I’m targeting skunks and catch a possum. If the customer asks for it to be removed from his property I will charge a fee. If he says “just release him” I do not charge a fee. How are the rest of y’all handling this situation.

Thanks

I recommend that you tell the customer what YOUR preference is BEFORE you set traps. You are in charge...set your prices and rules of how you work.

Either a charge for the animal or a trip charge to release. If job is over with a non target, I'll release it on site. There are always exceptions, to be determined per case. If they don't want to pay for non target, but also won't release it themselves, I'll release and pull my traps. I do allow them to release non target catches (edit: with permission) as long as it's not a rabies vector to save me time, and them money. Most customers cooperate if discussed prior.

I’d be afraid they’d damage the trap, or even themselves. We tell customers about our guy who broke his thumb on a Comstock. They listen to that.

Spending time with your client before any work begins is the key to solving most all of your problems.

Explaining to them the facts that your traps do not discriminate as to what they catch. What ever animal triggers the trap will be caught. Even den setting can produce a variety of animals as many will learn as they do this work long enough.

You know there are several other animal species on their property that may live there or just making their routine rounds. There is wildlife all around us.

You need them to know and understand what you know. Then ask them if they have any questions.

A trip or service call $$ is the same for target or non target animals. You do need to explain this to them up front to help avoid these types of issues. You may catch several things before you catch what you may be after.

That is how we operate. No trip is free, no customer interference with traps or equipment. No touching, moving or releasing captures without permission or penalty $$.

I always explain that any non target animal that I remove from property is charged. If they don't want it removed from property, then there is no charge. If it's a domestic animal, it is released with no charge. Most are more than happy to pay to have the non-target animals removed.

The fun ones are the calls where somebody has a have a heart and caught a skunk. Now they don’t know what to do with it.

Easy quote over the phone and $$$!

I charge a flat fee per trip. That includes trap removal.
Your time and gas is the same.

Just recently finished a job. Owner thought it was a possum causing the noise underneath his home.
It was a neighbors cat. Paid the same. I get paid to solve problems. No more noise, owner is happy. Vent sealed. No more problem.
Sarge

Got a job in the morning removing grey squirrels. Owner said bring your 12 gauge. I want them gone.
Trip charge plus ammo. Easy money.
Sarge

The "no charge" possum you release today will likely be in the trap tomorrow. I charge for caught animals regardless if they're turned loose or take a ride in the truck. If they want it released on site, it gets released. Generally they run out of patience to give a reprieve to the same animal multiple times. I've only had one customer issue a reprieve for a possum the third time.

Thanks for the advice fellows. I set two houses yesterday for skunks. I explained any animal caught would be a charge. Checked traps today:1 skunk and 1 possum. Customer with the possum did not bat an eye.