Urban wildlife control

Vancouver is home to a large range of wildlife.

The City is not legally responsible for wildlife, though the Parks Control By-law prohibits feeding wildlife within parks.

We work with agencies and levels of government to deal with many wildlife issues within City boundaries, including Musqueam Lands – but not UBC and the University Endowment Lands.

Report wildlife issues online

Use our app to report a coyote sighting, or dead or injured wildlife in Vancouver.

Reporting wildlife

Reporting other issues

Reporting wildlife

Inside or outside your home

Situation Animal Contact
Invading your home you rent
  • Raccoons
  • Rabbits
  • Squirrels
  • Skunks
  1. Your landlord
  2. If your landlord does not deal with the problem, report it to City of Vancouver online
Invading your home you own
  • Raccoons
  • Rabbits
  • Squirrels
  • Skunks
 An accredited pest control service (permits are needed to remove wildlife native to BC)
Causing problems outside but hasn't invaded your home
  • Bears
  • Cougars
  • Coyotes
 Ministry of Environment
1-877-952-7277
Causing problems outside but hasn't invaded your home
  • Raccoons
  • Rabbits
  • Squirrels
 An accredited pest control service (permits are needed to remove wildlife native to BC)

Kept as a pet

Situation Animal Contact
Animal designated as wildlife kept as pet
  • Venomous reptiles or amphibians
  • Bears
  • Foxes
  • Wolves
  • Cougars
  • Other prohibited animals
 City of Vancouver
Report online

Dead, injured, in distress, or orphaned

Situation Animal Contact
Dead
  • Birds
  • Seals
  • Otters
  • Whales
  • Dolphins
  • Raccoons
  • Rabbits
  • Squirrels
  • Skunks
 City of Vancouver
Report online
Dead or injured
  • Bears
  • Cougars
  • Deer
 Ministry of Environment
1-877-952-7277
Injured, in distress, or orphaned
  • Birds (except raptors)
  • Native reptiles and amphibians
  • Bats
 Wildlife Rescue Association
604-526-7275
(7 days a week, 10am to 4pm)
Injured, in distress, or orphaned
  • Small mammals
 Critter Care Wildlife Society
604-530-2064
Injured, in distress, or orphaned
  • Raptors (eagles, hawks, and owls)
 Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation
24 hour emergency
604-946-3171
Injured, in distress, or orphaned
  • Seals
  • Otters
  • Whales
  • Dolphins
 Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Centre
604-258-7325
or 604-735-4777 (emergency pager)

Aggressive or threatening

Coyotes

Stanley Park Ecology Society, 604-681-9453
Ministry of Environment, 1-877-952-7277

Bears, cougars, and deer

Ministry of Environment, 1-877-952-7277

Reporting other issues

Mistreatment of pets and farm animals

Situation Animal Contact
Being kept in a vehicle in hot weather
  • Pets
 SPCA
1-855-622-7722
Being neglected or abused
  • Pets
  • Farm animals
 SPCA
1-855-622-7722

Rats and mice

Handle any issues with rats and mice:

  • Yourself
  • Contact your landlord
  • Contact an accredited pest control service

Tips to get rid of rats and mice

Canadian geese

Learn about Canadian geese

Urban wildlife resources

Other governmental organizations

Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada

Fish and Wildlife branch of Ministry of Environment

Fisheries and Oceans branch of Environment Canada

Legislation

Species At Risk Act

Wildlife Act

Local animal rescues

Many non-profit organizations in the Vancouver area care for certain categories of wildlife.

Critter Care Wildlife Society

Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (Vancouver Aquarium)

Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL)

South Coast Bat Action Team

SPCA (Vancouver Branch)

Stanley Park Ecology Society

Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (WILDARC) (SPCA)

Wildlife Rescue Association