Photo by Carol Hamilton / Getty Images
Raccoons are incredibly intelligent, social animals who play vital roles in ecosystems across Canada. But sadly, some residents want to remove raccoons from their properties for various reasons – and that can lead to tragedy.
“My neighbour is trapping raccoons, what should I do?” is a common question asked of The Fur-Bearers. While regulations vary from province to province, here are the facts about trapping raccoons in British Columbia:
1 Legislation allows for trapping. Raccoons are listed as “Schedule B” species under the Wildlife Act (click to read the Wildlife Act, Designation and Exemption Regulation, Section 2(a)), meaning they can be trapped by a resident “for the purpose of protecting private property.” However, two pieces of legislation create legal obligations if traps are set.
2 Trap checks and distress. While the Wildlife Act allows for Schedule B species to be trapped by homeowners, it requires that they check the trap at least once every 24 hours (click to read the Wildlife Act, Designation and Exemption Regulation, Section 3, (1)). The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act also indicates that a person may not cause, permit, or continue to be in distress (click here to read the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Section 9.1).
Images provided by Critter Care Wildlife Society
The Fur-Bearers recommends anyone who has raccoons entering their home or damaging their property in British Columbia refer to the BC SPCA’s Wildlife Control Best Practices info sheet (click here to download it now). We also support Animal Kind, the only program that certifies human wildlife removal companies. Click here to visit the Animal Kind website now.
If at any point you believe a raccoon or other animal in a trap is in distress in BC, please immediate report it to the BC SPCA Animal Help Line at 1-855-622-7722 and the BC Conservation Officer Service (who enforce trapping laws) at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
Did You Know?
The Fur-Bearers has educational door hangers about small mammal coexistence! Click here to view our resources and request door hangers to distribute in your community today.
