04/22/2026
Sharing this important message from the SaskSPCA.
We echo their concerns, especially around the risks to dogs, cats, and other animals who can be exposed directly or indirectly.
SaskSPCA Reaffirms Opposition to Strychnine Use in Pest Control.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[SASKATOON, SK – April 13, 2026] — The SaskSPCA is expressing concern following the recent decision to temporarily allow the use of strychnine for pest control in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
While strychnine has historically been used to control certain pest populations, the SaskSPCA maintains that its use results in a slow, painful, and inhumane death. Strychnine poisoning is an acute neurological emergency that can cause severe muscle spasms, seizures, and respiratory failure within a short period of time, leading to significant suffering.
Beyond the direct impact on target animals, the SaskSPCA is deeply concerned about the broader ecological consequences. Toxic substances remain in the bodies of poisoned animals, posing a risk to predators and scavengers that may consume them. This process, known as secondary poisoning, can lead to illness or death in wildlife such as birds of prey, foxes, and other species. The impacts may be further amplified by tertiary poisoning, resulting in broader ecological consequences across the food web.
Domestic animals are also at risk. Dogs and cats may be exposed through direct ingestion of bait or by consuming poisoned rodents, which can result in severe illness or death.
In its 2020 re-evaluation, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) concluded that the environmental risks of strychnine use for Richardson’s ground squirrel control were unacceptable, particularly due to the threat posed to non-target wildlife, including species at risk. Research has shown that poisoned carcasses can remain accessible on the surface and that mitigation measures do not reliably prevent exposure to other animals.
The SaskSPCA also emphasizes the ecological importance of species such as Richardson’s ground squirrels. These animals play a vital role in prairie ecosystems, contributing to soil aeration, water infiltration, nutrient cycling, and serving as a key food source for predators. Disrupting these relationships can have far-reaching ecological consequences, including impacts on vulnerable species such as the Ferruginous Hawk, which is already considered threatened in Canada and endangered in Alberta.
“Poisons inflict a slow, painful, inhumane death on any animal that ingests them,” said Mikayla Basset, Education Coordinator with the SaskSPCA. “Although they may be intended to target specific species, their impacts do not stop there. Poison can move through the food web, causing harm to wildlife, pets, and other animals far removed from the original target.”
The SaskSPCA acknowledges that pest management is an important concern for many landowners, farmers, and communities. However, the organization strongly advocates for the continued research, development, and adoption of alternative methods that are both effective and humane. Preventative measures such as habitat modification, biological and mechanical controls, and exclusion techniques can reduce conflict, while more humane lethal options such as properly used snap traps can be considered when necessary.
The SaskSPCA urges decision-makers and stakeholders to carefully consider the long-term implications of strychnine use and to prioritize solutions that protect both animal welfare and environmental health.
https://saskspca.ca/saskspca-reaffirms-opposition-to-strychnine-use-in-pest-control/
