Recovering Your Cat
IN THIS LESSON
Getting Prepared: Safe and Effective Trapping
Trapping can be one of the most effective ways to recover a lost cat—but it must be done responsibly. This section will walk you through the preparation, safety measures, and equipment you'll need to increase your chances of success while keeping your cat safe.
⚠️ Critical Safety Warning ⚠️
Never leave a trap set and unattended overnight.
Doing so puts your cat at serious risk. Exposure to the elements or a predator encounter can result in severe injury—or worse. There is no worse feeling than finding an open trap with fur scattered around and no cat in sight.
During extreme weather, traps should be checked every 30 minutes.
In mild conditions, check traps at least every hour.
Also, never set a trap and walk away hoping for the best. It’s wishful thinking—and a failed attempt can lead to your cat becoming trap-shy, making future recovery far more difficult.
Ask yourself: Would you want to be left in a cage outside in the dark for 8+ hours?
📚 Do Your Homework
Before trapping:
Watch multiple videos on humane cat trapping. This is a great starting point.
Understand the different trap types and the dangers involved. The video above covers both types.
The more informed you are, the better the outcome will be—for both you and your cat.
🧰 Trap Types: What to Look For
There are two main types of traps:
Gravity-closed traps (recommended): Safer and more forgiving. Less likely to injure a cat due to their slow, weighted drop.
Spring-loaded traps: Faster-closing but can be dangerous—especially in smaller sizes. Risk of injury (e.g., tail fractures) is higher.
Trap Size Matters:
Your cat should be able to fully enter the trap before the trigger plate is engaged. A trap that’s too small can spook or injure your cat.
Look for:
Two-door traps for easy bait access and placement.
Durable construction—traps should be secure, escape-proof, and predator-resistant.
🛑 Avoid Low-Quality Traps
Cheap traps sold at hardware stores or online (especially Amazon) are often poorly made and unreliable.
No one in serious cat rescue or TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) uses these for a reason—they fail often and can harm your cat.
Only use these traps when you need one ASAP, for the cats safety or if you have a confirmed sighting.
✅ Recommended Trap: Tomahawk Big Cat Trap
If you have the means, the Tomahawk Big Cat Trap is the gold standard:
Safe gravity-close door
Spacious design
Strong and secure
Easy to clean and reuse
This is the “Cadillac” of cat traps—trusted and envied by cat rescuers everywhere. Tomahawk Live Traps also ships quickly, which can be crucial in a time-sensitive situation.
🐾 Use a Liner to Protect Your Cat’s Paws
I highly recommend ordering the official liner designed for your trap model if they make one—especially for metal traps like the Tomahawk. These liners help:
Prevent paw injuries or fractures during capture
Provide a more comfortable surface
Reduce noise and stress inside the trap
If you’re unable to purchase a liner, alternatives like newspaper or pee pads work well too. Just make sure the surface is soft, stable, and not too slippery.
🧣 Cover the Trap
A covered trap feels safer for your cat and reduces stress dramatically.
At minimum, cover the trap with a sheet or towel.
For best results, I highly recommend the heavy-duty plastic trap cover sold by Tomahawk. It’s reusable, weather-resistant, and offers excellent protection from the elements while keeping the cat calm once inside.
Covering also helps prevent distractions, lowers visibility to predators, and gives your cat a sense of security after being trapped.
🎯 Tip: Sourcing a Trap
If purchasing a trap isn’t possible:
Contact your local Humane Society or TNR group to see if they lend traps.
Ask friends or neighbors, especially in rural areas.
Post in Facebook groups or on Nextdoor—someone may have one they’re willing to lend.
🧹 After You're Done
If you purchase a trap and no longer need it after your cat is recovered, consider donating it to a local TNR group. Quality traps are always in demand and can help other cats in need.
📎 HamCo Info – For Hamilton County, Indiana Residents
I have three top-of-the-line traps available to lend, free of charge—as long as you agree to use them safely and responsibly per the guidelines outlined in this course.
Just reach out and contact me directly!
