Wildlife
One of the great things about Chico is the diverse wildlife living in and around the community, including squirrels, bats, raccoons, opossums, skunks, snakes, deer, coyotes, and even an occasional mountain lion or bear!
Since wild animals can pose a safety as well as health risk, it's best to admire them from a safe distance, and never try to touch or handle them.
Chico Animal Services does not provide wildlife trapping or removal. For comprehensive information about how to humanely deal with wildlife issues, including animals that have accidentally gotten into your home, please see the link to the Humane Society of the United States in the Resources below. You can also get information there on finding a wildlife removal service that is humane and effective.
Chico Animal Services believes that most wildlife issues can be resolved using non-lethal methods, and encourages people to coexist with wildlife when at all possible. Just removing an offending animal does not address the underlying issues, and will leave a void that another animal will fill. Eliminating food sources and places for wildlife to live are the best ways to prevent wildlife from becoming a nuisance around your home. Some ways to do this are:
Since wild animals can pose a safety as well as health risk, it's best to admire them from a safe distance, and never try to touch or handle them.
Chico Animal Services does not provide wildlife trapping or removal. For comprehensive information about how to humanely deal with wildlife issues, including animals that have accidentally gotten into your home, please see the link to the Humane Society of the United States in the Resources below. You can also get information there on finding a wildlife removal service that is humane and effective.
Chico Animal Services believes that most wildlife issues can be resolved using non-lethal methods, and encourages people to coexist with wildlife when at all possible. Just removing an offending animal does not address the underlying issues, and will leave a void that another animal will fill. Eliminating food sources and places for wildlife to live are the best ways to prevent wildlife from becoming a nuisance around your home. Some ways to do this are:
- Feeding pets indoors only,
- Keeping garbage cans tightly covered,
- Keeping crawl spaces and attic vents secured,
- Keeping trees trimmed away from your home to prevent roof/attic access.
Orphaned or Injured Wildlife
If you find orphaned or injured wildlife, please contact Bidwell Wildlife Rehab. They are an all volunteer organization and not taking phone calls, so please click on the link to their website and fill out the online form so someone can get back to you as soon as possible. While you are waiting, there are links on their website with information on the best way you can help the animal you have found until someone can get back to you.
Resources
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has a web page dedicated to wildlife solutions (we are not affiliated with HSUS and receive no funding from them). Click HERE to go to their site.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has a web page dedicated to living with wildlife, and information on reporting a wildlife emergency or wildlife incident. Click HERE to go to their site.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has an extensive Library of information about various pests, including how to identify, life-cycles and management tips. Information can be read on site or downloaded to a PDF document. Click HERE to visit their site. Click on "Birds, Mammals and Reptiles" at the top or scroll down the page.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has a web page dedicated to living with wildlife, and information on reporting a wildlife emergency or wildlife incident. Click HERE to go to their site.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has an extensive Library of information about various pests, including how to identify, life-cycles and management tips. Information can be read on site or downloaded to a PDF document. Click HERE to visit their site. Click on "Birds, Mammals and Reptiles" at the top or scroll down the page.
