3 Humane Ways to Dispatch or Kill a Trapped Animal

So, you’ve got a pest problem, and you’re considering using traps to control the little critters.

The question is, what happens next?

Once you’ve trapped an animal, you typically need to dispatch, or euthanize, it.

Here at The Pest Dude, we’ve been helping customers learn to do their own pest control for years.

We’ve compiled our top humane euthanasia tips in this blog.

What to Know About Dispatching Animals

1. Ethical Considerations and Local Laws

When dealing with trapped animals, it’s crucial to consider ethics and follow local laws.

Many areas have rules about how to treat wildlife humanely.

These laws are essential because they ensure that, if you do have to euthanize an animal, you’re doing so humanely and responsibly.

With this in mind, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these regulations to avoid legal issues.

The Animal Welfare Institute, the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, the American Veterinary Association, and the National Institutes of Health are all excellent resources.

You should also contact your local Fish and Wildlife Department to learn about any state-specific rules and regulations that apply to your area.

Remember, the goal should always be respecting life and reducing suffering – no matter what.

2. Safety Precautions

When dealing with trapped animals, safety should be another top priority.

Remember, animals can act unpredictably, especially when they’re stressed or scared, which can create risks for everyone involved.

With this in mind, make sure you follow these tips:

• Avoid handling trapped wildlife as much as possible
• Check traps frequently to make sure animals are dealt with as quickly as possible after being trapped
• Wear protective gear like heavy gloves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes

3. Relocation Risks and Animal Survival

Relocating wild animals might seem like a kind alternative to euthanizing them, but that’s not always the case.

Here’s why:

Wild animals are creatures of habit.

They need territory, shelter, and food sources to survive.

If a mouse, for example, wanders into your house and gets trapped, it may not survive if you try to take it a few miles away and release it.

When an animal is moved from its home, it faces challenges like finding new food sources, competing with other local wildlife, and adapting to a new environment – all without the protection of an established burrow, shelter, or den.

Plus, moving animals around can spread diseases and mess up local ecosystems.

Because of this, we recommend thinking twice about what’s really “humane.”

You may find that it’s kinder to invest in traps that will kill invasive animals as quickly and painlessly as possible to save them a long, slow, probably miserable death in the wild.

How to Humanely Dispatch a Trapped Animal

Large Animals

Dispatching large animals requires particular care and methods to ensure the process is as humane as possible.

Shooting

Shooting is often considered the most humane type of animal dispatch in rural areas.
That said, using this method comes with some caveats:

You’ve got to make sure you’re an accurate shot, that you’re not in a place where you could inadvertently harm other animals or people, and that the shot ensures immediate death.

In other words, this is not a method that amateurs should use.

How to do it:

• The American Veterinary Association recommends making the shot into the head of the animal, which will cause immediate unconsciousness and death.
• Hold the firearm within 12-24” of the animal’s skull and perpendicular to the forehead to deliver a fatal shot.
• NEVER hold the firearm flush to the animal’s body since it could cause the barrel of the gun to explode.
• Choosing the right firearm and ammunition is essential to delivering a humane and effective shot. Again, the American Veterinary Association provides extensive guidelines on this.

Note: If you do not live in a rural area, own a firearm, or feel confident using shooting as a means of euthanasia, contact a pest management professional for assistance or get in touch with your local Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department for more recommendations.

Small Animals

For small animals, several tactics ensure quick and humane dispatch.

Carbon Dioxide Chambers

Using carbon dioxide chambers is another commonly accepted practice for euthanizing small animals and is endorsed by the American Veterinary Association and the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM).

This technique involves placing the animal in a chamber with a controlled flow of carbon dioxide gas, leading to a painless and stress-free death.

How to do this:

• Buy or build a euthanasia chamber – it should be top-loading and big enough to hold the animal within its trap. Something as simple as a wooden box, barrel, or plastic trash can also work.
• Seal all gaps and cracks on the sides and bottom with caulk to make them airtight.
• Drill a hole in the side of the trap to make room for the CO2 delivery tube – the hole should be about 1 inch from the bottom of the box.
• You can purchase a CO2 tank, gas regulators, flow meters, and tubes from a welding supply company or supplier of bottled gas.
• To find the chamber’s volume in cubic inches, measure its length, width, and height in inches, then multiply those three measurements together (length x width x height). For example, a tank measuring 13 x 13 x 33 inches has a volume of 5,577 cubic inches. To convert this to liters, divide by 61 (5,577 ÷ 61 = 91.4 liters).
• Based on your calculations, set the gravity flow meter to a level that will fill 20% of the tank per minute.
• Visually confirm the animal’s death before turning off the flow of gas.

A Quick, Hard Blow to the Head

While it may be a little more hands-on than some people prefer, a very firm blow to the head is a quick, painless way to euthanize animals like rats, gophers, and other small rodents.

Obviously, you shouldn’t use this method if you’re squeamish or unsure about your ability to kill the animal quickly, though.

How to do it:

• To minimize contact with wild animals, deliver a hard, sharp blow to the base of the back of the animal’s skull with a blunt metal or heavy wooden bar.
• Confirm the animal’s death by confirming the absence of eye movement and breathing.

Inhumane Methods to Avoid

1. Drowning

Drowning should never be used to dispatch trapped animals.

It’s considered inhumane, tortuous, and very cruel to the animals, as it leads to a long, slow, painful death.

2. Acetone Injection

Using an acetone injection is considered inhumane because it can cause a painful and distressing reaction in the animal.

Additionally, handling a needle and getting close enough to the animal to administer an injection may be unsafe in itself.

3. Stabbing

Stabbing an animal is extremely inhumane and should be avoided at all costs.

This method inflicts significant pain and is unlikely to result in an immediate death, causing undue suffering and stress to the animal.

4. Freezing

According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association’s euthanasia guidelines, freezing is only acceptable for animals that are already deeply sedated – never for live animals.

The reason is that gradual cooling does not induce death quickly enough to be considered humane.

5. Letting the Animal Starve or Die of Thirst

Alternatives to Killing Animals

1. Exclusion Methods

Exclusion involves modifying your environment to restrict access and keep animals from getting in and causing problems.

This can include sealing entry points, installing fences, or using barriers that deter animals from specific areas.

Effective exclusion methods focus on understanding the behavior and needs of the target species and adapting surroundings accordingly.

When used correctly, these methods provide a non-violent option to manage animal presence and prevent conflicts.

2. Professional Pest Management Services

Hiring professional pest management companies is another non-lethal alternative for managing trapped animals.

Professionals in your area are trained to use humane and effective measures to resolve wildlife issues without killing the animals.

Many teams use integrated pest management techniques to deliver long-term solutions and ensure minimal harm to animals and the environment.

If you’re unsure what to do about the pests bugging you, finding a reputable pest management service can provide peace of mind and effective resolution to animal-related challenges.

When to Call a Wildlife Control Professional

Not sure if it’s time to call in the pros?

These are all signs that it may be time:

• There is a persistent animal infestation that cannot be resolved through basic exclusion methods.
• There are safety concerns due to aggressive or potentially dangerous wildlife.
• Animals have caused significant property damage.
• You think there may be a risk of disease transmission from wildlife to humans or pets.
• You lack the expertise or equipment to safely and humanely remove or relocate animals from your property.

Let us Connect You With a Wildlife Pro in Your Area!

Trapping nuisance wildlife is a big responsibility, and it’s okay if you don’t want to DIY the process.

Fortunately, we’re here to help!

At The Pest Dude, we work with a nationwide network of skilled, reliable pest control professionals.

Call us at (844) 532-0076, and we’ll connect you with an expert in your area who can help you solve your pest problems quickly, humanely, and responsibly.