My cat escaped! A detailed explanation of how to use a humane cat trap

Your beloved cat has escaped! Even though you can see them, you just can't seem to catch them...

Actually, it is very rare to be able to catch an escaped cat with your bare hands. Most of the time, they will run away when you try to grab them. But you want to get them back home somehow.

That is when a "humane trap" comes in handy.

To prepare you for such an emergency, we will explain in detail how to use and set up a humane trap for cats.

What is a cat humane trap?

A cat humane trap is a tool used to safely secure a cat without causing them harm. It is not like a "snare" or "trap" meant for hunting.

When you know where your cat is but cannot catch them, one option is to use a humane trap to rescue them.

It would be ideal if you could simply pick up your cat to secure them, but things rarely go that smoothly. A cat that has wandered outside might be in a panic, or they might run off after something else.

For a cat that lives strictly indoors, the outside world is full of dangers. There are life-threatening risks such as injury, illness, hunger, and thirst. A "humane trap" is useful for securing your cat as soon as possible.

How to get a cat humane trap

Cat humane traps are sold commercially, so you can obtain them through online stores and other retailers.

However, using a trap requires technique; you must develop a strategy while considering the cat’s habits and mindset. It is dangerous for an inexperienced person to set one up suddenly.

Local animal welfare organizations or animal hospitals may also lend out traps. It is safer to receive instructions on how to use them from someone accustomed to handling traps, such as a volunteer involved in rescue cat activities or a veterinarian.

How to choose a humane trap

There are two types of cat humane traps: the "treadle plate" type and the "hanging" type. Both work by luring the cat inside with food, at which point the door closes automatically to capture them.

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose based on the situation of your escaped cat.

Treadle plate type traps

This type has a mechanism where the door closes when the cat steps on a "treadle plate" inside the trap. You place food at the back of the trap to lure the cat in. If the cat is lightweight, such as a kitten, the door may not close.

Some smart cats might even eat the food while avoiding the treadle plate. If you notice that only the food is disappearing, try switching to a "hanging" type trap.

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Hanging type traps

In this type, food is hooked onto a trigger at the back of the trap, and the door closes when the cat moves the hook. "Hanging" type traps are generally considered to have a higher success rate than "treadle plate" types.

Be careful, as the cat may injure themselves on the hook if they thrash around inside the trap. You need to make thorough preparations beforehand so that you can remove them from the trap as quickly as possible.

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How to rescue an escaped cat using a humane trap

There are several points to keep in mind when setting up a cat humane trap. Since this involves safety, be sure to check them.

The process from trap setup to rescue

1. Locate the cat
First, identify the location of the escaped cat. Start by feeding them at the same time every day in the spot where they appear.

2. Set up the trap
Place the trap on as flat a surface as possible. Cover everything except the door with a blanket or newspaper that smells like your cat so they can enter with peace of mind.

3. Set the bait
Food with a strong aroma, such as wet cat food or fried chicken, has a higher success rate than regular dry food. Place small amounts starting from outside the trap to lure the cat toward the back.

4. Monitor from nearby
To ensure safety, try to monitor from close by. Cats are wary of loud noises or being watched, so remain calm and composed.

5. Secure the cat
Once the cat is in the trap, cover the door area with a cloth or newspaper. Do not leave the cat unattended for long; move them to a safe location and take them out.

Precautions when using a humane trap

Basically, you can only set up a trap on private property. You cannot set it up in a park or on someone else's land without permission, so always obtain consent from the landowner.

Also, other cats may enter the trap. Since children or passersby could touch it and get injured, do not leave the trap unattended; make sure to watch over it.

To use a trap effectively, it is crucial to pinpoint the cat's whereabouts. It is helpful to tell neighbors about the situation or post "lost cat" flyers to gather sighting information. You might also get valuable information from volunteers who feed community cats.

Once your cat is safely home

Once you have safely rescued your escaped cat, wrap them in a blanket they are used to in order to help them feel secure.

If they seem calm, have them examined by a veterinarian. During their time spent wandering, they may have been exposed to risks like fleas, ticks, or infectious diseases. There is also a possibility they are injured, so have a health check done first.

After that, leave them alone for a while so they can feel safe. Do not scold or fuss over them too much.

Of course, you’d rather not use a trap again... If you know why your cat escaped, it is important to take countermeasures immediately.

Summary

If your beloved cat escapes, stay calm first. It is important to search the area around your home while gently calling their name, and use lost cat posters and social media to gather sighting information.

When searching for an escaped cat, a cat collar and ID tag are valuable clues. They also identify the cat as a "pet," which can prevent them from being taken in by others or, in the worst case, euthanized as a stray. We recommend that your cat wears a "cat collar" and "ID tag" at all times as a standard escape prevention measure.

Once you know where your cat is, that is the time to bring out the humane trap. However, using a trap is difficult and requires knowledge and skill.

If you are hoping for a quick resolution, we recommend hiring a pet detective. They are professionals who find escaped cats by considering not only feline behavior but also weather, regional conditions, and more. They are also well-versed in how to use traps, which can reduce the burden on both you and your cat.

You can watch a video of a lost cat being rescued by Mr. Fujiwara, a leading pet detective and representative of Pet Rescue. It is a moving moment when the escaped cat is finally secured.

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In Kanagawa Prefecture, we received a consultation about "Naa-chan" (male), who has had an injured leg since around July; the owner wanted to treat him but he would run away whenever they tried to rescue him. We asked them to skip a meal since last night, and as soon as we set the trap, he showed interest and went inside. He is bleeding, but the cuts don't seem deep, which is a relief. We hope his injury heals well! A little detour 🚙

petrescue(@petrescue1997) shared a post - October 15, 2020 at 10:30 PM PDT

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In Tokyo, "Fubuki" (male) went missing in late July. We had rescued him as a former stray and he was living inside, but he had a strong desire to go outside and escaped. It was discovered that he was living at a nearby house about 100m away, being fed by the owners, but he was very wary, ran when called, and would not enter the trap, so we received a consultation and went to help. Looking at the local situation, we left the trap out for one night to get him used to it and then proceeded the next day during the day. With the owner's cooperation, we hid inside the room and watched, and first a boss cat from the area appeared, then Fubuki showed himself, and about an hour after setting it, we were able to safely rescue him. It's sad to part because he's so cute, but be happy, Fubuki-kun!

petrescue(@petrescue1997) shared a post - October 14, 2020 at 6:34 AM PDT

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