07/06/2023
Glue traps result in animal cruelty
Last week, three, approximately 6-week-old red squirrels were brought to the AVC Wildlife Service. They had all been found stuck on a single glue trap. The finder had tried to remove the squirrels from the glue, and as a result, the squirrels were stuck to paper towel and disposable gloves. They were coated in glue along their flanks, head, tail, and legs. Their legs were glued together; therefore, they were unable to move, and they appeared weak and exhausted. After providing supportive care and stabilizing the squirrels, they were first cleaned with mineral oil and then washed with Dawn dish soap to remove the oil. One of the squirrels needed part of its tail amputated due to trauma from the glue trap.
Unfortunately, one of the squirrels died the next day. It was determined that the squirrel likely died from hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. The squirrels would have been unable to eat or drink while stuck in the glue trap, and the stomach of the squirrel that died was found empty. Fortunately, the two surviving squirrels are still doing well.
Glue traps are harmful to all wildlife that are small enough to get stuck in a glue trap, not just the intended target “pest” species, such as mice. Glue traps commonly trap non-target species of wildlife such as small birds, snakes, and bats. When any animal is caught in a glue trap, it will struggle against the glue in an attempt to free itself. The death of the animal will be slow, extremely distressing, and painful. The animal will have no access to food or water and will die from dehydration or starvation.
There are still too many hardware and agri-food stores that sell glue traps when we know that there are more humane options. A snap trap is the best alternative to instantly kill unwanted “pest” species.
Please share this post and encourage these stores to remove glue traps from store shelves to prevent further animal suffering and the death of non-target -species.