Stepping pad for cat litter box

A method for collecting and recycling litter material lodged in the paw of an animal that has stepped in litter material contained in a litter box, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a stepping pad apparatus comprising:
• a base, the base having a top surface and a bottom surface, the base having a substantially C-shaped upwardly depending wall member extending along a peripheral edge of the base;
• and
• a plurality of elongated raised members, the plurality of elongated raised members being disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the base, each elongated raised member being positioned substantially parallel to the pair of sidewall members;
• b) placing the apparatus adjacent to the litter box;
• c) allowing the animal to step onto the apparatus such that the animal's paw contacts at least a portion of the plurality of elongated raised members, wherein the litter material is dislodged from the animal's paw;
• d) collecting the dislodged litter material;
• and
• e) optionally recycling the dislodged litter material to the litter box.