Wild animals often seek shelter and food sources within human-occupied areas, creating conflict when they encroach upon private property. This intrusion may involve animals residing in attics or under decks, posing risks of structural damage or disease transmission. Understanding the appropriate authorities to contact is important for ensuring human safety and adhering to wildlife protection laws. The necessary response depends entirely on the nature of the situation and the species involved.
Contacting Local Animal Control
Municipal or county Animal Control (AC) agencies are government services focused on public safety and enforcing local animal ordinances. Funded by tax dollars, their services are typically provided without a direct fee. AC jurisdiction is generally limited to situations presenting an immediate threat to the community or involving domestic animals.
You should contact AC immediately for situations involving a clear public health risk or direct safety threat. This includes wild animals displaying aggressive behavior or exhibiting symptoms of rabies, such as staggering or unusual fearlessness toward humans. AC officers are equipped to handle injured animals found in a roadway or public park and coordinate with emergency services. They also address issues concerning stray or aggressive domestic animals, which fall under their primary mandate.
Animal Control typically does not handle non-emergency wildlife issues on private property, such as a raccoon in an attic or a skunk under a porch. These routine nuisance situations are generally considered a private property matter for the homeowner to resolve. Calling AC for a non-emergency issue often results in a referral to a private contractor, which can delay resolution.
Hiring Professional Wildlife Removal Services
For the majority of nuisance situations involving common animals like raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and skunks, the solution lies with private Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs). These paid professionals specialize in addressing wildlife within or damaging structures. They possess the necessary training and equipment to safely trap, remove, and manage these animals from private homes and businesses.
These operators offer a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simple trapping, often including exclusion, repair, and cleanup services. Exclusion involves identifying and sealing all potential entry points on a structure to prevent future access after the animals have been removed. NWCOs are typically required to pass certification exams and obtain a state-issued license from a department of natural resources or equivalent agency. Verifying this license and proof of liability insurance is a necessary step before hiring any service.
When vetting a company, inquire about their specific methods for handling captured animals. State laws govern the disposal and relocation of trapped wildlife, often prohibiting movement to prevent the spread of diseases like rabies or distemper. Many NWCOs are authorized to transport, release, or, if necessary, euthanize the animals as permitted by their state license. A reputable operator will transparently explain their process and ensure compliance with all local and state regulations.
Dealing with Protected or Specialized Wildlife
Certain species fall outside the scope of general nuisance operators due to specific legal protections at the state or federal level. Migratory birds, for instance, are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This act prohibits the taking, capturing, or killing of nearly all native bird species, their nests, and their eggs without a specific permit. The few exceptions to this protection are typically non-native species such as the European starling and the feral pigeon.
Bats also represent a specialized situation, as they are often protected by state laws that prohibit harming them, especially during maternity seasons. Removal of bats from a structure must be done through a process called exclusion, which uses one-way devices to allow the bats to leave but prevents them from re-entering. It is illegal for an unlicensed person to attempt to kill or relocate bats, and special permits are often required for commercial bat exclusion services.
For conflicts involving protected species or large, specialized animals like bears or large raptors, the property owner must contact the state’s Fish and Wildlife or Department of Natural Resources. For injured or orphaned wildlife, the appropriate contact is a state-licensed, specialized wildlife rehabilitator. These rehabilitators, who often operate as non-profits, possess the permits and expertise to handle sensitive species and provide medical care.