Whether you are attempting to remove an unwanted cat from your property, help a stray or feral cat, or contain an elusive pet cat that’s gone missing, cat traps can be a useful tool –but only when animal welfare and safety are prioritized.
A humane cat trap is a live-capture cage, often made of metal, that features a door-closing mechanism triggered when a cat enters. Cat traps are available for purchase through retailers and may also be rented through some municipalities or animal services. While cat traps can be an effective way to safely contain a cat, their use comes with important considerations and legal responsibilities.
Legal Responsibilities
Once a cat is trapped, the person who set the trap becomes legally responsible for the animal’s health and welfare. If the cat experiences distress, injury, or suffering, the individual responsible may be charged under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act.
The Alberta SPCA has investigated concerns of cats being inappropriately trapped on private property in Alberta. While property owners may legally trap cats on their own property, there can be serious legal consequences if animals are harmed in the process.
Taking Care When Setting a Cat Trap
It’s important to take the following precautions whenever setting a cat trap. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Some municipalities or animal services may have additional or different requirements that you must follow when renting and/or setting a cat trap.
- Only live traps may be used: The use of leg-hold traps for domestic animals is an offence under the Criminal Code.
- Obtain permission from the property owner: Only set a cat trap on property you own, or where the owner has explicitly given you permission.
- Follow local bylaws and other conditions: Municipalities may have bylaws about how and when cat traps can be used. Always review your local bylaws before setting a trap and comply with any conditions outlined in trap rental agreements.
- Have a plan for once the cat is trapped: Before setting a trap, ensure you have a plan in place for when a cat enters the trap. For instance, consider the operating hours of animal services and if you would have time to bring the trapped cat into their facility. Cat traps are not designed to contain an animal for long periods of time, including overnight.
- Traps must be placed in a safe location: Traps should be set on sturdy, even ground, and only in areas where the cat will be protected from weather (sun, wind, rain or hail) and other hazards.
- Never set a trap if weather conditions could cause harm or distress: Avoid setting traps during periods of cold or hot weather, in winter, or when precipitation, thunderstorms, or other unsafe weather events are forecasted.
- Provide access to food and water: Not only will setting the trap with food and water help entice the cat to enter, it’s also part of your legal requirement to ensure the cat is not in distress while in your care.
- Traps must be monitored frequently: Once trapped, a cat may panic and require your assistance to prevent distress. Ensure you are available to check the trap frequently while it is set – aim for every 1-2 hours at minimum. This means not leaving the trap out overnight, unless you are actively monitoring and able to respond immediately.
- Keep the cat comfortable: Most cat traps are made with metal wire, which can be uncomfortable or painful on a cat’s paws while at rest or during transport. Help the cat feel more comfortable by lining a portion of the trap floor with a piece of cardboard. Additionally, some cats may be fearful of humans, especially feral cats and strays who have had limited human contact. Covering the trap with a light, breathable fabric may provide them the extra privacy needed to feel at ease.
What to Do When a Cat Is Trapped
Once a cat has been trapped, you must act as soon as possible to ensure the cat remains comfortable, safe and free of distress. The person responsible for trapping the cat has three options:
- Release the cat from where it was trapped, with the hope the experience deters them from returning.
- Return the cat to their guardian, if known.
- Bring the cat to the local municipal animal care facility.
Important:
- Trapped cats must not be relocated for release. This includes moving them to farms, transporting and releasing them in another part of town, abandoning them in rural areas, or harming them in any way. Abandoning an animal is an offence under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act
- It’s a criminal offence to intentionally cause an animal unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury. In addition to potential charges under the Animal Protection Act for allowing an animal to be in distress, intentionally injuring or killing someone else’s cat is a chargeable offence under the Criminal Code.
Wildlife Considerations
- If wildlife is trapped, the animal must be released in compliance with Alberta’s Wildlife Act. For guidance, contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife.