Halton Region is currently in the red-control zone

The Town of Oakville is excited to reopen our doors as soon as we can safely do so. All public health guidelines remain in effect.

COVID information
  • 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville
  • 905-845-6601
Town of Oakville home
  • For Residents
    • For Residents

      • Accessibility
      • By-law Enforcement
      • Calendar
      • Cemeteries
      • Community Resources
      • Education and Learning
      • Elections
      • Emergency Services
      • Engagement Hub
      • Events
      • Facilities
      • Fire Department
      • Getting Around
      • Harbours
      • Home and Property
      • Licensing
      • Life Events
      • Maps
      • Oakville Transit
      • Parking
      • Parks, Gardens and Trails
      • Planning and Development
      • Recreation and Culture Programs
      • Roads, Sidewalks and Traffic
      • Seniors Services
      • Taxes and Assessments
      • Trees and Woodlands
      • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Culture and Recreation
    • Culture and Recreation

      • Arts and Culture
      • Education and Learning
      • Events
      • Facilities and Rentals
      • Getting Around
      • Harbours
      • Heritage and History
      • Library
      • Maps
      • Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
      • Oakville Museum
      • Park Listing
      • Parks, Gardens and Trails
      • Program Registration
      • Recreation and Culture Programs
      • Visiting Oakville
      • Volunteer Opportunities
  • For Business
    • For Business

      • Building, Planning and Development
      • Business Directory
      • Business Improvement Areas
      • Business Licensing
      • Business Start-up
      • Economic Development
      • Maps
      • Sponsorship and Advertising
      • Taxes and Assessments
      • Town Procurement
      • Visiting Oakville
      • Zoning
  • Environment
    • Environment

      • Air
      • Climate Change
      • Community Sustainability
      • Corporate Sustainability
      • Education and Learning
      • Energy
      • Environmental Stewardship
      • Land
      • Monitoring and Indicators
      • Water
      • Wildlife and Biodiversity
  • Town Hall
    • Town Hall

      • Accessibility
      • Administration, CAO and Commissioners
      • Agendas and Minutes
      • Budgets and Finances
      • By-laws
      • Calendar
      • Citizen Surveys
      • Committees
      • Corporate Initiatives
      • Council
      • Elections
      • Employment
      • Events
      • Facilities
      • Freedom of Information
      • Human Resources
      • Mayor
      • News and Notices
      • Oakville Transit
      • Open Data
      • Performance Dashboard
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Town Services
      • Zoning
  • Search

Wildlife-Proofing Your Property

A safe place to live, food to eat, a place to raise a family — it's not just people but the many types of wild animals, birds and other species that call Oakville home that require these things as well. If there's appropriate habitat, wildlife will make use of it. Understanding how to wildlife-proof yourself and your property helps prevent conflicts from occurring and makes for good neighbours.

The majority of conflict situations involving wildlife are the responsibility of the property owner, set out by Provincial law. In some cases, it's straight forward — for example when a squirrel is nesting in your attic. In other cases, other agencies or levels of government may be required to intervene such as feeding of wildlife that may lead to conflict situations (such as rodents or coyotes). For details, visit Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act website.

The town supports a living with wildlife approach and offers the following information to help reduce conflict situations.

Resources

The Toronto Wildlife Centre's manual, Answering the call of the wild is an excellent resource offering information on dealing with wildlife situations on your property and conflict prevention measures for most species of animals, birds and reptiles. Copies of this book are available at the Oakville Public Library or Town Hall.

The town's Wildlife Conflict Guidelines (pdf) provides detailed information on how to handle various wildlife conflict situations, who is responsible and preventive measures.

Fact sheets are available on a number of topics:

  • Wildlife proofing your property (pdf)
  • Choosing a wildlife control company (pdf)
  • Living with coyotes (pdf)
  • Living with Canada geese (pdf)

Feeding wildlife

Feeding is one of the main reasons conflicts can arise between people and wildlife. Besides causing problems for people, it’s also not healthy for wildlife and can result in serious consequences, even death.

Problems for wildlife include:

  • Animals lose their natural fear of humans and pets, which may cause more conflict
  • Artificial food sources are not healthy for wildlife to consume and can cause serious illness
  • Feeding animals roadside can increase their risk of being hit by vehicles.

Problems for people include:

  • Squirrels or birds can bring nuts to neighbouring yards which is dangerous for children with life-threatening allergies
  • Feeding wildlife may attract unwanted species to your property
  • Animals will learn to associate humans with food, which can become a problem to the community
  • Adapted animals may become aggressive
  • Overfeeding animals (such as Canada geese and pigeons) can cause excess waste materials which is both unhealthy and unsightly

In cases of problem feeding issues, the town's Property Standards By-law (2011-075) prohibits feeding that attracts pests or creates potentially unsafe conditions (e.g. rodents, coyotes). The Parks By-law (2013-013) restricts feeding of wildlife in public spaces. Both of these by-laws carry associated penalties that may be levied for ongoing situations.

Checklist for wildlife-proofing your property

Although wild animals can become a nuisance, they don’t usually threaten human health or safety. The least traumatic and most inexpensive way of dealing with wild animals is to animal-proof your property before wildlife moves in. By vaccinating and securely confining pets, and teaching your children to respect wildlife and to leave wild animals alone, you can reduce any risk to human health and safety.

Here’s a handy checklist you can use to wildlife-proof your home. Open the checklist for wildlife proofing your property (pdf) or you can request one by contacting the town.

For referrals to a humane wildlife control company, contact the Oakville and Milton Humane Society.

How to find Us

  • Contact us
  • 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario
  • 905-845-6601

Connect with the Town of Oakville

Translate this page:  
Town of Oakville

Copyright © 2021 Town of Oakville. All Rights Reserved.

Accessibility Legal Information Privacy

Accessibility Legal Information Privacy