Many lost dogs, displaced outdoor-access cats (lost away from home) and escaped indoor-only cats are too frightened to approach anyone including their own families. In these cases, most dogs and cats can be caught in a humane cage-type trap. However, some cats and dogs may be “trap shy” and unwilling to enter these types of traps. For these situations I offer assistance trapping with specialized capture techniques including a drop trap, enclosure trap, net gun and other capture tools. Use of these services requires an on-site consultation and often requires equipment rental and multiples trips to the capture site. In many cases, I will stay on-site to conduct the trap monitoring and capture of the lost pet.
Rental of equipment requires signing an agreement that you will replace the cost of the equipment if it is lost, stolen or damaged. A deposit for the (full or partial) replacement cost of rental equipment is required at the time of rental. This will be refunded minus any outstanding rental fees or replacement costs of lost/stolen/damaged equipment. You are responsible for any fees incurred in returning equipment whether you choose to mail equipment or pay for on-site pick up. The full Equipment Rental Terms and Conditions are available within the Services Agreement.
Drop Trap
The drop trap is essentially a large box propped up with a stick. Cats that are uncomfortable entering a small cage trap will often readily walk under a drop trap. This trap must be monitored, and when the lost cat enters and settles down to eat the food, the rope is pulled and the trap drops down capturing the cat. The cat must then be transferred to a cage trap for transport back home.
Equipment deposit starts at $200 for the drop trap and transfer trap, which is needed to remove the cat from the drop trap.
- Rental $30 for the first week and $20/wk thereafter. Using the drop trap is most successful if the lost cat is first conditioned to eat under the trap. This often limits the amount of time needed to watch the trap before he enters and is caught. This service may also require travel fees.
- Trapping Assistance starts at $20/hr for monitoring the trap and catching your lost cat. This service also requires travel fees and often a consultation fee. Payment is required for attempting to trap and is not guaranteed since there are many factors outside of the trapper’s control such as whether the lost cat shows up. To increase the likelihood of trapping success, I generally recommend starting with a consultation and camera rental and only using the drop trap once the lost cat is consistently eating at a known location.
Here’s a video of a drop trap being used to capture feral cats for trap-neuter-return (TNR).
Enclosure Trap
An enclosure trap is a large fenced kennel with a door that can be manually or remotely closed from a distance when the lost dog enters the trap. This trap is usually monitored to catch the lost dog. However, it can be set up to be triggered by the lost dog. A cover can be added for dogs that are more likely to attempt to jump out of the trap, and another trap design is available for extremely trap-shy dogs.
Equipment deposit for the enclosure trap is $450.
- Trap set-up is $100. Also requires travel fee and consultation fee.
- Rental $5/day. Using the enclosure trap is most successful if the lost dog is first conditioned to eat in the trap. This often limits the amount of time needed to watch the trap before he enters and is caught.
- Trapping Assistance starts at $20/hr for monitoring the trap and catching your lost dog. This service also requires travel fees and often a consultation fee. Payment is required for attempting to trap and is not guaranteed since there are many factors outside of the trapper’s control such as whether the lost dog shows up. To increase the likelihood of trapping success, I generally recommend starting with a consultation and camera rental and only using the enclosure trap once the lost dog is consistently eating at a known location.
For information on scheduling on-site services, click here.
Here’s a demonstration of another enclosure trap. This one was designed by On Track Pet Tracking.
