Read these tips from our Animal Care Fact Sheet, Why Live Trapping and Relocation Dont Work. The trapped animal is exposed to the elements and can suffer from painful cases of frostbite and heat stroke. Also, if you relocate a parent squirrel, this separates them from their young who rely on them for survival. Relocated animals may also spread disease to the resident wildlife population, therefore causing other animals to become ill and/or die. To have the power to relocate a squirrel beyond one kilometer of your residence or property, you need a permit. The best move is to release them back into the wild; however, it is illegal the state of Florida to relocate wildlife on public land. The Ottawa Humane Society achieved prestigious accreditation from Imagine Canadas Standards Program in April 2016. It is illegal to destroy, relocate, or possess wild birds, their nests, or their eggs. When the only other option is killing, we sometimes agree that relocation, which gives the wild animal at least a chance, is acceptable. There are long-term humane solutions available that include locating the point of entry, humanely excluding the animals, and maintaining your property to prevent animals from re-entering or other animals to move in. By law, you generally cannot keep wild animals captive or release them into the wild in Ontario. It must look for new ways to get food and water and build a new shelter. Likely she also failed to consider potential health risks to herself (this could have been rabies) and her own pets as the distemper virus is highly contagious and potentially fatal to dogs. Improper use of a live trap, which results in animal suffering, could lead to animal cruelty charges through the Ontario PAWS Act. To have a better experience, you need to: What you can do if a wild animal is causing damage to personal property. Relocated animals may also spread disease to the resident wildlife population, therefore causing other animals to become ill or die. If you cant wait for the animals to leave on their own, the next best strategy is humane evictiongently harassing the animals so theyll move to an alternative location. Relocating a squirrel to a new environment puts it at a disadvantage. It sounds like trapping and relocating wildlife is legally complicated and does not usually end well for wildlife. Thank you for joining our online community. By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive autodialed, recurring text messages from the HSUS with updates and ways you can help animals. As explained in an article from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, animals are adapted for the brief muscle exertion and stress that accompany escaping from predators, but they are not adapted for extended struggles in a trap or restraint. As a result, the Canadian federal government has the authority to pass and enforce . It is illegal to keep wild animals in your home or to provide care for over 24 hours as they require professional attention. coyotes are considered non-game animals in Texas and may be hunted by anyone at any time of the year. If an animal is left in the trap it will suffer for days and will eventually die of exposure or starvation. To be licensed as a wildlife trapper, one must take a written examination designed to test the applicants knowledge of the California Laws and Regulations on trapping. Map: Wildlife Management Units in Ontario. Ontario works with municipalities to prevent and manage conflicts between wildlife and people. PAWS is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax ID number 91-6073154. It is Ineffective: Trapping and relocating wildlife is only a temporary measure and is useless in the long-term. These rules range from the type of squirrels that can be killed, tools that can be used for trapping and killing to how to carry out such. So he was releasing her pretty close to home, thinking she would return for the babies if she needed to. It Might Be Illegal to Relocate Wildlife - Colonial Pest Control We are located in Lynnwood, Washington, with a satellite cat adoption center in Seattles University District. You might also be putting the squirrel in a situation where it encounters a territorial dispute with other wild animals. Be tolerant and wait a few weeks until the family has vacated the premises and youll prevent orphaning of the young altogether. If you kill a wolf or coyote in most parts of central and northern Ontario (Wildlife Management Units 1-42, 46-50 and 53-58) you must report the dead wolf or coyote to the ministry. Keep wild animals in captivity | ontario.ca It is great that you have the heart to help. When she noticed us, the woman hurried down the trail toward the parking lot with her empty carrier. Think of it this way: nature, or in this case your neighborhood, offers "jobs" occupied by animals. If the block hasnt moved for three to four days (and its not the dead of winter), the den has been vacated and its safe to make repairs. She had no idea where she was. Squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife can return from 5, 10, or even 15 miles away . The Ministry of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act states that the trapping and relocation of wildlife is illegal. The only exceptions are non-native speciesHouse Sparrows, European Starlings, and Rock Pigeons. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390. The only way to alleviate conflicts, prevent them from recurring, and to take the most humane route for the animal, is to change the conditions on your property that allowed the conflict to happen in the first place. With this provision, the squirrel can still find its way back to your property thereby wasting your initial effort. Sign up today! The province supports municipalities by providing advice and expertise on: Any situation that impacts public safety should be referred to the local police since they have the authority to deal with these matters.