BULLSHIT, I specifically have LOTs of experience tapping cats - for the local humane society usually to neuter. The thing is they aren't easy to trap, and once you successfully trap a certain cat, it's going to super warry of that trap for 6-8months. You have to completely rebuild its trust in the trap if you want to catch it again. Cats aren't dumb, especially about this type of thing. And they are not super likely to enter the trap at all without the sides being covered, so they can't see the mesh wireing. I used to be the moderator of R/live_trapping on Reddit before I left.

[–] Quetzalcutlass@lemmy.world 11 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

Like you said, cats aren't dumb. There's something called trap happy - when an animal comes to associate the trap with good things and willingly triggers it multiple times in response.

Just like in the wild, this is probably due to getting a free zero-effort meal out of it. It probably also helps that a domestic cat already associates human smells with food and safety, whereas a feral cat will be wary and prone to extreme panic when caught.

[–] Sagan_Wept@lemmynsfw.com 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I've had this experience with non target species before, specifically with skunks. I must have trapped two dozen skunks over the years, I had to elevate my traps due to that. I have yet to experience that with a cat, but it makes sense and I believe you.

[–] Quetzalcutlass@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago

Ha! Skunks are one step away from domesticating themselves, the fearless furry little bastards. Though I'd be fearless too if I carried around a chemical weapon everywhere I went.

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