Trapping & Relocating

Live trapping may seem like a humane, easy fix to your wildlife problem – simply have someone remove the animal! However it is only a temporary solution and possibly a death sentence for the animal. A homeowner should find out what attracted the animal to their property, and remove or repair it. Otherwise, another animal will take up residence once the original one has been removed, which can turn into a frustrating cycle. Wildlife-proofing your home and property is a long-term,preventative, and humane solution.

Live trapping and relocating is a bad idea because…

It causes stress for the trapped animal, and possible injury to themselves as they try to escape.

If the animal is forgotten in the trap, it is exposed to the elements and can suffer from frostbite and heat stroke, and possibly starvation. Domestic animals and other wildlife may harass the trapped animal causing further stress or injury.

Relocated parents would be separated from their young, and the dependent babies left behind cannot fend for themselves

Relocated animals are lost. They have to find food, water and shelter in an unfamiliar environment. There may be territorial disputes between the relocated animal and resident animals that can lead to injury and death. This is why all wildlife that is admitted to Sandy Pines are released back in the exact same place they were originally found.

It’s also illegal

In Ontario, it is illegal to trap and relocate animals from the site where they were captured according to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.Improper use of a live trap that results in animal suffering, could lead to animal cruelty charges through the Ontario SPCA Act.