Feral Cat Trap & Release

Feral Cats Instructions & Info

  1. Traps and Carriers are usually available for those willing to spay/neuter feral cats, return them to the same location where they were living, and continue to feed them. If you borrow a trap or carrier, please return them promptly to the place of origin as they are expensive and in high demand.

  2. Before you start trapping please call either Call Deming Animal Clinic at Ph: 575-546-2621, or High Desert at Ph: 575-544-0460 and make arrangements for your appointment. They will tell you which days are best for the following week.

  3. Begin feeding the cats early in the evening a few days before so that they look for food at that time. Bait your trap with something that will attract the cat. Plain canned sardines work really well.

  4. Cover the trap with a towel or blanket but make sure the door can spring down. Be sure to cover the whole trap after catching your cat to calm him/her down. Bring the cat in the trap to a safe place to keep him warm and protected overnight.

  5. In the morning bring trap and empty carrier to the vet. The cat will be placed in the carrier post-op. Each cat will need its own carrier in which to awaken and travel home. Doubling up can cause arguments or fighting from the effects of the anesthesia. High Desert keeps females overnight, males will be kept overnight if surgery was done late in the day. Deming Animal Clinic will release the same day if cat will be kept in the carrier in a warm place overnight. Cats cannot be released to the outside while they are still groggy from the anesthesia and must be kept safe and warm the first night. A spare bedroom, bathroom or kitchen corner are perfect areas. Each situation may vary, so be prepared to adjust your schedule if necessary.

  6. Left ear tipping will let everyone know that the cat has been sterilized. You can also tattoo an ear, or have green dye put in the incision in females. Some vets do this automatically to prevent the cat from having a second unnecessary surgery.

  7. DAG may be able to loan feral cat traps. For more info please go to our CONTACT US page.