How to Build & Use Your Own Drop Trap

A drop trap can be an experienced feral cat trapper's best friend.  A normal box trap (see Recommended Equipment) requires the cat to overcome her natural fear of entering an enclosed space.  This is why depriving her of food the day before is important, so she'll surmount her fear and go in after the bait.  A drop trap, on the other hand, is something the cat goes under, not into, so few cats are afraid of it.

How it works

A wooden frame covered by netting or mesh is propped up on one side and food is placed in the center-back.  The trapper stands at a distance and, when ready, pulls on the string attached to the prop-stick, causing the trap to drop and capture the cats inside.  Each cat is then securely transferred for transport to a box trap through matching guillotine-style doors.

Design and construction

The drop trap described here  was designed by Laura Burns (HubCatsBoston@aol.com).  Building your own requires some basic woodworking
skills.  For details on design and construction,
click here (Word doc.)

Directions for use

For a detailed description of how to set up and use the drop trap, click here (pdf file).   As a quick summary:

You will need:

• The drop trap and a cover for it
• The prop-stick and string
• An anchor weight (e.g., bucket with bricks)
• Bait food
• A large dish
• Can opener & fork
• One or more wire box traps or transfer cages with rear guillotine doors

1. Set up in a good location (where you can see, and the ground is level), door facing your position (the spot where you will be watching from), if possible.
2. Place a plentiful amount of food in the center-back of the trap.
3. Leave some wire box traps and covers where you can reach them from the drop trap.
4. Stand back a good distance (depends on the cats) with an unfolded blanket, holding the cord. Ask observers to stay back unless you call them.
5. When cat or cats **have settled down** to eat at back of trap, give the cord a good yank
6. Run or walk up to the trap and COVER COMPLETELY. This is important if they're very wild! If you're alone, hold the trap down firmly and wait for them to settle before you attempt the transfer.
7. You want to get the cat(s) out as quickly and quietly as possible, and reset the trap.
8. Line up the box trap to receive cat, cover it with a towel. DON'T cover the far end of the trap - you want it to look like an exit. CAREFULLY arrange towel and blanket to cover gaps between the two traps, place your foot on the box trap to keep it from shifting -- and open both doors. Stand very still.
9. If he doesn't move into the box trap in 15 seconds, twitch the cover or call a helper, to motivate the cat to enter the box trap. Keep the cover between you and the cat.
10. Close BOTH doors when cat has entered box trap. If there are other cats remaining in the drop trap, you'll transfer them one at a time, generally.
11. Cover and remove cat to some distance if he's the only one. If there are others, just put him aside while you transfer the others. Then reset the trap and get them away.