Cat in trap - What to do

While I was walking Missy she was looking at something pretty intently, so I looked to see what she had noticed.

One of the stray cats that have been around the house for a while was in a trap under someones porch. It obviously went in there to get some food, and got caught. I was glad that someone was doing something to help the problem that we're having in the neighborhood - but then again I don't know this persons intentions with the cat... hopefully TNR or working with the local APL... There weren't any cars in the driveway, but I put Missy in a down stay by the porch steps and knocked on the door to let them know they had caught the cat. No one answered. I continued on my walk and forgot about it for a while.

Just a little while ago I walked Maddie, and then after that I walked Charlie. The cat is still there and no one is home still. No big deal, but I am starting to worry that the cat is going to be in the trap all night. Its getting dark and the temp is starting to drop and the cat can't go anywhere to protect itself from the weather. . .
I can't remember if anyone was home yesterday either, and we walked on the other side of the street so I don't know if the cat was there yesterday... I do know that the cat was not by my house all week (it usually is).

I'm worried that the people that live there are on a holiday vaca or something... If the cat is still there, should I call the APL? tomorrow? Or should I wait?

Hmmmmm.....If no one is there...could you take the cat out of the trap and take it to the Shelter?

That, or do call the APL.

OMG! As in LEG TRAP???? Is the poor kitty ok or just dying slowly in pain!? I just found out that a coworker of my husband's traps regularly within city limits to get coyotes, foxes, and whatever else wanders into it... and it's a LEG trap . Right now, he's got a SKUNK and can't shoot it because it's within city limits. He can't get it out cause he'll get sprayed. So, he's just letting it die a slow painful death. It makes me SOOOOO MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bring the cat some food. Be careful taking it out of the trap-It could be feral, and it could hurt you, or itself.

Call Animal Control, and ask them what to do. If they say leave it, then I'd at least bring it food, but be careful.

Very nice of you to care

Eli-- I thought that too. It's a cage trap.

I was very tempted to, but I'm afraid he/she's feral. I've tried to approach this cat and feed it before because the cat has a favorite spot by my house to lay down in the sun, but when I get close to it, or start talking to it from far away it runs.

OMG that is so horrible!! Sorry I wasn't to clear, its NOT a leg trap!! Has that guy learned his lesson??
If it were a leg trap, trust me, I would not be on Chaz right now Sorry again!

Thanks

The only food I have that I can give the cat is kibble, and I've left some out before but nothing ate it. I was more concerned about the cat getting water, and the temp drop tonight (tg its not as cold as it has been!). I was thinking about sharing some of the dogs' raw turkey, but I'm too afraid that the cat may be sick or something and that may make it worse... you just never know with a stray / feral cat...
Animal Control doesn't care... they only deal with dogs...


I don't want to overstep or bother these people, especially if they're intentions are good. I guess I just wish they would've taken the trap up if they were going away for a while...

Should I call now? [idk when these people are returning]... Or should I wait until morning?

Is there an old blanket or towel you can drape over three sides of the cage for the night, Brattina? Maybe some tuna fish you can drop down inside? Or cut up some of the turkey and microwave it.

Not sure what kinda trap it is but could you just put the whole thing in your car and take it to the shelter...they will know what to do

Elin, OMG that is HORRIBLE!!!

If they are out of town, I would take the cat yourself, in the cage, and take it to the SPCA, AC, whatever. Just go to a place that WONT put it to sleep.

I know... this "person" that traps using leg traps is a monster in my mind. HOW can he even sleep at night? Any ideas on what I could do in this situation? I've already been told Animal Control won't do anything about it. It just breaks my heart

Yeah, I think if it's possible, you could take the cat and trap all together and take it to the shelter.

Good idea Renee. I'm going to go to the local convenient food store and get some tuna fish, and then go cover the cage.
I'm hoping someone is home so I can at least talk to them and tell them the cat is caught if they don't know (but I doubt they are home). I'm also curious as to what they are planning to do with the cat...
If not, I'm going to call first thing in the morning if the cat is still there and no one is home.

I don't want to take the whole cage and the cat...! Someone might shoot me for stealing the cage (lol) Plus, I think everything is closed unless its an emergency

At least you're there for it ! I HATE leg traps !! We used to trip them along our creek . Once one of our dogs got caught ! Luckily nothing bad happened . The kids were with the dogs and one ran back to tell me . I quickly grabbed tools and a horse wrap in case I needed to fashion a muzzle . Only blood was my head ! I got my head rushing under barbed wire .... tetanus shot time .

I feel like a "cat burglar" :lol-sign:

I put tuna in the cage and covered it - the cat was spitting at me and trying to claw me I was going to move the trap, but it is chained down...

I'll let you guys know if the people come home tomorrow, or if I called, and what happened . . .

:hail: Good girl !!!

Our apl doens't take feral cats and the are not taking any cats right now they are so full.

They hopefully are doing some other spay and release program-otherwise they are probally going to put it down. There have been a lot of people complaining in the paper about the strays lately. If you end up talking to them maybe try to get them in touch with one of the spay and release things. I know there was a vet ion cleveland doing ferrels for 20$.

That's what I figured. I'm a little confused, though, because I volunteered at the APL Tuesday and they don't have very many pets at all (compared to before when they used to refuse animals). Maybe I'm just dumb, but it seemed as if there were more volunteers then there were dogs... I know they're hurting for the money...
I was just going to call them so somebody would do something about the cat being trapped all night long and stuff
There is a TNR link on the page, and I have been searching pages all night. Unless you pay for it yourself, it can't/won't be done. There's just no funds and no organizations in the area (that I can find!)

I'm very nervous as to what this household plans to do with the trapped cat...

I don't often read the newspaper - too many depressing stories [lol] The cats are very bad in the neighborhood. It's annoying, I hate it, but I don't want any animals to suffer

This is the best suggestion if you are truly worried. If you try to remove the cat from the trap, especially with not knowing how these traps work & if the cat is feral, then chances are you will spend your night in the emergency room. Even "nice" cats go absolutely beserk when being removed from these traps.

Just throw a towel over the cage to shield the cat from the elements. Drop in some food if you want. And DO call your local AC to pick up the cat. Do NOT, & I repeat, do NOT try to remove this cat!

oh, dang, I forgot to update... lol, sorry

I went back the next day a little before noon and the whole trap was gone, so either the people living there came home and took the cat... somewhere... or someone else did something that morning.
So, I'll never know what exactly happened to the cat. Hopefully something good - but at least it won't be trapped in the cold. :/