Lethal trapping for pest control and wildlife management causes welfare harm - humane trap standards, mandatory training, and trap checking requirements reduce suffering.
Trapping welfare depends on trap type, placement, and checking frequency. Type-approved spring traps can kill rapidly when correctly set and properly placed - minimising welfare harm to target species. However, non-target captures, improper setting, and infrequent checking all increase welfare harm. The welfare of non-target animals caught in traps not designed for them is particularly severe - injury without death, prolonged suffering. Mandatory training for trap operators, regular checking requirements, and type-approval based on genuine humaneness testing represent achievable welfare improvements. Phased transition away from trapping toward non-lethal management where possible is a long-term welfare goal.