Trapping seasons open in Canada: how to stay safe

A picture showing a primed foot-hold trap in a natural setting.
Foot-hold (or leg-hold) traps remain legal to use in every province and territory of Canada.

Trapping seasons for fur-bearing animals open across Canada through fall and residents nationwide need to know how to stay safe from these inherently inhumane devices. The Fur-Bearers advocates for an end to commercial and recreational trapping, as well as common-sense updates to existing policies; but the risks to the public remain serious through winter and spring, when most trapping seasons close.

Here are five tips to help you stay safe:

1 There are no signs. Trappers are not legislated in any province or territory in Canada to put up signs warning the public that traps are in place. Even when it’s adjacent to someone’s private property there are no notification requirements – and that can lead to tragedies like the one that left Pearl, a working family dog, with three legs.

2 Knowing how to release a trap can save lives. If your dog, cat, or family member activates a trap, knowing how to release them quickly can make the difference between life and death. The Fur-Bearers developed a professional trap release video you can watch below or by clicking here to open the YouTube video in a new window.

3 Find out about local traplines. While not all traps are placed on registered traplines, knowing an active trapper is working on an area means you can make safe choices. Contact your natural fish and wildlife department to inquire about natural areas you regularly visit. Traps set by municipalities, private landowners, or businesses may not be known by fish and wildlife officials.

4 Carry safety tools. Whether it’s a jaunt down a local ravine or a hike deep into a forested greenspace, carrying basic safe items is a good idea, including a functional first aid kit, wire cutters, and the knowledge of how to release pets from traps.

5 Talk to your friends, family, and community about trapping. Sharing information about traps and how to safely protect pets is a vital step in preventing injury and death, but also in leading to a Canada where commercial trapping is no longer acceptable. Please share our articles, videos, and other content on social media and with your community at large to help.

The Fur-Bearers continues to advocate for an end to inherently inhumane commercial trapping, as well as common sense updates to policy that will protect people in the interim. Want to help? Become a Defender! Click here to learn more about the importance of this program and how you can make a difference.

Help Make A Difference

Join The Fur-Bearers today and help us protect fur-bearing animals in the wild and confinement. To become a monthly donor (for as little as $10/month – the cost of two lattes) please click here and help us save lives today. Your donation is tax-deductible.

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