. If it's a hot day and the trap is not in any shade, then the cat will die. It's also possible for a cat to take the bait and yet step lightly enough to not lower the trip plate. The trap then needs to be reset, with the hook moved slightly more apart from the metal cylinder. According to the Feral Cat Coalition, this means the trip plate will need less weight in order to set it off.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Image from Wikimedia Commons.
