New cat traps with alarm

A new cat trap that tells the RSPCA immediately when a cat is caught has been designed by Kent schoolchildren.

The RSPCA usually uses traps to catch feral and injured cats for neutering and treatment but the weak point is that the staff had to return regularly to check if any animal is caught.

Now children at Westlands School in Sittingbourne have designed a trap that includes an electronic alert.

Nicky Honey, from the RSPCA's mobile cat neutering clinic, said: "Cats can become stressed by being trapped."

She spoke to staff at Westlands School, who volunteered to work with pupils to build a remote-controlled trap.

Ms Honey said: "If a cat is caught in a trap and not taken out for several hours then it can become very stressed and even injure itself."

"It will be fantastic to have a device that tells me immediately the cat is caught."

"I can then go and get it out and get the treatment carried out before releasing it again."

The RSPCA's mobile neutering clinic has neutered almost 8,000 cats - mainly for owners on low incomes, but also for cats living in feral colonies.

Ms Honey added: "We are so grateful to Westlands School for having built this trap.

"It will be so helpful to our work in helping sick, injured and feral cats."