05/03/2026
Here’s a question for debate:
Context: I had the opportunity to be part of a National Guard drill. The scenario involved a local community experiencing a CBR attack, and the National Guard was responsible for decontaminating not only people but also pets.
We were discussing the best way to decontaminate a cat. There are two primary methods: spray or dunk.
If the cat is in a standard plastic-walled carrier, spraying isn’t ideal because the solution won’t adequately reach the animal. Dunking the entire carrier into the solution raises other issues—there’s no way to properly examine the cat to confirm effective decontamination. It also brings up the question of how to rinse the solution off afterward. On top of that, since the cat isn’t secured inside, it essentially turns into a chaotic “washing machine” situation.
So the question becomes: would it be safe to scruff and dunk the cat, similar to how kittens are handled during a lime sulfur dip?
Keep in mind, this will be done by a trained decontamination specialist, not the pet owner.
My recommendation was to use a squeeze trap. A veterinarian initially suggested a transfer cage, with a squeeze option, which I agreed with at first. However, after reconsidering, it doesn’t provide enough control or traction.
My idea (pictured) is to use a Tru-Catch trap with multiple forks. I only had two forks available, but ideally, three would be best. Even with two, the cat was still able to move somewhat. It’s important to acknowledge that any movement introduces a risk of injury.
That said, this method would allow for full 360-degree wash and rinse coverage, as well as proper examination.
It took me about 3–5 minutes to position everything effectively, and that was in a calm, controlled environment inside her home. This WILL NOT go this smooth in an actual environment!
Photo credit: Lilo was paid in full—plus tip—for her participation.
