If you suspect that a wild animal has bitten a human, domestic pet or livestock, please contact our office @ (905) 727-4646 or (416) 213-7176.  The pet or the livestock that was bitten should be isolated away from all human or other animal contact immediately and depending on the results from the rabies test, could be quarantined for up to three months and in some cases, even longer. A human that has been bitten or suspected of being bitten or has handled a wild animal without gloves, should contact their medical doctor immediately.

It is very important that visual contact with the offending wild animal be kept at all times until the Animal Control Officer is able to respond and collect it. Proof of your pets rabies vaccination will be required when the Officer arrives, so please have this information ready.

Please note:  Kennel Inn does not offer services for the pick up of injured, sick or orphaned wildlife.

Due to Government regulations, Kennel Inn does not provide services for the removal of wild animals from your property or from in your home. 

The following are services that may be able to help or give information:

Ministry of Natural Resourses, Wildlife Services Branch @ : (905) 713-7400
AAA Wildlife Control @ : (416) 750-9453 
Canadian Wildlife Service (for migratory birds) (905) 336-6410

An ounce of Prevention

Most people in Southern Ontario now live in an urban or suburban environment. Due to urban sprawl, the average person is more likely to encounter wildlife in their own neighbourhood then in areas where wildlife is often assumed to be found. Wild animals have learned to adapt to urban living because humans have left them with no alternative.

Wildlife in our communities can add to the enjoyment of everyday life and some individuals actively promote the presence of wildlife for personal or aesthetic purposes. By putting up bird feeders or wildlife feeding stations, installing ponds and shrubs, they hope to retain a sense of connection with the natural environment. However, providing feed for one type of wildlife may attract other animals that are not wanted. Unfortunately, some wild animals cause problems by damaging or destroying property, producing unsanitary waste, carrying disease and otherwise conflicting with human activities.

Finding solutions to conflicts

We must enhance those parts of the urban and suburban environment that contribute to wildlife survival and diversity while minimizing or eliminating the negative aspects that can result from human/wildlife confrontation. In many cases that may mean that we need to change the way we do things. No matter what the human/wildlife conflict, the following will assist you in resolving it safely and humanely.

Is there a problem ?

Individuals frequently believe that they have a conflict with a wild animal after observing it on their property. The average person is generally not familiar with the habits of wildlife and it’s successful adaptation to urban or suburban environments, creating a misunderstood and incorrect analysis of the situation. An understanding of wildlife and a little detective work will soon reveal whether an animal is actually causing a problem on the property or is merely passing through.

If there is a problem, how serious is it ?

It is necessary to identify what kind of conflict exists. This requires answers to the following questions :

- What kind of wildlife is involved?
- Is there a health or safety concern for people or pets?
– Is there damage to property?
- Have you collected all the facts before you decide on a course of action ?
- Do you understand why you have a conflict with wildlife?

Have you taken all the steps to reduce the attractiveness of your property to wild animals?

A number of wildlife species have demonstrated that they can adapt to living in close proximity to humans providing they are able to find food, water and shelter. Animals that are born and raised in close proximity to humans do not display the same fear and evasive tactics of their cousins in the wilderness. This often leads to the incorrect conclusion that the animal is sick or diseased.

What can you do to discourage wild animals from taking up residence on your propery ?
Conduct a critical inspection of your home and property to determine whether there are steps you can take to minimize the attraction for unwanted wild animals. The following steps will generally deter many of the smaller unwanted wild animals (raccoons, skunks, squirrels, etc) from taking up residence on your property. Larger wildlife such as deer may require other more specific actions :

GARBAGE :   Always keep garbage indoors until the morning of pick-up. Always store garbage in animal-proof containers.

TREES, BUSHES AND TV ANTENNAS :  Trim trees and bushes back at least five meters from roof edges.  Install a one meter, sheet metal collar loosely around trees about two meters off the ground to make it more difficult for many animals to climb the trees.  Install a similar metal collar tightly around tv antennas at ground level.

ROOF, EAVES AND CHIMNEYS:  Inspect your roof frequently.  Promptly replace loose or missing shingles.  Cover all vents and gaps with heavy screening (do not use chicken wire it is not strong enough).  Have animal proof screens installed on chimneys.

DECKS, PORCHES, OUTBUILDINGS (SHEDS) :  Dig a 30cm deep trench around the perimeter.  Install a wire screen of 1”x 1” 16 ga. Wire mesh shaped in an “L” flush around each structure so that the toe of the “L” points outward.

NEIGHBOURS :  Some neighbours feed wildlife or improperly store their garbage and are unaware that they are contributing to the problem.

PET FOOD/BIRD FEEDERS :   These are also wildlife attractants. 

Why not trap and relocate ?  Facts you should know :

1) Under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, it is not permitted to trap and relocate wild animals to another area.
2) Trapping/relocation is not an effective method of wildlife control.
3) Trapping/relocation of a wild animal from its original point of capture produces a void that is quickly filled by another wild animal
4) Trapping/relocation creates overpopulation
5) Trapping/relocation can transmit diseases to other animals
6) Trapping/relocation at certain times of the year leave orphaned young behind
7) Trapping/relocation in the late season can cause death by starvation or from exposure

For more Information, please visit the following websites :

www.caht.ca
www.wildneighbors.org ; www.cfhs.ca/Programs/HumaneEducation/GeneralPublic/UrbanWildlife 
www.hww.ca ;
www.wildlifedamage.unl.edu/
www.mnr.gov.on.ca ;

Or you can call :
Ministry of Natural Resourses, Wildlife Services Branch @ : (905) 713-7400
AAA Wildlife Control @ : (416) 750-9453 
Canadian Wildlife Service (for migratory birds) (905) 336-6410