Wild Animals

Snare Trapping and Wildlife Welfare

Snares cause extreme suffering to wildlife, trapping animals in prolonged agony until removed or until they die.

Key Facts

Snares are wire nooses designed to catch animals by constricting around their bodies
Animals caught in snares can suffer for hours or days before release or death
Non-target species including hares, deer, domestic cats, and dogs are regularly caught
Self-locking snares cause strangulation and are banned in many countries
Free-running snares are legal in UK but still cause significant suffering

Welfare Considerations

Snare trapping is one of the most welfare-damaging pest control methods in use. Animals caught in snares experience prolonged terror, pain from the constricting wire, injury from escape attempts, and often die from exhaustion, strangulation, or predation. A ban on snares is supported by major veterinary and welfare organisations.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns to ban snare trapping in your country
Report illegally set snares to wildlife enforcement authorities
Advocate for mandatory inspections and restrictions on legal snares
Choose game and wildlife products from estates that use non-snare pest control