World Nature Conservation Day is July 28. My vet clinic does make Facebook posts for occasions as well as informative ones for pet care. Management is allowing me to post about trapping ….we are going to reach out to one of the toughest audiences. But that’s my goal. I don’t want anything to cause a ruckus. A few of my co workers also hunt and fish. And I don’t think our clients realize that about us. This could come as a shock or it could create curiosity and education.
So what type of picture would cause less uproar? A photo of someone making a dirt hole set, standing in water with waders and a pack basket, an animal in a trap that doesn’t appear stressed, posing with some tanned pelts?
Any ideas or input would be appreciated

My opinion.....someone standing in waders with a pack basket is a more "traditional" pic, a critter in a trap is a more "realistic" pic, but more likely to cause an uproar.
In the same way that Angus cows in a field doesn't bother anybody, but people will get upset about seeing a cow hanging in a slaughterhouse. Everyone knows what happens when a trapper wades a creek (or an Angus cow hangs out in a field), but for some people that's somehow less upsetting than seeing the next step in the process

Any of the above you mentioned it doesn’t matter what you do you ain’t gonna make everybody happy and it’s not gonna make everybody sad just put stuff out there and be prepared for the outcome just my thoughts

I agree with the Goose. To me, water trapping seems far less controversial than dryland. I believe more people can relate to the need to take nuisance beaver and rats and it doesn't share some of the phobia's of say coyotes with footholds.

^^Both right. If I had my own Facebook, which I don’t. I would post carefully, but still expect some negative comments.
But this is my job and I would hate for someone to react and then think differently about bringing their pets in for care. But the team seems gung ho about the idea. Even ones who do not participate in the “blood sports”

Mangy coyote,,,,,animal with rabies

Yes I can see how that wouldn’t generate as much hate. Also people often pity the “cuter” animals more. So there’s no way I’m posting the pretty fox I caught. Folks would have a fit

I agree with water trapping being less of a trigger. And even a picture of a trapper holding a muskrat would probably be ok. Muskrat tails look pretty ratty, and most people are ok with trapping mice and rats.

Maybe focus on the NEED for trapping rather than the activity itself. You may be able to deliver the same message without people actually seeing it. Flooded roads and timber losses, shore lines damaged, etc may demonstrate the need without showing an animal or trap at all.

That’s a good idea! I like the bumper stickers the FTA has, they say
Trapping: the best defense against pet diseases

That’s always a big one .

Not sure of the demographic of the area you live in but maybe something people would relate to.

short explanations of what type of diseases that local species carry and how trappers are keeping animals in check through trapping.

raccoon.. ringworm from their feces. along with distemper which is very active in raccoon populations or in rare instance rabies.

skunks.. rabies or Tularemia & Leptospirosis which is passed through their feces also or even canine distemper

possums.. EPM which is very destructive to horses which they pick up from possums scat in feed or straw?hay

squirrels they will destroy anything if left to their own devises in an attic. chewed wires(fire hazard) sorry had an ADC moment .

What ever it is or how you present it it should be relatable to people on a day to day basis that they would encounter.

Yep since it’s pictures. Mangy coyote. Distempered other critters. Mink with a muskrat in his mouth. Coyote eating Bambi. Then show your hand in a foothold. You can’t win but many will think. Fortunately I live in a little town and years ago gave trapping programs to 4-5 graders. That fall they hammered the critters and their parents told me a lot of the stories. I guess I’m saying if you want to show your fox Go for it. I’m proud of my background. And if the uneducated can’t handle it I say ( can’t say that)

That's a good idea 160.

Just don't try to delve into a topic you can't defend proper. You don't have the experience to do that.

The science based issues damage/ disease control issues can be more effective then showing a pic of a coon in a DP in a pile of corn.
And don't engage the idiots!!

I would pick a picture that forwards the goal of what you are trying to gain by posting. What do you hope your post accomplishes?

You also need to look at what does management hope to happen from you posting.

Keith

Keith, management wants us to have a good work environment and be able to maintain our individuality. In addition, everyone is like minded and understands the role we can play by reducing suffering and disease. In both wild animals and our pets.

My goal is to try and make trapping less demonized. Seems like hunting, especially deer hunting, is widely accepted in my area but not so much trapping

I had to step outside and have a smoke and 12 ounces of "Thinking Fluid" and had another thought to add to the list. Make your message personal and pertain to all that read it. I don't know Jack about PA but here, Beaver are one of the largest nuisance animals.
A message "Did you know that damage done by Beavers costs the taxpayers of XXX County $XXXX in removal fees? In addition, it is estimated that County workers spend XXX hours annually clearing culverts and repairing roads from damage caused by Beavers? That is time that they could spend repairing potholes, improving your roads and potentially lowering overtime costs". Just another possible angle to kick around.

In that case I think pictures of smiling children, proudly holding up their catch might work best. I would brush out and clean up the catches. Make sure there is a beautiful, natural background.

I would also include facts about the diseases wild animals transmit to pets, along with the problems with overly large, unmanaged, furbearer populations.

Keith

I would go with something to the effect of "trapping helps protect your pets by mitigating rabies and other dieseases" I would just do a picture of someone with a healthy dog or something.

Business and politics are a dangerous combination, tread carefully

Coming from a vet clinics page I would think some emphasis on diseases carried by wildlife and transmittable to people's pets would get their attention. Followed by something on how trapping can control the numbers and reduce incidents of disease.

I agree with this plan.