I need to trap a cat

[slakjaw]

ok so last night I was sleeping and I woke up to a weird sound. It was hot and I had my windows open. I went out to my kitchen to investigate and there was a stray cat hanging off the screen hissing and growling at my cats. This cat has been around here for a while now and I have chased it off several times in the past. Usually when it sees me it runs like hell but not last night. It just hung off my screen clawing and destroying my screen. I went to the door to try and scare it off and that's when it got really bad.

You see I sleep naked so I was kind of hanging my upper body out the door while covering my junk, yelling at this cat. Then one of my cats got out. She ran across the deck to where she could see the stray. I yelled for her to come back inside and when she looked at me the stray charged her. There was freaking cat hair all over the place and my cat was defiantly losing the fight.

So there I stand, with no protection to any of my "sensitive areas" and with no idea how to break this up.

In a panic I opened the door and pushed my other cat out onto the deck. Thinking, maybe if there are 2 cats the stray will get intimidated and run off. (did not happen, *big mistake) I then ran to my room put on pants shoes and my jacket, Ran to the kitchen and grabbed a large knife. Then proceeded to run to where my cat was getting her a$$ kicked. As soon as I was within striking distance the stray bolted. I threw the knife at it (missed) and chased it down the street.

Now I have two cats that I need to take to the vet and I have to replace a screen. This is unacceptable.

My question is this. how do you trap a cat? Anyone here done it?

Once I have the MOFE in a cage, I promise to make it quick. I mean 7.62x54R or maybe 12g slug quick, whatever the cat is dead if I get ahold of it

I did call the pound today and they wont bring out a trap. They said next time its in my yard to call them and they would come look for it.

[EdT82SC]

When I had a possum living in my yard I rented a trap for a week from a farm supply store. I'm sure if you put a can of tuna in a cage you'd have the stray in no time. Try asking the pound if they know who rents cages in your area. That's how I found the one I rented.

[dhoward]

Once you trap him...

[livi]

Trip wire a stuffed mouse. Preferably in the back yard - makes a terrible mess..

[scottmandue]

Dude, you don't have a hose? Or even a large glass of water will break up any cat fight thrown into the center of the fray.

Have you tried the humane society, they may trap the stray and hall him away for free. Here we can get free cat traps on loan but I don't know who is in charge of the service.

[Rick Lee]

This is what pellet guns were made for. You might be able to get away with .22 short or rat shot. I don't think it would make enough noise to irritate the neighbors.

[cashflyer]

I've seen similar situations, and my solution is of the 12 gauge variety. I mean, the screen is going to need replaced anyway, so just blow the sucka clean away.


And for the record, I love MY cats - and for that reason will not hesitate to smoke a threatening stray cat, stray dog, or neighbor.

[mudman]

Don't forget, spring is when they are doing their thing. We get strays around evry year about this time. They eventually go away. But my cat is the size and shape of an over fed black panther, and kicks ass.

For the trap: a coon or possum size trap baited with cat food will catch something, after a few nights you should be able to get the cat.
-Jeremy

[RickM]

A $25 Conibear 220 should do nicely.

[vash]

our SPCA gives out free loaners. can of tuna as bait.

for that particular cat, i would shoot arrows at it.

[lendaddy]

What did you use to catch pussy in the past?

[scottmandue]

I have very large and very mean orange tabby in my neighborhood, I have seen this cat chase DOGS out of it's yard with hair flying... he has also been seen clawing his way into foundation vents to get under my house. I have a grey male tabby that I keep mostly indoors and a stray grey female tabby (rip) that (used to) live outdoors and avoided the orange tuff guy like the plague. So one day I'm walking down the stairs and a grey tabby trots past me, orange tabby is sitting in the middle of the front yard like he owns the place. Next I see grey tabby heading for the front yard and I thinking "wow, she is getting bold". Then grey brakes into a full run headed for orange... I'm like WTF... then I notice grey has white feet... outdoor kitty doesn't have white feet... oh $hit! Next thing I know I have world war three going on in the front yard.
I grab a broom and had to break them apart THREE times before orange finally gave up and ran for his yard...
if I may say so my little guy only had a bloody nose and kicked some serious a$$!
Only problem was he was seriously pumped on adrenalin and in full battle mode so no way I could get near him. Fearing that orange might come back for round two I ran upstairs, put on my winter motorcycle gloves and leather jacket, ran out to the front yard, scooped him up and transfered him inside with a full tooth and claw death grip on my glove (thank God for Bates leathers).

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally posted by slakjaw
You see I sleep naked so I was kind of hanging my upper body out the door while covering my junk, yelling at this cat.

Sorry man, this is TMI for me...

[1967 R50/2]

Next time...get a broom. You can separate the cats and they will probably be no worse for wear.

The hose is also a good idea.

[Tim Hancock]

If you shoot it, gut shoot it so it will go home and die (not that I would condone such a measure on a board frequented by cat lovers mind you).

My wife and daughters are quite protective of our cats and all three are deadly with a .22 rifle (not that I would admit that all three have taken care of varmint/pests in the past). Traps will catch your cats also and spraying the mangy tomcat with water will not keep him from coming back a couple hours later.

[oldE]

I have two words for you: Super Soaker! I kid you not. If you can put a bit of eucalyptus oil in the mix, you're putting such a world of bad time on that kitty, he won't be back.
Most cats hate to get wet (all cats, if its not their idea) and I have yet to meet a cat that could stand the smell of eucalyptus, (thats what you smell in "Vicks")
Here Kitty, kitty, kitty!
Les

[JFK713]

I can just send you one of my snakes from work, no mess, no noise

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by JFK713
I can just send you one of my snakes from work, no mess, no noise

I'm sorry, Did I say that outloud?

[rouxroux]

For all you water-cooled P-car folks: cough..cough...propylene glycol...cough...cough

[Porsche-O-Phile]

These are just horrible ideas. The cat is an animal. It's doing what animals do - patrolling an area it believes is it's territory. Until challenged by something bigger and tougher than it, it will continue to think this. Since slack's cats weren't able to meet that criteria, it's simply up to him to prove to the interloper that it isn't welcome and must forfeit this area. Super soaker or simple garden hose is a great idea. Arrows, shotguns, snakes, traps and the like are terrible ideas. I seriously hope you guys are kidding. Cats, like many other animals (including humans) are extremely territorial. That doesn't justify brutally killing it, just run it off and show it that it's territory doesn't include yours. That's all it takes.