Anyone experienced with using traps?

[Kinsters]

I posted before and am sadly still looking for my cat. We've got a trap and have left it out a few nights in the area we believe she might be. One night the trap was sprung but nothing in there and food was still on the trip mechanism (a hook).

This morning the trap was sprung again but this time the fish was off the hook and near the entrance of the trap but uneaten. Any ideas how this could happen? Could a larger animal like a dog have done it? Would a cat be able to get the fish off the hook with a paw and then wiggle back out of the trap? It seems unlikely to me as the spring is quite strong but I just don't know.

Or is it more likely someone released the cat? But if so why would the food be at the front of the trap but un-eaten? We've got a camera trap on the way and will leave the trap out but un-sprung until we can see what is going on.

I have worked with a rescue in the past and cat traps are supposed to be monitored all the time they are in use, you arent supposed to set them and leave them. It would be incredibly stressful for any animal to be stuck in one and left for hours on end.

UsernameN0Tavailable it is monitored hourly or so by security guards in the housing complex where we think she is. That's the best we can do.

I tried a few night of sitting literally watching the trap but nothing. I can't keep that up as I have a six month old baby who still wakes regularly. I agree it's not ideal but I just want my cat back so feel free to chime in with anything helpful...

@thecatneuterer do you have any advice?.

I volunteer with a cat rescue. We usually put the food nearby the unsprung trap for a while to start with so they are not suspicious of the trap, then gradually move it nearer etc. We check traps twice a day, at least.

Fluffy - no I don't as I almost never use automatic traps. I use manual ones that I operate with a piece of string.

The trap should be somewhere out of the elements and covered with a towel etc. I've dealt with a feral cats program of neutering then releasing. Also I tested the trap when it was in position. Good luck

idlevice that's what we're going to do now, I just hope it's not too late. The whole thing is really stressful.

Frankiefirstyear yes, I think I'll try and look for a better position for it. There needs to be a lot of clearance because of the way it works. Its not very sheltered where it is though.

Thanks for the input everyone.