Trap Free Trails

#TrapFreeTrails

Each year, millions of people visit the National Wildlife Refuge System, often with their furry companions. Many people do not know that trapping is permitted on 216 (38%) of national wildlife refuges, making these protected lands very dangerous. Traps are cruel and indiscriminate. In addition to killing and injuring millions of targeted wild animals, traps also pose a serious danger to companion animals and even to humans.

Click on a link below or scroll down to explore #TrapFreeTrails:

– Sign the Petition

– View Trapping Victim Case Studies

– View our Infographic on Trapping on NWRs

– Download Our Guide to Keeping Pets Safe from Traps

– Spread the Word on Social Media

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Sign the Petition

There is no place for cruel and unnecessary traps – snares, Conibear traps, or steel-jaw leghold traps – on public lands, which include national parks, national preserves, and national wildlife refuges. Instead of areas of safety, these sacred places have been transformed into killing fields.

Add your name to our petition to the U.S. Department of Interior calling for an end to trapping on National Wildlife Refuges!

ADD YOUR NAME

Trapping Victim Case Studies

Traps pose enormous danger to anyone unfortunate enough to trigger them, be it targeted wildlife, a companion animal, an endangered species, or even a human. Below are the stories of three animals who were caught and injured in traps and rehabilitated with the help of Born Free USA’s Trapping Victims’ Fund.

Through the Trapping Victims’ Fund, Born Free USA helps cover the cost of care for individual animals impacted by cruel traps. Funds are available for specific and immediate emergency veterinary care for companion animals impacted by traps. In the worst of circumstances, funds are also available for funeral arrangements. Learn more about the Trapping Victims’ Fund.

MAGGIE THE PUPPY

In early 2020, Maggie, a Great Pyrenees puppy, had the misfortune of being caught in a leg-hold trap in Tennessee.

She was only 12 weeks old at the time when she found a way out of her outdoor pen and wandered off her owners’ property, which was next to a wooded area where people often set traps for coyotes. Maggie was gone for two days before returning home with severe injuries to her paw and leg. Maggie’s injuries consisted of multiple fractures; all of her metacarpals in the paw were fractured and her carpus was also severely damaged. There was also significant soft tissue damage done to the paw and leg. Due to the severity of Maggie’s injuries, and the probability of not regaining use of the leg, the veterinarian determined that it would be necessary to amputate the injured leg.

Maggie’s treatment was partially funded by the Born Free USA Trapping Victims Fund, which helps to pay medical bills for animal victims of trapping. Maggie was cared for by National Great Pyrenees Rescue before being fostered out to a family in Tennessee.

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GREAT HORNED OWL

In early 2020, a great horned owl was caught in a leg-hold trap in Massachusetts.

He struggled alone in the woods until an animal control officer was alerted to his plight and took him to the New England Wildlife Center for help. His injuries were severe; his leg had been almost entirely severed from his body and he was suffering from severe soft tissue trauma and an open metatarsal fracture. Through the Trapping Victims’ Fund, Born Free USA provided financial assistance to the New England Wildlife Center to help them rehabilitate the owl, following numerous surgeries to save his leg.

While the owl rallied and was doing well initially, and despite the best efforts of the attending vets, four surgeries, and several months of care, the center was unable to repair the damage done by the trap. As a heavy bodied bird he would not have had a good quality of life in captivity or in the wild so the center’s veterinary team made the decision to humanely euthanize him.

This tragic tale goes to show that, even with the absolute best care and treatment, the damage that is done by cruel traps can lead not just to injury, but also death.

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ROXY THE DOG

Patti Foy and her husband, Dana, were taking their usual walk with their two dogs along a trail north of the Gilman tunnels in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico. They stopped short when they heard their Border Collie mix, Roxy, cry out in pain and alarm…

Because they were in a narrow canyon area, it was difficult to pinpoint her location based on her echoing cries. After 20 minutes of frantic searching, they found Roxy caught in a steel-jawed leghold trap and immediately rushed her to the vet. In addition to the expense of multiple lengthy trips to and from the vet, Patti and Dana also faced costs of up to $1,000 for medical care and surgery to extract five of the six broken teeth. Although the vet offered Roxy’s owners a partial discount, more help was needed. Patti reached out to Born Free USA, which was able to provide financial assistance via its Trapping Victims Fund, covering the remaining $510.

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Photo gallery

Maggie the Puppy
Maggie the Puppy
Maggie the Great Pyrenees Puppy
Great horned owl who was injured in a trap
Roxy

Infographic: Trapping on NWRs

Trapping is permitted on 216 national wildlife refuges – 38% of lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System! These lands are intended to be safe-havens for wildlife, but trapping poses a serious danger to wildlife, people, and pets. View and share our infographic to see which refuges permit trapping in your state.

VIEW INFOGRAPHIC

NWR Trapping Infographic

Keep Your Pets Safe from Traps

Download this useful guide for keeping companion animals safe from traps! And, please be sure to also share it with the hikers, walkers, and pet lovers in your life!

 

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

More Guides to Download

– Facts about Trapping (PDF)

– Types of Traps (PDF)

Keep Pets Safe from Traps Guide

Spread the Word on Social Media

Help spread the word about the dangers of trapping on public lands on social media!

Here, you will find suggested posts for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as sample images for each platform. You may also choose to download the #TrapFreeTrails campaign logo to use with your own photos or artwork or to set a #TrapFreeTrails profile picture frame on Facebook.

Click ‘Expand’ beneath each heading to reveal the sample social media content. Click and hold-down or right-click on the images to download the images to your smartphone or desktop.

CAMPAIGN HASHTAG: #TrapFreeTrails

TWITTER SAMPLE IMAGES AND POSTS

#TrapFreeTrails Sample Twitter Image #TrapFreeTrails Sample Twitter Image #TrapFreeTrails Sample Twitter Image

#Trapping is indiscriminate and found even on protected lands, posing a danger to #wildlife, people, and #pets. I join @BornFreeUSA in calling on @Interior to end trapping on all National Wildlife Refuges and give Americans the #TrapFreeTrails we deserve! bornfreeusa.org/trapfreetrails

Millions of wild #animals suffer and die in traps every year, including on National Wildlife Refuge lands. These traps also pose a threat to people and pets. I join @BornFreeUSA in calling on @Interior to end to #trapping on all NWRs! #TrapFreeTrails bornfreeusa.org/trapfreetrails

#Trapping is allowed in refuges making up 38% of land in the National Wildlife Refuge system, endangering #wildlife and park visitors alike. TAKE ACTION: Sign Born Free USA’s #petition calling on @Interior to end trapping on NWRs! https://bit.ly/trapfreepetition #TrapFreeTrails

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FACEBOOK SAMPLE IMAGES AND POSTS

#TrapFreeTrails Sample Facebook Image #TrapFreeTrails Sample Facebook Image #TrapFreeTrails Sample Facebook Image

Trapping is indiscriminate and found even on protected lands, posing a danger to wildlife, people, and pets. I join Born Free USA in calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior to end trapping on all National Wildlife Refuges and give the American people the the trap-free trails we deserve! Learn more at bornfreeusa.org/trapfreetrails #TrapFreeTrails

Millions of wild animals suffer and die in traps every year, including on many lands in the National Wildlife Refuge system. These traps also pose a serious threat to the millions of people and pets who visit NWRs each year. I join Born Free USA in calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior to end to trapping on all NWRs to protect wild animals and give people and pets trap-free trails to enjoy! Learn more at bornfreeusa.org/trapfreetrails #TrapFreeTrails

Trapping is permitted in refuges making up 38% of land in the National Wildlife Refuge system, endangering wildlife and park visitors alike. Take action to protect wildlife, people, and pets: sign Born Free USA’s petition calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior to end trapping on NWRs! Add your name at https://bit.ly/trapfreepetition #TrapFreeTrails

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INSTAGRAM SAMPLE IMAGES AND POSTS

#TrapFreeTrails Sample Instagram Image #TrapFreeTrails Sample Instagram Image #TrapFreeTrails Sample Instagram Image

#Trapping is indiscriminate and found even on protected lands, posing a danger to #wildlife, people, and #pets. I join @bornfreeusaorg in calling on @usinterior to end trapping on all #NationalWildlifeRefuges and give Americans the #TrapFreeTrails we deserve! Learn more at bornfreeusa.org/trapfreetrails

Millions of wild #animals suffer and die in traps every year, including on many lands in the #NationalWildlifeRefuge system. These traps also pose a serious threat to the millions of people and pets who visit NWRs each year. I join @bornfreeusaorg in calling on @usinterior to end to #trapping on all NWRs to protect wild animals and give people and pets #TrapFreeTrails to enjoy! Learn more at bornfreeusa.org/trapfreetrails

#Trapping is permitted in refuges making up 38% of land in the #NationalWildlifeRefuge system, endangering wildlife and park visitors alike. Take action to protect wildlife, people, and #pets: sign @bornfreeusaorg’s #petition calling on @usinterior to end trapping on NWRs! Take action at bornfreeusa.org/trapfreetrails #TrapFreeTrails

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CAMPAIGN LOGO

Download the #TrapFreeTrails logo to use on your own images or artwork.

#TrapFreeTrails Logo

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FACEBOOK PROFILE PICTURE FRAME

Show your opposition to trapping by adding a #TrapFreeTrails frame to your Facebook profile picture: Click here

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Your Pet Can Raise a Paw against Trapping!

You and your pet can stand in support of #TrapFreeTrails. Here is how:

1. Print out the “Raise a Paw for #TrapFreeTrails” sign (PDF).

2. Write your pet’s name on the sign.

3. Take a close-up photo of your pet with the sign. (If you do not have a printer, a photo of your pet without the sign will work, too!)

4. Send your photo to Born Free USA at webmaster@bornfreeusa.org. In your email, be sure to include your name, your pet’s name, your location, your Twitter or Instagram username (if applicable), and a brief message about why you oppose trapping.

5. You can also post your #RaiseAPaw pet photo directly on social media. Be sure to tag Born Free USA (Twitter: @bornfreeusa / Facebook: @bornfreeusa / Instagram: @bornfreeusaorg) and use campaign hashtags #TrapFreeTrails and #RaiseAPaw.

We will share selected photos on our social media and add them to our #RaiseAPaw pets gallery!

Photo gallery

Kane the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Tina Herzog, Slatington, PA.
Bear the dog raises a paw for #TrapFree Trails! Pet parent: Connie Burris, Illinois.
Charlotte the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Sharon Ponsford, Santa Rosa, CA.
Freddy the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet Parent: Theresa Perry, Atlanta GA.
Princess the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet Parent: Al Rich, Atlanta GA.
Daisy Mae the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Foxy the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Theresa Perry, Atlanta, GA.
Cuteness the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Theresa Perry, Atlanta, GA.
Roman the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Tuukka the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Chambira the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Neely the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Cats Lua and Lili raise a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Sônia Zainko.
Stanley the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Maya the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Tessa the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Helena the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Herman the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails!
Sami the dog raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Mary Heller, Poughkeepsie, NY.
Dogs Remy and Ebby raise a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Amanda Dewey, Berwyn Heights, MD.
Peanut the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Sheree Noeth, Concord, CA.
Bosco the cat raises a paw for #TrapFreeTrails! Pet parent: Sheree Noeth, Concord, CA.

Learn More about Trapping

Indiscriminate body-crushing traps are used to capture or kill furbearing animals who are deemed a “nuisance” or who are valued only for the fur on their backs. Types of traps include snares – a wire noose that can cause trapped animals to slowly strangle to death – and leghold traps, in which animal may chew off his or her own paw to escape, only to die days later from the injury. Trapping is a cruel practice that causes great suffering.

Learn more about how Born Free USA is fighting to end trapping!

LEARN MORE