Poaching causes severe animal suffering and poses a threat to animal populations and biodiversity. Poachers hunt illegally—targeting animals that are protected and hunting in areas where it is prohibited. They may also use prohibited methods, such as leg traps, light traps, or greyhounds.
House of Animals fights against illegal hunting of animals. We regularly receive reports from people who notice that something is amiss. If we suspect poaching, we investigate and contact the police.
For example, we had a necropsy performed on adead badger in Limburg, which revealed that it had likely been killed by (fighting) dogs. We suspected that the killing of this animal was part of a poaching ring we were investigating.
In addition, we were involved in an attempt to free a trapped fox in Moergestel. Unfortunately, this fox was mercilessly shot by the hunter who had trapped her when, after four days in the trap cage, she thought she was running toward her freedom. House of Animals filed a police report against the landowner and the hunter, after which the landowner was fined 500 euros—a pittance for such cruelty.
House of Animals works closely with animal rescue organizations, such as Stichting de Toevlucht. A fox that had been trapped in a metal noose was brought here by the animal ambulance. The fox had likely been trapped for about two days on the grounds of a chicken farm in Dronten, desperately trying to free itself from the noose. Karen Soeters visited the shelter and spoke with Gerrit Zant. In our video, you can see that the little fox was in poor condition, but fortunately began to recover slowly at the shelter.
