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That said, not every community offers low cost spay/neuter for ferals, which isessential for mass trapping, and not everyone has access to a large number of traps or aholding space big enough for an entire colony. When it’s not possible to TNR the wholecolony at the same time, the goal instead should be to catch and neuter as many of thecats at once as you can. Fixing even one or two cats at a time is still making importantprogress if eventually the whole colony is done.The entire mass trapping process, from pre-trapping preparations through the releaseof the cats back outside, is demonstrated with live footage in the Neighborhood Catsinstructional video, “How to Perform a Mass Trapping.” The approximately 30 minutevideo is available for free viewing on the Neighborhood Cats website(www.neighborhoodcats.org). See either the home page or the Mass Trapping page. ADVD copy can be ordered by emailing info@neighborhoodcats.org. Trapping supplies – the basicsHere is a list of basic items you should always have with you when you trap:Traps (2 or 3 more than the number of cats)Trap divider (at least one)Bait (two kinds)Can openerPlastic forks or spoonsSmall paper or plastic platesPounce or a similar cat treat which can be easily crumbledSheets (one per trap)(If needed) cardboard extenders for the trip plates of the traps & duct tapeFirst aid kitHaving a few more traps than cats makes it easier when you are after the last memberor two of the colony. You’ll be able to spread out three or four traps to catch the last catinstead of only one. Extra traps are also insurance against any unfamiliar felines makingan unexpected appearance. A trap divider is important to have on hand in case you needto separate two cats caught in the same trap, reduce the space in a trap that a frantic catcan thrash around in or transfer a cat out of a trap. (See the section, “Transfers fromtraps” later in this chapter.)Two kinds of bait should be placed on each plate because some cats may prefer oneover the other. There are as many favorite types of bait as there are trappers. Usually,cheap tuna cat food does the trick, but also add a smelly wet food for those occasionalcats who dislike tuna. Other tried and true delectables include roast beef, grilled chicken,human quality tuna, sardines, mackerel, fast-food hamburgers, white bread dipped inclam sauce, valerian root and freshly cooked fish of any sort. Fresh catnip is anotherfavorite, but only put it inside the trap and on or behind the trip plate. If you try to enticekitty over by sprinkling it outside the trap, you may end up with a very happy feral whorolls around on the ground by the front door, then gets up and walks away.68