Ways to help from home

You can make a difference from home for Ontario’s wildlife! Human-wildlife coexistence is easy and can be done by keeping pets supervised, sealing entry points in your home, and respecting wild animals’ space.

Harm: Leaving trash unsecured or out too early can attract wildlife, leading to unwanted encounters and wildlife reliance on humans.

What to Do Instead: Securely store trash in animal-proof bins and only put it out on collection day to minimize access.

Harm: Improper sealing can trap animals inside homes, leading to stress and potential injury or death. If animals can access areas in your shed, garage, or home, they may also nest there.

What to Do Instead: Use humane methods to identify and close entry points, ensuring any trapped animals can escape safely.

Harm: Inhumane traps can cause severe suffering and can inadvertently capture non-target species, including pets.

What to Do Instead: Use humane traps that allow for safe relocation, or implement preventive measures to avoid wildlife issues.

Harm: Cutting trees during nesting season can destroy nests, leading to the loss of eggs and fledglings.

What to Do Instead: Plan tree maintenance outside of nesting season (typically spring to early summer) and check for nests before cutting.

Harm: Birds can fly into windows, leading to injury or death due to glass reflections. In fact, bird-window collisions lead to around 25 million migratory bird deaths annually in Canada alone.

What to Do Instead: Use window decals, screens, or films to make glass more visible to birds and reduce collisions.

Harm: Pets roaming freely can chase or harm wildlife, leading to injuries for both pets and animals.

What to Do Instead: Keep pets indoors or on a leash during walks, and provide a secure outdoor space like a catio or fenced yard.

Harm: Litter can attract wildlife, leading to hazardous encounters and the ingestion of harmful materials.

What to Do Instead: Regularly clean up your yard and surrounding areas, properly dispose of trash, and participate in local clean-up events to reduce litter.

Harm: Bright lights can disrupt the natural behaviors of wildlife, leading to disorientation and conflicts.

What to Do Instead:Use motion-sensor lighting or low-intensity, warm lights to minimize impact on local wildlife.

Harm: Removing natural debris can eliminate habitats for small animals, pushing them into human spaces in search of shelter.

What to Do Instead: Leave some leaf litter and fallen branches to provide shelter for wildlife, allowing them to thrive in their natural habitat.