Monday, May 3, 2010

Bacon, Cat food, Marshmallows, Sardines

= suggested bait to trap a raccoon

A friend of a friend has kindly lent me a live trap to try to catch the Cat Who Shall Be Referred to as Henry Rollins.
What have I gotten myself into?
Seems I run the risk of catching an armadillo!

I really don't want to do ANY of this cat trapping stuff.
The feral pet situation feels like Iraq:
the messy fallout of a series of fucked-up, careless decisions on the part of a whole bunch of us stupid humans, going way back.
And now it's my problem.
Well. OK, then.

Please send sardines.

6 comments:

  1. What a start to your week. Thanks for the update on the cat adventure. I hope things turn out as well as they did for the cats mentioned in last post's comments.

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  2. Remember you are getting heaven entrance points for this good deed. It may help you be less frustrated.

    There are several helpful suggestions online for trapping a cat (search how to trap a cat). I was curious because I have trapped raccoons and squirrels before, but not cats.
    After thinking about cats it seemed to me you would indeed get a raccoon instead. Here in Chicago they are hardly afraid of people at all and will eat anything.

    I wish you luck in getting CWSBRHR.

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  3. Hi, Deanna.

    Thanks, Lill. CWSBRHR thanks you too (I hope...).
    It is a bit wearying, trying to decide how to proceed. I will search on line for tips, per your suggestion.

    Raccoons here are not terribly bold, but I have seen them scuttling along the streets at night. Very impressive!

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  4. Do you really need to trap Mr. Rollins (as opposed to more cans of tuna left on the porch)? Is neutering and health the issue?

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  5. You don't look particularly reassured in the photo - and no wonder: an armadillo!

    Upon looking up "pet aramdillo" on the omniscient Google:

    "Although [armadillos] have been kept as pets in the past, the reviews are mixed — some people like them, others find the odor and habits of the animal to be unpleasant. In some parts of South America, they are kept as pets — pets which are occasionally eaten."

    I love the mildness of the language: "reviews are mixed", "unpleasant", followed by "pets which are occasionally eaten".

    Oh, and the last paragraph begins with:
    "If you are still sure that you want a pet armadillo. . . ."

    Maybe try putting "I Can't Get Behind That" on repeat at a low volume near the cage to selectively attract HR.

    Good luck, Fresca!

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  6. Clown: Yes, that's it: neutering especially, because endless litters of kitties just perpetuates the cycle of animals that aren't evolved to survive here, in the cold (unlike raccoons).

    I feel quite tossed about, reading and talking with people about stray/feral cats, because it's an emotional issue and people express strong opinions about what's Right or Wrong.

    M'GET: That's funny!
    I don't want an armadillo for a pet, I want a capybara (also "occasionally eaten"). I don't think armadillos look very edible.

    Actually, I'm not really a pet person at all, which is one reason I'm finding this all so... unreassuring!

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