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In a move towards more humane practices, Animal Care Services has recently revised our long standing Trap Policy. A.C.S. has decided to discontinue the practice of picking up or providing traps used to catch wildlife.
Consider this: Suspect the animal may be rabid or it’s actually injured someone? Here’s what to do: Learn more... Natural History: Source: www.projectwildlife.org
Behavior:
Health Facts: Source: www.wildlifemanagement.info
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. Contact Info: Should you find an animal in crisis, or need emergency assistance with a wild animal, please contact WRR, 24-hours a day.
Common Raccoon Calls 1) “I have a Raccoon living in my chimney, how do I get him to leave?” In many ways, chimneys seem like ideal replacement homes for Raccoons who would typically den in hollow trees or logs. This is a common problem for homeowners and a potentially dangerous situation for the animals. In most cases, the Raccoons are fully capable of coming and going as they please. In this case, repel techniques are the most effective. Keep in mind that they have chosen your chimney because it is warm, dark, and quiet, so the best way to get him/her to leave is by changing what they find inviting. Placing ammonia soaked rags in the chimney and playing loud music during the day will discourage the Raccoons from taking up residence. Allow a few days for the Raccoon to remove her family in case there are babies present and when you are positive all of the Raccoons are gone, be sure to get the chimney capped to prevent further occurrences. 2) “I have a Raccoon living in my attic/underneath my deck, how do I get him to leave?” First thing you want to do is make sure the Raccoon has one easy-to-locate exit. Block all other exits. Obtain six to twelve, one inch strips of fabric, tie them in tight knots and soak them in household ammonia. Then, wearing rubber gloves, place these under the deck or in the attic where the Raccoon has been seen or heard. Next, buy cayenne pepper at 90,000 heat units which can be found at your local natural foods store, Whole Foods or Sun Harvest. Sprinkle the pepper generously in areas that the animal has been seen coming and going such as a hole leading under the deck or around trees that give the animal access to the attic. Animals cannot tolerate the presence of the pepper and they will vacate the area. Note: pets and children should not have access to the pepper! Lights and loud music during the day also disturbs Raccoons who sleep during these hours. Once these techniques are used for several days, tape a piece of newspaper over the hole. If it is not disturbed for several more days, you are now safe to cover the hole securely, preventing Raccoons or other animals from coming back in. 3) “How can I stop Raccoons from getting into my trashcan?” Understand that accessible garbage is a regular smorgasbord for hungry animals like Raccoons, Opossums, and Skunks, but the only way they can gain access is if Humans let them. So how do you animal-proof your garbage can? First, be sure you have a lid that fits tightly. If this isn’t possible, you might try hooking a bungee cord from one side of the can to the other to secure the lid. Or you could try placing a large rock on top of the lid to secure it. Usually Raccoons gain entry into garbage cans by tipping them over. For this reason it helps to have the cans stored in racks or tied in an upright position. Most native wildlife are nocturnal and thus usually feed at night, so put your garbage out the morning of pick-up instead of in the evening. Ask your neighbors to do the same. 4) “I have a Raccoon in my trap and I would like him removed.” If you are willing to do so, here is how to release the raccoon yourself: Reasons NOT to Live Trap Live trapping is an ineffective means of controlling wildlife in your yard. By trapping and removing and wild animal you are simply creating a vacancy for more animals to move in. It is more effective to ask yourself why the animals are finding your yard appealing (the answer will probably be either food, water, or shelter) and what you can do to remove what it is that the animal is finding appealing, repel the animal from your yard, and prevent them from returning. Exclusion methods and some degree of tolerance are ultimately more successful and lasting. Live trapping should never be an option between early spring to early fall. This is the time when most species of native wildlife are having their young and there may be babies in, under, or around your house that are entirely dependent on their mother for food and protection. Any action that prevents the mother from caring for her young will result in suffering for her and a slow death for the babies. Since the family will not stay forever, or even for a very long time (a month or two, perhaps less), it is better to wait until the family vacates and then take action that will prevent the same thing from happening again. For more information or tips on how to deal with Urban Wildlife: Humane Society of the United States PETA Animal Protection Institute Defenders of Wildlife Natural History: Source: www.projectwildlife.org
Behavior:
Health Facts:
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. Contact Info: Should you find an animal in crisis, or need emergency assistance with a wild animal, please contact WRR, 24-hours a day. Common Skunk Calls: 1) “My pet has been sprayed by a Skunk, what do I do?”
Mix all ingredients together and shampoo the animal thoroughly keeping out of eyes, nose, and mouth. Soak 5 minutes and rinse well. 2) “I have a Skunk living under my porch/deck/house, how do I get him to leave?” First thing you want to do is make sure the Skunk has one easy-to-locate exit. Block all other exits. Obtain six to twelve, one inch strips of fabric, tie them in tight knots and soak them in household ammonia. Then, wearing rubber gloves, place these under the deck/porch/house where ever the Skunk has been seen, smelled, or heard. Next, buy cayenne pepper at 90,000 heat units which can be found at your local natural foods store, Whole Foods or Sun Harvest. Sprinkle the pepper generously in areas that the animal has been seen coming and going such as a hole leading under the deck. Animals cannot tolerate the presence of the pepper and they will vacate the area. Note: pets and children should not have access to the pepper! Lights and loud music during the day also disturbs Skunks who sleep during these hours. Once these techniques are used for several days, tape a piece of newspaper over the hole. If it is not disturbed for several more days, you are now safe to cover the hole securely, preventing Skunks or other animals from coming back in. Often Skunks are drawn to certain houses because they are either feeding their companion animals outside or they have easily accessible garbage. Either one of these things are open invitations for Skunks and other animals to set up camp in or around your home. Pet food should never be left open outside and all garbage must be properly secured to prevent problems before they start. 3) “I have a Skunk who keeps digging in my garden, how do I keep him out?” If sod destruction is the problem, the only precaution you can take is to drive long wire pins or wooden stakes into the sod to hold it down until it takes roots. However, keep in mind that a serious June bug problem (which animals such as Skunks, Raccoons, and Opossums eat) may ultimately do more damage than the animals. 4) “I have a Skunk in my trap and I would like him removed.” If the caller is not willing to release the Skunk themselves, have them call Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. Educate callers that are attempting to use traps as a means of wildlife control on the futility of trapping. Trapping is an ineffective means of removing wildlife because removing one animal simply opens up a niche for other animals to come in. Reasons NOT to Live Trap Live trapping is an ineffective means of controlling wildlife in your yard. By trapping and removing and wild animal you are simply creating a vacancy for more animals to move in. It is more effective to ask yourself why the animals are finding your yard appealing (the answer will probably be either food, water, or shelter) and what you can do to remove what it is that the animal is finding appealing, repel the animal from your yard, and prevent them from returning. Exclusion methods and some degree of tolerance are ultimately more successful and lasting. Live trapping should never be an option between early spring to early fall. This is the time when most species of native wildlife are having their young and there may be babies in, under, or around your house that are entirely dependent on their mother for food and protection. Any action that prevents the mother from caring for her young will result in suffering for her and a slow death for the babies. Since the family will not stay forever, or even for a very long time (a month or two, perhaps less), it is better to wait until the family vacates and then take action that will prevent the same thing from happening again. For more information or tips on how to deal with Urban Wildlife: Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. Humane Society of the United States PETA Animal Protection Institute Defenders of Wildlife Squirrel Facts Natural History: Source: www.projectwildlife.org
Behavior:
Health Facts:
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. Contact Info: 24-Hour Hotline: Address: www.wildlife-rescue.org Should you find an animal in crisis, or need emergency assistance with a wild animal, please contact WRR, 24-hours a day. Common Squirrel Calls 1) “I have Squirrels in my attic/chimney/walls, what do I do?” First thing you want to do is determine where the Squirrel is getting in and out (the chimney is fairly obvious). If there is more than one entrance/exit, block all of them except for one easy-to-locate spot. Obtain six to twelve, one inch strips of fabric, tie them in tight knots and soak them in household ammonia. Then, wearing rubber gloves, place these in the attic, chimney, or wall where the Squirrel has been seen or heard. Next, buy cayenne pepper at 90,000 heat units which can be found at your local natural foods store, Whole Foods or Sun Harvest. Sprinkle the pepper generously in areas that the animal has been seen coming and going near the hole, on the roof, or around trees that give the animal access to the attic. Animals cannot tolerate the presence of the pepper and they will vacate the area. Note: pets and children should not have access to the pepper! Lights and loud music at night also disturbs Squirrels who sleep during these hours. Once these techniques are used for several days, tape a piece of newspaper over the hole. If it is not disturbed for several more days, you are now safe to cover the hole or cap your chimney securely, preventing Squirrels or other animals from coming back in. 2) “How do I keep Squirrels out of my bird feeders?” The best way to keep Squirrels out of your feeders is by installing feeders that are not easily accessible to them. Hanging feeders are not recommended because Squirrels can climb down the line or shake the line until the food falls to the ground. Instead, install a free-standing feeder on a metal pole at least 6 ft high. Squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers so you want to install it away from tree limbs, shrubs, and other easy “boosters.” And remember, Squirrels often eat the same things as birds, like seeds, nuts, and fruit, so try not to blame the animal. To him/her “bird” feeders might as well be “squirrel” feeders. 3) “Squirrels are chewing on the wiring in my car, what can I do?” This is a fairly common problem that can be solved by some simple repel techniques. (1) Cayenne pepper: you will need the 90,000 heat unit cayenne pepper that can be obtained in natural food stores such as Whole Foods and Sun Harvest. Sprinkle the pepper all over the wiring in your car, this should deter any chewing. Apply liberally and often. (2) Moth balls: Keep socks with moth balls under your hood when the car is not running. This acts as a repellent much like ammonia soaked rags; Squirrels detect the chemical and find some other place to chew. Remember to remove the moth balls before starting your car. (3) Store-bought repellent: You can buy certain products at hardware stores that act as animal repellents. Make sure that the one you choose is non-toxic to pets, children, and wildlife. Look for products that simulate or contain urine of predator species such as foxes and coyotes. Use as directed and the Squirrel(s) should make home elsewhere. Reasons NOT to Live Trap Live trapping is an ineffective means of controlling wildlife in your yard. By trapping and removing and wild animal you are simply creating a vacancy for more animals to move in. It is more effective to ask yourself why the animals are finding your yard appealing (the answer will probably be either food, water, or shelter) and what you can do to remove what it is that the animal is finding appealing, repel the animal from your yard, and prevent them from returning. Exclusion methods and some degree of tolerance are ultimately more successful and lasting. Live trapping should never be an option between early spring to early fall. This is the time when most species of native wildlife are having their young and there may be babies in, under, or around your house that are entirely dependent on their mother for food and protection. Any action that prevents the mother from caring for her young will result in suffering for her and a slow death for the babies. Since the family will not stay forever, or even for a very long time (a month or two, perhaps less), it is better to wait until the family vacates and then take action that will prevent the same thing from happening again. For more information or tips on how to deal with Urban Wildlife: Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. Humane Society of the United States PETA Animal Protection Institute Defenders of Wildlife |
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