first try with drop trap tonight

There is a red tabby that joined the feeding frenzy on my porch a while ago... he doesn't appear faithfully every feeding time,  but when he does, he's very hungry. He was too scared to eat out of the trap, so I finally managed to get my hands on a drop trap.

Should I get him tonight, he has an appointment for tomorrow...

Only, it's my first try with a drop trap and a yard full of cats. I did it once before with a single cat (now living happily ever after in my sister's house).

So I will most likely have to drop on several poor kitties, as the chance of getting Red Boy alone is slim.

I've got Alley Cat's drop trap instructions on how to let them out one by one, but am worried that everyone involved will be terrified.

Any tips/ experiences with dropping a trap on multiple poor ferals just trying to get their dinner?

They will definitely be upset but they will get over it.  When they're hissing and spitting in the trap, try to remember they will get over it!

I've only ever used a drop trap on one cat at a time, so I have no advice about separating the cats to release some.  Hopefully someone will come along to help with that.

I just wanted to say "blessings on you!" for helping them all.

This is why I created my own design for my drop trap, it is a square frame of pvc pipe, filled with metal rods for weight.

The top part os made from heavy duty plastic mesh, so that once dropped, I quickly cover the entire trap so they all settle down, and am able to step on the mesh to coax a specific cat through the door and into the trap.

Works like a charm.

Not sure how the solid traps work to get one specific kitty out.

Good luck! I love doing this, it's exciting to me even after doing it countless times.

Or regular traps, that baby gets set off and it's like hitting the jackpot! Especially when it's one I have been trying to trap for a while, a trap smart kitty.

Let us know

I got him!  got a lucky moment where there was just one other critter eating, who got quite upset when I dropped it.

I'm that good  ... just hope that it's a boy because I've seen bigger equipment dangling around and the box trap was surprisingly heavy, so either I've been feeding really well or it's a pregnant female after all. Will know tonight.

So, this was a commercially available drop trap loaned from a local rescue, and the difficulty was (apart from refraining to practice on the Rogue) to not drop on any tails or legs sticking out. Also for any future drop trappers: the more food you put in, the more you have to clean off the trap afterwards... and, don't wait too long to drop it if several cats are coming to eat, because they will of course crowd under the trap. Have at least two more blankets than you think you need ready. Do not release anyone out of the drop trap, only out of the box trap.

I was a bundle of nerves of course, all the ferals were hungry, and one bowl of food doesn't do it so I resigned to two, but had to add more to distract others from eating in the trap with their tails hanging out. Somehow, it worked, but would have been better if I wasn't so chicken and would just have dropped it earlier.

Anyway. Now I'm the master trapper!

Hurray - good for you!  I am really impressed with this - I've not used a drop trap often but they make me so nervous - for the very reasons you state.

Fingers crossed it is a big male and he is recuperating soon!

Woohoo! NICE job!! Gotta love it )

old thread, but theres an AMAZING drop trap for under $200 next day delivery by Tomahawk.

https://directlinesales.com/product/00/05025/TOMAHAWK-TNR-DROP-TRAP. this company is in Canada, but Tomahawk is in the USA. They also have a transfer cage for sale.

I have a video on my new thread from Feb 10/16 up.