I recently moved to a property where I can trap, but I have a couple of outdoor cats. What are the best ways to make sure I dont catch them? I have 3 acres surrounded by farmland in PA and I see fox, racoons and skunks on my trailcam. I cant catch a cat though, my kids and wife would not be happy. I have the pan tool to tell me how many pounds it is set at, but I dont know what a cat will put on it if they start digging in a hole trying to get at my lure.

Whatever you can tell me to exclude them would be great, even if I trap less because of it. Thanks

Your best bet would be to use cages and dog proof traps baited with sweet baits.

I'd try a cage.

Yep...Cages

check before they wake up and let them out

maybe padded or laminated jaws

cages close to the house catch the cats before they can mess up the other sets

What cage should I get? I have never trapped with a cage.

Little Wolf Trapping Supply from Manawa, Wi makes an excellent coon cage.

There are a number of excellent cage traps.

You don't want that prized house cat caught in a foothold on a cold night. Yotetrapper30 nailed it.

Pen up the cats until you are done!

Cages or this . Any type of leg hold and you will get a cat .

Free ranging cats need trapped. They are a non native invasive predators that kill billions of native species worldwide and responsible for the extinction of several native species and reservoirs of zoonotic disease that threatens other endangered wildlife.

THIS................is the harsh truth that cat owners / lovers don't want to hear.

Dog proofs on your property and go get permission on new ground close by.

sorry but cats still happen in pull only DPs
barn cats can be let out but they will get caught and Ferals are legal here year round just like possum

Cages

If you catch them in a cage trap . make sure you give the cage a good shakin, you won't need to worry about catching them another time. They will
exit at high speed.. The ferals you don't release. old243

Sweet baits are the best option as cats are more strictly carnivorous than coons and canines. That's not say 110% foolproof as curiosity did kill the cat.

And X2 on making the whole experience unpleasant should you catch one. Cats are easy to trap, the first time. Remember that if you ever have to target cats specifically.

Fox, coon, and skunks all good candidates for cages. Two of those good candidates for DPs (coon and skunks).
Very good tips on here. Avoid the footholds. Use sweet baits like marshmallows, fruit loops, cut up apples, banana chips, or something like shelled corn only. Skunks won’t be interested in the corn so much but coon will and for the most part not cats.
But if you like your cats they will show up about anywhere and any set. Cages give you the best option at an easy release and quick learning curve for your cats.
You will miss some fox in the cages but they can be caught in them and on the sweet baits.
Good luck.
Jim

What housecats?....I haven't seen any cats.