Do You Contact Animal Control for Raccoons and Other Wildlife
In recent years, Southern Ontario has seen an uptick in raccoon numbers. Estimates suggest there are between 40-80 raccoons per square kilometer within Toronto alone! So it seems that human/raccoon interactions are on the rise! In order to address your problem effectively, you may need to reach out to several organizations; we’ll cover their roles and responsibilities below.
When to Call Animal Control
In Toronto alone, animal control centres receive up to 50 000 calls annually from raccoons who may show symptoms of illness or pose a danger to themselves or the public. While this can be disheartening for those who care deeply about animals, it’s understandable given their complexity; when an animal shows symptoms it could potentially pose harm.
If you think the animal has a chance of living and aren’t getting any answers from your local animal control organization, then you can try finding an animal shelter or refuge center on your own. Here is an overview of available resources:
- Toronto Wildlife Centre and Ontario Wildlife Rescue in Toronto.
- Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge near Jarvis Ontario/near Brantford.
Althaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre near Mount Brydges Ontario / near London ON and Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary near Barrie are three wildlife rehabilitation and education centres located nearby.
When to Contact a Wildlife Removal Expert
Animal control services in your area do not remove animals from homes, including basements, attics, barns or roofs. Their primary mission is to prevent wildlife diseases from spreading and provide them with medical attention when injured or exposed to elements.
If you need animals of any kind removed from a part of your property in a humane manner, contact an expert. Local wildlife removal and prevention businesses possess the knowledge and experience to handle these problems quickly, efficiently, and securely. One word of caution: ensure they carry insurance for liability as well as at-height training and current vaccinations for their employees.
On occasion, we collaborate with local shelters, the SPCA, humane society and refugee centres; however our primary focus lies in controlling pests and wildlife entry after removing the animal with respect and understanding its point of entry(s).
