Trapping Cruelty

According to Statistics Canada, each year, approximately 1 million animals are trapped and killed for their fur in Canada. (This number does not include “non-target” catches such as birds, domestic animals etc. or fur-bearing animals killed on fur farms.)

The main goals of our anti-trapping campaign are to:

a) expose fur trapping cruelty; encourage the public to not buy or wear fur
b) lobby the Canadian government to pass legislation to protect all fur-bearing animals

Fast Facts:

• Trapping is done to obtain 'wild fur pelts' to sell to the commercial fur trade, or for 'predator control' or to 'manage' wildlife populations.
• The leg-hold trap is still legal in every province across Canada.
• The most commonly used traps are the leg-hold, Conibear and snare trap.
• Video and photographic evidence shows that animals will break bones and teeth trying to escape from traps. Some animals will even chew off their own limbs.
• Any animal (including pets, or endangered species) can trigger and die in a trap.
• Trapping is not needed to manage predators like wolves or coyotes, non-lethal alternatives are available..
• Traps are placed where animals travel frequently, along creek beds, or in trees. Sometimes the traps are baited with urine or sex gland scents that lure the animal to a certain trap. In many provinces, you can legally set a trap 300 metres from a any dwelling (including schools).
• In Canada, trap checking times vary from once every 24 hours to once every 14 days - and such laws are largely unenforceable.
• Animals trapped in Canada include wolves, coyotes, bobcats, lynx, beavers, muskrats, otters, minks, raccoons, squirrels, wolverines, badgers, fishers, martens, possums, weasels and other fur-bearing animals.
• Trapping season varies according to the province and species, but for the most part September to April is high risk. In many municipalities, trapping happens year round, particularly to trap and kill so-called nuisance beavers.

Learn More:

Please note the following PDF's contain graphic content, including graphic photos.

The Humane Trapping Myth (PDF)
Types of Cruel Fur Traps (PDF)

What we are doing:

• The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals has produced several videos that reveal animals suffering in cruel traps. This important film footage continues to circle the globe, and has been seen on TV and has been featured in several documentaries.

• In addition to distributing our videos, we continue to write letters to the Canadian Government, including our Members of Parliament, urging them to enact legislation to protect fur-bearing animals.

• We also continue to provide activists, businesses, media and Government with literature and other information about trapping cruelty.