Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content
  • myStratford

City of Stratford Logo

Contact Us
  • Visit Us
    • Parking
    • Public Restrooms
    • Destination Stratford
  • Live Here
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Britannia Street Housing Project
    • Cemetery
    • Children's Resources
    • Climate Action
    • EarlyON Perth County
    • Education
    • Emergency Services
    • Extreme Heat
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Garbage Collection
    • Heritage Stratford
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Parking
    • Pet Ownership
    • Property Taxes
    • Social Services
    • Stratford Police Services
    • Transportation
    • Utilities
    • Wastewater and Stormwater
    • Water
    • Wildlife
    • Senior's Resources
  • Play Here
    • Community Organizations
    • Advertising
    • Facilities
    • Parks & Forestry
    • Recreation Programs
    • Register for Programs
    • Sports Wall of Fame
    • Upcoming Events
  • Do Business
    • investStratford
    • Available Properties
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Business Licensing
    • Community Profile
    • Our Industries
    • Stratford Perth Centre for Business
  • Inside City Hall
    • A to Z Services
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Accessibility
    • Advisory Committees
    • Animal Control
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Awards
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget
    • By-laws
    • City Council
    • Contact Us
    • Cooper Block
    • Departments
    • Employment
    • Market Square
    • Mayor
    • Municipal Accommodation Tax
    • Municipal Elections
    • News & Public Notices
    • Privacy Statement
    • Procedural By-law Review
    • Respectful Community
    • Strategic Priorities
    • Terms of Use
    • Website Feedback
HomeLive HereWildlife

Wildlife

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via Pinterest Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Live Here

We share the City with a wide variety of animals. By getting rid of sources of food and shelter on our properties, we can reduce the number of these visitors as they make their way to a more suitable home.

Animal Control Services

The City has an agreement with the Stratford-Perth Humane Society to provide animal control services. For concerns on sick or injured wildlife please contact them at 519-273-6600.

Animal Bites

If bitten by any animal, wash the wound with soap and water, contact a doctor, and report the bite to the Huron Perth Public Health at 519-271-7600, extension 267.


 Coyotes

Coyotes have been seen in and around the City of Stratford. They are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible. However, they are wild animals and should not be approached. People should never feed coyotes. Feeding makes animals less fearful of humans.

What to do if you encounter a coyote:

Coyote sightings are not uncommon. If you see a coyote, keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you. If you encounter an aggressive coyote, there are several things you should know and do:

  • Never approach or touch a coyote.
  • Do not turn your back on, or run from, a coyote.
  • Back away from the coyote while remaining calm.
  • Stand tall, wave your hands and make lots of noise.
  • Carry a flashlight at night to scare off coyotes.
  • If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.

Limit the things that attract coyotes and other wild animals:

  • Properly store and maintain garbage containers to help prevent coyotes from becoming a problem.
  • Keep pet food indoors.
  • Keep pets inside at night
  • Clean up after your dog - coyotes are attracted to dog feces
  • Limit/halt the use of bird feeders if they attract other wild animals, rodents or pests.
  • Put garbage out the morning of a scheduled pickup.
  • Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles.
  • Pick ripe fruit and seed from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
  • Protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse.

Discourage coyotes from entering your property:

  • Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes may find cover and small animals.
  • Use motion sensor lights.
  • Close off spaces under porches, decks and sheds. Coyotes use these areas for denning and raising young.

 More information about preventing and managing conflict with coyotes can be found on the Province of Ontario's website.

Rats

Rats are a common pest in urban areas like Stratford. While they can be carriers of disease, the risk of spreading disease relatively is low. They are more of a nuisance, and can cause damage to properties.

Prevention is key when it comes to keeping rats away from your home, and that means removing or restricting sources of food, water and shelter that rodents need to survive.

Here are a few tips:

  • Store garbage and compost in containers with tight-fitting lids
  • Remove debris/clutter from your property that may provide hiding/nesting sites for rodents
  • Trim tall grass and remove weeds, especially near foundations
  • Keep wood piles away from walls, and at least 30cm off the ground
  • Clean up spilled seeds from bird feeders, if possible
  • Clean up any fruit that has fallen from trees
  • Do not leave pet food outside
  • Cover your external vents (dryer, bathroom,  furnace and attic) with wire mesh
  • Seal holes and cracks in foundations, walls, floors, and use sturdy weather stripping under doors and around windows – rats can squeeze through a space as small as a quarter

Physical control

If you have discovered rats on your property or in your home, there are several options to get rid of them, including traps and repellents. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and ensure traps are used in areas where children and other animals cannot access them.

If you have a rodent problem beyond your control, contact a professional pest control company.

  • Wildlife
  • View Full Live Here Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
      Toggle Section Applications, Licenses & Permits Menu
      • Bicycle Licensing
      • Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates and Change of Name
      • Business Licence
      • Encroachments
      • Lottery Licensing
      • Marriage and Civil Ceremonies
      • Pet Ownership
      • Special Events and Municipal Alcohol Policy
      • Outdoor Special Events
    • Britannia Street Housing Project
    • Cemetery
    • Children's Resources
    • Climate Action
      Toggle Section Climate Action Menu
      • Green Recognition Program
    • EarlyON Perth County
    • Education
    • Emergency Services
      Toggle Section Emergency Services Menu
      • Ambulance
      • Fire
        Toggle Section Fire Menu
        • Community Reports
        • Communications
        • History
        • LODD Memorial
        • Stations and Apparatus
        • Suppression
        • Emergency Preparedness
        • Fire Prevention
          Toggle Section Fire Prevention Menu
          • Fire By-Laws
        • Public Education
          Toggle Section Public Education Menu
          • Fire Extinguisher Training
      • Health Care
      • Police
    • Extreme Heat
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Garbage Collection
      Toggle Section Garbage Collection Menu
      • Green Bin
      • Hazardous Waste
      • Landfill Site
      • Leaf and Yard Waste
      • Recycling Collection
      • Textiles
      • Treasure Hunt Weekend
    • Heritage Stratford
      Toggle Section Heritage Stratford Menu
      • Award Programs
        Toggle Section Award Programs Menu
        • Blue Plaque Program
        • James Anderson Award
      • Heritage Permits
      • How to Designate Your Property
      • Designated Properties
      • Non-Designated Properties
      • Heritage Conservation District
      • Heritage Conservation Loan and Grant Programs
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Parking
    • Pet Ownership
    • Property Taxes
      Toggle Section Property Taxes Menu
      • Property Assessment
      • Property Tax Rates
      • Tax Bill Information
      • Tax Bill Payment Options
      • Tax Calculator
      • Tax Sales
    • Social Services
      Toggle Section Social Services Menu
      • Anne Hathaway Daycare
      • Children's Services
      • Homelessness
      • Housing
        Toggle Section Housing Menu
        • Housing Access Centre
        • Perth and Stratford Housing Corporation
      • Ontario Works
    • Stratford Police Services
      Toggle Section Stratford Police Services Menu
      • About Stratford Police
      • Services and Reporting
        Toggle Section Services and Reporting Menu
        • Background Checks
        • Police Fee Schedule
        • Freedom of Information Requests
        • Community Equity Action Team
      • Crime Prevention
      • Careers
    • Transportation
      Toggle Section Transportation Menu
      • Stratford Municipal Airport
      • Parking
      • Rail
      • Roads
      • Transit
      • Parallel Transit
      • Pedestrian Crossovers
      • School Travel Safety
    • Utilities
    • Wastewater and Stormwater
      Toggle Section Wastewater and Stormwater Menu
      • Fats, Oils and Grease
      • Sanitary Service Ownership
      • Sewer Subsidy Programs
      • Draining Your Pool or Hot Tub
    • Water
      Toggle Section Water Menu
      • Water Annual Reports
      • Water and Sewer Rates
      • Drinking Water Source Protection
      • Frozen Water Services
      • Discoloured Water
      • Service Line Warranties of Canada
    • Senior's Resources

Contact Us

Subscribe to page updates

Stratford logo

  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Website Feedback
  • Privacy Statement

© 2019 The Corporation of the City of Stratford, P.O. Box 818, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 6W1, 519-271-0250

View our Facebook Page View our Twitter Page View our LinkedIn Page
By GHD Digital
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.