This handy guide is packed with quick tips for targeting feral cats — like using pre-fed traps, setting them near haybarns or bridges, and using natural boundaries, like water — to help you trap these stealthy hunters.
Cats are among the most devastating predators in Aotearoa. They kill native birds, bats, reptiles, wētā and other insects, often hunting quietly and alone. A single cat can make 10–20 kills per day while moving over large home ranges. These stealthy, highly effective hunters are apex predators — nothing hunts them, and they can reproduce quickly under the right conditions.
Our feral cat control guide (PDF, 688 KB) brings together a wealth of information to help you plan your control efforts around cat behaviour. As cats are much-loved pets in many communities, any cat control must be carefully planned to avoid harming owned companion animals.
You can download the feral cat control guide (PDF, 688 KB) or print it to keep with your field gear. It’s designed as a resource you can return to throughout the year, helping you make smart decisions based on predator behaviour and the needs of your local landscape. Ready to take your predator control to the next level? This guide is here to help — with clear advice, thoughtful strategies, and a strong emphasis on doing things right for both wildlife and our communities.
The cat-shaped hole in Predator Free 2050
Despite the damage feral cats do, they are not on the Predator Free 2050 target species list. This leaves a cat-shaped hole in the Predator Free 2050 strategy. We think the Department of Conservation (DOC) should fill it.
DOC is consulting on the strategy, and we’ve made it easy for you to tell them feral cats should be on the target species list. Submissions close 5pm 30 June.
Help us fill the cat-shaped hole with our easy-to-use submission form.
