download/print - Neighborhood Cats

3. Insert fresh newspaperWhile the cat is isolated on the rear end of thetrap, open the front door, remove any dirtynewspaper and line the bottom with fresh, thicknewspaper. The newspaper makes the trap morecomfortable for the cats and they will eliminate onit. Don’t try putting in a small litter pan or you’reliable to end up with a real, impossible-to-clean-upmess. Remember, these cats typically are nottrained to use a litter pan and will often knock itover and get the litter all over the place. Thenewspaper works fine and some of the cats willeven shred it to cover their waste. If you’d like,place a small towel inside the trap at the front doorend. The cats do enjoy sitting on the towel, thoughit tends to quickly get dirty or soiled.photo: Meredith Weiss4. Secure the front doorOnce you’ve finished cleaning the front half of the trap and putting in freshnewspaper, shut the front door and double-check that it’s locked. Remove the dividers,then cover the front of the trap completely with the sheet.5. Move the cat to the front end, section off and insert newspaperGo to the rear end of the trap, pull back the sheet and move the cat to the front end,using the same approach as before. Towards the middle of the trap, insert two dividersfrom above, back to back. Once the cat is safely sectioned off, open the rear door and, ifit’s a type that lifts out completely, place it on top of the trap. Remove any dirtynewspaper and replace it with fresh, thick newspaper.6. Place food and water insideInside the trap and close to the rear door, place food and water. The food should beon a plastic or paper plate and water in a low container with a flat bottom, like adisposable snack container, which is available at grocery stores. Don’t use empty catfood cans for holding the water – they have sharp edges which can cause cuts.The best piece of equipment for holding water in a trap is a “coopcup.” This stainless steel cup is made for holding food and water inbird cages and has hooks which will attach to the side of the trap. Besure to buy coop cups with hooks and not ones that use a morecomplex mechanism for attaching. They can be found online atAmazon.com or purchased at pet supply stores which sell productsfor birds.107