Image: BCSPCA / Photo of Vinny the cat from a medical emergency fundraiser gathering funds to pay for rehabilitation after the feline was recently caught in an animal trap.

By Don Mitchell

Animal injury

Cat injured by hunting snare epitmoizes trend in pets caught in wildlife traps

Nov 24, 2024 | 4:15 PM

VANCOUVER – A cat injured after being trapped in a hunting snare is shedding light on what appears to be a growing trend of pets being caught in commercial and recreational trapping devices.

Donations continue to pour in for Vinny the cat’s recovery fund after the BC SPCA revealed he was rescued from an outdoor wildlife trap that snapped down on his paw.

“The injury quickly became infected, causing damage to the surrounding skin and tissue,” the agency explained in its fundraiser.

“The pain must have been unbearable for this sweet boy, yet he continued to purr through it all.”

Staff say the feline’s costly daily routine includes cleaning his wound, pain management, infection control, and X-rays.

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Whether the tuxedo short-hair will need an amputation is still unclear, according to the SPCA.

So far, just over $6,500 has been raised as of Nov. 24 through an online Medical Emergency Fund.

The incident comes just days after the BC-based advocacy group The Fur-Bearers revealed how often domesticated cats and dogs have been involved in trapping incidents.

A report compiled from a freedom of information query revealed that 100 pets have been caught in traps set for wildlife between 2015 and 2023.

In just the past two years, there have been five reported incidents of dogs killed by traps.

Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers, says they’ve called on the BC government in the past to take action and are now encouraging pet owners to familiarize themselves with common types of legalized traps in the province.

“We cannot stress enough that locations where people may have long enjoyed walking dogs can be surrounded by dangerous, baited traps, without any warning,” Fox explained.

“Until the government acts, families with pets must be vigilant due to commercial/recreational trapping.”

Trap release information, and even an instructional video, is available on The Fur-Bearers website.