Wildlife Used in Apparel

We expose the inherent cruelty of using fur, leather, exotic skins, feathers, etc. in fashion through demonstrations, letter-writing campaigns, and outreach events. We ask retailers to reconsider selling fur and inform our members of humane shopping choices. Furthermore, we hope you will sign the fur-free pledge of the Humane Society of the United States.

Wildlife in Need (WIN)

Project provides cages, medication, food and other life-saving supplies and also funds wildlife rehab trainings.  WIN volunteers build and offer wildlife nesting boxes and platform feeders to wildlife rehabilitators to give released animals a better chance of survival. In addition, we frequently call upon on our volunteer Wildlfe Transport Team which picks up injured, orphaned or ill wild animals from the "finders" and delivers them to the rehabilitator who will be providing care for them.

Our volunteers construct wildlife platform feeders and nesting boxes for rehabilitated wildlife. In addition, we provide information and referrals to the public on how to help injured or abandoned wildlife or find humane ways to deal with human / wildlife conflicts.

Foie Gras Pledge

Foie gras is a grossly enlarged, diseased duck or goose liver marketed as a delicacy. Birds raised for this gourmet cruelty are force-fed enormous quantities of food through a long metal pipe three times a day. This painful process continues for about a month — until the birds' livers swell to up to approximately 12 times their normal size.

We have asked restaurants serving this cruel dish to reconsider. Please be a voice for animals and say no thanks to Foie Gras.

If you’re interested in any of the following topics below, please visit our Wildlife & Rehabilitation page.

• Sick, Injured, or Orphaned Animals

• Wildlife Rehabilitation

• Rabies

• Deer

• Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Wildlife Legislation

GMAD advocates for pro-wildlife legislation on the state and federal levels. More Wildlife Legislation

TRAPPING

Green Mountain Animal Defenders opposes the trapping of animals in body-gripping traps. This is the most egregious method of animal capture. Though methods vary, trapping results in harmful and sometimes even fatal consequences for animals, including members of endangered and protected wildlife species as well as dogs and cats. Despite the intent, traps are inherently indiscriminate and frequently result in the unintended capture of members of nontargeted species.

Vermont regulations require trappers to check their land traps every 24 hours. Throughout every minute of this time, trapped animals are allowed to languish and suffer from blood loss, gangrene, dehydration, exhaustion, fear, predation, freezing temperatures, severed tendons or ligaments, joint dislocation, lacerations and/or broken bones. This trap-checking regulation is difficult, if not impossible to enforce, so animals may suffer for even longer.

Conibear

Originally intended to be an "instant killing" device, the Conibear trap is designed to snap shut in a scissor-like fashion on an animal's spinal column at the base of the skull. However, because it is impossible to control the size, species and direction of the animal entering the trap, most animals do not die quickly in the trap and endure prolonged suffering.

Manufactured in three standard sizes, Conibear traps are frequently used in water to trap muskrats and beavers. The traps are used on land to trap raccoons, opossums, bobcats and other furbearers. Vermont dogs and cats have been killed in Conibear traps — we oppose them for this reason as well.

Leghold / Foothold

The leghold trap, which is commonly used in Vermont, is designed to immobilize an animal by clenching his or her limb(s). In a desperate attempt to get free from the traps, animals have been known to chew off their own limbs. As with other trapping devices, legholds often catch dogs, cats, and other pets, plus members of endangered and protected species.

To date, the leghold trap has been banned in 80 countries, eight United States states, and a number of cities across the United States. Nationally and internationally, the leghold trap is widely viewed as inhumane, and has been condemned by professional associations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the World Veterinary Association, and the National Animal Care & Control Association.

Snare / Cable Restraint

A snare is a thin wire or cable loop designed to tighten around an animal's neck or limb. Snares are categorized as either body/neck or foot snares. The more a snared animal struggles, the tighter the noose becomes; the tighter the noose, the greater the animal's struggle and suffering.

Vermont banned the use of snares in 1923 due to the overharvesting of members of a number of furbearer species. A repeal on the ban on snaring in Vermont was attempted but failed in 2014.

Cable restraints are considered less inhumane than other snares, however the animal can still sustain injuries while struggling to get free. Animals also face dangers from predators while being held by the restraint.

What Can You Do to Help?

Prevent trapping on your property by posting "No Trapping" signs.

Familiarize yourself with current trapping regulations so you will know how to spot illegal activities.

Report any trapping violations you become aware of to your local game warden and let us know that you did.

Organize an information session in your community to educate people about current trapping practices and how pets and children may also be at risk.

HUNTING

In keeping with our mission, we oppose recreational hunting activities, which include Internet, drone, canned, and contest or tournament hunting.

Internet

One of the most widely criticized forms of hunting is Internet hunting, an activity that allows a person to aim and shoot at an animal over the Internet. This form of "hunting" is illegal in Vermont.

Drone

Hunting with drones allows hunters to use remote-controlled, camera-equipped aircraft to locate, shoot and kill wildlife. The Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife states that this provides an unfair advantage to hunters and contradicts the edict of "fair chase."

Canned

A canned hunt is a trophy hunt in which animals are kept confined, such as in a fenced-in area, increasing the likelihood of the hunter obtaining a kill.

Canned hunts have been banned in many regions across the county, and in 2009, Vermont joined more than a dozen other states in banning new canned hunting facilities. However, Vermont allows existing ones to continue.

Contest or Tournament

Hunting contests, which are currently allowed in Vermont, offer prizes for killing the largest or smallest in size, or the overall highest number of animals of a particular species. There is no biological rationale for this indiscriminate type of killing.

What Can You Do to Help?

Familiarize yourself with current hunting regulations so you will know how to spot illegal activities.

Report any hunting violations you become aware of to your local game warden and let us know that you did.

Organize an information session in your community to educate people about current hunting practices and how pets and children may also be at risk.