TNR Guides

Use our guides to assist you in preparing to trap and then once appointments and equipment has been obtained - what to do to have the best chances at success of trapping. If you have any questions please use our contact form to submit a general inquiry.

Do NOT trap without a Plan

You must never trap without a plan - that is a confirmed TNR appointment or confirmation from a rescue they have committed to taking your cat or a confirmed appointment with your vet. Many people do not realize that TNR appointments are often booking 6-8 weeks ahead of time. So in March you can only find spots in April, May and June. Please do not trap unless you have a plan- there is no guarantee anyone will be able to take the cat off your hands immediately.

We may be able to fit in emergencies (pregnant cats that need spay asap, pyometras, grave injuries, etc) but more often than not we also will need 2-3 weeks to fit you into a tnr clinic we have access to. We recommend you trap train early to prepare for your appointments to make sure you don't miss them.

Finding Veterinary Care

Please be aware not all vets will treat unsocial or "feral" cats. Many might charge very high fees to sedate if they cannot or will not restrain them. For the lehigh valley we know the following hospitals will treat strays and sedate at a reasonable cost -

Rush Veterinary Hospital in Tamaqua
Rush Urgent Care in Allentown
Allentown Cat Clinic
Stanglien
Walbert Animal Hospital
*Emergency hospitals will also treat ferals but you are looking at a minimum $140/exam fee just walk in the door plus sedation and diagnostics - you could be looking at a $1,000 bill unless you plan correctly

Trap Training

Trap training is the practice of tying open a trap with a zip tie or a string and feeding exclusively in the trap. This acclimates the cats to eating only in the trap and nothing happens. That way when it is time to trap you cut the ties and the cats will go in without hesitations. Trap training can be successful with a week or less of use. Use high value food to attract pets.

Trapping - how to set a trap

All traps we recommend have fairly easy mechanisms. The havahart which is bought at local hardware stores will not have a back door but can be baited with small amount of food just the same.

Line the bottom of the cage with newpaper or a puppy pad. If it is a windy day you may tape it down.
Bait the trap by leaving a small trail of food from the front of the trap to the back with a jackpot on both side of the trip plate and in the very back (this forces the cat to step back and make a side to side movement when eating.
Use high value food for bait - sardines, tuna in water, shredded chicken, fried or rotisserie chicken, anything that smells good (fish flavored pate cat food)
Make sure you cover the trap before you put it down or immediately after catching a catch - they will calm down immediately
NEVER leave a trap out unattended - especially under cold, rainy or very hot conditions cats will die if they cannot move to warm up or cool down
To use babies as bait place babies in a carrier and back the trap up to the carrier using a large blanket to cover the whole thing, moms will go in to try and retrieve babies
Cats can be safely kept in traps for up to 24 hours. IF your appointment is later than that please contact us or buy a trap fork so you can change out the newpapre and puppy pads and give food
Store cats in a temperature controlled area if at all possible if not the cats must at least be out of the elements. Do not trap in freezing weather without professional assistance
Do not trap injured cats without professional assistance - you may need guidance to prevent them from hurting themselves more
to transport a cat line your car trunk or seats with puppy pads, newspaper, trash bags or a waterproof liner to prevent cat pee from soaking in

TNR trapping videos and resources

NC Charlotte Rescue has put out a very informative video on how to set a havahart trap properly and prepare a TNR cat for their appointment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsPj6xvAfjs

2. The kitten lady has many useful videos on TNR , trapping, kitten care that can be followed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF_omFE7Etc

http://www.kittenlady.org/blog/kitten-crisis