Missing Cat Archives - Trap and Return

Best Trail Camera for TNR and Lost Pets

Best Trail Camera For TNR And Lost Pets Wildlife trail cameras are not just for hunters. Trail cameras are wireless, inexpensive, and can help you find a lost pet, manage a feral cat colony, or monitor outdoor wildlife in your area. Cats develop routines and patterns, and if you position a camera correctly, you’ll have a window into their activity. In this article, we’ll discuss the features you’ll need in a trail camera and which is the best trail camera for TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return), cat rescue, and finding missing pets. The Best Trail Camera I spent six weeks and had six cameras looking for a cat that escaped her new adopter. During that time, I tested several different pet cameras, security cameras, and trail cameras in real rescue situations. For most rescue situations, you’ll want an outdoor, battery-powered camera rather than a pet camera or indoor home security camera. You’ll secure the camera about 3 feet in front of a feeding station or cat food dish. Toss treats in for good measure to get your pet’s attention. Here’s the best bait for cat trapping. The best wildlife trail cameras for TNR and finding a lost pet are ones that meet all nine of these criteria. Affordability TNR projects require multiple cameras to cover different trapping sites. Since these cameras may be placed in public areas, the risk of theft is real. Choosing an affordable trail camera is important. Fortunately, there are excellent options in the market that provide quality performance without breaking the bank. There are several good trail cameras on the market for around $45. Here’s Amazon’s list of wildlife trail cameras under $50 with 4+ star reviews. Night Vision Motion Tracking Cats, especially feral ones, are primarily diurnal creatures and are often times active at night or early morning. Thus, an outdoor camera equipped with the ability to shoot clear videos during low-light conditions is essential for TNR and pet detection. Most trail cams, pet cameras, and security cameras, like the Eufy camera, have basic features that now include night vision mode and record video in night mode and HD resolution. Resolution In many cases, you won’t need crystal clear resolution, but a good camera lens and wide-angle camera are important. The best pet camera will have at least 24 MP and 1080p video resolution, which should work in most lost pet scenarios. Most cameras offer a wide-angle lens, which can help with passing cats. Energy Efficiency In cat rescue operations, maintaining several cameras can be a time-consuming task. To avoid frequent battery replacements, an energy-efficient trail camera is ideal. The more camera features you have active, the more battery power could be drained. Consider turning off audio or even activating picture-only mode instead of recorded footage and continuous recording if you’re in a very windy location. Strap And Mount When dealing with outdoor settings, trail cameras need to be securely mounted to avoid accidental falls or tampering. A trail camera with a sturdy strap and mount system simplifies the installation process and provides peace of mind, knowing that the cameras will stay in place throughout the monitoring period. Locking Capability It’s helpful to know how to keep a trail camera from being stolen, which will happen. You should plan to lock your camera to a tree or post. You’ll need a cable that will also connect to the trail camera. Make sure you get a cable that is the right size to fit the camera’s wire hole. Waterproof and Weather Resistant This is a given if you plan to use your camera outside. The camera must be able to work outside in cold and wet conditions. You don’t need pet-specific cameras, and many pet owners own indoor security cameras, which could be used under the right conditions. But, if you are leaving your camera far from your house, you’ll want it water-resistant to prevent morning dew and moisture. Local Storage Most trail cameras will have local memory storage. A 32GB SD memory card is usually sufficient for a few days of video footage. If you are using 4k video recordings, then you may want a 64GB memory card. Traditional security cameras or indoor cameras might need Wi-Fi for cloud storage if they don’t offer a local storage option. Reliability Above all, reliability is a top priority for any trail camera used in TNR projects. Some cameras will blackout, and several or all of your videos will be useless. I’ve even purchased cameras that didn’t ever seem to work. Testing the camera ahead of time and getting familiar with the features is the best way to avoid some of these reliability problems. You can also deactivate some of the additional features, interactive features, or pet-specific features, which could impact reliability. Some pet cams, like the Wyze cam, have motion tracking for tossing treats and cat food-feeding antics. If you are using a dog camera or pet products with a laser pointer, you won’t need those features active. 3 Pet Camera Features You Might Not Need If you plan to utilize multiple of the best pet cameras, then you can save on a few features you might not need. The only pet camera, indoor camera, or home security cameras features that you need are clear video quality and reliability. However, some of these features can come in handy but may not be needed in most regular rescue situations. Audio Audio usually isn’t very helpful when trying to identify a cat’s location. If your cat is vocal, audio could help identify the cat in poor video recordings or differentiate between cats. If you are leaving your camera out for a few days, turning off the audio can help conserve battery life. In windy locations, the sound quality and audio quality are often times poor as well. 4k Resolution You may be tempted to upgrade to the 4k video quality. While poor video quality can be a problem, standard HD video recordings are usually clear enough to identify cats.

Best Trail Camera for TNR and Lost Pets Read More »

How To Use A Trail Camera To Rescue A Cat

How To Use A Trail Camera To Rescue A Cat Losing a beloved pet can be an incredibly distressing experience, but modern technology can significantly aid in the search and rescue process. Wildlife trail cameras are not just for hunting; they can also help find escaped indoor-only cats or observe cat colony behaviors. Cameras can help identify cats in the area and monitor their patterns. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the necessary equipment and how to use a trail camera to rescue a cat. Make Your Plan Scout the Area: Before setting up the trail cameras, it’s crucial to scout the area where your cat was last seen. Familiarize yourself with the surroundings, including hiding spots and potential hazards. Cats often seek shelter in bushes, under decks, or by dumpsters and garbage cans. By understanding the terrain, you can identify optimal locations for placing the cameras. Create a Search Map: Create a map of the area you intend to search and mark the locations where you’ll place the trail cameras. Ideally, you would also create feeding stations to lure the cats to the cameras. Remember that areas with signs of wildlife activity or other community cat colonies are likely spots for your cat. Plan to Expand Your Search Radius: Cats are known to roam considerable distances when lost. While starting your search in the vicinity of your home, it is essential to be prepared to expand your search radius gradually. Cats can cover several miles, especially if they feel threatened or disoriented. Plan your search strategy to cover a larger area as time goes on. Take note of the community cats and feral cats, which can be a lead to finding lost pets. Camera Equipment List Once you have an idea of your rescue plan, it’s time to gear up. All these helpful items can be found on Amazon.com, and here is our recommendation for the Best Trail Cameras for TNR and Cat Rescue. Here are a few other recommendations for TNR equipment and gear. Equipment Check And Prep A good equipment check before you go into the field is a good idea. You may be in public areas or neighborhoods and want to get in and out quickly. Having your gear ready to go will ensure you can install the cameras quickly without witnesses. While there is nothing wrong with using a camera, people may take the camera or question you if they see you installing it. How to Place a Trail Camera Proper installation of trail cameras is crucial to capturing valuable footage. Placing trail cams correctly will also help conserve battery life by reducing continuous recording from wind or constant movement. Set Up Tips Optimize the camera settings to increase the chances of capturing relevant footage. Monitoring Trail Cameras Regular monitoring and review of your cameras are essential to finding your cat. Remember, cats are diurnal and are likely to be most active early in the morning or late at night. If you are actively searching or trapping cats, be prepared to be out of bed and sitting in your car between 3 am and 8 am. Trail cameras can help you identify when most of the animals are active. Using wildlife cameras to find a missing cat can be just what you need to improve your search efforts. By scouting the area, planning your search strategy, and correctly setting up the trail cameras, you significantly increase the likelihood of catching and reuniting with your beloved feline friend. You can improve the odds of bringing your missing cat safely home with determination, patience, and the right tools.

How To Use A Trail Camera To Rescue A Cat Read More »

What To Do If You Find A Stray Cat

What To Do If You Find A Stray Cat If you find a stray cat, you should determine if it is feral or tame. Tame cats can be adopted into families and kept inside, which will give them a longer, less stressful life. Feral cats can be trapped, neutered, and returned to their environment to control the local cat population. In this article, we’ll discuss what to do with stray cats, and how you can take them in, rehome them, or care for them outdoors. What is a stray cat? A stray cat is a pet that has been abandoned or lost and is now living on the streets. They are usually scared, hungry, and in need of assistance. The best thing you can do for them is to provide food, water, shelter, and care until you can find them a safe forever home to live in. If the cat has a collar, then it may be a lost cat, and you should try to find the owner’s contact information. A veterinarian would be able to scan the cat’s microchip if it has one to find the cat’s owner. Stray cats are typically found in areas where food and shelter are easily accessible, such as an alleyway, behind a store, or near a dumpster. In addition, feral cats often find their way into abandoned buildings and garages. Stray cats also tend to seek refuge near human dwellings. If the cat has an ear tip or ear clip, it is likely a feral cat. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be tamed and become friendly. Feral cats also need love and support, just like other stray animals. What Should I Do If I Find A Stray Cat? The first step when you find a stray cat is to ensure that it is not injured or ill. If the cat does appear to be unhealthy, limping, or injured, try to get it into a cat carrier and take it to your nearest veterinarian for an examination and appropriate medical care. If the cat appears healthy but seems frightened or scared, try to make sure it has a place to find shelter and something to eat. Finally, if you find a stray cat that appears feral and is not suitable for rehoming, contact your local humane society to find out what resources and local animal shelters may be available for the cat. You can also contact animal control, private shelters, or sanctuaries in your area to find out if they take cats. The local police department does not help with cats unless it involves an animal cruelty or abuse case. It’s important to make sure only to use no-kill shelters because many shelters are overwhelmed with cats. A local animal shelter may also provide you with supplies and support if you are able to foster the cat until it can find an adopter. Should feral or stray cats be left alone? No. If everyone left ferals and stray cats alone, their population would grow out of control. A single mother cat can produce over one hundred kittens in a single year! In addition, cats aren’t wild animals. They’ve been domesticated by humans since ancient times, and they rely on us for survival. Our local ecosystems also rely on us to reduce the cat population. Outdoor cats kill native wildlife at rapid rates and have led to the extinction of several species. Even if the cat cannot be brought indoors, neutering or spaying them means they’ll no longer contribute to overpopulation by reproducing. Getting A Stray Cat To Trust You The first step to getting to know a stray cat is to gain their trust. Some strays will walk right up to you for attention—these cats have likely been dumped by a former owner or cared for by others in your community. Others will take more time to warm up to you but will approach you if you feed them regularly while sitting passively nearby. Speak calmly and in a gentle voice until you can visibly see them lower their guard. Then there are feral cats. These cats are too afraid of humans to eat in our presence or approach us. For instance, a feral I feed will stand at the edge of the yard and wait until I’ve come inside to eat the food I leave out for him. By taking the time to observe a cat, you’ll learn a lot about them! You might also get close enough to notice new medical issues such as limping, poor teeth, or parasites. How to care for a stray cat Whether you’re bringing a stray cat indoors or monitoring them outside, a trip to the veterinarian is an excellent place to start. Vaccinations and spay or neuter surgery should be done as soon as possible. Your vet should also conduct a thorough checkup to ensure the cat is healthy and has no contagious ailments. The cat is unlikely to pass on any diseases to you but may get your pets sick. Dogs can catch pests like fleas and ear mites from cats, while other cats can catch parasites or illnesses. You’ll also want to provide the kitty with shelter and plenty of food and water. Cats should typically be fed 2-3 meals a day and given constant access to clean, fresh water. Lastly, if you’re bringing an outdoor cat indoors, provide enrichment! This will keep the cat entertained and make the transition less stressful. Wand toys are the best for hands-on play. You can also provide catnip kicker toys, small balls for them to bat around, and even toilet paper rolls—cats can find fun in the most mundane household items! Here are some of our favorite cat products your kitty will love. How to tell how old a stray cat is When it comes to cats, their age can be hard to tell. However, there are a few signs you can look out for: – Kittens typically have larger ears and heads relative to their body size. – Adult cats tend to have smaller eyes than kittens, as well

What To Do If You Find A Stray Cat Read More »

What To Do If Your Cat Goes Missing

What To Do If Your Cat Goes Missing First, there are two things you should not do if your cat is missing. Don’t assume your cat knows how to get home, and don’t stop looking for them! Cats can be gone for weeks or months before finding their way home without help. If your cat runs away or goes missing, start by walking around the house, calling their name, and looking for them. Most indoor-only cats won’t stray more than two houses away, so you can hopefully find them close by and quickly. Cats that are indoor/outdoor are more likely to stray up to one block in either direction, which means you’ll have to expand your search radius. Look under bushes, decks, under cars, and up in trees. The cat may be scared, so it may not come out or make any noise when called. Cats are diurnal, so searching at night, dusk, and dawn is a good idea, and the light from a flashlight can reflect off the cat’s eyes in the dark, making them easier to see. Before you start a serious search, make sure your silly furry friend hasn’t found a new hiding place in your closet. It happens to the best of us. Cats can be gone for 18-24 hours before you need to worry. At this time, you can begin to take flyers around to all your neighbors and ask if you can look around their yards or an open garage. Keep your search up, and don’t get discouraged if it takes weeks. In some cases, the longer they are gone, the greater chance they have of being found again. A lost indoor cat is probably scared and hiding. If the cat has been gone for a few weeks, it may have found a new human that is feeding them. Once the human gets to know the cat, they may search shelters and online for a missing cat. That’s why it’s important to keep up your search for your furry friend! Will A Lost Cat Come Back Home On Its Own? The first thing to consider for what to do if your cat goes missing is if they will come home on their own. A cat has a home instinct that helps them find its way back home, sometimes. However, if your cat is lost during or after moving into a new house, or if the cat is spooked and runs to an unknown location, it may have a hard time finding its way home. Do not assume the cat will find its way home on their own. Many cats are skittish and get very scared when they go missing. That means that even if they do come home, getting them into the house might be a challenge. If you find your cat but can’t get them into the house or the cat’s carrier, you might need to set up a cat trap. If your cat is nearby, they are likely in a hiding spot by your house. Setting some food bait and a cat trap might be the easier way to catch most cats. How To Help Your Cat Find Its Way Home Usually, if a cat has gone missing, they won’t go far, and they will return on their own because of their homing instinct. Other times, the cat may be scared, cornered, or lost and unable to easily find their way home. Here are a few ways you can help your cat find its way home. Where Do Lost Cats Hide? You may be able to find your missing cat in one of the usual cat hiding places, such as a neighbor’s garage, underneath a car, behind a garbage can, or even up a tree. Missing cats are usually scared because they are away from their home territory. Be aware of very faint meows or paw prints, and call out to your kitty multiple times before checking a new location and conducting a thorough search. How To Catch A Scared Cat If your lost feline friend is frightened, and it probably is, then you’ll want to try some of these techniques to help your kitty stay calm and let you catch them. It’s a good idea to bring a cat carrier when you look for a lost pet. You can also bring their favorite food and treats to lure them into their carrier. When approaching a scared cat, always keep your movements slow and speak in a soft, calm voice as you attempt to approach them. Try to get them to come to you first, and only approach patiently not to startle them further. It’s ok to sit there for several minutes while your cat calms down. Here are a few tips for catching a scared cat with a trap. How To Do Community Outreach For A Missing Pet Community outreach is one of the best ways for cat owners to find missing cats and get their cat quickly home. Print lost cat posters and place them at popular locations like gates, signposts, and fences or walls. Sometimes, you can slip a note with your contact details in mailboxes or on a neighbor’s door if you think the cat may be on their property. The posters should include your name, contact information, a current picture of your cat, and a brief pet description, including your cat’s personality. You can also expand beyond your local area and post flyers or send emails to animal shelters, local vets, animal control, or even local police. You can even contact your local newspaper about your cat’s disappearance. Those are all places where a pet owner may call for found animals. Don’t forget to post your lost cat on Craigslist, Nextdoor, Whisker Tracker, and PawBoost.com. Social Media For Missing Pets In addition to community outreach and posting on Nextdoor, social media is a great way to get the word out about missing pets. Every area usually has several Facebook Groups that can help you find missing

What To Do If Your Cat Goes Missing Read More »