What’s New

Does AnimalKind allow use of rodenticides?

AnimalKind allows the use of lethal methods, including certain legal rodenticides when a rodent population is present and causing public health and safety concerns. Rodenticides should never be used continuously to manage rodents without also using prevention and exclusion methods and taking steps to prevent the rodent population from growing again.

Rodent poisons or “rodenticides” are legal and used widely, but they cause a slow and painful death. Rodenticides are also dangerous for owls, eagles and even cats that eat poisoned rodents. Rodenticides should only be used as a last resort when there are no other viable options.

The BC SPCA supports prevention and exclusion as the main method to control rats and mice. Sadly, wild rodents living in buildings are a health and safety risk to people and pets. Wild rats and mice are much less healthy than pet rats or mice born and raised under human care. Contact with the urine, feces, saliva, fur or dander of wild rats and mice can transmit diseases to people. It can also make people with asthma or allergies more sick. Rats and mice can also increase the risk of fires when their gnawing damages electrical systems and building structures.

Download the rodent-proofing guide and checklist (PDF).

Read about rodenticides.