each slot 66 is oriented with its longitudinal extent in the same general direction that scoop 20 is moved during scooping to expedite distribution of clumps and litter scooped up over the entire surface area of the sifting portion 58 as quickly as possible slots 66 have a width greater than the width or diameter of a plurality of litter grains 42 in a preferred embodiment each slot 66 has a width that is at least a plurality of pairs i e at least three times the average width or diameter of a plurality of litter granules 42 in one preferred embodiment standard absorbent cat litter has an average granule width or diameter of about one millimeter with sizes varying between one half millimeters to as great as two millimeters within typical cat litter with each slot 66 having a width of about five millimeters and can range in slot width between four and six millimeters as a result sifting occurs even during downward movement of the scoop 20 into litter in the container due to more rapid occurrence of sifting and the more efficient sifting that takes place sifting is nearly finished as the scoop 20 is being lifted or withdrawn from litter in the container.