Sharing Vaughan’s great outdoors with urban wildlife
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Tips
and tricks on living with raccoons, coyotes and other critters
During the summer
months, you may be seeing more wildlife in your neighbourhood. Vaughan is home
to many creatures and critters, including raccoons, coyotes, foxes, squirrels
and more. By taking a few simple steps, you can safely and peacefully co-exist
with them.
Never feed wildlife
Directly or unintentionally
feeding a wild animal will increase tolerance to people and pets. Reconsider
bird feeders as they attract small mammals, which encourage larger wild animals
to visit your yard. As well, feeding animals or leaving food items in parks to
attract wildlife is subject to a $500 fine.
Be a responsible pet owner
Always keep dogs on leashes when
outdoors and keep cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure. Free-roaming
pets are vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. Almost all conflicts between
wildlife and domestic dogs occur when dogs are off-leash.
Do not invite unwanted
houseguests
Keep your home properly sealed
so wildlife stays outdoors. Remove attractants by picking up dog feces, cleaning
outdoor grills and securing recycling and compost bins. Only put waste out on
collection days, rather than leaving it on the street overnight. Collect and
store bins and any uncollected garbage on the same day.
Be wildlife aware
Know your surroundings while
enjoying nature – keep a safe and respectful distance from wild animals and
their dens. Going near wildlife dens is not safe for you or the animals living
in them. It is unlawful to disturb or cause distress to wildlife and is subject
to a $900 fine.
Coyote sightings in cities and
rural areas are common and should not be cause for alarm. The City understands
that their presence can become a challenge in residential areas, and they can
also be intimidating to some people.
If you encounter a coyote,
keep your distance and keep pets on a short leash. If the coyote approaches you
directly:
- stop: pick up children and small pets, if necessary.
- stand still: never run from a coyote, fox or domestic dog.
- make yourself big: wave your hands above your head.
- be loud and assertive: shout, stomp your feet and clap your hands.
- use a noisemaker: it could be your voice, a party horn, pots and pans banged together, a shaker can (such as a pop can filled with pebbles), a plastic bag (pull it out of your pocket and snap it around), or an umbrella popping open and closed.
- slowly back away: be assertive as you leave, so the animal knows it is not welcome.
As a precautionary measure in
response to COVID-19, the Vaughan Animal Shelter remains closed to the public;
adoption and pet recovery services are available by appointment only. Book your
appointment by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing animal.services@vaughan.ca.
Vaughan Animal Services continues to operate and serve Vaughan, Richmond Hill
and the Township of King.
To report a sick or injured
wild animal, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. For more information, go
to vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.
To
receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City
Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and
follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
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