Animal Control and Wildlife

The Durham Region Health Department is monitoring reports of dead birds for potential avian influenza.

If you see a sick or dead bird on municipal or private property, please report it directly to Animal Services by calling 905-655-0283. It is important to provide the location of the wild bird to help Animal Services staff investigate.

To keep yourself and your pets safe, please follow these guidelines:

• Stay away from sick or dead birds and do not try to help or handle them.

• Avoid contact between your pets and wild birds.

• Do not put pet food outside, as it may attract birds to your property.

• Keep your pets on a leash to prevent contact with sick or dead birds or their droppings.

• Remove bird feeders from your property to prevent attracting wild birds that may be sick.

• Feeding wild birds is not allowed on Municipal property.

Additional Resources: 

• Durham Region - Avian Influenza

• Avian Influenza Type A | Bird Flu (cdc.gov)

• Avian influenza in Canada - Canada.ca

• Avian Influenza PPE Guidelines for Poultry Workers - June 2022 (gov.on.ca)

We are working closely with federal and provincial agencies to keep everyone informed about the avian influenza outbreak. We will continue to update our animal wildlife page with any new information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Animal Services at 905-655-0283 or paw@whitby.ca.

If you encounter wildlife that is sick or injured, poses a threat to humans or domestic animals, or displays signs or symptoms of rabies, do not touch or handle the animal. Call 905.655.0283 x4 for around-the-clock emergency assistance.

Help keep wildlife wild and healthy. The Town encourages residents to avoid feeding wildlife such as ducks, geese, raccoons, squirrels or coyotes. Help reduce wildlife conflicts with people by not feeding wildlife near homes and parks. Human food is not healthy for wild animals!

While we do not provide trapping or relocation services for nuisance wildlife, our trained staff can offer solutions to help you wildlife-proof your home or business. Contact us at 905.655.0283 for support.

Whether it’s a baby bird, rabbit, raccoon or skunk, a baby animal’s best chance for survival is with its mother. Finding a baby animal doesn’t always mean they’re in trouble – many times, you won’t need to do anything at all.

But if the baby is injured or sick, please contact Animal Services by phone at 905.655.0283 or by emailing Animal Services.

Did you know that mother rabbits can have their babies in the grass or even in your garden?

From late March to early August Whitby Animal Services often sees an influx in calls from residents regarding baby bunnies. Baby bunnies are often found burrowed in nests among the grass. By frequently scanning your backyard for nests before cutting the grass or letting your dog outside you can help ensure the safety of these baby animals.

Nests can be seen as shallow depressions in the ground and are made up of dead grass, leaves and fur. If you find a rabbit nest the best thing to do is leave them be, the mother only comes to feed them 2-3 times a day and will only do so when people and predators aren’t around. If you have a dog, the best thing to do is block off the area before you let your dog out or keep your dog on a leash. Baby rabbits only need a few weeks before they are able to be on their own. If you notice that they are injured or think they may be sick please contact Animal Services by phone at 905.655.0283 or by emailing Animal Services.

Please check the following resources:

• How to help orphaned baby wild animals.
• Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue.
• Shade of Hope Wildlife Refuge. 
• Procyon Wildlife. 

Read the Whitby Coyote Coexistence & Response Strategy

Coyotes are an important part of our ecosystem and contribute to a healthy, necessary prey-predator balance. As our population grows, we encroach on the natural habitats of various wild creatures, prompting them to adapt to new surroundings and settle near us.
You can stay safe and help prevent conflict with them by:

- Keeping your distance
- Never feeding them
- Keeping pets away from them
- Making loud noises and waving arms if approached

Report a Sighting

You can report a sighting to Animal Services at 905-655-0283 or using the online reporting form.

Coyote Sightings Dashboard

Learn more about Whitby's latest coyote sightings using this dashboard.

Do not feed coyotes

Giving food to coyotes makes them less afraid of people, which isn't good because it's important for humans and coyotes to live near each other safely. Often, when aggressive coyotes are reported in a neighbourhood, it is because someone in the area has fed them. This could lead them to attack small pets or children. Feeding coyotes is not permitted under the Town’s Public Nuisance By-law.

Community members can eliminate the food source by:

• securing your garbage
• keeping people and pet food indoors
• cleaning up fallen fruit and spilled bird seed

Frequently Asked Questions 

How can I prevent coyotes from visiting my yard?

• Keep your property clean - trim back bushes and weeds, scoop your dog poop, and keep your barbecue area clean.
• Secure your home and sheds - seal openings into and under buildings, decks, and porches.
• Consider installing motion sensor lights.
• Human indifference is not an appropriate response to a coyote getting comfortable around areas people frequent. Never allow a coyote to linger or bed down near your home or business.

How can I keep my pets safe?

Here is how you can be a good pet owner and keep your pets safe: 

• Supervise pets when they are outdoors at all times
• Bring pets in at night
• Keep dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length
• Retractable-type leashes are not recommended

 What should I do if I encounter a coyote?

• If you feel your safety is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
• Stop and pick up small children and pets.
• Back away slowly, keeping an eye on the animal. Never run from or turn your back on a coyote.
• Be big, loud, and assertive! Yell, "Go away!"
• Wave your arms above your head.
• Use aversion techniques such as shaking car keys, snapping a large air-filled garbage bag, popping an umbrella, and throwing an object in the direction of, but not directly at, the coyote.

 How do I report coyote sightings?

• Report coyote and wildlife sightings online to
  • Phone: 905-655-0283
  • email: paw@whitby.ca
• Use the online reporting form

When will I see coyotes more frequently?

Coyote sightings are more frequent in the Winter during mating periods (January - February), Spring during den selection/pup rearing (March - June) and Fall during the dispersal of pack members.

If you are looking for more ways to learn and understand Coyote behaviour and how to protect you and your property, please visit the Ontario Ministry website to learn more about how you can avoid conflicts with coyotes: Preventing & Managing Conflicts with Coyotes, Wolves & Foxes.

To help prevent conflict with coyotes, the Town does the following:

• Responds to Coyote sightings.
• Is implanting improvements to our tracking system to provide better data on the types of interactions and encounters community members are experiencing.
• To help prevent conflict with coyotes, the Town follows best practices from Coyote Response Management Plans developed in partnership with other municipalities and consults with municipalities that have coyote response strategies.
• Installs “Coyote Warning” signage in areas where multiple Coyote sightings have been reported.
• Consults with other municipalities that have coyote response strategies.
• Consults with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry to obtain information on response best practices and request their assistance as needed.
• Consults with Coyote Watch Canada on response best practices.
• Are working with the Durham Regional Police Service on their coyote response approach.

  Resources

Follow @TownofWhitby on Facebook for news and safety tips.

• Free Coyotes in the Urban Landscape online module
• Coyote Watch Canada information, including Frequently Asked Questions
• Ministry of Natural Resources

Foxes have accustomed themselves to living in urban areas so seeing them in the Town is fairly common.

Usually foxes will live in grassy regions, ravines and will even make their den under sheds or hollowed out trees. Foxes among other wildlife will take over other dens of smaller animals so it is best to wildlife-proof your property at the first sight of any possible nesting areas that are forming. You will notice holes being dug in the ground around sheds and porches, tree branches accumulating and wood piles being moved.

Foxes are usually rust in color with darker hair around their ears, legs and tail. Their young will be lighter in color but get darker with time. Foxes weigh around 8-20lbs and are about 3-4 feet in length. 

Foxes are most active at dawn or dusk but residents will see them out in the day during baby season or if they are hungry. Although foxes are shy and tend to avoid confrontation with humans they are known to attack small pets. Keeping an eye on your animals while they are outside on your property is essential. 

To avoid interactions with foxes you should:

• dispose of your garbage in secure, wildlife proof containers
• do not leave food or garbage out in accessible areas on your property
• pick from your vegetable and fruit gardens as soon as the food is ripe, do not let rotten vegetables and fruit accumulate on the ground
• clear away bushes or brush that are near your house and surrounding property
• close off decks, porches and other areas where wildlife can access to use as shelter
• install motion sensor lights around your property 
• walk with a flashlight or whistle to scare off unwanted wildlife from approaching