Deterring Wildlife

Do not feed wildlife! Opossums, raccoons, skunks or other wildlife do not need food from humans to survive, and cat food isn’t healthy for them. Feeding wildlife can make them dependent on humans, can upset neighbors and can draw unwanted attention to the cat colony. You can even attract coyotes, which will attack cats.

Possums are notorious for urinating and defecating in cat shelters, which deters cats from from the area.

Feed cats at the same time every day and take away any uneaten food after 30-60 minutes. One or two meals a day is appropriate. More than two meals a day is unnecessary and will make controlling the schedule difficult. Never leave food out for extended periods of time, especially overnight when wildlife is more active. Don’t worry if cats miss a meal. They will learn the schedule. Train the cats, don’t let the cats train you.

If wildlife persists, try feeding cats on a table. Possums and skunks can climb, but they can’t jump. A metal skirt around the table can be effective in deterring raccoons.

It is illegal to trap and/or relocate wildlife without a license. Animals that suddenly find themselves in a new territory may not have a food source and are competing with existing animals, who can chase them away. Studies show very high fatality rates for relocated animals.

Finding Injured Wildlife

If you find injured/orphaned wildlife, reach out to one of the below organizations:

Flint Creek Wildlife, 847-842-8000
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, 773-988-1867
Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 630-942-6200
Chicago Animal Care & Control, Call 3-1-1
Home Fur Now Raccoon Rescue847-707-2514, shamundson@gmail.com