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Professional Fox, Feral Cat & Feral Pig Trapping
What is Wild Animal Trapping?
Wild animal trapping is a targeted pest control method used to capture invasive species such as foxes, feral cats, wild dogs, and feral pigs. Trapping is commonly used where other control methods (baiting, shooting, fumigation) are unsuitable, restricted, or require follow-up control.
Professional trapping programs are designed to be:
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Species-specific and humane
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Safe for non-target animals
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Effective in both rural and peri-urban environments
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Fully compliant with Victorian legislation
Trapping plays a critical role in integrated pest management programs across Victoria, helping protect livestock, infrastructure, and native wildlife.
Cage Trapping (Foxes & Feral Cats) -
Cage trapping involves the use of enclosed traps designed to capture animals alive. These traps are triggered when the animal enters the cage and activates a pressure plate, causing the door to close behind them.
How Cage Traps are Used:
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Baits or lures are placed inside the trap to attract the target species
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Traps are positioned along animal trails, fence lines, or feeding areas
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Checked regularly to ensure animal welfare and compliance
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Captured animals are handled in accordance with legal requirements
Where Cage Trapping is Used:
Cage traps are commonly used in:
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Peri-urban areas
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Residential properties
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Farms and small holdings
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Environmentally sensitive areas where toxins cannot be used
Cage trapping is particularly effective for feral cats and urban foxes, where precision and safety are critical.
Pen Trapping (Feral Pigs) -
What is Pen Trapping?
Pen trapping involves constructing large, fenced enclosures designed to capture multiple feral pigs at once. These traps are baited and pre-fed to encourage entire sounders (groups) to enter before activation.
How Pen Traps are Used:
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Sites are pre-baited to condition pigs to feed inside the enclosure
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Gates are triggered manually or automatically once pigs are inside
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Entire groups can be captured in a single operation
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Traps are monitored to ensure humane handling
Where Pen Trapping is Used:
Pen trapping is best suited for:
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Large rural properties
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Agricultural land
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Remote and regional areas across Victoria
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Areas with established feral pig populations
This method is highly effective for large-scale feral pig control.
Soft Jaw Leg Hold Traps (Foxes & Wild Dogs)
What are Soft Jaw Leg Hold Traps?
Soft jaw leg hold traps are mechanical traps designed to safely restrain an animal by the leg without causing significant injury. Modern designs use padded or offset jaws to minimise harm and improve animal welfare outcomes.
How They are Used:
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Sites are pre-baited to condition pigs to feed inside the enclosure
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Gates are triggered manually or automatically once pigs are inside
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Entire groups can be captured in a single operation
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Traps are monitored to ensure humane handling
Where They Can Be Used in Victoria -
​In Victoria, the use of leghold traps is strictly controlled under animal welfare legislation.
Large leghold traps for foxes and wild dogs can only be used in areas approved by the Minister for Agriculture under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act).​
These approved areas are formally listed in a Declaration made under section 15AB(3) of the POCTA Act.
What This Means:
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Leghold traps cannot be used statewide without restriction
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Use is limited to declared areas only
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Operators must be aware of and comply with current declarations
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Traps must be used in accordance with approved methods and welfare standards
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These traps are typically used for:
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Targeted fox control in rural areas
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Wild dog management programs
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Situations where other control methods are ineffective
Compliance, Animal Welfare & Legal Use in Victoria
All trapping activities are conducted in strict accordance with Victorian legislation and animal welfare standards.
CVPM comply with:
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The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
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Regulations and guidance from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
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Codes of Practice for the humane control of pest animals
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Local laws and landholder permissions
Key Compliance Requirements:
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Traps must be checked regularly at a maximum of 24 hours
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Non-target animals must be released where possible and if required, taken to a vet for treatment
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Humane dispatch methods must be used
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Traps must be clearly identified where required
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Use must align with approved areas and conditions