TRAPPING OF FERAL CATS USING PADDED-JAW TRAPS (CAT003) - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (PestSmart)

Sep 15, 2026

Standard Operating Procedure TRAPPING OF FERAL CATS USING PADDED-JAW TRAPS (CAT003) sets out approved workflow under the Charles Darwin University Animal Ethics Committee. The SOP defines approval status, limits use to high-animal-welfare-impact circumstances, and requires scientific justification for alternatives. It specifies background context, application conditions, timing, monitoring frequency, and overnight trap handling for nocturnal by-catch. It also covers legal and OH&S compliance, trap selection, humane capture principles, euthanasia approach, and key animal welfare considerations including injury prevention and daily inspections.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Control methods and rationale

Preference for humane trapping approaches

Application

Scope and restrictions

Verification of feral status

Trap use, shooting, and legal compliance

Animal Welfare Considerations

Impact on target animals

Monitoring, inspection, and harm minimization

Charles Darwin University Animal Ethics Committee Standard Operating Procedure: TRAPPING OF FERAL CATS USING PADDED-JAW TRAPS (CAT003) STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (PestSmart) | Version No: | Version 1 | | --- | --- | | Date of Approval by the CDU AEC: | 16/07/2025 | | Date for Review by the CDU AEC: | 16/07/2028 | NOTE: The CDU AEC approves the following SOP with the below amendments/ conditions: • This capture method is classified as a high animal welfare impact technique. Its use is not routine and must be specifically justified in the application, including a clear explanation of why alternative, lower-impact methods are not suitable. • This method is generally only approved for use immediately prior to euthanasia and as a last resort. Applications proposing its use for anyother purpose must provide strong scientific and ethical justification. • Where traps are used during daylight hours, the application must include a frequent and clearly defined monitoring schedule. A single trap check in the late afternoon is not acceptable. • Where traps are left open overnight, investigators must: Check traps within two hours of sunrise; and have an approved plan for the safe holding and appropriate release of nocturnal by-catch (for example, holding animals for release at dusk where immediate release isnot appropriate) . • All trapping activities must be conducted in accordance with the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT) . BACKGROUND Feral cats prey upon a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. In some areas of Australia, especially many of the offshore islands, feral cats represent a significant threat to vulnerable and endangered native fauna. They may also have an indirect adverse impact on wildlife and livestock through the transmission of diseases such as toxoplasmosis and sarcosporidiosis. A variety of control methods have been used including shooting, trapping, poison baiting and exclusion fencing. Although trapping is considered an ineffective tool for large areas, it may be useful in urban/residential areas where domestic cats are present, or in areas where populations have already been reduced and individual cats need to be targeted. Live trapping followed by euthanasia is one of the main methods of control currently used. In urban/residential areas, cage traps or soft net traps are preferred over leg hold traps as fewer injuries are sustained, non-target animals can be released unharmed and trapped feral cats can be transported away from the area for euthanasia. Refer to CAT002 Trapping of feral cats using cage traps and GEN003 Trapping using soft net traps. Leg-hold (padded-jaw) traps should only be used at sites where the animal can be killed by shooting whilst still held in the trap. Leg-hold traps may be more effective than cage traps for hard-to-catch cats that have had minimal exposure to humans. This standard operating procedure (SOP) is a guide only; it does not replace or override the legislation that applies in the relevant state or territory jurisdiction. The SOP should only be used subject to the applicable legal requirements (including OH&S) operating in the relevant jurisdiction. APPLICATION • Trapping is time-consuming and labour intensive and is therefore an inefficient method for large-scale feral cat control in Australia. • Trapping in non-urban areas should be restricted to late autumn and early winter when food availability is generally low and capture of non-target species is reduced. • Traps have the potential to cause significant injuries, suffering and distress so should only be used when there is no suitable alternative. Humane and successful trapping requires extensive training and experience. • Selection of appropriate traps and trap sites will maximise the chance of capture and minimise the distress caused to target and non-target animals. • Every effort must be made to avoid target and non-target deaths from factors such as exp

FAQs

When is padded-jaw trapping approved, and what justification is required?

Use is not routine and must be specifically justified, with a clear explanation of why alternative, lower-impact methods are not suitable. It is generally approved only immediately prior to euthanasia and as a last resort.

What monitoring schedule is required if traps are used during daylight hours?

A frequent and clearly defined monitoring schedule is required; a single trap check in the late afternoon is not acceptable.

What must investigators do if traps are left open overnight?

Traps must be checked within two hours of sunrise, and an approved plan must be in place for safe holding and appropriate release of nocturnal by-catch.

Sep 15, 2026

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