Mondays are such a busy day at the shelter! We have had a ton of visitors, lots of phone calls, and one really upset lady with a fox problem. It seems that a family of fox had taken up residence in the yard of a neighbor who was out of town, and she wanted us to come and remove them immediately. She also said that this fox family had eaten all of the cats, squirrels, chipmunks and other small animals in the neighborhood. She had been on the phone all morning with the DNR, and the police, and felt that someone ought to come out and remove these animals and could not understand why no one would. She hung up on me and I felt badly that she was so frustrated and felt like no one would help her.
Elmbrook Humane Society will always respond to phone calls about injured wildlife. It is out job to pick those animals up and make sure they receive the proper medical care. Often times, we will transfer injured wildlife to our good friends in Oconomowoc, Wildlife In Need. We will also come over and remove an animal if a resident finds a wild animal inside of their home. This occasionally happens with raccoons down chimneys, and sometimes bats.
However, when we get a call from a resident saying that wild animals are living near their home there is nothing that we can do unless the animal is injured or exhibiting visible signs of disease. We are not permitted by state law to trap wild animals and relocate them, which is what most people would like us to do. In fact, simply removing one wild animal, such as a fox only creates the opportunity for another fox to move in on the territory. In the spring and early summer we actually discourage residents from trapping wild animals. Trapping and moving a wild animal during this time often creates a family of orphaned babies left to die, or to need hand rearing until they can be rehabilitated and released by a professional animal rehabilitator.
We are so lucky to live in an area that is so rich in wildlife. When I was a kid, I lived in suburbia on Long Island and I never saw any wild animals other than bird, squirrels, and the occasional deceased raccoon on the side of the road. Living in Brookfield, I routinely see deer, turkeys, fox, coyotes, all kinds of raptors, reptiles, and the occasional skunk or opossum. Wild animals are around us all the time, probably many more than we are even aware of. Most will pass through our yards without us even noticing.
Now, other than my dogs rolling in deer droppings, and the occasional raccoon ripping open my trash, I have not had any real problems with wild animals. But I know that many residents are not as charmed by the sight of a family of fox, or coyotes in their yard. The best way to avoid having wild animals decide to take up residence near your home is to make it as unwelcoming as possible. Here are some tips:
1. Make sure the exterior of your home has no holes, cracks or broken attic/basement windows where a wild animal might be able to gain access and start raising a family.
2. Keep brush piles and wood piles far from your house, as these can make attractive places to hide for denning animals such as coyotes and fox.
3. Wild animals prefer quiet, secluded places to have and raise babies. Make sure that your backyard is well used and well lit in the evenings to discourage wild animals from lingering around.
4. Feeding birds and squirrels in your yard will attract predators such as coyotes and fox, who live off small animals. If you stop attracting prey, you will also be less likely to have predators in your yard.
5. Make sure your trash is always secure. Nothing delights a wild animal like a buffet of table scraps!
Wild animals are here to stay in Brookfield and our neighboring communities, and while it can be trying sometimes, we have to learn how to live with each other. Please do not hesitate to contact EBHS if you need some tips on your own special issues with wildlife. We will do all we can to help keep your family, and family companion animals safe, and tell you the best ways to deter wild animals from becoming homesteaders on your land.
One last reminder - Please keep your cats indoors and do not let your dogs roam around unattended. They can easily fall victim to a wild animal!
