We, the undersigned residents and animal advocates, respectfully urge the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to ban or significantly restrict inhumane mouse-control methods, including glue traps, anticoagulant rodenticides, and other toxic poisons that cause prolonged suffering and place wildlife, companion animals, and the environment at risk.

 

Glue traps can leave mice and other animals trapped, terrified, injured, and unable to escape. They may suffer for hours or days from exhaustion, dehydration, starvation, exposure, or injuries caused by struggling. Glue traps can also unintentionally capture birds, reptiles, small wildlife, and companion animals.

 

Toxic mouse and rat poisons—including anticoagulant rodenticides—can cause severe illness, internal bleeding, and prolonged suffering. Poisoned mice and rats may leave bait stations before dying and can then be eaten by hawks, owls, eagles, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, snakes, domestic cats, and other wildlife. This can cause secondary poisoning, harming or killing animals that never consumed the poison directly. Rodenticides may also directly harm non-target animals, including squirrels, chipmunks, birds, reptiles, wildlife, and companion animals.

 

We recognize that businesses and property owners need effective ways to prevent and manage mouse concerns. However, humane and non-toxic alternatives exist. Sealing entry points, securing food and garbage, maintaining clean properties, reducing access to shelter, and using effective non-toxic prevention methods can help address these concerns without causing unnecessary suffering.

 

We respectfully ask Broward County leaders to:

 

1. Ban glue traps and poison box traps.

2. Ban anticoagulant rodenticides and other toxic rodenticides, especially in outdoor areas where wildlife and companion animals may be exposed.

3. End the use of mouse traps and mouse-control methods that cause prolonged or unnecessary suffering.

4. Require county facilities and county-funded properties to prioritize humane, non-toxic, and preventive methods.

5. Encourage businesses, property owners, and pest-control companies to use effective, humane alternatives.

6. Educate the public about compassionate, non-toxic, and environmentally responsible mouse prevention.

 

Mice and rats are living, feeling animals capable of experiencing fear and pain. Their small size or classification as “pests” does not make their suffering insignificant. Broward County can protect public health and property while also protecting animals, wildlife, companion animals, and the environment.

 

We urge the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to take action and make Broward County a leader in humane and compassionate mouse management.

 

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