Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I found a baby squirrel/raccoon/chipmunk/bird?
What do I do if I found a dead animal on my property/in the street?
What do I do if I found a wild animal that appears sick or injured?
What do I do if I have come into contact with a wild animal?
What do I do if I have accidentally trapped a skunk?
I have picked up a baby wild animal and have been caring for it. What do I do now?
What do I do if I see a fox/coyote/deer in the city or near my home?
Why not trap and relocate the animals?
What do I do if I lost my pet?
What do I do if I found a lost pet?
Did the bat just fly in through my door or window?
What is histoplasmosis?
Can I get rabies?
Do you deal with bees, wasps, or other insects?
What can I do if animals are destroying my lawn at night?
What does it mean if I see a nocturnal animal out during the day?
What do I do if I found a baby squirrel/raccoon/chipmunk/bird?
It's always best to resist the urge to handle or feed wildllife. This is especially true for babies. Most times baby wildlife found on the ground are being tended to by their parents and should be left alone.
back to topWhat do I do if I found a dead animal on my property/in the street?
Depending on your city, dead animal pickup services may be provided by your municapal animal control department, local SPCA or humane society. Humane Wildlife Control also provides removal services for a fee.
back to topWhat do I do if I found a wild animal that appears sick or injured?
Depending on your city, sick and/or injured animals may be handled by municipal animal control, your local humane society or SPCA.
back to topWhat do I do if I have come into contact with a wild animal?
All wild animals have the potential to carry dangerous diseases that can be transmitted to people or pets. It is strongly recommended you contact your local health department or your doctor if you believe you've been exposed or come into contact with an infected wild animal.
back to topWhat do I do if I have accidentally trapped a skunk?
If you've accidently trapped a skunk, the Ministry of Natural Resources policy on trapping wildlife requires that the animal be released within 24 hrs. of capture and released within 1km of the trap site. Humane Wildlife Control can attend the site to release the skunk, however, there is a fee for this service.
back to topI have picked up a baby wild animal and have been caring for it. What do I do now?
The survival rate of hand-raised wildlife following release is relatively low. If wild release is not an option, you may be able to contact a local wildlife rehabilitation facility to see if they will take it under their care.
back to topWhat do I do if I see a fox/coyote/deer in the city or near my home?
Sightings of these species within city limits are becoming increasingly more common. At this time there is no large-scale control program for these species within the city, however, if you feel threatened or endangered by their proximity to your home you may contact your local animal control department.
back to topWhy not trap and relocate the animals?
Trapping and relocation of animals is not advised for a number of reasons:- Seperating a mother from her babies often results in the death of the newborns
- Relocation causes a high level of stress to both adults and babies
- Animals can severely injure themselves trying to escape from a live trap
- There's no indication that removing wildlife from an area reduces the population levels. More animals simply fill the voids.
What do I do if I lost my pet?
Humane Wildlife Control does not deal with domestic animals. Depending on your city, you are best to report a pet-related concern to your local animal control office or local SPCA.
back to topWhat do I do if I found a lost pet?
We don't handle lost domesticated animals. Depending on your city, you'll need to contact the local SPCA or animal control office.
back to topDid the bat just fly in through my door or window?
Bats do not fly in through open doors and windows. If you encounter a bat inside your home, it has most likely been living inside your attic or within your walls and followed plumbing or electrical lines into your home.
back to topWhat is histoplasmosis?
Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatium. People who live with bats, pigeons or rodents in their homes or workplaces, or exposed to droppings and nests are at the highest risk of contracting this disease.
back to topCan I get rabies?
The most common carrier of rabies are bats. Rabies can also be carried by raccoons and other wildlife. If you think you've been put at risk of contracting rabies contact your local public health office or your doctor.
back to topDo you deal with bees, wasps, or other insects?
We do not deal with any insects. These are considered pests and are handled by the pest control industry.
back to topWhat can I do if animals are destroying my lawn at night?
If your lawn is being destroyed at night it's most likely raccoons or skunks. This damage can often be reduced or elimated by deploying a grub treatment, which eliminates their food source.
back to topWhat does it mean if I see a nocturnal animal out during the day?
Just because an animal is classified as nocturnal, does not mean it never goes out during the day. For example, a mother skunk will often take her young out during the day to show them their territory and teach them how to find food. Baby raccoons are very active and playful and a mother will venture away for peace and quiet.