Wild Life
The Humane Society works with Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation to help injured or orphaned wildlife locally. Wildlife in distress can be dropped off at the Humane Society, or you can contact Wings directly for additional drop-off locations. Wings can be reached at 519-736-8172.
Many different wildlife species reside in the parks, riverfronts, and backyards of our community. Human-wildlife conflicts result as urban development encroaches on previously natural areas. Animals such as raccoons, deer, skunks, squirrels, birds, and opossums have largely managed to adapt well to our presence. Humans, on the other hand, are still working to master this living arrangement. Many people understand the need for effective, lasting, and humane solutions to occasional conflicts with wildlife—mostly because these people enjoy wildlife and want wild animals as neighbors—but many people also resort to inappropriate and environmentally irresponsible "solutions" to human-wildlife conflicts. The Humane Society has worked with the City of Windsor and local wildlife rehabilitators to develop an educational program about dealing with conflicts with urban wildlife. The brochure developed for this project contains a great deal of information about local wildlife species, and about steps that homeowners can take to address problems with urban wildlife - view brochure.
Should I trap and relocate an animal?
Trapping is not an effective method of wildlife control because it doesn’t address the availability of food and shelter. Trapped wildlife can suffer severe self-injury in their attempts to escape and this is more probable the longer they are in a trap. Furthermore, relocation of the captured animals adds to the stress of being in an unfamiliar territory, increases the potential for transmission of infectious diseases and increases conflict between animals (especially during the spring and summer).
If you are experiencing difficulty with an animal at your home, please read through the brochure from the above link to obtain sound ideas on how to safely handle the removal of these animals. If you are unsuccessful and require expert help to humanely trap the animal (ensuring its safe release back into its habitat), the Humane Society endorses using the services of Pro Trap Wildlife Control & Removal Services as a last resort to helping you. Please contact Don at 519-816-6968 (www.pro-trap.com).
First of all, make sure that you don’t approach a wild animal without concern for your own safely. Wild animals may be in pain or distress, and won’t necessarily realize that you are trying to help them. Secondly, before taking any action, pause to make sure that the animal actually needs help. Many animal parents leave their babies alone for hours while they go out seeking food – this doesn’t mean that they are not coming back. A baby’s best chance for success is with its mother!
Here are some fact sheets that can help you decide if a baby animal requires assistance or not:
» I Found a Baby Bird - Now What?
» I Found a Baby Mammal Now What?
If the animal needs help, please call a wildlife rehabilitator for advice on how to proceed (Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre - 519.736.8172. If you are unable to reach anyone and you can do so safely, try to get the animal into a secure container. Especially if you are dealing with an orphaned baby, the most important thing is to get the animal into a warm place (although not too hot!). This is more critical than food or water in the short term. Babies can choke if water is poured in their mouths, and feeding them the wrong type of food can make them sick.
Wildlife Fact Sheets: Rattle Snakes | Pigeons | Birds Striking Windows | Cormorant Population on Lake Erie
