Bastrop C.A.T.S. utilizes several different spay/neuter clinics and private veterinarians to provide sterilization surgery to community cats   We organize this effort directly with the clinics on your behalf and provide the traps and support.  We are a 501c(3) organization and would appreciate a minimum donation of $45 per cat to cover the cost of the surgeries and vaccinations.  We accept checks, credit cards via Paypal at BastropCats@gmail.com, and Venmo to @Bastrop-CATS

What you will need: 

• Tasty food to bait the traps with (cat-trapping tips) and canned cat food to feed the cats post-op.
• Cardboard to line the traps cut to fit the bottom of the trap (we provide the loaned trap).
• A sheet or large towel to cover the trap (we provide the loaned trap).
• A prepared safe place to stow the cats in their traps after trapping.
• A prepared vehicle to transport the cats to the BCAS Surgical Center or vet office. Please do not place traps in an open truck bed.

The process:

1. Withhold food but continue to provide water 24 hours before trapping. We recommend that you start trapping at dawn the day before surgery. Once a cat is trapped, cover the trap completely (all the way to the ground on all sides) to calm the cat, and move them to a quiet, sheltered area such as a garage or shed.  It is important to keep the trapped cat safe from predators – yes raccoons can open these traps and harm the cat (cat-trapping tips).
2. We suggest you trap at dawn or in the late afternoon to evening. You may continue to trap overnight but be aware that once it gets late you may catch other critters.
3. Once trapped, check to see if their left ear has been “tipped” (the top of the left ear cut off about ½ inch). This is a sign that the cat has already been spayed/neutered. If so, release the cat. The cats going through this program will also be eartipped to notify others that they have been altered.
4. You may provide food and water by lifting the guillotine door a few inches and sliding it under. Uncover that end of the trap, and the cat should scoot back to the covered area. Food should be removed by midnight the night before surgery. You can also change out any soiled cardboard the same way.
5. TEXT us as you trap cats so we can keep a count for our appointments and fill out the “cat description” and “surgical waiver” portions of the intake form (one form per cat).
6. Bring your trapped cats to the  drop off location or vet office as directed the morning of your appointment. The trap MUST be covered and bottom lined with cardboard.
7. You will receive a reminder text the day before surgery with the drop-off time.
8. The cats need to be kept in their trap at least 24 hours. Feed them a small amount of canned food with a tablespoon of water added the night after surgery. Do not put a bowl of water in the trap as they may dump it and get their incision wet. Change out the cardboard as needed.
9. Release the cats to where you trapped them. Do not release if they are unable to stand or walk on their own.
10. Clean the cages with soapy water and launder the covers to be ready to return them to our volunteer. If you still have more cats to trap, let us know and you can keep the traps another week.