When someone first starts out with the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) of community cats, people often wonder what is the best feral cat trap to use. Can you buy one? Or is there somewhere to borrow or rent a trap from?
I have a favorite type of feral cat trap as I am sure many other feral cat caretakers do. Longtime cat caretakers or TNR volunteers often buy their own traps and I’ll give you those options. Or If you don’t want to purchase one, that’s perfectly okay, too! I’ll also explain where you can obtain a humane cat trap temporarily!
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The Best Feral Cat Trap: Tru Catch
Pros:
- Lightweight at a little over 8 lbs.
- QUIET when the trap is sprung, less scary for the cat and thus more humane (in my humble opinion!)
- Easy to transfer cats from one trap to another without getting bit or scratched
- 5 Year Guarantee (even against animal damage!)
- Powder-coated to blend into surroundings and repel rust.
- Has a Donate a Trap Program
- Different sizes so if you need a kitten one or an extra-large one for a giant raccoon or whatever.
- Handles
- 2 door design, one for trapping and one for easy access or safe release!
- No assembly required!
- Made in the US by a company that has been in business for 30 years.
- Ships Worldwide
Cons:
- Pricey
- Needs a zip tie or carabiner to secure doors during transport in case of the trap being overturned.
- Tru Catch Traps do not make a drop trap.
This is my preferred trap. I like how easy it is to use, definitely. The selling point is it is QUIET when it is set off. I always feel that other brands with the spring-loaded doors are extremely loud and scare the poor kitties more than necessary.
Not that being trapped is fun for them, I’m sure. But they don’t need a heart attack from an extremely loud bang as the door is snapped closed.
Maybe it’s just me.
Tru Catch Traps are used by many feral cat rescues, TNR volunteers, colony caretakers, animal control officers, and wildlife officials! There is a chance that you will run across these traps if you borrow one a TNR trap from the various rescue and animal groups nationwide.
The feral cat group here in Lafayette, Louisiana uses the Tru Catch traps.
BUY HERE:
Tomahawk Live Traps – Very Good Runner Up!
Tomahawk has some excellently designed feral cat traps! This trap company has partnered with Neighborhood Cats and FixNation to design their traps so they are another great option! If bells and whistles are your thing or you want a lot of different sizes, then you want to buy a Tomahawk.
Pros:
- Various sizes available (Over 100 different types of traps for any animal!)
- Drop Traps available
- ROUND feral cat trap available
- Handles
- Extra-large trip pan to prevent cats from stepping over it to steal the bait
- Mesh back end to prevent cats from reaching into the trap to steal the bait
- 2 doors design, one for trapping and one for easy access or safe release!
- Easy to transfer cats to another trap
- You can purchase a collapsible one, even!
- Remote Control Option!
Cons:
- Very noticeable as they are silver
- Heavier to lug around at 14 lbs.
- Pricy
- The trap release is spring-loaded and thus kind of loud.
The only reason I don’t like this one is the spring-loaded door. In all other ways, this one is an excellent option for trapping and releasing feral and community cats!
BUY HERE:
Extra: Drop Trap and Feral Cat Den
Other Traps
If the price is a consideration, you could opt to purchase a Havahart Trap or similar brands that you can find on Amazon or your local Tractor Supply Company or Home Depot. These are your generic live animal trap for cats, raccoons, and opossums. They come with one or two doors and they’re loud and spring-loaded.
I find these very obnoxious and extremely loud. If you’re only trapping occasionally and the price of the others is prohibitive, you may consider one of these. Most ranch and farm supply stores will carry a live trap that can be used for feral cats and they will do in a pinch!
Rent or Borrow a Trap!
If you have no need to own a humane cat trap, then you can easily find one to borrow! Most places require a refundable security deposit to borrow a trap that will be returned to you. Some will rent them to you for a low fee and a refundable deposit.
Some places require you to bring the cat and the trap back, so be sure to inquire as to the shelter’s policies on feral cats before you go this route. There are still some places in the United States and elsewhere still euthanize feral cats, so be absolutely sure they will be desexing the cat and then releasing him to his original outdoor home.
Places that you can borrow or rent traps from:
- Animal Control
- TNR and feral cat groups and rescues
- Shelters
Tips on Trapping
When performing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), you will ideally want to be sure you have enough traps for the entire colony, plus a couple of extras.
You will not need a ton of different sizes. A simple humane cat size trap will work for kittens and nearly all cats with room to spare. The only time you would need an extra-large one is if you happen to have a monster-sized cat in your colony that is descended from a Maine Coone or Savannah cat or something.
Drop traps can be difficult, but they are useful for those hard to catch cats that just will not go into a normal trap. If you have a hard-to-catch cat that refuses to enter the normal TNR traps, you may consider renting or buying one.
Make sure to use smelly food for your traps. I have had excellent luck with both cooked chicken and sardines in oil. Some cats love chicken and some love the sardines. Some love both! Want more tips on the best bait for feral cats? Read here.
Once the cat is trapped, be sure to cover the trap with a cover of some kind, like a crib sheet or a large towel. Covered traps will help to keep the cat calmer.
Do you have a favorite cat trap you use? Let me know by commenting below!
Lovies!
This is the first time I have read an article on cat traps. You have no idea how many stray cats come around my home looking for food. I always feed them but they run off before I can get my hands on them. Living in Maine I hate to see any animal outside during the winter months. Reading this article gives me an awesome idea in the near future. This was a wonderful article to bring to everyone’s attention. How are they catching skunks? I have a few of those roaming in my trash each night. Not that I want to catch them, but I don’t want accidentally catch them if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately, skunks very well might be caught. However, most feral cat traps are too small for adult skunks. You are likely to have more problems with raccoons and opossums being trapped.
Wow amazing! Thanks Rochelle for reviewing these traps. For me I prefer the Tru Catch traps as the brown powder coating on the traps provides a sort of camoflauge to blend into its surroundings. I also like the fact that the powder coating also help prevent rust and withstand the various elements of our environment.
Thanks!
Wishing you great success on your site.
Thanks!
Wow amazing! Thanks Rochelle for reviewing these traps. Try jarred baby food, canned mackerel, or chicken. Make a food trail. Coax wary cats into the trap with a trap of tiny food scraps leading up to and then inside the trap. Gradually increase the size of the bait scraps as you place them on the trigger plate and beyond. I also like the fact that the powder coating also help prevent rust and withstand the various elements of our environment.
That is a very common trick for those of us who trap cats, yes! Thank you for sharing!
Hi, we have a neighborhood of feral cats. We have managed to capture, spay, and neuter over 20. We have a female who is giving us a hard time trap. She keeps having kittens and we really need to trap her. Where can I find a large cage trap that sits on a slant and you pull the cage when the cat goes in? She will not go into a regular trap. We have even attempted a net. Feeling frustrated!
Hi, Tina,
What you are describing is called a drop trap. You can find one to borrow or rent from a local animal control or a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) group or even possibly a rescue.
Or you can purchase one from Tomahawk here.
I hope that helps!