Coyotes in the city 

Who to contact

• For more information about coyotes, contact Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca.
• Vaughan Animal Services officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to calls about sick or injured wildlife. To file a report, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
• If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911 immediately. 

Important reminders

• Never feed or approach a coyote or any wild animal.
• Feeding of wildlife is the primary cause of animal/human conflict. Directly or unintentionally feeding a wild animal will increase their tolerance to people and pets as they begin to associate people with food. Reconsider bird feeders as they attract small mammals, which encourage larger wild animals to visit your yard.
• Not only can feeding wildlife have unintended consequences, it is illegal and subject to a fine of $500 under the City’s Animal Control By-law 066-2020 (PDF).
• Do not feed domestic pets outside.
• Supervise pets – they should not be left unattended in the yard and dogs must be on a leash when on a walk. Cats are safest when kept indoors.
• Remove food sources such as household garbage/compost and bird feeders that attract rodents and vermin – which coyotes search for to eat. Keep outdoor barbeques clean.
• Place waste out only on the morning of collection day (waste must be out by 7 a.m.).
• Properly dispose of pet waste.

1. Stop. Pick up small children and pets
2. Shout loudly, wave your arms high in the air or snap plastic bags
3. Back away slowly while remaining calm
4. Never run or turn your back on a coyote

What steps is the City taking to manage coyotes in Vaughan? 

• Attempting to limit sources of food – generally garbage in public spaces – that attract coyotes by working with stakeholders to ensure trash receptacles are cleared on a more frequent basis. The City is also asking residents to only put their waste out on their collection day, rather than leaving it on the street overnight, and to collect and properly store receptacles and any uncollected garbage on the same day.
• Posting signs in affected areas urging people not to feed wildlife – this is prohibited in the City of Vaughan – and to raise general coyote awareness. 
• Proactively patrolling streets and parks in affected areas to inform residents about coyote behaviours, how best to avoid interactions with coyotes, and to respond to answer any questions.
• Conducting a review of affected areas to identify inviting habitats for coyotes that may be contributing to their presence, not limited to property standards violations, uncovered garbage/compost, inappropriate food sources, littering in parks, long grass and unsupervised pets – all of which attract coyotes. The City’s By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services Enforcement team is strictly enforcing all by-laws to ensure properties are maintained in a manner that is less inviting to wildlife.
• Collaborating with Coyote Watch Canada – experts in this field – to assess and monitor affected areas with Vaughan Animal Services to advance the City’s coyote strategy.

The City of Vaughan is doing everything possible in line with the best industry standards and science-based information and resources, as supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Can coyotes be trapped and relocated?