My plan worked!
Brian got the trap down and brought it into the garage. After I was sure all of the current resident cats were in and I’d shut the computer down for the night, I placed the trap in front of the cat door. After setting the trap, there was empty space on either side of the trap, between the trap body and the door. I put cat litter containers there. Those suckers are forty pounds each, no way a cat will move them. Then there was the problem of the trap being set off by a cat walking on the top. I put cardboard across the tops of the cat litter containers, then put gallon jugs of liquid to hold it in place.
Throughout the night, I’d check it. Never saw a kitty cat in it. The last time I checked it empty was a a little after three. This morning, at five, we had a kitty.
The cat door with the litter boxes on either side
click for a larger picThe trap being checked out by Potter, Chandler and Pancho
click for a larger picA not very happy Skippy
click for a larger picI’m sure he’s very confused and very scared right now, but I hope to make that up to him for the rest of his life.
Please keep fingers crossed that he’s healthy.
UPDATE 9:00AM
Well, the vet clinic where we used to take ferals, asked when we came in, with the covered trap “do you have an appointment?”. Uh, no, this is a cat in a trap, trapping isn’t an exact science. “Well, you need an appointment.” To which I replied “I’m not keeping him in that trap for days.”
I called our regular vet, Amber answered, I explained the situation, she said “well, if it’s a neuter we can squeeze him in”. As well as repeatedly wondering how he got into the yard. I was really reluctant to take him there since I know the vet would rather not work on wild animals. And really, at this point, we don’t know how Skippy will be with people. I mean, HE KNEW THE CAT DOOR! He’s gotta know people somewhere along the line.
So, he’s getting tested (please, please, please be healthy) and neutered today.
And, please, God, don’t let him go nuts and hurt anyone at the vet’s office.