Ontarians are fortunate to share our province with a wide variety of animals. While people enjoy seeing wildlife, it's always best to enjoy wildlife from a distance. Sometimes, wildlife can come into contact with people and pets.
Preventing conflicts with your family and pets
Wildlife animals are unpredictable by nature. There are general steps you can take to avoid conflicts between wildlife and your family and pets:
- Avoid feeding wildlife, either intentionally or by not picking up food such as fruit and bird seed that falls on your property.
- Make garbage and compost inaccessible to wildlife.
- Keep pets on a leash or indoors.
- Educate your children about local wildlife and what do to if they see a wild animal.
- Keep pet vaccinations up to date.
Handling conflicts with your family and pets
A close encounter with wildlife can be an intimidating experience for you, the community and even the animal itself. If an animal is coming too close or threatening you, you should do everything you can to discourage it and defend yourself.
- If a person is attacked, call 911.
- If a pet is attacked, inform your local police and MNR office. You should take your pet to a veterinarian for treatment.
- Notify your neighbours about wildlife in the area.
Read more on how to handle an encounter with a specific wild animal
