Fishing for Cats: A Guide

At times, it is necessary to fish for your cats. Not providing fish for them to eat, no, no. Fishing for them. As in, luring them out in the open and capturing them. Usually, this is a precursor for taking them to the vet or bathing them (which acts we have no guides for here, although there are some elsewhere on the net). Of course, success depends upon the distractability and relative intelligence of your cats.

Step 1:
Bring out your equipment. This should be a flexible plastic pole and string. The lure should be a brightly colored feather or two. Make sure there are no sharp objects involved except your cats.

Step 2:
Develop a relationship between your cats and your fishing gear. If they think it's a toy, they'll be fooled at least once by the ruse of playing with them. At least once.

Step 3:
Entice them with noises, whistles, rattled treats, or other things that will make them come running. Don't call their names. They'll just look at you sarcastically from behind a safe corner (see photo). Note the other cat summoned correctly in the background.

Step 4:
Work them into a convenient location, teasing them along with the line and lure. This location should have only one exit and a minimum of low objects to hide under. A kitchen is not an ideal location and is used only for demonstration purposes -- have you ever tried to retrieve a determined cat from behind the refrigerator?

Note: Watch carefully for indications that your fishing is not working or that the intelligence of your cat is higher than your own.

Step 5:
When the cat has taken the bait firmly, collect him and take him wherever it is you need to. Keep in mind that he will likely realize that he's been had before you get there, and that the only sharp object involved in fishing for cats is, indeed, your cat.

Step 3: Entice them with noises, whistles, rattled treats, or other things that will make them come running. Don't call their names. They'll just look at you sarcastically from behind a safe corner (see photo). Note the other cat summoned correctly in the background.
Step 4: Work them into a convenient location, teasing them along with the line and lure. This location should have only one exit and a minimum of low objects to hide under. A kitchen is not an ideal location and is used only for demonstration purposes -- have you ever tried to retrieve a determined cat from behind the refrigerator?
Note: Watch carefully for indications that your fishing is not working or that the intelligence of your cat is higher than your own.
Step 5: When the cat has taken the bait firmly, collect him and take him wherever it is you need to. Keep in mind that he will likely realize that he's been had before you get there, and that the only sharp object involved in fishing for cats is, indeed, your cat.