Originally posted by Karen
Borrow a Have-a-Heart trap from a local vet or humane society, some Animal Control departments have them, too - and set it up with smelly food like tuna in it. Check it every morning, reset it every evening ...
I never leave traps unattended overnight, as the chances of catching a skunk etc. are too great. Raccoons are very clever as well, and are capable of harming, or fidgeting with the trapped cat causing more stress. If there are other cats in the area the chances increase of catching ones that you don't want, which in turn alerts the one you DO want, to avoid the trap. Also having a cover ready once the cat goes into the trap will calm it down right away, and prevent injury to it. Best to trap as it starts to get dark, and withold food for 24 hours prior to trapping the cat. I sit in my car if possible and once the cat goes in the trap, I can cover the animal right away. Catnip works wonders on feral tom cats so long as it's placed just past the trigger so the trap doesn't go off while the cat's partly in the trap...then forget it. Be sure and have the cat eartipped so it's recognized as an altered cat.