Winter wildlife tips

Remove bird feeders, keep dogs on leashes and avoid dens

The days may be colder, the snow may be deeper, but that doesn’t mean wild animals – including coyotes, raccoons, foxes and squirrels – aren’t out enjoying everything Mother Nature has to offer. 

This is completely normal. And with some simple tips from the City of Vaughan, you and your family can learn how to live peacefully with urban wildlife. 

Here’s everything you need to know:

Coyotes

Coyotes mate between January and March, and, as a result, you may hear them making more noise than usual. Coyote sightings often increase in the winter because trees and bushes have lost their leaves, making it easier to spot animals in forested areas against the snow.

If you encounter a coyote, keep your distance and keep pets on a short leash. If the coyote approaches you directly:

• stop: pick up children and small pets, if necessary.
• stand your ground: never run from a coyote, fox or domestic dog. 
• make yourself big: wave your hands above your head.
• be loud and assertive: shout, stomp your feet and clap your hands.
• use a noisemaker: it could be your voice, pots and pans banged together, a shaker can (such as a pop can filled with pebbles), a plastic bag (snap it around), or an umbrella popping open and closed.
• slowly back away: be assertive as you leave so the animal knows it is not welcome.

During the winter, coyotes select a den location to rear their pups – you should avoid these areas. It is especially important at this time of year to ensure your property is unwelcoming to wildlife to avoid a coyote from making their dens close to your home. Animal Services officers are available to speak with and assist you, conduct property audits to identify coyote attractants and provide education on how to deter wildlife from your property. For more information and tips, visit vaughan.ca/coyotes or watch the City’s video. 

The Council-approved Coyote Response and Coexistence Strategy (PDF) outlines the City’s response efforts, as well as what you can do to help avoid or reduce interactions with coyotes. The actions outlined in this strategy are designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of how coyotes behave and how to manage their behaviour to reduce or eliminate conflicts. 

Never feed wildlife

Directly or unintentionally feeding wild animals (like leaving food in parks) will increase their tolerance to people and pets – and is also subject to a $500 fine! 

And reconsider having bird feeders on your property as they attract small mammals, which encourages larger wild animals to visit your yard. 

Be a responsible pet owner

Always keep dogs on leashes when outdoors if you’re not in a safe, enclosed backyard. And keep cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure. Free-roaming pets are vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. Almost all conflicts between wildlife and dogs occur when they are off-leash. 

Do not invite unwanted houseguests

Keep your home properly sealed so wildlife stays outdoors. Remove attractants by picking up dog feces, cleaning outdoor grills and securing recycling and compost bins. Put waste out the morning of your collection day, rather than leaving it on the street overnight. Collect and store bins and any uncollected garbage on the same day.

To report a sick or injured wild animal, please call the City at 905-832-2281. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.

For updates and news as it happens, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.