With 80 percent of the U.S. population living in urban or suburban areas, the average person is now more likely to encounter wildlife in their backyard or local park than on a hunting or sightseeing excursion. Consequently, conflicts between people and wildlife have increased—giving rise to an industry that profits from those frustrated by encounters with wild animals.

Without specific oversight to regulate the urban wildlife control industry, states have no way to prevent those who promote themselves as experts from mistreating wild animals or engaging in unscrupulous business practices. The HSUS has written model guidelines intended to improve the regulation and oversight of this rapidly growing business. Based on legal research into current laws, regulations, and policies around the country, the model suggests measures such as requiring practitioners to be trained and licensed, treating so-called "nuisance wildlife" in a humane manner, protecting consumers, and handling their complaints.

Although no statistics are kept nationwide, data from the states that do mandate reporting suggest that hundreds of thousands of animals are trapped and killed or relocated every year. HSUS research suggests that the majority of states have not kept pace with the changing realities of interactions between people and wild animals.

To read our model guidelines, download the PDF.

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