How to Find a Lost Cat Using a Trap
If you own a cat that has not been spayed or neutered, chances are it will wander off when mating season arrives. Cats often feel displaced when introduced into a new environment and might go searching for their old home. Other reasons why cats run away from home include injuries, being frightened, or when searching for a place to give birth to their young. It is possible to safely capture a runaway cat with a live trap.
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Instructions
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Contact your local animal control shelter and ask if they have a live trap you can borrow for a short period of time. When you contact them, remember to ask if your cat has been brought into the shelter. If you cannot obtain a trap from the shelter, call animal supply stores and feed stores, to see if they offer live trap rentals.
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Ask neighbors if they have seen your cat in the area. When using this method of capture, it is important to pinpoint a general location to set your trap. Keep in mind that cats can travel several miles in a short period of time.
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Place your trap in an area where it won't be in any vehicle's way and won't be in danger of being run over by a tractor, lawnmower or other machine.
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Bait the trap with your cat's favorite canned food, fish, or cat treats.
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Check the trap several times a day, so that your cat will not be vulnerable to the elements, thirst and predators. Always bring leather gloves when checking the trap, your house cat will probably be frightened by capture and may bite or scratch you from fear.
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Tips & Warnings
When renting or borrowing a trap, be sure to ask if it's the appropriate size for a house cat. Also ask for advice on the proper wait to bait and trigger the trap.
If you believe your cat may be on someone else's property, be sure to ask their permission before bringing a trap on their land.
Be cautious when approaching a live trap. Consider calling a pest control expert if you capture a wild animal by accident, releasing a raccoon or a possum could become a dangerous situation.
After you have found your cat, examine her for signs of injury, sickness, or evidence that she has been nursing a litter of kittens. You may have to release and follow her to find out where she is keeping her young.
References
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