DIY Cat Traps

Feral cats are too wild to catch by hand.

Trapping a cat requires proper preparation and a lot of patience. To make your own trap, there are two important elements to keep in mind. The first is to make sure it is escape-proof and does not have any sharp edges or wires to harm the trapped cat. The second is to have a trap door that snaps shut quickly when triggered and cannot be pushed open from the inside.

Things You'll Need

• Rectangular wooden box frame
• Plywood, 4' square
• 3 yards of rabbit fence wire
• Heavy-duty staples
• Staple gun
• Swing hinge
• Magnetic cabinet lock mechanism with magnetic key
• 2 small springs
• 2 dowel rods
• Rubber curtain rod tips
• Strong glue
• Bailing wire for handle
• 2 doz. wood screws
• Screwdriver
• Canned cat food
• Plastic food dish
• Large towel

Instructions

1. Construct or adapt a sturdy wooden box frame that measures two-feet wide, two-feet high and four-feet long and open on all sides. Secure each corner with wood screws. Cut the plywood to fit the floor and attach it securely to the frame with wood screws.

2. Cut a rectangle of plywood two-feet long by six-inches wide and put it on the floor of the trap about 1/3 distance from the back of the trap, against the door opening. Secure the two springs underneath the top corners of the plywood piece and make sure it is easy to depress. Glue the tips of the two dowel rods to the top edge of the flap at an angle so they are just past the door at the top of the trap.

3. Cover the sides, back and bottom of the frame with the rabbit wire, securing it with heavy-duty staples so there are no gaps or sharp edges. Configure the bailing wire into a secure handle that is far enough from the cage wire to avoid cat scratches.

4. Use a two-foot square of the plywood to make a door. Attach the hinges to the top outside frame so the door will drop shut. Screw the magnetic cabinet lock base into the center of the bottom frame, facing up. Position the top of the lock on the inside of the door so the locking mechanism easily slides into the base and screw it into the door.

5. Determine where the dowel rods will meet with the door and apply the rubber curtain tips to the dowels. Use the screwdriver to gouge out small depressions for the dowels to fit into so they will prop the door open. Don't worry if the door does not fully open, as long as there is room for the cat to enter.

6. Place smelly cat food at the very back of the trap in a plastic dish and place a large towel over the back section of the trap. Put the trap in an area where the cat usually appears at sunrise and sunset when they are hunting. When the cat enters the trap and puts any weight on the plywood flap, the dowel rods will shift and cause the flap to slam down and lock, trapping the cat inside.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not leave the trap unattended overnight.

• Trapped cats can often panic and slam themselves against the cage and try to scratch anyone who gets in reach. Keep the trap covered with the towel at all times when transporting the cat.

References

• Drop Trap Design: Build Your Own Cat Trap
• Cat info: Buildng a Drop Trap
• AMRT: Feral Trap Design
• TotSafe Products: Locks & Latches