Winter wildlife tips

Keep dogs on leashes, remove bird feeders and avoid dens

Winter is here, and while some of us may be trying to escape the cold weather inside, wild animals – including coyotes, raccoons, foxes and squirrels – are still out enjoying Mother Nature. 

This is completely normal. And with some simple tips from the City of Vaughan, you can learn how to coexist with urban wildlife, and keep your families and pets safe. 

Here’s everything you need to know:

Coyotes

Coyotes mate between January and March, and, as a result, you may hear them making more noise than usual. Coyote sightings often increase in the winter because trees and bushes have lost their leaves, making it easier to spot animals in forested areas against the snow.

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 your ground: 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, pots and pans banged together, a shaker can (such as a pop can filled with pebbles), a plastic bag (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.

During the winter, coyotes select a den location to rear their pups – you should avoid these areas. It is especially important at this time of year to ensure your property is unwelcoming to wildlife to avoid coyotes from making their dens close to your home. Vaughan Animal Services officers are available to speak with and assist you, conduct property audits to identify coyote attractants and provide education on how to deter wildlife from your property. For more information and tips, visit vaughan.ca/coyotes or watch the City’s video. 

The Council-approved Coyote Response and Coexistence Strategy (PDF) outlines the City’s response efforts, as well as what you can do to help avoid or reduce interactions with coyotes. The actions outlined in this strategy are designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of how coyotes behave and how to manage their behaviour to reduce or eliminate conflicts. 

Keep a safe distance

Although you may want to approach wild animals out of curiosity or to take a picture, the City is reminding everyone to keep a safe distance. Going near 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.

Never feed wildlife

Directly or unintentionally feeding wild animals (like leaving food in parks) will increase their tolerance to people and pets – and is also subject to a $500 fine! 

And reconsider having bird feeders on your property as they attract small mammals, which encourages larger wild animals to visit your yard. 

Be a responsible pet owner

Always keep dogs on leashes when outdoors if you’re not in an enclosed backyard. 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 dogs occur when they 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. Put waste out the morning of your collection day, rather than leaving it out overnight. Collect and store bins and any uncollected garbage on the same day.

Call the City if you see sick or injured wildlife

If you see a sick or injured wild animal, report it to Vaughan Animal Services as soon as possible: 

• call 905-832-2281, Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• email animal.services@vaughan.ca.

If you’re calling after hours, please call 905-832-2281 and press “0” to reach the after-hours dispatch team. By-law officers are available 24-7 to respond to calls about sick or injured wildlife.

For more information and tips, visit vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.

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