VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

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Being married to Folsom's Trapper John, you'd think I would've experienced cat trapping for myself by now.  I've heard Trapper John and other volunteers talk

excitedly about their trapping experiences and how rewarding they are.  So I became determined to experience it first hand.  Here's my story.

7:12pm:  We depart with four traps, 2 towels, one rubber glove, a can of mackerel, a pair of binoculars, a flashlight, and night vision goggles.  First stop: Folsom Zoo.

7:19pm: We arrive at the zoo to stake out the "North Side Dumpster Cats", as I've named them.  Think "West Side Story" here.  I count 3 cats behind a chain link fence and 2 by the dumpsters.  Must be the "Cyclones" and the "Dumpsters" sparring again.  Trapper John spots a steady stream of cats exiting the dumpsters when they hear us pull up.  He dons the glove, takes a trap and the can of mackerel, and scopes out a good hiding place for the trap.  He puts the first trap behind a dumpster.  With his gloved hand, he scoops out a chunk of mackerel from the can and carefully packs it at the back of the trap, behind the trip plate.  He sets the trap and expertly tosses a trail of mackerel down the length of the trap continuing the trail out past the trap's opening.  He then dribbles some mackerel juice from the can to connect the dots of mackerel.  All that's missing is a bright neon sign saying "Eat at Joe's."

7:30pm:  With the traps set, we have time to go to our second stop and we'll make our way back.  We head for our next stop, what I call the Gold River "red light district" for cats.  Think "Las Vegas strip".  Fast Eddie and Suzie Snowshoe are known to hang out here.

7:44pm:  We pull into a nearby parking lot and set the first trap in a well-known bush hideout.  Across the street, we spy the cute couple just "hanging out."  We cross over and set up the second trap.  Once the trap is set, we head back across the street and wait in the shadows for our suspects to take the bait.

7:46pm:  Using the binoculars, I can see that Eddie and Suzie have caught a whiff of mackerel and are sauntering over to trap 2.  Suzie (or Sammy as the case may be) wriggles halfway in the trap for a snack.  She's hesitant though and comes back out.  Meanwhile, Eddie (or Edwina?) traipses across the street.

7:47pm:  Wham!  Sweet music to my ears!  "We caught one!" exclaims Trapper John.  We run over with our flashlight to check out Eddie's ears.  Sure enough, no snipped ears = intact kitty.  Bingo!  John covers the cage and stores it in the truck.

7:48pm:  Meanwhile, Suzie Snowshoe is taking her sweet time.  She's managed to get herself fully inside the cage and eat a full meal without triggering the trap.  Oh, what I wouldn't do for a dart gun about now!  Maybe I've seen one episode too many of Mutual of Omaha.  Patiently, we wait.  And wait.  Suzie turns around and walks out of the cage.  Darn!  She sits outside for a while and then goes in for a second course.  Having finished the mackerel, she backs out, walks a bit, and starts taking a bath.  Drats!  We've been foiled!

8:03pm:  Time to head back to the zoo and see if we caught anything.  As we're driving, Trapper John asks, "So, what were you thinking while you were watching the cat walk into the trap?"  I sing, "Bad cats, bad cats.  Whatcha gonna do?  Whatcha gonna do when we come for you?"  "They're not bad," explains Trapper John.  I hook my thumb towards the back of the truck and chime, "Oh yeah?  Then why is this one behind bars right now?"  Sure, I think they can be reformed.  With a snip-snip here and a clip-clip there… 

(Continued on page 6)