I recently got a request for a cat job. The IN permit doesn't cover cats as they are domestic species. I know there is a chance that they may belong to someone else but just spend time at this property. Any insight or advice greatly appriciated.

Thanks

take them to the pound........

That sounds like good advice Vinke

Thanks

We dont and wont do any domestic or feral cat work.It can be a very big headache with emotions running high with some folks. Traps can be damaged, stolen, threats,work vehicle vandalized, confrontations etc.

My advice is to pass it on to the SPCA or local animal control individual. Time in the business will teach you these things. Being young you will eventually understand this more clearly.

Jon A.-Bob Jameson gave you the best advice. Feral cats are more problems then what you can ever imagine.

Yep I was told the same thing............but I hate cats and Love confrontations.....

Get in and out.......

Agreed, but understand that when it comes to cats even the law is useless as even judges get stupid over cats.

I had that feeling when I first got the call. I am under teh impression I can't legal set traps for cats anyway. All of those possibilities and problems ran through my mind but wanted your guys' opinion...though maybe I was being paranoid. I did pass it off to County Animal Control. Thanks for the advice!

I trap a good many feral house cats on purpose!

Guess I'm still young and dumb!

........$50. a cat, not passin' it up!

There was only one time I felt right trapping feral cats and was on a home that was due to have a termite fumigation treatment.

If I did not trap them they would of died and few would of argued my needing to trap them so it was a win-win. The exclusion alone before the fumigation began was another $900.

If they were truly undeniably 100% feral and the job was out of town I wouldn't bat an eye, but upon further questioning these cats supposedly are "leftovers" from a neighbor that left. How much is true I don't know. I know they were in town and that alone made me leery about trapping them since cats roam and I have enough hurdles to cross without the law and bleeding hearts on my butt. Thanks again for all the advice. I do respect the opinion of those who have been in the business longer than I.

Thanks

Jon, I've trapped feral cats but only after checking with the town and the local game warden.

The laws aren't well written but the service is much needed. Feral cats are truly pests.

I did leave it open with the customer if Animal control couldn't or would help to contact me again and I would see what can be done. So if that happens I will check with the appropriate authorities andgo from there. I know they are just a big a pest as squirrels and moles and in my mind pose a reater health threat because people like cats

I'm with LT. We are removing feral cats from a house that sits between two houses that are feeding those cats.

Dodging an occasional bullet adds so much more excitement to the whole job!

I make sure any cat, that walks on my land, doesn't dodge any bullets. One neighbor has inside cats. I live in a rural area so we get 'extra' cats let go in our area. Sorta like the guy on trap talk, 'If it don't have a collar, its a Coyote.'

Natures Nachos... thats what they are!

Everything loves to eat a Cat.... MMgood!

It has to be one of those real bad feelings you get when you know something is not right for me to turn down a cat job. Its most of the time easy money and nothing brightens your day like removing a cat!

Travis you are right, something didn't sound right when she was explaining the problem. I didn't enjoy turning down the money or the exposure....but while I need exposure, in the newspaper for "theft" of some lady's cats and prob throw animal cruelty in there for good measure, is not the way I wanted it.

I do around $1-$3,000. (plus) on feral cats , every year.
Year in, year out.

At times, it can be a problem around apartment complexes.
Residents will at times, release cats from cage traps.
(Often they've been feeding them, against owner policy.)
Something that can get my blood boiling...
Damage a trap or steal it...cost gets sent to mangement!
I have very little issues but expect it with domestic cats.

Again....it comes with the territory!

When I was doing my cat job, I secured them wih bicycle cable locks. Heavy ones. It can be cut, but it's not easy and most folks in the neighborhood won't have bolt cutters. Just try to keep a low profile if possible.

Also, I am still thinking about a lock for a Hav-a-heart type trap. I'll let you guys know if I come up with anything, but I'm at the ballfield fo 4 games a week right now, so it might be a while, but I'm not convinced it can't be done. Anybody know of anthing lik this currently being made?

baseballnator, are you talking about the old-style two-door Havaharts?

We do very little cat work just because of the problems already discussed here. The cat work we actually do is most often given to us by either the county (adult protective agency) or the family of an elderly person that has been hording cats for a long while and is no longer able to care for them and in some cases even themselves. In the past we have taken as high as 73 cats from one house! Most people who call with a cat complaint, if you can keep them talking long enough they will eventually tell you the real reason why they want that "blankity-blank" neighbors cat off of their property! And thats about the time we politly decline the job.

Bob

Good tip!

The one I bought was a single-door type. DO you know of ay types of locks for any trap that woks the same way. I was thinking I shoul be able to come up with something so that when the door shuts it will lock itself so critters cannot be turned loose without the key, or more likely, a special tool.

If it will work on single door Havaharts it will probably work on almost any trap. If you invent something that isn't too expensive you could become a millionaire. Come to think of it, if you're any good at baseball you have a better chance of becoming rich!

Never thought of adding a lock to a trap but if I did I would use one of these http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326964_200326964. I would weld it into door add a little key stock or flat bar and lock it when the door is open that was when it fell it would be locked.....
I dont know how much it would help if they wanted to get it out all they would need would be some good side cutters or bolt cutters and cut the cage........