Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) does not capture or trap healthy wild animals, unless the animal appears to be rabid or has bitten a person or pet.
If healthy wildlife are a nuisance, you can search the internet or call 411 to find a wildlife removal service. If you call 411, your phone service provider may charge you an additional fee.
ACC does not accept reports about healthy small wildlife, including:
- Chipmunks
- Opossums
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Squirrels
- Turkeys
Seeing Wildlife During Daytime
Seeing a raccoon, opossum, skunk, or other wild animal in the daytime does not mean the animal has rabies.
If an animal appears healthy and is seen during the day, it may be unable to return to its den or is looking for food. Healthy wildlife, especially raccoons, may look for food in the twilight hours. It is not unusual to see a raccoon at dusk or dawn.
If left alone, healthy wildlife will eventually return to their dens once they feel safe.
Raccoons Living Near You
If a raccoon lives near your home, you can consult a licensed wildlife removal service. You should not attempt to trap a raccoon yourself.
You can discourage raccoons and other wildlife from taking up residence around your home by following these guidelines:
- Do not feed pets outside
- Purchase raccoon-proof garbage cans or put a weight on the lids of other garbage cans
- Do not leave bags of garbage on the ground
- Eliminate conditions on property that can be used as dens
