Before You Trap

Decide upon your course of action before the cat is caught. Make sure you have an area in your house where you will be able to keep the cat if you are unable to deal with it immediately (a garage, spare room, basement, etc.). Place newspaper or a tarp on the floor so that you can place the cage upon it.

Important — The cat trap must be checked frequently. The Criminal Code of Canada and the Animal Protection Act clearly states any person in charge or control of an animal must provide adequate food, water, and shelter, and cannot cause distress to an animal. Leaving a cat in a trap may constitute a violation. It is not uncommon for a cat to perish when left exposed to the elements.

Setting the trap

1. Use newspaper to line the bottom of the trap as many cats do not like to walk on a wire.
2. Place the trap on a flat surface to test and prepare it before placing it at the trapping site. Preparation is important so that if a trap does not properly work or it goes off too easily, it can be adjusted.
3. Locate the trap in or near where the stray cat(s) is often observed on your property.
4. Place the trap in a sheltered area, protected from the sun, cold, rain, and wind.
5. Place it on a firm, level ground and make certain it is stable and will not rock or tip.  
6. Cover the trap with a towel or blanket, leaving the door unobstructed.
7. Secure the cat trap to the ground or padlock it to something immovable.
8. Always monitor the trap.

Once the cat has been trapped

You have 3 legal options for dealing with a captured stray:

1. Take the cat back to the owner (if known).
2. Release the cat at the edge of your property and no further. You must not transport the cat to any other location - it is illegal to abandon an animal and deprive it of adequate food, water and shelter.
3. Take the cat to a vet clinic to see if it has an ID. 
   1. If the cat doesn't have identification, you can post 'Found Ads' online, distribute posters or place the cat back where it was found. 
   2. Contact local animal welfare organizations. 
   3. If the cat is in distress or injured, call St. Albert Municipal Enforcement at 780-458-7700.

After trapping the stray cat

1. Cover the entire trap with a towel or blanket before moving it. A cat may thrash around inside the trap. Covering the trap will help reduce stress or panic.
2. Never carry a wire trap with a trapped animal next to your body.
3. Never put your fingers inside the trap when handling it.
4. Do not set a trapped animal next to an electrical cord.
5. Do not allow children or pets near the cage.
6. Be sure the trap is secure prior to transporting the animal.
7. When transporting the cat in a car, place a trash bag or tarp UNDER the cage to help keep your car clean. Keep the cage covered with a towel, blanket or sheet. DO NOT transport the cat in the closed trunk of the car.

Signs the cat may be in distress

1. Open mouth breathing - heavy panting
2. Glazed over eyes
3. Deep red, purple or whitish colour to the tongue
4. Blood on the cat or in the cage
5. Unsteady/staggering
6. Unresponsive/lethargic

If the cat shows any of the above signs, it must be taken immediately to a veterinarian, or if your local veterinarian is closed, to an Emergency Veterinary Clinic.

Wildlife

If you trap wildlife by mistake, please do the following:

1. If you find a wild animal in your trap, release it immediately where it was caught.
2. Do not try to handle a wild animal. It will be frightened and probably bite.
3. Wear heavy gloves, open the door, and leave the hinged area promptly so the animal can escape.
4. With skunks, approach the trap quietly, holding a large body-length sheet of plastic in front of you to create a curtain. Drape the plastic over the trap, leaving the door uncovered. If the skunk sprays, it will hit the plastic and not you. Release as above.

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Related Pages

Nuisance Cat Information ›

Contact Municipal Enforcement ›

Animal Bylaw ›