 |
| Starts with a few pieces of wood called furring strips...and nope, I'm not making that up! |
 |
| Build a couple of 3 foot by 3 foot squares |
 |
| Add the uprights |
 |
| Take a break from the hard work to visit Patty O'Malley |
 |
| Screwed together! |
 |
| Add slots for the hatch |
 |
| This is a piece of deer fencing |
 |
| Deer fencing wrapped over trap and secured with zip ties |
 |
| Hatch is open... |
 |
| Hatch closed! |
 |
Using hinges, we attach the board which is weighted
when trapping |
 |
| End product! |
The Hubby and I built a new drop trap for a family member over the long weekend. Using a few store-bought pieces of furring strips, plus screws and boards that we already have, the project lasted for a few hours, with a lunch break AND a Patty O'Malley petting break, in the middle. When a cat won't enter a regular, humane trap (they step on a plate, and the door snaps closed being them), a drop trap takes things to a whole new level. No need to withhold food, like regular trapping. Just prop the trap up with a stick tied with a string, place food under the far edge, and get as far away as you can. When cat goes in to eat, you pull the string, and the drop trap drops around the cat. This is why you've put a heavy weight on the board, because sometimes a cat will try rolling around or jump to get out! Quickly cover the drop trap with a blanket, and place a carrier at the hatch. Then, pull the blanket off the drop trap to cover the carrier. Surprisingly, the cat will go to the darkest area, so the cat will walk into the carrier. Close carrier, close drop trap, and transport feral cat to be spayed or neutered, and get their shots!
The Hubby built our first drop trap, by eyeballing one that I'd borrowed from a friend. This time, he allowed me to handle his power tools, and I cut boards and everything! A real team effort, and I hope many hard-to-trap cats are finally caught now.
If you would like to learn more about TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) or about drop traps, simply type 'TNR' or 'drop trap' into your search engine, and there is lots of information to discover. Trust me, I am a big chicken when it comes to even remotely doing anything like this, but it's remarkably easy to trap a cat, once you've got a feeding pattern established. They may be scared, but they are NOT hurt. Go out and trap, y'all!
Thanks for showing us how easy it is to make a trap.
ReplyDeleteThat trap looks like it will really work. :) And we know what furring strips are. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat diy info! But you know what? If Izzy needed to be trapped, he'd be biting on the ends of the zip ties, trying to eat them! (Well, a.) he has a fondness for the nylon strings from shredded carpet on the towers and tries to eat them, and b.) he really will try to eat anything!)
ReplyDeleteI never even knew you could make your own trap. Thank you for sharing this information.
ReplyDeleteWow, how great you used power tool yourself! The trap looks really well-built. You are amazing doing TNR for feral kitties!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. I may have to have my hubby build one as there is still one cat in the colony I got Brody from that hasn't gone into the regular trap.
ReplyDelete