From Rap to Rescue: The TrapKing's Journey to Cat Crusader
Sterling "TrapKing" Davis never saw himself becoming the face of a movement. Before he was known as the charismatic, tattooed cat rescuer starring in Disney’s upcoming documentary "Pets" (premiering April 11), he was a rapper with a military background, searching for a way to make a real impact.
"I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve. I made music because I wanted to inspire," he says. "But nothing hit me like the moment I realized nobody who looked like me was doing cat rescue."
That realization would change everything.
Rick James: The Cat That Changed Everything
Sterling’s journey into cat advocacy began with regret.
His first cat, Rick James, was purchased from a breeder—a decision he now openly calls his "biggest mistake." At the time, he didn’t know about the dark side of declawing, the overpopulation crisis, or the importance of adoption.
"Declawing is like cutting off your fingers at the last knuckle," he explains, his voice tightening. "I didn’t know. And when I found out, it wrecked me."
That guilt transformed into action. Today, Rick James’ legacy lives on in Sterling’s relentless education campaigns about "adopt don’t shop," the cruelty of declawing, and the importance of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for community cats.
"Where Are All the Men?": The Moment That Sparked a Movement
Sterling’s shift from music to cat rescue wasn’t gradual—it was a wake-up call. While volunteering with a TNR group, he noticed something glaring: he was the only man in the room.
"I asked the women training me, Where are the guys? Where are the Black rescuers? And they just said, ‘There aren’t any.’"
That was his sign.
Using his background in hip-hop, Sterling rebranded the term "TrapKing"—once street slang for a drug dealer—into a badge of honor for cat rescuers. His mission? Make cat care cool, accessible, and inclusive in communities where pets were often seen as "just for women."
The Hard Truths of TNR Work: Tears, Triumphs, and Therapy
The Good Days
Like the time he trapped "Method Man," a feral tomcat from his own mobile home colony. After TNR, Method Man went from hissing menace to chirping for head scratches. "Now he’s basically my outdoor shadow," Sterling laughs.
The Bad Days
The kittens he couldn’t save. The colonies wiped out by poisoning. The endless criticism from people who don’t understand TNR.
"You have to cry sometimes," he says. "If the suffering stops hurting you, it’s time to walk away."
His survival tools?
Therapy ("Every rescuer needs it.")
Workouts ("Gym time is my reset button.")
Cat Dad Comedy (His viral skits with fellow rescuers like Nathan the Cat Lady keep the mission fun.)
Sterling’s "Purrfect" World: A Blueprint for the Future
If he could redesign animal welfare, it would look like this:
No More Silos – TNR groups, fosters, and adoption orgs working together instead of competing.
Safe Havens for Ferals – More places like Milo’s Sanctuary, where unadoptable cats live out their lives in peace.
Breeders & Rescuers Teaming Up – "If you’re going to breed, be responsible. Help the cats who already exist."
His #OneUnitedPaw (1UP) campaign is pushing for exactly that.
Disney, Documentaries, and the Future of TrapKing
Sterling’s story is now hitting the mainstream with "Pets" on Disney+ (April 11)—a documentary showcasing his work alongside other animal advocates.
"I never wanted fame," he says. "But if this gets more people—especially men and people of color—into rescue? Then hell yeah."
How You Can Help
Support: FixNation (CA), Planned Pethood (ATL), The Little Lion Foundation (Long Beach)
Watch: "Pets" (Disney+, April 11) & "Cat People" (Netflix)
Follow: @RealTrapKing for trapping tutorials, cat dad humor, and real talk on rescue.
