Wildlife on Private Property

The Private Property Owner’s Responsibility

The municipality does not provide support with nuisance, abandoned, injured or deceased wildlife found on private property. This is the responsibility of the private property owner. Wildlife management is the responsibility of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Their website provides information on what to do if you notice a fish die-off, find deceased animals or fish on your property or want to report a bear problem or bear sighting.

We share our community with a wide variety of wildlife. Even in urban areas, wildlife is part of a healthy, natural environment. Here’s what to do if you encounter a wild animal on private property:

Tips To Discourage Wildlife On Your Property

Wild animals require food, water and shelter. Follow these tips to keep wildlife away from your property:

• Store garbage in plastic containers with locking lids
• Store garbage indoors until garbage day
• Keep pet food inside your house
• Ensure roof vents and chimneys are capped tightly
• Repair holes and cracks in the exterior of your house
• Block openings under decks, porches, patios and sheds

Tips For Protecting Wildlife

Follow these tips to help protect wildlife:

• Do not approach or handle wildlife
• Do not feed wild animals
• Rinse recycling bottles, cans, jars and containers and secure waste containers and composters to avoid attracting hungry animals
• Keep cats indoors
• Always keep your dog on a leash when you leave your property
• Do not feed your pet outside or leave food outside
• Clean up waste outdoors (fishing lines, broken glass, six-pack holders and roadside litter) as it harms wildlife
• Avoid the use of pesticides

Relocation And Trapping Of Wild Animals

Urban wildlife are a natural part of the environment and you can use deterrents to prevent wildlife from moving onto your property when possible.

The municipality does not assist in the relocation or release of trapped or abandoned wild animals. Trapping and relocation is often ineffective as another animal will quickly move into the newly vacant den or nest. Animals will often injure themselves trying to escape live traps and relocation can be extremely stressful on an animal. Often parents are separated from babies during trapping which can result in the death of their young. There is also the increase risk of infectious diseases transmission when animals are relocated. If you decide to proceed with trapping, please contact a professional pest control company or licensed trapper.

What to Do With a Sick, Injured or Orphaned Wild Animal

You may encounter a wild animal that may be sick, injured or orphaned and may want to help. However, the animal is better off being left in its natural environment. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) explains what to do if you encounter a sick, injured or abandoned wild animal.

The municipality does not rehabilitate wild animals. Wildlife that is found sick, injured or orphaned will need the specialized care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator that is authorized by the MNRF. You cannot keep wildlife in captivity without approval from the MNRF. Wildlife rehabilitators in Ontario are authorized by the MNRF to care for wild animals in distress until they can be released back into the wild.

To protect your safety and the safety of wildlife, you should never approach wild animals. Feeding of wild animals is not encouraged as it disrupts the natural feeding process of the wild animal and may encourage the animal to remain in the area or around your property. In some instances, feeding wild animals is a violation of the municipality’s By-Law 2021-072 (download).

Deceased Wildlife On Private Property

A property owner may bring deceased wildlife to any landfill, provided it is not in a bag and was found on private property. It is important to note that residents should not put deceased wildlife in a bag for curbside collection.